Private VS Public Universities: which one is best  ?

If you are soon to start college life, good luck and it will surely be an enriching experience. Choosing the appropriate college is a confusing choice for everyone. Educationally, course of study, and size of campus are some of the many factors a student must take into account while looking for a university. Apart from that, the university must provide the specialization of one's preference and assist in the fulfillment of their scholarly and career aspirations. The issue of public vs private universities is very common and is becoming increasingly well known with the emergence of new educational institutions. This blog is an effort to summarize all the differences between public vs private universities so that your understanding is made crystal clear about the two types of academic institutions.

Private Universities

A private university is an educational institution whose funding comes from educational charges realized from the learners, businesses from donors, and personal supporters. Most of the world's leading institutions are private colleges such as the highly regarded top-tier universities. Nevertheless, they mostly benefit from tax exemptions, public student loans, and government grants. Private universities, depending on the nation, are sometimes regulated by governments. They can be compared to public universities and national universities which are either owned, operated and/or institutionally funded by governments. Moreover, most private universities are nonprofit-making.

Throughout the globe, various nations have varying laws on commission for private universities and therefore private universities are common in some nations compared to others. There are some nations with no private universities whatsoever.

The following are some of the most well-known private universities in the world that the learners from all over the world enroll in.

• Harvard University

• Princeton University

• Stanford University

• Emory University

• Northwestern University

• University of Chicago

• Vanderbilt University

• Columbia University

• Duke University

• Cornell University

Public Universities

A state university, public college, or public university is a university or college owned by the state or heavily funded by a government. If a national university is a public university depends on the country (or region) and much on the respective education environment. Unlike a private university, which is typically owned and controlled by a private corporation (not-for-profit or for profit). Both forms tend to be regulated, even if to a lesser extent, by the government.

The term "public" suggests that such universities are state-owned. Another important characteristic of public universities is that it is state-funded. The money that comes from the state is used to improve the university's infrastructure, offer more quality education and raise the exposure of the students who join the university. Here are some of the top public universities in the world which provide the best education at par with the expectations of the present professional world.

• University of California, Los Angeles

• University of Michigan

• University of Washington

• Technical University of Munich

• Imperial College London

• University of Oxford

• Aalto University

• University of Virginia

• University of Florida

Difference Between private and public universities

 There are many elements that may be used to differentiate between public and private university and some of the crucial points are discussed below in the following manner:

• Funding Sources

The primary difference between public and private colleges and universities is that public institutions tend to be funded by the state while private colleges and universities obtain funding from private investors, private enterprises, and tuition fees.Most public universities in Canada are government subsidized for their expenses in comparison to private colleges and universities in Canada who cover their own operating expenses through tuition, financing and private donations.

• Tuition Fees & Costs

Public and private universities also differ regarding tuition fees and costs related with their academic programs. Public universities, through state funding, provide more reasonably priced courses at lower tuition fees and have fewer overall costs to study a program compared with a private university. A private university, however, has relatively higher tuition fees with its programs and can be more costly to a student.

• Scholarships Offered

This point of difference relates to the previous point on the difference between the tuition fees of a private and public university. Although public universities have affordable courses and programs, the scholarships provided by these universities is less than the private universities. Conversely, private universities provide students with good scholarships and financial support options to cover the higher tuition fees, thus providing a lot more scholarships than public universities.

• Certification 

Public universities are typically state and nationally approved and may also be validated regionally. Private universities require these programs from national accreditation which is from the university commission or the department under the government at the national level because without national approval, the private university can void all of its programs of study and its authority to grant degrees. When selecting both a public university or private university, it is important to determine if a national authority has given your choice an accredited program. 

Making a Choice Between Public vs Private Universities: Which is the Best  

When making the choice between public vs private universities, and what institutions of learning are the best fit for a prospective student, many things must be considered before a choice is made. In the section below, many points were made, independently, which are the fundamental realizations about the difference in universities, and will aid people in making a suitable choice on a suitable type of university for a prospective student given their needs and wants.  

• Tuition Fees  

Public Universities have lower tuition costs than private institutions, yet the enrolment process and criteria are a problem, as government institutions can be highly competitive. On the other hand, private institutions charge higher tuition fees, yet the enrolment process and criteria are flexible. While government institutions are subsidized by the province and government agendas, they can charge exorbitant fees and other private institutions charge premiums that seem reasonable based on student ability levels and success potential.  

•  Campus Size and Culture

Some students thrive in a loud and crowded environment while others prefer a quiet and relaxed atmosphere that isn’t overwhelming so the Physical size of a campus can play a huge part in deciding on the right school. Many public universities need to have a larger campus to accommodate their larger student body. Private schools tend to embrace diversity and pride themselves on their unique campus culture and smaller campus physically as well. It depends on the choice of the student and what they feel works for them to learn and develop their strengths.

• Academics and Acceptance Rate

Most private schools, especially if they are an Ivy League school, have strict academic and acceptance standards. A student must meet their prerequisites and meet all conditions to be accepted and even then, the student must fulfill their academic standards once accepted to the school. Public universities have less requirements compared to a private university and typically have more leniency regarding admission.

Conclusion

The decision to attend a private or public university may ultimately depend on you as a student and post secondary education consumer. There are many things to consider before making this decision. Private universities have small class sizes, one-on-one interactions, and generous scholarships; but they tend to have higher tuition rates and selectivity when it comes to admission. Public universities, on the other hand, are usually affordable, bigger in campuses, larger in student diversity, and are funded through state tuition dollars. But they can also be crowded, and competitive when it comes to admissions.

 

While private institutions may offer elite postsecondary student experiences, public universities offer value based education with better access for students to their post secondary education. Therefore, neither is "better" than the other—it's better for you. The best university option is the one that makes the most academic, financial, personal, and career development sense. Make sure to do comprehensive research about your options, visit campuses if you can, and weigh the positives and negatives before you commit to a decision.