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As of May 2025, *** universities were in operation in Japan, with private institutions accounting for the largest share of facilities. While higher education is not part of the compulsory schooling in Japan, almost million students were enrolled at Japanese universities in 2025.

National, public, and private universities

Universities in Japan are, just like other educational facilities in the country, either national, public, or private. Around ** percent of universities are national universities funded by the central government. Public universities operate mainly as corporations, and approximately ** percent of the annual expenses are covered by the municipalities. The rest of the universities are private institutions funded by individuals, organizations, or companies. Private universities are the most expensive option out of these three types, with annual fees for first-year students averaging over *** million yen, including tuition and entrance fees as well as facility costs. 

Differences between national and private universities

Apart from tuition fees, entrance exams constitute differences between nationally and privately funded universities. Applicants to a national university must pass both a national examination and one specific to their desired university. Private school applicants need to take only one entrance exam administered by the respective university. As national universities receive governmental funds, they may offer more extensive research facilities as well as collaborations with corporations. Most recently, the University of Tokyo, Osaka University, and Tohoku University took the top spots on the ranking based on the number of collaborative research projects with companies. However, many private universities are highly renowned and have garnered a reputation for offering high-quality education in their respective fields.