A privately endowed college is a type of educational institution that is funded by private donations and endowments rather than government funding. There are a variety of synonyms for this term, including private university, independent college, and non-public college. These types of colleges often have smaller student populations, focus on individualized attention and support, and have a reputation for academic excellence. Other synonyms for privately endowed college include liberal arts college, research university, and elite college. While these terms all describe schools that are privately funded and highly regarded, there may be slight differences in the focus or mission of each type of institution.