noun
public university
A university established and operated by a prefectural or municipal government, as opposed to a national (国立) or private (私立) university.
彼は地元の公立大学に進学した。
He went on to a local public university.
公立大学の学費は私立より安いことが多い。
Tuition at public universities is often cheaper than at private ones.
Compound of 公立 (こうりつ, 'public') and 大学 (だいがく, 'university').