Top 20 Private Universities in Bangladesh Leading in Student Enrollment

There are currently 110 approved private universities in the country. Among them, 103 higher education institutions running academic programmes have a total of 358,414 students. Of these, 125,010 are female students, two are third gender, and 826 are foreign students. Such information has been obtained from the teacher-student ratio, research, expenditure, publications and teacher-student ratio in private universities in the University Grants Commission (UGC)'s recently published '50th Annual Report-2023'.

According to statistics, among the universities established through private initiatives in the country, North South University remains ahead in student numbers this time as well. As per 2023 figures, 23,113 students are studying at the university. Second highest is Daffodil International University with 21,303, third highest BRAC University with 17,325, and fourth highest East West University with 12,220. Compared to 2022, student numbers in private universities increased in 2023. The growth rate was 4.83 percent. In 2022, the total number of students in private universities was 341,098. And in 2023, it rose by 17,316 students to stand at 358,414.

Explaining the reasons for the increase in students in private universities, educationist and Professor of Physics at Dhaka University Kamrul Hasan Mamun told The Daily Campus that the reason for the rise in student numbers in private universities is the discipline there and the absence of politics. As a result, parents remain worry-free at all times. Students in private universities get their certificates within the stipulated time. Many private universities in the country are now performing well. The main job of teachers and students in universities is to focus on studies and research, and to create new knowledge. These things are not happening in public universities at present.

He further said that the main issues in public universities have now become secondary. Public universities have now become centres for national politics, clashes, evil thoughts and various kinds of manoeuvres for positions and titles. When parents or students see these, it is natural that they would not want to come to public universities. No one would want to waste the best times of their life.

List of top 20 universities by student numbers

North South University – 23,113  
Daffodil International University – 21,303  
BRAC University – 17,325  
East West University – 12,220  
Independent University, Bangladesh – 11,152  
American International University-Bangladesh – 10,909  
Southeast University – 10,161  
International Islamic University Chittagong – 9,903  
Uttara University – 9,531  
Norden University Bangladesh – 9,176  
Dhaka International University – 9,116  
Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) – 8,739  
International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) – 7,887  
United International University – 7,224  
Green University of Bangladesh – 6,855  
BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology – 6,798  
European University of Bangladesh – 6,250  
Premier University – 6,205  
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology – 6,217  
City University – 5,756