Public Universities vs. Private Universities: Choose right for your Master’s

Public Universities vs. Private Universities: Choose What’s Right for Your Master’s

When you look for universities abroad, you can choose from public or private universities. Many students from India need to be fully aware of the differences between these institutions of higher education and it can be a challenge to figure out which is best suited to your academic profile and career objectives. 

This article explores public and private universities and the differences in their approaches to education, research, and student life.

What is a public university?

A public university is a college or university that the state or department of education owns. These universities receive a significant amount of funding from the government. Their operations are met from the education budget with taxpayer money. Tuition fees at public universities are generally lower than at private universities. 

Some characteristics of public universities include: 

• Funding: Public universities are funded by the government through a national or subnational government. 
• Tuition: Public universities typically have lower tuition than private universities. 
• Size: Public universities are often large, with big campuses and thousands of students. 
• In-state tuition: Many public universities in the USA offer in-state tuition, that is students who permanently live there pay less. Some public universities are required to accept a certain percentage of students from their state to maintain funding. 
• Flexibility: Public universities are often more flexible with their requirements. 
• Programs and research: Public universities often offer more programs and research opportunities. 

Examples:

• India: University of Calcutta, University of Delhi, University of Mumbai, Jadavpur University. 
• United States: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley); University of Michigan; University of Texas at Austin.
• United Kingdom: University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Glasgow.
• Canada: University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia.
• Australia: University of Melbourne, Australian National University (ANU), University of Sydney.
• France: Sorbonne University, Paris-Saclay University, University of Lyon.
• Germany: Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Technical University of Munich, University of Heidelberg.

What is a private university? 

A private university is a college or university that is not primarily funded by a state government. Private universities are typically smaller than public universities and have smaller class sizes. They are often funded by tuition, investments, and donations by philanthropists. 

Private universities have the following characteristics: 

• Smaller class sizes: Private universities are often smaller, which can lead to a more individualized approach to education. 
• More specialized academic programs: Private universities may offer more specialized academic programs. 
• Religious affiliations: Some private schools may have religious affiliations. 
• Higher graduation rate: Private universities may have a higher graduation rate. 
• More geographically diverse community: Private universities may have a more geographically diverse community. 
• Private universities are subject to government rules and regulations and often receive tax breaks, public student loans, and government grants. 
• Different countries have different regulations regarding accreditation for private universities.

Examples:

• India: Amity University at Noida, Birla Institute of Technology at Pilani, Manipal Academy of Higher Education at Manipal.
• United States: Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
• United Kingdom: University of Buckingham, Regent’s University London.
• Canada: Quest University, St. Mary’s University.
• Australia: Bond University, Torrens University.
• France: HEC Paris, Sciences Po, École Polytechnique.
• Germany: Jacobs University Bremen, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.

The principal difference between public and private universities is in the source of funding. 

In the following section, we will examine the differences between public and private universities. 

Differences between public and private universities

Public and private universities differ in several key aspects. These include funding sources, tuition costs, class sizes, and more. 

Understanding these differences can help students make an informed decision. 

1. Funding Sources

Public universities are funded primarily by state governments and receive significant financial support from taxpayer dollars. Private universities do not receive any aid from the government budget but rely on tuition fees. In the USA, many top private universities receive enormous donations from wealthy alumni. 

2. Tuition Costs

Because they are state-funded, public universities are able to keep their fees lower. In the USA, public universities charge about twice as much as out-of-state and international students. Private universities have to charge higher fees to meet the operating costs and pay the faculty. 

For example, an MS in Computer Science from Harvard University which is a private research university costs upto $83,000. At Stanford University, another private institution it costs $46,300. Compare that to the $26,000 charged by the University of California, Berkeley a public university and the difference is immediately clear. 

3. Student-Faculty Ratios

A “Student-Faculty Ratio” refers to the number of students enrolled at a school or university divided by the number of faculty members teaching them. A lower student-faculty ratio usually indicates a better standard of education. Public universities: tend to have larger student bodies, which leads to larger class sizes. Since they are government-aided, public universities have to offer education to more students. Private universities have fewer students and smaller class sizes. 

The student-faculty ratio at California State University (CSU) – Los Angeles, a public university is 21:1

Compare that ratio to 6:1 at Stanford University and it is easy to understand which offers students more personalized attention. 

4. Governance 

In many nations like the UK, a public university is an independent and self-governing institution. On the other hand, most state universities in the United States are owned and operated by the state government. In India, it is a mix of both with limited autonomy for a public university. 

Private universities are usually not-for-profit entities and in the USA most are registered as private corporations which are exempt from federal income tax. 

5. Academic Programs 

Usually, public universities teach more subject areas. Due to larger budgets, they can easily operate several departments and labs. Barring a few wealthy private universities such as Caltech, MIT, and Stanford University, few others can afford to make such investments. 

When you compare eminent institutions in the USA it can be quite difficult to choose between public and private universities. In most other nations, e.g. India and the UK, private universities rank lower and the choice is easier. 

Public vs private universities: Pros and cons

As you understand by now both public and private universities have their own advantages and disadvantages. Below is a detailed examination of the pros and cons of public and private universities.

