Can Private Universities Compete with Public Universities in Spain? University Financing and Political Economics
Fecha: noviembre 2024
José García Montalvo, José Montalbán Castilla
University education financing, income contingent loans, university results, university fees, scholarships
Beyond Ivory Tower. Navigating Higher Education in the Future
This article analyzes various models of university education financing, comparing theoretical aspects and practical applications, and focuses on the competition between public and private universities in Spain. It begins by discussing significant corporate activities and the rapid growth of private university enrollment over the past two decades. It examines the effectiveness and equity of financing methods such as general taxes, graduate taxes, traditional loans, and income-contingent loans (ICL). The article highlights the growing competition between private and public universities, focusing on differences in student demographics, quality, and employability. A survey conducted in Catalonia in 2017 evaluates students’ perceptions and knowledge about costs and financial aid. It reveals a significant lack of accurate information among students, affecting their decisions. The findings suggest that adopting ICL or graduate tax systems could improve equity and efficiency in university financing in Spain.