The search for the cheapest public universities in Turkey is the ultimate goal for many foreign students wishing to continue their studies in Turkey, a country whose universities are renowned for their high-quality education and high ranking.
Perhaps one of the main reasons they opt for public rather than private universities is that their fees are significantly lower than those of Turkish private universities.
So if you are looking for universities with affordable fees in Turkey, this article will serve as a comprehensive guide presenting the cheapest public and private universities in Turkey. At the end of the article, we will also provide you with an overview of the admission requirements for Turkish universities.
Skyline Education wishes you an enjoyable read.
What are the Cheapest Public Universities in Turkey?
In general, all Turkish public universities are considered affordable in terms of the tuition fees they charge for various disciplines. However, we have compiled for you 6 public universities that can be regarded as the cheapest in Turkey:
1- Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University:
This university was established in the city of Muğla in 1975. Initially, it had only 4 faculties until it gradually expanded to include 18 faculties, 13 vocational schools, 4 graduate schools, and 35 research and application centers.
The university enjoys a prime location, surrounded by a mountain range with a breathtaking view, and the number of enrolled students has reached approximately 40,000, making it one of the largest universities in Turkey.
It ranks as the number one cheapest Turkish university ever, with annual undergraduate tuition fees ranging between only 30 and 85 US dollars.
Moreover, the fees vary from one faculty to another; for example, the cost of studying at the Faculty of Engineering is 55 dollars, while at the Faculty of Medicine it is about 85 dollars, and at the Faculty of Fine Arts the cost is 45 dollars.
As for the cost of one year of graduate studies, it is about 37 dollars, which is a fixed rate for most disciplines in general.
2- Ege University:
This university was established in 1955 in the city of Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. It comprises 17 faculties, 9 schools, and 8 institutes, and its student body exceeds 65,000, making it one of the largest Turkish public universities as well.
The annual tuition fees for undergraduate studies range between 65 and 200 dollars, and in general most programs and disciplines cost less than 135 dollars, except for Medicine, which costs about 200 dollars per academic year.
As for graduate studies, the tuition fees range between 165 and 280 dollars.
3- Dicle University:
It is the third cheapest public university in Turkey
and one of its oldest, having been established in 1962, with approximately 18,000 students enrolled in its programs.
This university is located in Southeastern Anatolia, specifically in Diyarbakır, and it took its name from the Tigris River that separates it from the historic city.
Regarding tuition fees, the annual cost for undergraduate studies ranges between 165 and 330 dollars across various disciplines, except for the Faculty of Medicine, where the cost is about 665 dollars.
It is worth noting that this university is a favored choice among Arab students from various Arab countries, as it is filled with Egyptian, Syrian, Iraqi, Saudi, Moroccan, Algerian, Jordanian, Qatari, and other Arab students.
Also read:
Turkish Scholarship 2023 – A Comprehensive Guide from Skyline Education
Report on the Number of Foreign Students in Turkey
4- Niğde Omer Halisdemir University:
This university was established in 1992, making it relatively new; however, despite its recent establishment, it enrolls 20,000 students in its various faculties and institutes, such as the Faculties of Science and Arts, Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, and Business Administration.
Niğde Omer Halisdemir University is located in the city of Niğde in central Anatolia, and it comprises 6 faculties, 6 vocational colleges, and 2 institutes. The tuition fees for undergraduate studies are approximately 225 dollars, except for Medicine, which costs 2250 dollars per year.
As for graduate studies, the tuition fees range between 165 and 280 dollars per year.
5- Celal Bayar University:
This is a research university located in the city of Manisa, and it is considered one of the largest Turkish universities, offering more than 70 undergraduate programs and over 90 master’s and doctoral programs. It is worth noting that it is the only university that offers a program in Tobacco Technology Engineering.
In terms of costs, it ranks fifth among the cheapest public universities in Turkey, with the annual tuition fees starting from 300 dollars.
6- Kırıkkale University:
The university was established in 1992 and is located in the city of Kırıkkale. It offers approximately 70 undergraduate programs, 100 master’s programs, and 45 doctoral programs, with more than 35,000 students enrolled.
The tuition fees for most of its undergraduate programs range between approximately 185 and 350 dollars per year. In contrast, the study of Medicine is the most expensive, costing around 1900 dollars per year, followed by Dentistry and Pharmacy at about 700 dollars per year.
Thus, we have presented the cheapest public universities in Turkey, and it is important to note that the low fees of these universities do not imply a low ranking or inferior quality of education; on the contrary, they are institutions with a high academic ranking.
What are the Cheapest Private Universities in Turkey?
After discussing public universities with low fees, we must also address the topic of affordable private universities, which are:
The Cheapest Private Universities in Turkey
- Beykoz University: Its tuition fees start from 1950 dollars in most of its programs, such as Software Engineering, Business Administration, and Culinary Arts, and can rise up to 2500 dollars in some disciplines such as Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, and Aviation Management.
- Istanbul Arel University: It charges tuition fees of around 2300 dollars, a uniform price for all undergraduate disciplines.
- Ostim Technical University:
Its undergraduate tuition fees start from 2000 dollars per year for some disciplines such as Interior Architecture, Environmental Design, Industrial Engineering, Software Engineering, and Information Systems Management. - Istanbul Kent University: Its fees begin at 2250 dollars for certain undergraduate programs such as Business Administration, Nursing, Psychology, Physical Therapy, Political Science, and Public Administration.
- Nişantaşı University: The tuition fees are about 2450 dollars for most undergraduate programs, rising to 2950 dollars for disciplines such as Civil Engineering and Software, and reaching 19500 dollars for medical specialties.
What are the Admission Requirements for Turkish Universities?
After discussing the cheapest public universities in Turkey, we will now present the requirements you must meet to enroll in Turkish universities:
- Achieving the required grade for the chosen field of study.
- Providing a high school certificate along with a transcript translated into Turkish and certified.
- Having a valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months.
Providing a passport-sized photograph with a white background. - Obtaining a YÖS or SAT certificate, if available. (This is a basic requirement in some universities.)
- Submitting language certificates, if available.
- Paying the required fees.
Also read:
How to Choose the Right University in Turkey
This concludes the Skyline Education article centered on the cheapest public universities in Turkey, in which we presented a selection of public universities that do not charge high tuition fees, mentioned some affordable private universities, and finally outlined the admission requirements for Turkish universities.
For more information about the fees for each specific discipline at these universities, or for any details regarding the enrollment process, please contact us directly so that we can assist you.