Private universities differ from public universities in more of how they are funded.
Many find it hard to choose between a private and a public university because they don’t know which can give the best services in terms of educational training for their dream course.
However many controversies raised about public and private schooling and the criticism placed on one sector of the university above the other.
Some students are still excited about entering a private university, while others are not, especially those from rich households whose parents are always passionate about the projected or presumed good moral values and high level of education their children would receive from these private universities.
However, everything that has advantages also has its share of disadvantages. Hence, this post is about the pros and cons of studying in a private university.
Private University Briefly Analyzed
A private university is a tertiary learning institution that is funded by students, guardians, and private endowments from allies of the institution, corporations, and alumni.
They do not get their primary funding from the government. Private universities are generally smaller than public universities and have smaller class sizes than public schools.
Some private universities may also have religious affiliations. Private universities are more expensive than public universities, however, they may be less expensive with financial help.
Merits of Studying in a Private University
- Better Lecturer Relationship: Students have higher chances of establishing a very much better and more fluid relationship with teachers at private universities. Lecturers also rarely miss class to educate pupils on how to comprehend academic works. One can always meet with the professors to acquire extra information about a topic or need assistance navigating through some areas of the discipline. In a public university, this is quite difficult.
- Educational Experience and Tools of Higher Standard: Most public Universities are not just well-built, but also well-equipped to give rich educational experiences to students. This could be gauged in terms of laboratory equipment standards, as well as the availability of laboratory equipment per student.
- Guaranteed Graduation Date: Another major benefit of private universities in Nigeria is that they are more reliable particularly in keeping to the academic calendar. Unlike public universities, which are prone to strikes. Private universities in Nigeria have little or no chance of going on strike. In Nigeria, it is common to hear of ASUU strike, which is the public university union going on strike. The demerit is that this extends the number of years students must devote to a program. The graduation date is almost certain, but you cannot do the same at a public school since unforeseen strikes might creep in.
- Smaller lecture Population: One of the key advantages of private universities is that lesser population, you may be asking, how is this an advantage? Let me break it down for you now. In most public universities, lecture halls are crowded with hundreds of students, all directed by the same lecturer. This will make the lecture hall unconducive for learning, again, most students will not have the opportunity to ask questions.
Demerit of Studying Private universities
- Â High Cost of Tuition Fee: Students at private universities pay excessive tuition. The high tuition has never made them academically better. Just like the adage, “respect is reciprocal”, “to whom much is given much is expected”. Private universities tend to make good use of the high tuition fees to make their students who pay the high fees happy with them.
-  Limited Course Options: Private universities have fewer majors and course options, which is a setback. Students a rather left with few options for their course of study, and if they desire to go to graduate school, they may have none at all. Only a few are available in bachelor’s programs at several private universities. Most private universities offer baccalaureate programs only in a few majors. Even within the majors, there are only a few courses offered when compared with programs in larger public universities.
- Â Exposure:Â At a public university, you get to meet people from all walks of life, and people from all walks of life in return meet you. However, most that attended private universities will graduate without having met a fourth of your life, let alone your life meeting you. The way they have been trained in the private university environs does not give them the agility to compete (not academically) in the labour market.
- Extensive Effort:Â At public institutions, one will understand that hard work is necessary for success to be attained. Students at private schools are still treated as if they are babies. Although if the public universities are up and doing, I don’t think there will be many students clamoring to attend the private universities. This is in public universities, students have more freedom, and freedom everyone loves.
Conclusion of Studying in a Private University in Nigeria
Studying in private universities gives students certain advantages but some of these students do not get the required maturity for facing the realities of life.
Again, studying in private universities makes education much more exorbitant and unaffordable for the poor masses.
This however, can negatively impact the illiteracy level in the nation.
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