How do private universities in Germany fund themselves compared to public ones?

The difference in cost between public and private universities in Germany comes down to how each is funded. Public universities are largely financed by their state government, which is why tuition is often minimal or free. Private universities depend on student fees instead, so their tuition runs much higher.

How Funding Shapes Tuition

Why Costs Vary by State

Each federal state in Germany decides independently whether to charge tuition, based on its own budget. A state with sufficient funds may abolish fees entirely, while another might charge a modest nominal amount to cover gaps in its education budget.

My Advice

Factor in which federal state a university sits in when comparing costs, not just whether it is labeled public or private, since fee policies differ from state to state. A public university in a well funded state can end up cheaper than one elsewhere.