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.
He went on to a local public university.
Tuition at public universities is often cheaper than at private ones.
私立大学 is privately established, while 公立大学 is established by a local (prefectural or municipal) government, so the two are often confused as both being 'non-national'.
国立大学 is established by the national government, whereas 公立大学 is established by a prefecture or city, a distinction learners often blur.
Compound of 公立 (こうりつ, 'public') and 大学 (だいがく, 'university').