Difference Between Public And Private University in the USA

Abeda UKLast Updated: July 13, 2024

Difference Between Public And Private University In the USA: America provides a diverse platter when it comes to education; they have way too many options and variations. For some students, these concepts may be tricky to tackle. Especially if you’re an international student, you’ll feel overwhelmed. In this article, I’ll be clearing one of those confusions.

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What is the difference between a Public and Private University in USA?

Students often want to know the difference between a public university and a private university. There are some key variations that distinguish the two; I’ll walk you through!

USA Public Universities

Public Universities are also known as state Universities; they’re established and funded by the government. They receive a large subsidies from the national government to operate, as a result, the cost for students are much more affordable.

Every state amongst the 50, will at least have one public University; larger states can easily have more than 25.

That being said, enrollments to public Universities may be harder than you think, given the expectations are high; it’s very competitive. Check to see if you meet the requirements, such as:

A high school diploma.
TOEFL or IELTS test scores; it must be a good score for language proficiency.
SAT, ACT, GRE, etc.
Proof of financial records.
Recommendation letter from previous school.
Certificates of academic achievements and extracurricular activities.
A valid student visa.

Read: Understanding The American Education System (Explained)

USA Private Universities

Unlike public Universities, private ones are not operated by the government, instead they’re privately owned by an individual, or a group of individuals. All states have them; although they’re more expensive. Because they receive little to no help from taxpayers, these Universities rely on high tuition fees to fully operate.

They also accept large donations from students’ guardians and such. Private Universities offer limited study courses, compared to their public counterparts. They carry fewer topics, as well as fewer students.

The campuses are often small; most international students opt for private Universities because they don’t offer in-state tuition benefits.

However, these institutions are more enriched when it comes to clubs and extracurricular activities.

The criteria for enrollment is harder than public Universities though, so many students find this to be a little complicated.

Also Read: What Are Ivy League Universities?

Public Universities Vs Private Universities; The Difference

It’s no surprise that the main difference between the two is the tuition fee; public Universities are much cheaper than private Universities. I’ve noted the differences below.

Methods of funding: Private Universities acquire funding from high rate of tuition fees as they’re not supported by any external parties, whereas public Universities have the assistance of the government and taxpayers.
Admission requirements: The standards are lower for enrollment in public Universities, however, private Universities offer more seats to international students.
Scholarships: Although both of these types offer lucrative financial aid, private Universities are more lenient in this field, which is surprising.
Cost of education: There’s an obvious difference; with private institutions having higher expenses.
Choices of majors/courses: Public Universities have a larger selection of subjects and options, while private Universities provide fewer specialized choices.
Quality of education: In most cases, public Universities have better education and topics, as the spectrum is larger; they’re more diverse, more open minded. They evaluate educators based on their experiences in teaching, whereas private Universities focus more on the research history the professors have conducted.

How To Choose The Right One?

Take these factors into consideration:

The most significant aspect to look for is the financial stability; it’s better to not bite off more than you can chew, as it’ll be a burden you have to carry for a long time.
Not all public Universities are cheaper; and not all private Universities are cripplingly expensive, there are exceptions, which why it’s important to do your due diligence.
Look through the admission requirements, and see if you fit them; your aim should be based on that.
The majors and courses drastically differ, depending on the institutions. Not every University will carry the subject you wish to study, therefore that should be considered.
If you’re targeting for a scholarship, the expectations will increase by a landslide, especially if it’s a prestigious institution.
Research about the study environment, quality, teachers, clubs and other necessities. These factors play a huge role in your studies. If it’s not to your liking, you may find yourself to be demotivated.

Few Of The Best Public Universities In USA

Los Angeles City College: With a history of over 90 years, they have proudly assisted thousands of students since their establishment. You can study subjects like business, management biomedical engineering technology, English language and literature, to name a few.

Tuition fee: $1000 – $5000 per semester.

Location: Los Angeles, CA.

Mission College: They offer various art degrees, business, accounting, culinary arts, web design and more. This a good pick for those who are humanities subjects’ students.

Tuition fee: $10,180 for international students.

Location: Santa Clara.

South Dakota State University: As they provide 80 majors and 97 minors, you can’t really go wrong with it! You’ll be studying in a welcoming atmosphere with all kinds of students to befriend.

Tuition fee: $1000 – $5000 per semester.

Location: Brookings, South Dakota.

Also Read: Bachelor of Arts Vs Bachelor of Science: What’s the Difference? (BA and BS Degree)

Few Of The Best Private Universities In USA

Berkeley College: Berkeley College is one of the most prestigious institutions in America, boasting thousands of students and a large variation of subjects. Getting into this University is seen as a sign of merit, not that it should matter though.

Tuition fee: $12,950 per semester.

Location: New York.

Manhattan College: You can choose this for its excellent quality of education, subjects and diverse atmosphere.

Tuition fee: $5000 – $10000 per semester.

Location: Manhattan, NYC.

Baylor University: It’s known worldwide for its academic excellence, however the criteria may seem a bit tricky to fit. But look through it to see if it floats your boat.

Tuition fee: $50000 – $60000 per year.

Location: Waco, Texas.

Also Read: Bachelor of Arts Vs Bachelor of Science: What’s the Difference? (BA and BS Degree)