Turkey is already one of the more affordable study destinations near Europe, but costs still range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars a year. If budget is your top priority, the right combination of university type, programme and scholarship makes a huge difference. This guide shows the cheapest universities in Turkey for international students in 2027 and how to keep your total cost low without sacrificing quality.
Option 1: State Universities (Lowest Fees)
Turkish state universities charge international students fees set by each university, and for most programmes they are far below private tuition. Well-known state universities include Istanbul University, Ankara University, Hacettepe, Ege, Marmara and many strong regional universities in cities with lower living costs.
- Pros: low tuition, long academic history, recognised degrees.
- Cons: competitive admission with an exam score (YÖS, SAT and others), many programmes taught in Turkish after a preparatory year.
Learn about the entrance exam in our YÖS exam guide.
Option 2: Affordable Private Universities
Private universities are more expensive, but many have affordable programmes outside medicine and dentistry, and they admit students mainly on high school grades. For example, Üsküdar University lists nursing, physiotherapy and several Turkish-taught engineering programmes at $4,200 a year for 2026–27, and English-taught psychology at $5,600. Many other Istanbul private universities price non-medical programmes in a similar range.
| Programme type | Typical private fee (per year) | Cheaper alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing / physiotherapy | ~$4,000–$8,000 | State university (Turkish-taught) |
| Engineering / IT | ~$4,000–$8,000 | State university or scholarship |
| Psychology / business | ~$4,000–$8,000 | Scholarship at private university |
| Pharmacy | ~$14,000–$15,000 (example) | Scholarship or state university |
| Medicine / dentistry | ~$16,000–$29,000 | Türkiye Bursları or merit scholarship |
Ranges based on published 2026–27 international fees at large Istanbul private universities (Üsküdar and Istinye). Always confirm current prices.
Full price lists are in our tuition fees in Turkey guide.
Find the lowest real price for your degree
Saya Group compares low-fee universities and scholarships for your grades so you pay as little as possible for a recognised degree.
Option 3: Scholarships That Make Any University Cheaper
A 50% merit scholarship at a private university can bring a $6,000 programme down to $3,000 a year. Türkiye Bursları covers tuition and living costs completely. Read our guides to the 100% scholarship in Turkey and fully funded scholarships in Turkey.
How to Cut Living Costs
- Choose a city with lower rent than central Istanbul, or a district close to campus.
- Stay in a university or state dormitory in your first year.
- Use a student transport card and eat in university cafeterias.
- Budget carefully with our cost of living in Turkey guide.
Cheap Does Not Mean Low Quality: What to Check
- The university is accredited and the degree is recognised in your country.
- The programme’s language matches your level, or the preparatory year is included in your budget.
- Scholarship renewal rules are clear in your offer letter.
- The campus has real facilities for your field (labs, hospitals, studios).
Step by Step: Studying in Turkey on a Tight Budget
- Pick an affordable field, or accept that medicine and dentistry need a scholarship to be cheap.
- Apply to both a state and a private university so you can compare the real final price.
- Apply for Türkiye Bursları in January–February as a free option.
- Negotiate with good grades: strong results bring higher merit scholarships at private universities.
- Choose housing early, before prices rise at the start of the semester.
Cheapest Programmes by Subject: Private University Examples
Tuition at private universities in Turkey varies far more by programme than by university. Here are real 2026–27 international fees per year at two well-known Istanbul private universities, to show how the price changes by subject:
| Programme | Üsküdar University | Istinye University |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing / Physiotherapy | $4,200 (Turkish) | $8,000 |
| Psychology | $4,200 (TR) / $5,600 (EN) | $8,000 |
| Engineering | $4,200–$5,600 | $8,000 |
| Pharmacy | – | $14,000 (TR) / $15,000 (EN) |
| Medicine | $18,000 (TR) / $24,000 (EN) | $23,000 (TR) / $29,000 (EN) |
Üsküdar offers a discount of around 10% for advance payment and Istinye around 5% for full payment, so paying upfront can reduce costs further. Health sciences, psychology and engineering are among the most affordable options, while medicine and dentistry are always the most expensive.
Turkish-Taught vs English-Taught Programmes
At many universities, the Turkish-taught version of a programme is noticeably cheaper than the English-taught one. If you are willing to learn Turkish, this can be one of the easiest ways to find the cheapest universities in Turkey for your subject. Most universities offer a one-year Turkish preparatory year, and you can also prepare through a TÖMER Turkish language course.
Keep in mind that the preparatory year adds an extra year of living costs, so compare the total cost of your degree, not just the yearly fee. If you prefer to study in English from day one, see our list of English-taught programmes in Turkey and compare their fees carefully.
Hidden Costs Students Often Forget
Low tuition does not always mean a low total cost. When comparing universities, add these items to your budget:
- Application and registration fees, which some universities charge on top of tuition.
- Student residence permit fees and the residence card, applied for through e-ikamet after enrolment.
- Health insurance, which is required for your residence permit.
- Document costs such as translations, notarisation, apostilles and diploma equivalence.
- Housing deposits and furniture if you rent a private flat.
- Travel to and from your home country during holidays.
Your choice of city also matters. Istanbul has the widest choice of universities but higher rents, while cities such as Ankara, Eskişehir or Konya are usually cheaper to live in. Our guide to studying in Ankara covers one popular, more affordable alternative.
Affordable Options for Master’s and PhD Students
If you are looking at postgraduate study, the picture is a little different. State universities usually charge modest fees for master’s and doctoral programmes, and many research-based programmes are taught partly or fully in English. Private universities also offer master’s degrees, often with shorter, non-thesis options aimed at working professionals, but prices vary widely by field.
Postgraduate students also have better access to funding. Türkiye Bursları accepts master’s and PhD applicants, usually opening around January and closing around February, and covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance and a Turkish language year. Some universities offer research or teaching assistant positions, and individual professors occasionally fund students through research projects. To keep costs down, apply early, contact potential supervisors before you apply, and compare thesis and non-thesis programmes, since they can differ in both length and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest university in Turkey for international students?
State universities are usually the cheapest, but fees depend on the university and programme. Among private universities, non-medical programmes at mid-sized universities are the most affordable.
Can I study in Turkey for free?
Yes, with Türkiye Bursları or a 100% merit scholarship at a private university. Both are competitive.
Are cheap universities in Turkey recognised?
Accredited state and private universities award recognised degrees. Always check your home country’s recognition list for your specific field.
Do I need YÖS for cheap universities?
State universities usually require YÖS or another exam score. Most private universities do not; see our guide to study in Turkey without YÖS.
Are Turkish-taught programmes cheaper than English-taught ones?
Often, yes. At many private universities the Turkish-taught version of a programme costs less per year. You will usually need to pass a Turkish proficiency test or complete a preparatory year first.
Which subjects are the cheapest to study in Turkey?
Fields such as nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, business and engineering are typically among the most affordable. Medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are the most expensive at almost every university.
Can I pay tuition in instalments?
Many private universities allow instalments, while others offer a discount for paying the full year upfront. Ask the university about its payment options before you accept your offer.