Public Universities

Pros 

1. More Affordable

Public universities are government funded which makes them a more affordable alternative. For students with limited financial resources, public universities offer excellent education at a fraction of the cost.

2. Diverse Academic Programs

Due to their large size and extensive budgets public universities can staff and operate many different courses across a wide variety of disciplines. At almost every public university around the world, you are likely to find courses in engineering, business management, arts, and humanities. 

3. Social Diversity

Since they are more affordable, the student body is diverse as well. You will be able to find students from different socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures and explore various ideas and perspectives. 

4. Extensive Resources 

Many public universities feature large campuses with extensive resources, such as research labs, libraries, and recreational facilities. Their size allows them to invest in infrastructure that benefits both students and faculty.

Cons 

1. Larger Class Sizes

This is the biggest drawback of any public university. There are too many students and the professors are unable to offer personalized teaching. 

2. Administrative Challenges

Most public universities are vast bureaucracies that can have frustrating procedures. Administrative processes like credit transfer, financial aid, or academic advising can sometimes happen at a snail’s pace. 

3. Funding Fluctuations

Since public universities are reliant on public funding, their resources are subject to economic conditions and political decisions. This makes it difficult for them to invest in very expensive cutting-edge research demanded by emerging careers. 

Private Universities

Pros 

1. Smaller Class Sizes

Fewer students lead to better student-faculty ratio and learners can get individual attention from professors. Students who desire close relationships with their professors benefit significantly from this setup. 

2. Networking Opportunities

Many private universities, especially in the USA, have a huge reputation. They have strong alumni networks extending into every sphere of public life and the private sector. Graduates from prestigious private universities have access to tremendous networking opportunities and career benefits.

3. Focus on Specific Fields

Many private universities are very focused. Such as Stanford University and MIT are known for groundbreaking research and a strong entrepreneurial culture. Harvard is well known for law and medicine, Georgetown and Yale for liberal arts and humanities. In India, BITS Pilani is known for providing high-quality engineering courses. 

4. More Financial Aid

Many private universities are flush with funds from donations. Recently MIT announced that all applicants whose families earn less than $100,000 won’t have to pay any tuition fee. Harvard University offers 100% need-based scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need. 

5. Well-Knit Community

With smaller campuses and student populations, private universities are a close-knit community. This environment is ideal for students looking for a more personal and engaging college experience.

Cons 

1. Higher Cost

This is an obvious downside to enrolling at private universities. Tuition and fees at private institutions are usually much higher than at public universities. This makes them hard to afford for many students. 

2. Limited Diversity

Due to their high costs, many private universities attract students from specific socio-economic backgrounds. This makes the campus culture less diverse. 

3. Fewer Program Offerings

Private universities, especially those which are not at the top of the list, struggle to offer many choices. More departments translate to larger staff and more classrooms. Students seeking interdisciplinary programs find their options are limited. 

Now that you know all about public and private universities, the question of choices arises. Both have an adequate number of advantages and a few disadvantages. In the next section of this article, we share our opinion. 

How to choose between public vs private universities: Which is better?

There is no right choice in this case and it largely depends on the student’s preferences. If cost is not a factor then private universities with smaller class sizes are the better option. 

However, note that apart from the USA, in most countries private universities lag behind their public counterparts in overall ranking. Regent’s University London, top-ranked among private UK institutions, ranks 299th in the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report Rankings far below a relatively unknown public institution, the University of Manchester, which came in at 67th. 

There are so many universities with a wide range of courses on offer around the world that it can be bewildering to seek admission. To make this process both simple and accessible, GradRight’s university-search platform has a data-driven approach. The algorithm matches your background, requirements, and aspirations with courses on offer globally. You get a curated shortlist by answering a few simple questions about yourself. 

Once you have selected where you want to study, GradRight’s loan-search platform will help you secure the most affordable education loan. Upload your details and 15+ lenders will respond back with their best offers. There is no hassle and loans are processed seamlessly in a matter of days. 

Together GradRight’s university-search platform and loan-search platform make it easy to study abroad at your dream university. 

Now we answer some frequently asked questions from our readers. 

FAQs

1. Which countries offer the best free education for international students?

Many countries offer free or low-cost education for international students, including:

Germany

Public universities in Germany offer free tuition to all students, regardless of nationality.

Austria

Tuition is free for all students, including international students, at all public universities in Austria. 

France

Tuition fees are affordable, especially for students studying the French language and culture.

Spain

Public universities in Spain have affordable tuition costs and living expenses. Average tuition fees are around 1000 euros a year. 

2. Are scholarships more readily available at public or private universities abroad?

Generally, scholarships are considered more readily available at private universities abroad compared to public universities. Private institutions often have large endowment funds allowing them to offer more scholarship opportunities to students.

3. What are the benefits of studying at a public university in Germany?

There are several benefits to studying at a public university in Germany. These include:

• Public universities in Germany usually don’t charge tuition, or they charge a very low amount.
• There are many scholarships available for international students, including DAAD Scholarships and ERASMUS Scholarships.
• Students with a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time vacation.