Dhaka, Aug. 6 -- At first glance, Bangladesh's private universities project an image of progress: sleek campuses, glossy adverts, and bold promises of 'world-class education'. But for many middle-income families, those dreams now carry a heavy cost.

"I had to take a huge amount of loan from a bank to get my son admitted into a university in Dhaka," said Faizur Rahman, a private firm executive.

"Like me, thousands of parents are quietly bearing the burden, spending savings for a shot at higher education," he said, adding, "Behind the air-conditioned classrooms and polished branding lies a big question -- is this model of education truly accessible?"

Completing an undergraduate degree at a private university in Bangladesh can cost a stud...