Higher Education: Public Good or Private Good?

Abstract

Over the past one decade, the view that higher education is traditionally a public good is questioned. This article argues that the higher education should be viewed as a typical public good serving for the public interests and on the other hand, market competition will make the value of higher education disappear. As important social institutions, higher education institutions have been played key role during the social development, benefiting not only the individuals, but the whole society, so the noble and core values of higher education for the sustenance of societies should be protected.