Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On February 16-17, 2026, the 3rd Non-State Education Forum was held in Moscow with the participation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Valery Falkov. At the meeting, the draft "Strategy for the Development of Private Education in the Russian Federation – 2036" was discussed and finalized. The document will cover all levels, from kindergartens to adult education courses.
Leysan Davletshina, a candidate of economic sciences and associate professor in the Department of Statistics at the State University of Management, analyzed the demand for private education and its prospects.
According to the expert's estimates, the private education market in Russia is experiencing a real boom: over the past five years, the number of students in private schools has grown by 60%, while the number of students in private universities has increased by 1.6 times. Moreover, not only private gymnasiums but also colleges have unexpectedly become drivers of growth, and businesses are increasingly investing in the creation of their own universities.
Schools: Demand for atmosphere and 'small classes'
In the 2024/2025 academic year, 234,000 children were enrolled in private schools. Moscow remains the undisputed leader in private education, accounting for 6.12% of the total student population. The Chechen Republic, Moscow Region, and St. Petersburg are also among the top three.
A study by the Public Opinion Foundation found that a quarter of Russians (26%), especially young people aged 18 to 30, would choose a public or private school when choosing between them. The main arguments cited were not only "high quality education," but also psychological comfort, modern teaching methods, and small class sizes.
Colleges and universities are leaders
Private colleges and technical schools held the record, with 514,600 students enrolled. This growth has been ongoing for five years. International recognition is also increasing: the number of international students reached 8,700, 98% of whom are from the CIS countries, Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia, applying on a general admission basis.
As of the 2024/25 academic year, there were 347 private universities operating in Russia. Over the past five years, the number of students has reached approximately 529,000: 82.7% of them are pursuing undergraduate degrees, with 8-9% each pursuing master's and specialist degrees. Moreover, one in twelve students is international.
While private universities previously focused on the social sciences and humanities, they are now actively expanding into IT, artificial intelligence, and technological entrepreneurship.
Business Goes to the Classroom: How IT Giants Are Changing Education
Partnerships with large corporations have become a key trend in recent years. For example, the Central University is developing with T-Bank, the Central Bank, VK, Yandex, and Sber. This synergy allows for the aligning of curricula with real market needs. The STEM approach, which integrates science, technology, and mathematics with a focus on practical application, is also being actively implemented.
The field of continuing vocational education is also dominated by private organizations, offering a wide range of programs for adults.
Challenges and Strategy: What's in Store for the Market Through 2036
Despite the optimistic figures, market participants point to systemic problems. Chief among these is the de facto inequality with state institutions, despite formally equal rights under the law. Private schools and universities still have limited access to state programs and suffer from the perceived "low quality" of fee-based education.
To address the situation, in December 2025, the Association of Non-State Education began developing the "Strategy for the Development of Private Education in the Russian Federation – 2036."
The main priorities of the strategy:
Implementation of industry self-regulation mechanisms; Expansion of public-private partnerships for infrastructure modernization; Leveling the playing field for private and public organizations
Expert Leysan Anvarovna clarifies: developing a comprehensive strategy could be key to realizing the private sector's potential in achieving national educational goals. It could take on an important social mission—from retraining students enrolled in secondary education programs to educating children with special needs. However, this requires improving the quality of educational services, establishing self-regulation and independent evaluation mechanisms, and enhancing the public image of private education.
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 19, 2026.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.