Private Higher Education in Slovenia

Purpose: Paper presents differences between private and public higher education (HE) in Slovenia regarding number of students, graduates, academic and non academic staff. It reflects upon growing fragmentation of Slovenian HE and the blurred line between private and public HE institutions (HEIs). Characteristics of Slovenian private HE are described in more detail and can be useful to policy analysts and policy makers as well as researcher-scholars focused on higher education. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the data of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SORS) we first prepared basic overview of HE in Slovenia. Then we examined the relationship between the number of students, graduates, academic staff and non-academic staff in public and private HEIs, and even between publicly and non-publicly funded private HEIs. Findings: We find that growth of private provision has been substantial despite the demographic decline in number of students. Student-to-teacher ratio (Full Time Equivalent – FTE) is better in public than in private HEIs and private institutions offer fewer full-time jobs than public ones. On the other hand private HE has more responsive management, is more flexible and cost-effective. Students –to- non-teaching staff ratio is higher in private than in public HEIs. Publicly funded HEIs account for more than half of enrolled students, graduates and academic staff in private HE. Some similarities can be drawn from public and publicly funded private HEIs on one hand and non-publicly funded private HEIs on the other. Limitations/implications: In conclusion we provide implications for future policy decisions on public-private sector relationship. Practical implications: We provide suggestions to increase interest among students in enrolling in private HE study programmes. Originality/value: We provide a detailed analysis of the private HE in Slovenia with original data that we have collected on individual request.