Private universities generally have higher tuition rates than public universities because they depend heavily on tuition for funding. Generally, public universities can offer cheaper tuition for in-state residents because of the state public funds they receive. A public university outside your state typically charges you higher, non-resident tuition rates, and residents are commonly favored by admissions over non-residents. Private universities typically are known for their personal attention to individual student needs, but standards for individual public and private universities vary.