According to publicly available financial reports, four private universities posted annual business revenues exceeding €2.5 million, while Singidunum University emerged as the sector’s clear leader. The university generated approximately €16 million in business revenue during 2025 and reported a net profit of €5.2 million, making it by far the highest-earning private higher education institution in Serbia.
Other major private institutions also reported strong results. Metropolitan University recorded business revenues of around €3.5 million, while Union Nikola Tesla University generated roughly €3 million and reported a net profit exceeding €686,000. Educons University posted revenues of approximately €2.59 million and a profit of around €200,000.
The figures come at a time when private higher education is receiving increased political attention. In 2025, Serbian President announced plans to strengthen the private education sector and suggested that more students could receive state-funded places at private faculties through future legislative changes.
The proposal sparked criticism from parts of the academic community, with some university professors arguing that public universities should remain the primary focus of state support.
Another factor that may have contributed to the increased interest in private higher education is the prolonged disruption at Serbia’s public universities. Student-led blockades and institutional disruptions affected many state faculties for almost a year, creating uncertainty around classes, examinations and academic schedules. As a result, some students turned to private universities as an alternative, seeking greater continuity and predictability in their studies during a period of unprecedented challenges for the country’s higher education system.
Public perception in Serbia, however, continues to favour state universities over private institutions. Many prospective students and employers still view degrees obtained from public universities as more prestigious and academically rigorous, reflecting a long-standing belief that state institutions provide a higher standard of education. While private universities have expanded their offerings and attracted growing numbers of students, the dominance of public universities in terms of reputation remains largely unchanged.
