Establishment of private university in Bangladesh initiated after the institution of the Private University Act 1992. There are 54 such universities that are operational in five out of seven division of the country.

Most of the private universities are in Dhaka Division summing up to 45. All of them have their campus in Dhaka city concentrating mostly in Gulshan, Dhanmondi and Uttara regions of the city. Two private universities in Dhaka specializes in technology, one specializes in women's studies and others are general universities. There are the six private universities located in Chittagong Division. All six have main campuses are in Chittagong city. One has its urban campus in Kumira, outside the main city. Five of them general universities, while one is specializes in technology. The only private university in Rajshahi Division has its campus in Bogra. In Sylhet Division there are three private universities all having main campuses in Sylhet city. There is no private university in Barisal Division and Rangpur Division