The intention of the study is to know the similarities and differences of operations andrncompetitive advantages of two private universities and colleges in Addis Ababa.rnInstitutes which perform similar activities have a tendency to engage in competition byrnmaking one or more variables better than others. Customers also have a wider chance tornshift from one institutes to the other which serves better. Under such conditions,rninstitutes strive to develop competitive positions to provide unique or better productsrnthan competitors.rnComparative study is used to compare the competitive advantages of the two institutes.rnPurposive sampling technique is to select the three categories of respondents, students,rninstructors, and administrative staffs; from both institutes and also simple randomrnsampling technique is used to select sample students and instructors through lotteryrnmethod. Purposive sampling technique is used to select sample administrative staffs thatrnhave a link to academic issues. Quantitative and qualitative methods are used to analyzernthe data through percentages, weighted mean and statements. Average respondentsrnresponse and weighted mean are also considered to make inferences. A total of 125rnsample respondents who comprised of 60 students, 45 instructors, and 20 administrativernstaffs are taken as sample respondents from both institutes.rnThe findings show that both institutes have developed similar statuses on some variablesrnand vary in other variables. Employees in UU has better advantages in salary earningsrnthan SMUC, assisting economically poor students to learn by covering all subsistencerncosts etc. and also SMUC has competitive advantages through forming partnershiprnagreements from international institutes and with wide coverage of geographical areasrnin distance education etc.The findings imply that by working more on those variables which created them similarrnstatuses, either of the institutes can create additional competitive advantage