Federal University and Private Universities in Rivers State Nigeria; Which is Better

There is so much confusion about universities in Rivers State. This confusion will be cleared in this article with facts and valid information to back it up. You are going to learn more about the different federal universities from private universities in Rivers State. Continue reading as this article contains debates on Federal Universities Vs Private Universities in Rivers State.

Rivers Federal vs Private University; Which is Better? Check!

What are They

Firstly, it is important to define what these universities are in their simple terms and simple way laying a basic foundation on the arguments that are below.

What are Federal Universities

Just as the name implies, a federal university is a university that is under management by the Federal Government of Nigeria. This is the most basic and acceptable definition of what a federal university is.

What are Private Universities

In contrast and contrary to what a federal or state university is defined as, a private university is one which is not owned by the government or the Federal Government of Nigeria.

They are owned by individuals or non-government organizations and may sometimes receive support from the state government which they are found or the Federal Government.

Difference Between Federal & Private Universities

Aside from their basic definition which clearly differentiates them based on their mode of ownership, another differentiating category is the school fees. There is a huge variation gap in the school fees of the two kinds of universities.

NUC Ranking

One of the best ways to give a clear distinction between private and federal universities is through their ranking especially ranking done by the NUC body. The NUC is a legalized body of educational authority in Nigeria responsible for the accreditation and ranking of universities.

This article will show the difference between the private universities in Rivers State from the federal universities in Rivers State using the 2023 ranking list.

NUC Ranking of the Federal Universities in Rivers State

Rivers State has only one federal university which runs in the capital city of Rivers State. The name of the university is the University of Port Harcourt and is ranked by NUC second in 2023.

NUC Ranking of the Private Universities in Rivers State

Currently, there are only two private universities in Rivers State and they are:

  • PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt: The NUC ranking for this university is currently 151 as of the 2023 ranking by the NUC body.
  • Rhema University, Obeama-Asa- Rivers state: The NUC ranking for this university is 81.

Which has the Highest NUC Ranking

The University of Port Harcourt which is a federal university has the highest NUC ranking making it the best university in Rivers State as a result of the NUC ranking.

Admission

Admission to different universities differs according to their standards and requirements for each applicant. Some universities are very easy to enter while others seem unlikely. However, one major similarity these universities have in common with respect to their standards is the jamb cut-off mark.

The jamb cut-off mark is an important requirement for every aspiring student and only those who meet the requirements can proceed to further their admission process.

Below are the various cut-off marks for each of the private and federal universities in Rivers State.

Jamb Cut-off Mark of the Federal Universities in Rivers State

University of Port Harcourt: 150

Jamb Cut-off Mark of the Private Universities in Rivers State

PAMO University of Medical Sciences: 200

Rhema University: 150

Which has the Highest Cut-off Mark

The highest cut-off mark is from a private university: PAMO University of Medical Sciences. This therefore implies that competition in the private university is a lot more intense than in any of the other universities.

Diversity

Diversity is the term to evaluate a university by the number of ethnic groups in the university. Universities in a state are mostly dominated by indigenous tribes and tribes from neighbouring states who have a higher chance of admission. River State is home to many ethnic groups such as the Ijaw, Ikwerre, and more.

What Tribe Majorly Attends the Federal Universities in Rivers State

It is impossible to put an exact name to the most dominant tribe in the university, however, evaluation of the university’s easy access to admission considering many factors like school fees and jamb cut-off mark, the federal university will be more populated by different tribes either from Rivers state or from neighbouring states.

What Tribe Majorly Attends the Private Universities in Rivers State

It is most likely that Rivers State has more tribes from Rivers state than from any other state. However, it is important to note that the true major tribe dominating the state universities in Rivers State can not be acquired. Only speculations can be made and debated.

Which has More Ethnic Group Mixture

Generally, a federal university will have more ethnic group mixture than a private university in Rivers state and in Nigeria at large.

School Fees

As an aspiring student of any institution, a very important research that you should do is that of the school fees of the institution you are applying to.

The School Fees of the Federal Universities in Rivers State

  • University of Port Harcourt

For new students: ₦92,150 to ₦127, 150

For returning students: ₦45,340

The School Fees of the Private Universities in Rivers State

  • PAMO University of Medical Sciences

School fees range in between ₦150,000 to ₦200,000

  • Rhema University, Obeama-Asa

School Fees range: ₦400,000 to ₦500,000

Which is More Expensive

The private universities are much more expensive than the federal university of Rivers State, as a result of this the federal university has a greater advantage of admitting more students because of the affordable school fees.

Conclusion

Overall, it is important for you to note that this article does not try to choose which one is better than the other. The major goal of this article is to help draw a fine line distinguishing between a private university and a federal university.

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