Private university

Private universities and private colleges are places where students go to learn after finishing high school, but they are not run by the government. Unlike public universities, these schools are usually paid for by private groups or organizations instead of taxes from citizens. Even so, they often get help from the government in other ways, like tax breaks, student loans, and special money grants.

Harvard University, a private Ivy League university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the first university established in what became the United States

Many private universities are set up as nonprofit organizations, meaning any money they make is used to improve the school instead of being taken as profits by owners. These schools can be found all over the world, but some countries have more of them than others. In fact, some countries do not have any private universities at all. They each have their own rules about which private schools can give out degrees and how they must operate.

Africa

Egypt

Ethiopia

Main article: Higher education in Ethiopia

Ethiopia's higher education began with the University College of Addis Ababa, now called Addis Ababa University, which was formed in 1950. As of 2022, there are 83 private universities, 42 public universities, and over 35 other higher learning institutions in Ethiopia.

Ghana

Kenya

Libya

Nigeria

South Africa

Main article: Higher education in South Africa

In South Africa, only public institutions are called universities. Private higher education institutions include Akademia, Regent Business School, Eduvos, Varsity College, Vega School, Milpark Education, Midrand Graduate Institute, and Regenesys Business School.

Asia and Middle East

Bangladesh

Many private universities have started in Bangladesh since 2010. These schools must follow rules set by the government. They need to have certain buildings and teachers before they can open. As of April 2025, there are 109 private universities in Bangladesh.

Brunei

Private schools in Brunei must give students programs from groups like BDTVEC, BTEC, and Cambridge International Examinations. They also need approval from the Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council.

Cambodia

Private universities have been around in Cambodia since 1997.

North South University in Dhaka, Bangladesh

China

Further information: Higher education in China

India

Japan

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

There are 19 private universities in Lebanon. The American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University are well known around the world.

Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya, Japan

Teaching in private universities is mostly in French and English; Arabic is used in religious schools and Armenian is used in one university.

The first university in Lebanon opened in 1866. It later became the American University of Beirut in 1921. The second university opened in 1875.

Oman

Oman has several private universities such as Sohar University, the University of Nizwa, Middle East College, and the German University of Technology in Oman. These schools offer many subjects like business and engineering. Private universities in Oman often have smaller classes and can change their courses quickly to match job needs.

All private universities in Oman must be approved by the Omani Ministry of Higher Education.

Pakistan

Saudi Arabia

American University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon

There are nine private universities in Saudi Arabia.

Sri Lanka

Taiwan

Further information: Higher education in Taiwan

In Taiwan, private universities are often less famous than public ones and cost more. Students take a national exam to decide which university they can attend. One well-known private university is Fu Jen Catholic University.

Vietnam

Europe

Armenia

Austria

Belgium

HEC, in Jouy-en-Josas, near Paris

Bulgaria

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Ireland

Netherlands

Nyenrode Business University is the only private university in the Netherlands for graduate students. It teaches business and management in English.

Poland

Portugal

Serbia

Catholic University of Portugal, a private university in Lisbon

Spain

Switzerland

Switzerland has private universities along with its public ones.

Turkey

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has six fully private universities: University of Buckingham, Regent's University London, Richmond American University London, BPP University, University of Law, and Arden University. Most other universities get some government money.

North and Central America

Canada

Further information: List of private universities in Canada

Guatemala

In Guatemala, the only public university is the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. All other schools that give out degrees are private.

University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, an Ivy League university and one of the oldest private universities in the United States

Mexico

United States

Private colleges and universities in the United States are usually owned by nonprofit or for-profit groups and follow strict rules to stay approved. Many of the oldest schools started to train men for religious work, but most are no longer strictly religious today. Public schools are always nonreligious because of laws separating religion and government.

Only about 20% of college students in the U.S. go to private schools, while most attend public schools supported by the state. Schools choose students based on how well they do in school and other things too. In 2016–17, about 70% of all colleges and universities were private.

Tuition at private universities is often higher than at public schools, but many private schools offer help with paying through financial aid. For example, at Washington University in St. Louis, about 45% of students get some financial help, which averages around $53,423.