Public university

A public university, state university, or public college is a university or college that is owned by the state or receives significant funding from a government. Whether a national university is considered "public" depends on the country or region and its education system. In contrast, a private university is usually owned and operated by a private corporation, which can be either not-for-profit or for profit. Both public and private universities are often regulated by the government, but the level of regulation can vary. Public universities play an important role in providing accessible higher education to a wide range of students.

With over three million students, Indira Gandhi National Open University in Delhi, India, is one of the largest public universities in the word.

Africa

Algeria

In Algeria, public universities are important for education, and going to school is a right for everyone. To join these universities, students must pass an exam called the Baccalaureate (Bac). Each university decides what grades students need to join different subjects or programs. Some well-known public universities are the University of Algiers, University of Oran, and University of Mentouri Constantine.

Egypt

Kenya

In Kenya, the government takes care of all public universities. Students join after finishing school and getting a good mark. If they meet certain rules each year, the government helps pay their school fees. Students can also borrow money from a special board and pay it back after they finish their studies.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, both the country’s government and state governments can start public universities.

University of Johannesburg in Johannesburg, South Africa

South Africa

South Africa has 26 public universities. These schools are either traditional or comprehensive universities.

Tunisia

In Tunisia, the government controls public universities and makes sure students who pass their school exams can join. Students use a website to choose which universities they want to attend, and those with the best results get their top choices. Universities decide based on exam results.

Asia

Bangladesh

See also: List of universities in Bangladesh § Public_universities

There are 56 public universities in Bangladesh as of September 2025. They are overseen by the University Grants Commission which was created by the government in 1973.

Brunei

Most universities in Brunei are public.

China

In China nearly all universities and research institutions are public. Typically, provincial governments run public universities. However, some are administered by municipal governments or are national, which the central government directly administers. Private undergraduate colleges exist but are primarily vocational colleges sponsored by private entities. Public universities tend to enjoy a higher reputation domestically and globally.

Hong Kong

The University Grants Committee funds eight public universities in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts also receives funding from the government. There are four self-financing universities, namely Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, and Saint Francis University.

University of Barishal in Barishal, Bangladesh

India

Further information: List of universities in India

In India, most universities and nearly all research institutions are public. Some private undergraduate colleges exist but most are engineering schools that are affiliated with public universities. Private schools can be partially aided by the national or state governments. India also has an "open" public university, the Indira Gandhi National Open University which offers distance education. In terms of the number of enrolled students, it is now the largest university in the world with over four million students.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, the government supports public universities in each province. Funding comes through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and the provincial and municipal governments.

Iran

Israel

There are ten official universities in Israel, of which nine are public, a few dozen colleges, and about a dozen foreign university extensions. The Council for Higher Education in Israel supervises all of these institutions academically. Only a university, not a college, can issue doctoral degrees in Israel.

Japan

Peking University in Beijing, China

South Korea

In South Korea, most public universities are national. There are 29 national universities, eighteen special universities, and ten educational universities. In addition, there are two national colleges and the Korea National Open University which offers distance learning. The University of Seoul is a public municipal university.

Kyrgyzstan

Manas University in Kyrgyzstan is a public higher education institution that offers associate degrees, undergraduate degrees, and graduate and postgraduate degrees.

Macau

Malaysia

Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, India

There are twenty public universities in Malaysia, funded by the government but governed as self-managed institutions.

Nepal

Pakistan

There are 107 public universities in Pakistan, compared to 76 private universities. University of the Punjab is the biggest public university, followed by University of Karachi. The public universities receive guidance and recognition from the Higher Education Commission.

Philippines

There are more than 500 public higher education institutions in the Philippines that are controlled and managed by the Commission on Higher Education. Of the 500, 436 are state colleges and universities, 31 local colleges and universities, and a handful of community colleges. In 2008, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act 9500, declaring the University of the Philippines as the national university to distinguish it from all other state universities and colleges. Other notable public colleges and universities include the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Technological University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University, Batangas State University, and Mindanao State University.

