Public and Private Universities: Which is Better?
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Public and Private Universities: Which is Better?

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Nov 26, 2025 17:02 IST
Students have the option to select from both public and private universities when applying abroad for higher studies. Both of these have their own pros and cons and one needs to be acquainted with them well before making a decision. The article will assist you in learning about public and private universities, their difference, similarities, etc.
Which university is best Public or Private? When it comes to going for higher studies it is important to select the right institution. Infrastructure, financial support, top-notch guidance, and the overall learning environment are the main requirements for students from universities.
Public vs Private Universities

Want to pursue higher education? You can choose to choose private or public universities. Every type of university has its own pros and cons. Reputation and courses availablity are some basic factors. Any university plays a great role in shaping your career. So, it is important that you choose university after research.

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 state government Ownership of these lies with independent bodies.
Cost of Studying As these institutions get funding from the government, it is easy for them to set a lower tuition fee. Private universities have higher costs of studying due to being self-funded
Financial Support 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. The cost of studying received from students, and other private funding sources.
Types of Courses More specialized courses are available for students at private institutions. 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

If you are looking ahead to studying abroad and need admission and application-related help, you can sign up for our free Shiksha Abroad Counselling. You can also write to us in the comments below.

Q:   What major is the University of Nebraska known for?
A:

According to a source, the most popular majors at the University of Nebraska Omaha are Psychology; Computer Science; Business Administration and Management; Biology / Biological Sciences, etc. Among the 2022 graduates of the university, here are the popular majors:

  • Business Administration and Management: 21%
  • Criminal Justice: 10%
  • Psychology: 7%
  • Biology / Biological Sciences: 6%
Q:   Does Notre Dame offer admissions interviews?
A:

No, the University of Notre Dame doesn’t have any admission interviews. The university strictly only checks the application forms filled by its applicants. However, it is suggested that applicants have a strong SOP, LOR, and grades before applying to the university.  

Q:   Why to choose MCPHS University for MS in USA rather than University of Texas, Austin?
A:

MCPHS University should be chosen rather than the University of Texas, Austin due to the several reasons:
MCPHS has a strong reputation for providing transformative education that can lead to successful employment in the health and life sciences. It is specialised for the health sciences courses. MCPHS provides students with a wide selection of alternatives with over 100 programs in various health and life sciences sectors. The cost of the MS course at MCPHS is INR 17 lakh.

Taking into account the University of Texas at Austin
The cost of the MS course here is in between INR 13 lakh to INR 54 lakh. It offers the MS course in the different academic fields.  Its rank is 43 in Best Global Universities awarded by the prestigious US News & World Report. But specialisation in health sciences would not be available by the student.

About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
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priyakant
Germany, France, Ireland and Sweden Expert
Priyakant Sharma brings over 14 years of diverse experience in operations management, team leadership, and devising sales/merchandising strategies for multi-unit retail chains across Europe and India. Transitioning Read Full Bio
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