Annotation. The article is devoted to the methodological aspects of developing the concept of development of a private institution of higher education. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the methodological principles and develop practical recommendations for the use of SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool in forming the development concept of a private institution of higher education. Methodology of research. Scientific research is based on the use of empirical methods (experiment, observation, description) – when substantiating the SWOT analysis methodology, theoretical methods (analysis, synthesis, abstraction, explanation, classification, etc.) – when working with an array of data obtained in the research process, systematic – when studying the activity of a private educational institution as a whole system, the survey method – to obtain the objective opinion of interested parties, the generalization of the results – to formulate research conclusions. Findings. An analysis of the development concept and activity strategy of a private institution of higher education was carried out. In order to substantiate the development directions of a private educational institution, an algorithm for identifying factors of the external and internal environment according to the SWOT analysis methodology in the process of forming the concept of activity and development strategy of a private institution of higher education for 2023-2027 is proposed. On its basis, a SWOT analysis of the activities of the Higher Educational Establishment of Ukoopspilkа «Poltava University of Economics and Trade» was conducted. A system of factors influencing the external and internal environment on the activities of the Higher Educational Establishment of Ukoopspilkа «Poltava University of Economics and Trade» was identified according to four strategic directions of development: implementation of the leadership management paradigm of university development; development of educational activities of the university; development of scientific and innovative activities of the university; formation of the entrepreneurial direction of the university's development. Practical value. A model of the development of a private institution of higher education is proposed, which is based on a refined long-term university development strategy with elements of a general corporate stabilization (support) strategy at the expense of: full use of existing opportunities and strengths to eliminate or reduce the weaknesses of the university's activities; overcoming the threats identified in the process of analyzing the external environment in order to reveal new development opportunities and strengths of the university; saving all types of expenses and finding development reserves in conditions of limited resources and external challenges; restoring and increasing the share of the domestic and foreign market of educational services; support of the university's scientific and educational potential based on the modification of educational services.