Summary of Key Points
Shanghai Xingwei College, a “miniature private university” with annual tuition fees of nearly 150,000 yuan, suffered a major setback in the 2026 college admissions season: there were zero applications in many regions during the first round of admissions, and even after reducing tuition by more than 100 points, the college still failed to fill its enrollment quotas. The college’s claims about having a “luxurious faculty” (a teacher-student ratio of 1:7, with 80% of teachers being foreign doctors) fell far short of reality, as there were only 16 full-time teachers and 1 professor. This was not an isolated incident; a number of other private universities with tuition fees ranging from 40,000 to 80,000 yuan also faced similar cold reception from applicants. This reflects the rational rejection by parents and students of the concept of “high costs but low quality” in private education, as well as a deeper questioning of the actual capabilities of these institutions.
Detailed Analysis
1. The Dire Admissions Situation at Shanghai Xingwei College
The admissions results for Xingwei College this year were disastrous in several provinces:
- Heilongjiang: Zero applications during the first round of parallel volunteer admissions, and a shortage of 2 students even after the third round of supplementary admissions.
- Shanghai: The initial admission score was 501 points, but it was lowered to 388 points after 6 days for the second round of voluntary admissions, with the promise that all applicants who met the requirements would be admitted to their first-choice major.
- Guizhou: No applications were received for the International Business program in two rounds of supplementary admissions; only 1 application was submitted for the English program.
- Anhui: Only 2 students applied in the first round, and a shortage of 24 students remained even after the second round of supplementary admissions.
- Sichuan: The admission score was lowered below the undergraduate line (435 points for history majors, 20 points below the provincial average), yet the college was still on the list for the third round of voluntary admissions.
With only 136 full-time students and a planned enrollment of 300 for the 2024 academic year, Xingwei College has perhaps the most “lonely” student body among private universities, with only 19 students ultimately enrolling (5 from local areas).
2. The Truth Behind the Claim of a “Luxurious Faculty”
Xingwei College boasted a teacher-student ratio of 1:7 and claimed that 80% of its teachers were from renowned foreign universities with doctoral degrees, but the actual numbers were significantly lower:
- According to the 2023-2024 academic year report, there were only 16 full-time teachers (with 19 part-time teachers and 4 leaving), and only 1 professor.
- The official website listed only 9 faculty members.
- Although the average annual teaching expenditure per student was high (32,000 yuan), special programs such as “sea study tours” and “operating companies” did not generate enough interest. After all, parents paying 150,000 yuan per year are looking for tangible quality of education, not just a fancy reputation.
3. The Widespread Cold Reception for High-Tuition Private Universities
Xingwei’s plight is not unique; many other private universities with high tuition fees faced similar challenges:
- Beijing: Beijing Normal University Kede College (79,800 yuan/year) and Beijing Finance Technology College (79,800 yuan/year) had no applicants in the second round of voluntary admissions in Hunan.
- Shanghai: Jianqiao College (42,000–80,000 yuan/year) and Lida College (59,800–65,800 yuan/year) both needed to lower their admission scores for supplementary admissions in Sichuan and Hunan.
- Commonality: Tuition fees range from 40,000 to 80,000 yuan per year, meaning the total cost over four years (including tuition and accommodation) exceeds the average private university fee of around 24,000 yuan/year.
Even with a 20-point reduction in admission scores, these universities still failed to attract enough applicants. Parents and students are now more concerned with value for money.
4. Three Major Issues Causing the Decline in Interest
The decline in interest in high-tuition private universities is a result of market rationality, driven by three main issues:
- Excessively High Tuition Fees: A fee of 150,000 yuan per year is equivalent to an annual income for many ordinary families, making it unaffordable.
- Doubts About Faculty and Quality: The promised “high-end” faculty does not match reality, leaving students unsure about the value of their investment.
- Unclear Employment Prospects: Although Xingwei reported 16% of graduates starting their own businesses and 58% getting employed, specific job roles and salary levels were not provided, raising concerns among parents.
As education expert Xiong Bingqi said, “Private universities can set their own tuition fees, but the key is whether the educational quality and outcomes match the price.”
5. The Way Forward for Private Education
To overcome these challenges, private universities must focus on quality rather than just high prices:
- Return to the Essence of Education: Invest in building a strong faculty and improving course quality, rather than focusing on superficial activities like study tours.
- Clarify Their Positioning: Either aim for excellence (small class sizes, top-quality teachers) or focus on practical training that meets employment needs, avoiding a situation where they fail to meet expectations.
- Transparency: Be honest about faculty and employment data, showing parents and students the real value of the education.
The market has already made its choice: only when private universities offer both high prices and quality will they attract students. Otherwise, more schools will end up being “lonely” in terms of enrollment.
The core message of this news is that education should not be considered a luxury good; it is a competition based on value for money. The rational choices made by parents and students are forcing private education to return to its fundamental purpose.