A public university is defined as an institution that receives much of its funding from the state and federal government — from public, taxpayer money. But this doesn’t mean they’re free; in fact, government underfunding can often lead to high tuition and lower academic and instructional quality.

The expression “public” indicates that these universities are owned by the state. A significant aspect of public universities is that it is state-financed. The fund provided by the state is aimed at developing the infrastructure of the university, providing better educational opportunities and increasing the exposure of the students enrolled.