What is the difference between public and private universities in Turkey?

Study in Turkey
What is the difference between public and private universities in Turkey?
 

The Turkish government is making great efforts to provide highly efficient educational programs in various specializations and fields, from undergraduate to postgraduate studies. It also strives to facilitate the academic journey for international students, so it receives large numbers of students of different nationalities.

In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the most important features that distinguish public and private universities, as well as What is the difference between public and private universities in Turkey?

Turkish public and private universities

Turkey has become a fortress of science, which international students consider their first choice if they decide to study abroad, because of the advantages that Turkish public and private universities enjoy, which attract students.

Turkey stands out from other countries in the region for its diverse and accessible educational opportunities. As Fahrettin Altun, the head of the Turkish Presidency's Communications Directorate, tweeted, the number of universities has increased from 76 in 2002 to more than 200 today, including 138 public universities and 62 private universities.

He praised the role of education in the future of the world in general and Turkey in particular.

He also pointed to Turkey's focus on education and technological development, which is why the education budget exceeds 256 billion Turkish liras in 2021, allowing it to compete globally in terms of educational standards.

Find out more: Registration dates for Turkish universities in 2025

What is the difference between public and private universities in Turkey?

In the following table, we will explain the answer of the question: what is the difference between public and private universities in Turkey through the following points

Comparison Points

Public Universities

Private Universities

Tuition fees

Public university fees are lower than those of private universities in Turkey, ranging from $500 to $3,000 per year

Their fees are higher than those of public universities, ranging from $2,500 to $40,000 per year

student numbers

The number of students in public universities is greater than that in private universities

The number of students is less than that in public universities

language of study

The primary language of instruction is Turkish

Studies can also be conducted in Turkish and English

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate must be no less than 75%. 

The acceptance rate ranges from 50% to 70%.

Required Tests

Requires passing the (YÖS or SAT) test 

No tests required

Rank

Public universities rank higher than private universities. 

Private universities rank highly globally and locally, but public universities remain superior.

Registration Method 

A competitive system exists among students due to their large numbers. 

Applications are submitted directly through the university's website.

Admission Opportunities

The chances of admission to government universities are lower due to the high number of students, the competition among them, and the difficult admission requirements at public universities. 

The chances of admission to private universities are much higher than those at public universities.

Similarities between public and private universities in Turkey

After we answered the question of what is the difference between public and private universities in Turkey? through a table in which we explained the differences

The similarities can be limited to 6 points, which we mention as follows

1. Quality of Education

Public and private universities in Turkey offer highly qualified educational programs staffed by professional faculty members with extensive teaching experience. They aim to graduate students capable of meeting the challenges and difficulties of the labor market.

2. Academic Majors 

Turkish universities, both public and private, offer a diverse range of academic majors that meet the needs of international students.

3. Study Materials 

There is little difference between the subjects taught to students at public and private universities.

4. Infrastructure 

Turkish universities, whether public or private, boast a robust infrastructure capable of meeting student needs. They offer modern and advanced laboratories equipped with the latest equipment and devices to assist students in practical application, in addition to a large number of libraries filled with books and references, both electronic and printed.

5. Number of Years of Study 

There is no difference between public and private universities in Turkey in the number of years of study.

6. Job Opportunities After Graduation

There is no difference between graduates of public and private universities. Job opportunities are available to both, regardless of the college they graduated from.

Which is better, studying at public or private universities in Turkey?

The answer to this question is relative and varies from one student to another. Some students prefer to study at public universities and others prefer to study at private universities. However, there are a set of conditions and requirements that the student has no control over and that the university requires for admission.

The question of what is the difference between public and private universities in Turkey can be answered from another perspective: the disadvantages of studying at public and private universities in Turkey. We will assign a title to each of them to address these disadvantages.

1. Disadvantages of studying at public universities in Turkey

  • Overcrowded student population. 
  • Difficult admission requirements. 
  • High grades. 
  • The primary language of instruction is Turkish.

2. Disadvantages of Studying at Private Universities in Turkey

  • High tuition costs compared to those at public universities. 
  • Public universities outperform private universities in local and global rankings.

After clarifying the disadvantages of both public and private universities in Turkey, there is a set of criteria that help the student choose the most appropriate university to study his specialization, and we will clarify these criteria in the following heading.

Read more: Admission Requirements for studying at Turkish universities

How to choose the most suitable university for you in Turkey

The student can choose the most appropriate university through a set of criteria, the most important of which are:

  1. Study costs are up to the student according to his financial ability. We have learned that the costs of private universities are much higher than those of public universities.
  2. The language of study that the student wishes to study in. Some universities require the Turkish language, while others allow study in both Turkish and English.
  3. Easy and simple admission requirements.
  4. There are tests as a condition for admission to public universities, but this does not exist in private universities.
  5. If you want to focus on scientific research, public universities are superior to private universities in this regard. 

