Public vs Private Universities in France: Which One Should You Choose?

France has always been a major attraction for students. Choosing between public vs. private universities in France is one of the first big decisions Indian students face when planning to study abroad. This article provides enough details on Public Vs Private Universities in France to help students make a decision.

Public universities in France offer lower fees and higher academic prestige, while private universities offer tech-advanced classrooms, English-taught programmes, and closer industry ties. All of the universities in France are known to provide quality education at a much lower price than most universities in the rest of Europe and in bigger countries like the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia. But here is an update: the French government is planning to increase fees across universities in France to up to three times what they are now.

So, Indian students planning to study in France must make a quick decision to leverage the still lower tuition fees in France. But since choosing a university is an important decision, given that your future career and the amount of resources you invest in getting into one are huge, this decision should not be made in haste. So, we present this article on “Public vs Private Universities in France” to help Indian students decide - which university they should actually choose. 

What are the Public Universities in France?

France has over 70 public universities spread across cities like Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. These universities are state-funded, government-regulated, and open to a wide range of academic disciplines - from engineering and business to humanities, law and medicine. The French state subsidises a significant share of the actual cost of education - often more than the tuition fee itself - which is why registration fees remain relatively low even for international students. Some public universities in France, like Sorbonne University and Université PSL, consistently rank among the top universities globally.

It is to be noted that undergraduate admissions for L1 at public universities in France mandate Indian students to make a Preliminary Admission Request  (DAP) and apply via the Études en France Procedure. For the remaining upper levels, - L2, L3, M1 and M2- applications are to be made via the EEF Procedure only (DAP is required only for L1). 

As of the 2026-27 academic year, non-EU/EEA students - including those from India - are required to pay differentiated (higher) tuition at public universities, roughly in the range of €2,895 per year for a bachelor's programme and €3,941 per year for a master's programme.

What are the Private Universities in France?

Private universities in France run autonomously. Unlike public universities, private universities have more options available in English-taught programmes in France. Private universities offer a more personalised learning environment and lower student-to-faculty ratios. These universities have direct partnerships with multinational companies, offering structured internships and placement support to students.

What are the Differences between Public and Private Universities in France?

Check the major differences between public and private universities in France, as given below. 

Deciding Which One is Better: Choosing Between Public Vs. Private Universities in France

There's no universal answer to whether a public or private university is "better" - it depends entirely on your budget, career goals, and comfort with the French language. Before deciding, ask yourself these questions:

1. What's my budget?

2. What field am I studying/want to study?

3. Am I comfortable studying in French? Or do I want to study only English-taught courses?

4. How important is college recognition and ranking to me?

Pros and Cons of Public and Private Universities in France

To further aid the decision, here we have tabulated some pros and cons of choosing either a public or private university in France:

The public vs private universities in France debate ultimately comes down to what you value most: affordability and academic breadth, or specialisation and a more guided, English-friendly learning environment. Whichever path you choose - applying early through the EEF procedure, budgeting realistically for the revised non-EU tuition fees, and researching scholarship options will put you in a much stronger position before you land in France. 

If you wish to study in France, get in touch with Shiksha’s Counselling Services for free.