Which university type is primarily funded by government sources?

Public universities are primarily funded by government sources, which include state and federal funding. This financial support helps to reduce tuition costs for students, making higher education more accessible to a wider population. Public universities often receive funding based on enrollment numbers and state appropriations, which are determined by government budgets. This model allows for lower tuition rates compared to private universities that rely heavily on tuition fees and private donations for funding.

In contrast, private universities depend chiefly on tuition, private donations, and endowments, while for-profit universities operate as businesses aimed at generating profit for shareholders. Online universities can be either public or private, but they do not represent a distinct category based on funding. Therefore, the characteristic of being funded primarily by the government clearly aligns with public universities.