Singapore

University of Tehran in Tehran, Iran

There are six autonomous public universities in Singapore, including National University of Singapore founded in 1905, Nanyang Technological University founded 1981, Singapore Management University founded in 2000, Singapore University of Technology and Design and Singapore Institute of Technology founded in 2009, and Singapore University of Social Sciences founded in 2017.

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, there are seventeen public universities. Most public universities are funded by the government through the University Grants Commission, which handles undergraduate placements and staff appointments. The top institutions include the University of Peradeniya founded in 1942 and the University of Colombo founded in 1921. Sri Lanka also has a joint service military university, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, which is operated by the Ministry of Defence.

Taiwan

One-third of the 150 universities in Taiwan are public. Because the Taiwanese government provides funding to public universities, their students pay less than half the tuition fees of those at private universities. Ten public universities were established before the 1980s and are the most prestigious in Taiwan. As a result, most students choose public universities for their tertiary education.

Thailand

In the late 19th century Thailand, there was a high demand for professional talent by the central government. In 1899, the King founded the School for Training of Civil Officials near the northern gate of the royal palace. Graduates from the school became royal pages, a traditional entrance into the Mahattai Ministry or other government ministries. As of 2019, Thailand has nineteen public universities.

Vietnam

Europe

Austria

In Austria, most universities are public. The government sets the same tuition fees for all public universities. Except for some subjects like medicine, students who pass their final exams can attend any public university. Some crowded programs have extra tests at the start to make sure students are ready.

Belgium

All public universities in Belgium used to be run by the national government until 1990. Now, three groups — the Flemish, the French, and the German — decide which schools give out diplomas.

Belgium had two big public universities a long time ago: the University of Liège and Ghent University. Smaller schools joined them later.

Croatia

The government runs most public universities in Croatia. Good students pay only small fees, around €100 a year. Students who struggle might pay more.

Denmark

Almost all universities in Denmark are public, and they are thought very highly of. Students in Denmark do not pay to go to university.

Finland

All universities in Finland are public, and they are free for students.

France

Most universities and special schools in France are public. They charge very little — less than €1000 a year. Some private schools cost more.

Germany

Most schools for higher learning in Germany are public and run by local governments. All teachers are government workers. Public universities are usually thought more highly of. They used to be free, but some now charge small fees.

Greece

By law in Greece, universities and other higher learning schools are paid for by the government. Students do not pay for their first degree. Some later degrees might cost something.

Ireland

In Ireland, most universities get money from the government but run themselves. The government pays for most tuition, but students pay a small yearly fee. Some private schools also exist.

Italy

Netherlands

The government in the Netherlands pays for most public universities. Students from the Netherlands and the European Union pay around €2000 a year. Students from other countries pay much more.

Norway

Most universities in Norway are public and paid for by the government.

Poland

In Poland, public universities are started by the government and are free for students. Private universities charge fees and are not thought as highly.

Portugal

Portugal has thirteen public universities. Students pay tuition, but it is less than at private schools. Public universities are very selective.

Russia

Russia has many universities. Moscow State University, founded in 1755, is the most famous. Saint Petersburg State University is also very well known.

Serbia

In Serbia, most students go to public universities paid for by the government. Good students pay only small fees. Students who struggle might pay more. Private universities exist but are not thought as highly.

Spain

Sweden

Most universities in Sweden are public. Education in Sweden is free, so students do not pay tuition.

Turkey

Turkey has many universities, including 129 that are public. There are also private universities. The system is watched over by a special group.

Ukraine

After a big change in Ukraine, the number of universities went down, but more students went to school. Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and National University of Kharkiv are two of the most famous.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the government does not own universities, but many get money from the government. Universities can give out degrees if allowed by the government.

Most universities get money from the government, but some do not. The government can control how much tuition costs for universities that get this money.

Each part of the United Kingdom handles university support differently. Scotland offers free tuition for local students. Wales gives help based on family income. England and Northern Ireland usually have students take out loans to pay tuition.