The World of Higher Education Inside the Global Private Higher Education Sector with Dan Levy
Nov 13, 2025
Dan Levy, a distinguished SUNY Albany professor and expert on private higher education, dives into the global landscape of private institutions. He discusses the striking differences in private education around the world, highlighting categories like identity-based and elite colleges. Levy reveals the unexpected growth trends in Western Europe that focus on job-oriented programs. He also addresses the challenges faced by private institutions, including the stagnation of their global market share. Tune in for an enlightening exploration of this dynamic sector!
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Legal Definition Anchors Private Higher Ed
- Dan Levy defines 'private' by legal designation within each country and uses UNESCO data as the operational basis.
- This legal definition captures most real-world privateness and enables cross-country comparisons.
Private Sector Educates A Third Globally
- About a third of global higher education students study in private institutions, roughly 85 million people.
- UNESCO data give enrollment estimates while institution counts are less certain and likely undercounted.
Identity Institutions Center Group Missions
- Identity institutions primarily promote or preserve a group's identity, most commonly religious missions.
- They must state identity as a notable institutional mission to qualify as identity-type private institutions.