Public and Private Universities: Which is Better?
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At the time of pursuing higher education in abroad or India, students have the option to choose private or public universities. Every type of university has its own pros and cons such as reputation, courses available, fees, scholarships and student-to-teacher ratio. Any university plays a great role in shaping your career so it is important that you choose any university after exploring information.
Now the question is which university is best for you? Public universities are government-funded and offer quality education at affordable fees. While Private universities typically have lower faculty-to-student ratios, allowing for more personalized instruction and mentoring. The article will assist you in learning about public and private universities, their difference, similarities, etc. You can also go through the list of the world’s best private and public universities known for their good academic and student outcomes.
Difference between Public Universities and Private Universities
Both types of universities differ from each other in terms of many factors. Students should be aware of the existing differences and apply for study abroad keeping in mind all of the same listed below:
| Terms of Differentiation | Public University | Private University |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | This type of university is owned by the state government | The ownership of these lies with independent bodies and the same are privately owned |
| Student Population | Student enrollment number is higher at public higher education institutions due to their big campus areas | Consists of less number of students as compared to the public universities |
| Cost of Studying | As these institutions obtain funding from the government, it is easy for them to set a lower tuition fee as compared to private institutions. The funding covers a part of their tuition fee | These types of universities have higher costs of studying due to being self-funded |
| Financial Support | As mentioned above, these universities/institutions are funded by the government. Their infrastructure and other facilities are covered with the help of public grants as well as funds | These universities usually do not receive government funding due to which they count only on donations, the cost of studying received from students, and other funding sources which are private |
| Types of Courses | More specialized courses are available for students at private institutions, making specific fields of study the focus | As compared to public universities these offer fewer academic majors |
List of Top Public and Private Universities
The table below features the top public and private universities in the world.
| Top Public Universities | Top Private Universities |
|---|---|
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | Harvard University, Cambridge |
| University of Washington, Seattle | Stanford University, Stanford |
| University of California, Berkeley | Columbia University, New York |
| The University of Texas, Austin | Yale University, New Haven |
| University of Oxford, Oxford | Duke University, Durham |
| Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta | Brown University, Providence |
| University of Cambridge, Cambridge | Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge |
| University of California, San Diego | University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia |
| University of Florida, Gainesville | New York University, New York |
| Imperial College London | Northwestern University, Evanston |
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