What's the difference between public and private universities in Latin America?

Public universities generally cost much less or are free, but the admission processes tend to be more competitive and rigorous! With private ones it's the opposite - you pay a lot more but sometimes it's easier to get in (though not always). What really matters is the specific reputation of each university, not whether it's public or private, because there are excellent public universities and mediocre private ones, and vice versa. My advice: research the programs you're interested in really well, talk to people who've actually studied at those places, and visit the campuses if you can, because that's going to give you a much clearer idea than any generalization!

The reality is that quality doesn't depend so much on whether it's public or private, but on the specific reputation of each program at each university. I know people who studied engineering at a pretty well-known public university and came out with excellent training, while others at expensive private schools ended up disappointed because the program wasn't what they expected. What is true is that at public universities access is more competitive (you need high grades and to pass admission tests) but the cost is much lower, while private schools are more accessible in terms of entry but hit your wallet hard every semester.

My advice is that you research well which universities have a good reputation in the career you're interested in, regardless of whether it's public or private. Talk to people who've already studied there, look at where their graduates work, what they say about the experience. Sometimes the best option is a public university with prestige in your field, sometimes a smaller private one but with solid programs. Don't just go by what your parents say, because each institution is a different world.