What's the meaning of a public research university?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school and I've been seeing the term 'public research university' a lot while searching for colleges. I'm not quite sure what it means. Can someone help me understand what makes a university a public research university as opposed to simply a public university or a research university? I have an interest in studying art history. Thanks in advance!

Hey there! It's great that you're starting your college search process early. When you come across the term 'public research university,' it's essentially referring to a university that has two main aspects to it. First, it's a public institution, which means it's funded by the government (state or federal). This often results in lower tuition fees for in-state residents, since their taxes contribute to the funding of the school. Second, it's a research university, which means a significant portion of its focus is on conducting research, providing resources and support to the faculty and students involved in the process, and even embracing research work as part of the curriculum. An example of a public research university is the University of California, Berkeley. In your case, as an art history enthusiast, you'd probably find public research universities with strong art history programs and research opportunities in that field. It's a great place to get a quality education with a lower cost, especially if you're a resident of the state where the school is located. Hope this helps in your journey!