All of these criteria may influence your decision regarding the university where you will study your major.

The best public universities in Turkey

  1. Istanbul Technical University. 
  2. Bosphorus University. 
  3. Marmara University. 
  4. Ataturk University.
  5. Ankara University (Ankara)
  6. İstanbul University (Istanbul)
  7. Middle East Technical University (METU) (Ankara)
  8. Hacettepe University (Ankara)
  9. Istanbul Technical University (ITU) (Istanbul)
  10. Ege University (Izmir)
  11. Gazi University (Ankara)
  12. Marmara University (Istanbul)
  13. Çukurova University (Adana)
  14. Atatürk Üniversitesi (Erzurum)
  15. Selçuk University (Konya)
  16. Akdeniz University (Antalya)
  17. Düzce University (Düzce)
  18. Sakarya University (Sakarya)
  19. Kocaeli University (Kocaeli)
  20. Uludağ University (Bursa)
  21. Pamukkale University (Denizli)
  22. Balıkesir Üniversitesi (Balıkesir)
  23. Fırat Üniversitesi (Elazığ)
  24. Trakya University (Edirne)

The best private universities in Turkey

  1. Istinye University. 
  2. Bahçeşehir University
  3. Biruni University
  4. Okan University
  5. Bilgi University
  6. Halı University
  7. Üsküdar University
  8. Yeni yuzyıl University.
  9. Sabancı University. 
  10. Özyeğin University. 
  11. Yeditepe University
  12. Çankaya University (Ankara).
  13. Medipol University (Istanbul).
  14. Nişantaşı University (Istanbul).
  15. Istanbul Technical University (ITU) - Private (Istanbul).
  16. American University of Istanbul (Istanbul).
  17. Arel University (Istanbul).

Is the quality of education at Turkish public and private universities the same?

The quality of education at public and private universities is the same. Public universities are distinguished by their high annual number of scientific research publications, which raises their global ranking. Private universities are distinguished by their advanced curricula and modern technologies.

We cannot assert that one is superior to the other in the quality of education.

Documents required for registration in public universities in Turkey

  1. A valid passport photo. 
  2. A photocopy of your high school diploma translated into Turkish or English. 
  3. A high school diploma equivalency certificate from the Directorate of Education. 
  4. A photocopy of your transcript translated into Turkish or English. 
  5. GPA of at least 70%. 
  6. A SAT or YÖS score. 
  7. A certificate demonstrating your proficiency and level in Turkish or English, as required by the university.

Documents required for registration in private universities in Turkey

  1. A valid passport photo. 
  2. A photocopy of your high school diploma translated into Turkish or English. 
  3. A high school diploma equivalency certificate from the Directorate of Education. 
  4. A photocopy of your transcript translated into Turkish or English. 
  5. A minimum academic score of 60%.

How can New Horizons help you to study in Turkey?

  1. Guiding the student in choosing the most appropriate major.
  2. Providing the student with the most important information related to studying in Turkey.
  3. Providing the student with sufficient background on the cost of living in Turkey.
  4. Providing scholarships and discounts of up to 70%.
  5. Enrollment in the best Turkish universities with the best scholarships.
  6. Receiving the student's file and ensuring that it meets the requirements.
  7. Following up with the student through all stages until admission to university and the start of studies.
  8. Receiving preliminary acceptances from students as quickly as possible.
  9. Booking an appointment for the student to have their certificates recognized.
  10. Provide all information students need to know about what is the difference between public and private universities in Turkey?

Contact us now for more information about studying in Turkey.

Conclusion 

Finally, we hope we cover all information you need to know about what is the difference between public and private universities in Turkey, and we learned about the similarities and differences and the criteria that the student can rely on in determining the most appropriate university for him

About the Author

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Team New Horizons

We are a team of passionate education experts committed to delivering high-quality content for students seeking to study in Turkey and beyond. With a deep understanding of universities, programs, scholarships, and student life, we aim to make your academic journey clearer and easier. We don’t just write — we guide, inform, and walk with you every step of the way.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and answers about studying in Turkey

After many years of working on registering thousands of students in Turkish universities, and answering an unlimited number of questions about studying in Turkey, these are the most important questions that concern students

Yes, there are more than 100 Turkish public universities, spread across various Turkish cities. The most famous are Istanbul University, Hacettepe University, and Middle East Technical University.

The private Turkish universities that offer some majors in Arabic are: Sabahattin Zaim University, Fatih Sultan Mehmet University, and Istanbul Aydın University.

Most Turkish universities offer courses in English, such as Istanbul Aydın University, Bahçeşehir University, Bilgi University, Istinye University, and Al-Biruni University.

Their tuition costs are high, they are in high demand from international students, and their seats fill up quickly.

Turkish public universities are better for those seeking lower tuition fees, while Turkish universities are better for those seeking guaranteed admission, studying with the latest educational methods, and preparing for the job market before graduation.

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