This study explores the patterns of parental involvement—specifically in college choice, social engagement, and academic support—among private university students in urban and suburban settings. A quantitative comparative research design was employed to examine differences in parental involvement between 359 nursing students enrolled in diploma and bachelor programs at KPJ Healthcare University (KPJU) and KPJ Healthcare College Johor Bahru. Participants were categorized according to their urban or suburban backgrounds, and data were analyzed using an independent t-test. The results revealed statistically that there was no significant difference in parental involvement between urban (M = 68.13, SD = 8.94) and suburban (M = 66.99, SD = 10.38) students (p = .138). These findings suggest that parental engagement levels may be influenced more by family upbringing and dynamics than current geographical context. The study contributes to understanding the evolving nature of parental involvement in higher education across different residential settings.