Which is the Cheapest University in Saudi Arabia for International Students....
Apr 09, 2025 02:43:08
Tuition: Free for most international students on scholarship
Scholarships: Full scholarships available (covering tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, medical care)
Popular Programs: Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, Engineering, Medicine, Science
Tuition: Free for international students on scholarships
Scholarships: Full funding including housing and allowance
Best For: Islamic Studies, Arabic Language, Shariah Law
Tuition: Completely free for international male students
Scholarships: Full scholarships for undergrad programs (includes airfare, stipend, housing, meals)
Focus: Islamic Studies, Arabic, Quran, Hadith, Shariah
Tuition: Free for most international scholarship students
Scholarships: Generous full scholarships available for undergrad and postgrad
Popular Fields: Science, Engineering, Business, Medicine
Tuition: Free for international students with scholarships
Scholarships: Highly competitive, but fully funded
Focus Areas: Engineering, Computer Science, Petroleum, Business
For Women Only
Tuition: Free for international scholarship students
Scholarships: Yes, mostly for Arabic/Islamic studies and culture-related programs
Tuition (self-funded): Around SAR 10,000–20,000/year (~$2,700–$5,300)
Languages: Arabic (some programs in English)
Strong in: Medicine, Engineering, Business, Islamic Studies
Tuition (self-funded): Approx. SAR 12,000/year (~$3,200)
Focus: Arabic, Islamic Studies, Shariah Law, also some science & IT programs
Affordable housing for students in Mecca
Tuition: Around SAR 8,000–15,000/year (~$2,100–$4,000)
Popular for: Arabic Language, Islamic Law, and Shariah programs
Arabic is primary language of instruction
Tuition: Around SAR 6,000–10,000/year (~$1,600–$2,700)
Low cost of living in Jazan
Programs in: Engineering, Medicine, Science, and Humanities
Tuition (self-funded): SAR 10,000–15,000/year (~$2,700–$4,000)
Affordable for Islamic/Arabic language programs
Great for students interested in religious studies
Tuition: Around SAR 7,000–10,000/year (~$1,900–$2,700)
Less competitive, lower cost
Programs in: Education, Business, Engineering, and IT
Tuition: Around SAR 5,000–9,000/year (~$1,300–$2,400)
Underrated and very affordable
Good choice for budget-focused students
University |
Location |
Estimated Tuition (Yearly) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
King Saud University (KSU) |
Riyadh |
$2,700–$5,300 |
One of the oldest and best universities. Some English-taught programs |
|
Umm Al-Qura University |
Mecca |
$2,500–$3,200 |
Islamic and Arabic studies-focused, affordable housing |
|
Islamic University of Madinah |
Madinah |
FREE (with scholarship) |
Male students only, fully funded including accommodation |
|
Jazan University |
Jazan |
$1,600–$2,700 |
Low tuition + cost of living, wide range of programs |
|
Najran University |
Najran |
$1,900–$2,700 |
Underrated but budget-friendly |
|
Northern Border University |
Arar |
$1,300–$2,400 |
Very affordable, especially for STEM and education fields |
|
Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University |
Riyadh |
$2,000–$4,000 |
Strong in Islamic, Arabic, Shariah; some scholarships available |
|
Taibah University |
Madinah |
$2,700–$4,000 |
Religious studies, education, and health sciences |
Shared housing: $100–$200
Food and transportation: $100–$150
Total monthly budget: ~$250–$400
Some affordable universities offer English-taught programs in:
Engineering
Computer Science
Medicine (competitive)
Business Administration
Science and Technology
Look for these at:
King Saud University
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)
King Abdulaziz University (KAU)
Many Saudi universities offer full scholarships that include:
Tuition waiver
Monthly allowance
Free housing
Return airfare
Health insurance
Let me know if you're:
Interested in a particular field (like engineering, Islamic studies, medicine, etc.)
Looking for English-taught or Arabic-taught programs
Male or female (important in Saudi’s gender-segregated university system)
Planning to study undergrad or master's
Tuition: FREE for international students (undergraduate only, male students only)
Includes: Monthly stipend, free housing, meals, return ticket, medical care
Programs: Islamic Studies, Arabic Language, Shariah, Quran & Hadith
Language: Arabic (intensive language training included)
Tuition: ~$2,700–$5,300/year (for self-funded students)
Scholarships: Available for high-achieving international students
Programs: Engineering, Medicine, Computer Science, Islamic Studies, Business
Language: Arabic & some English programs (especially in science/tech)
Tuition: ~$3,000–$5,500/year (self-funded)
Fully Funded Scholarships for both undergrad and graduate levels
Programs: Science, Engineering, Business, Arts, Law
Language: English & Arabic
Tuition: ~$2,500–$3,200/year
Scholarships: Offered for Islamic Studies and Arabic programs
Programs: Shariah, Education, Science, Arabic Language
Language: Arabic
Tuition: Low tuition or free (for graduate students with scholarships)
Fully Funded MS & PhD programs in STEM fields
Programs: Engineering, Petroleum, IT, Business
Language: English
Tuition: ~$1,600–$2,700/year (very affordable)
Programs: Engineering, Business, Health Sciences
Low cost of living in Jazan
Tuition: ~$1,900–$2,700/year
Programs: Business, Education, Science
Affordable student housing
Tuition: ~$1,300–$2,400/year
Programs: Education, Computer Science, Health
One of the cheapest options in the kingdom
Low tuition or free education
High-quality facilities and infrastructure
Full scholarships available at many public universities
Monthly stipend, free housing, and return tickets in scholarship packages
Opportunities to study Arabic or pursue Islamic studies in the heart of the Muslim world
Tuition: Free for scholarship students; minimal fees otherwise.
Living costs: Subsidized housing and meals for international students.
Why it's great: Oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in Saudi Arabia.
Scholarships available: Yes, including monthly stipends, accommodation, and airfare.
Tuition: Free for scholarship students.
Living costs: Covered by scholarship; housing provided.
Why it's great: Known for strong research programs and wide range of degrees.
Scholarships: Fully-funded scholarships available for international students (undergrad & postgrad).
Tuition: Completely free for international students.
Living costs: Free housing, monthly allowance, and travel ticket provided.
Why it's great: Focus on Islamic studies, Arabic, and Shariah, but also offers science and engineering degrees.
Scholarships: Fully funded for Muslim male students.
Tuition: Free for scholarship students.
Living costs: On-campus housing and monthly stipends provided.
Why it's great: Offers a mix of religious and secular programs (law, economics, language studies).
Scholarships: Available for international students.
Tuition: Free for scholarship students.
Living costs: Free accommodation, meals, health care, and monthly stipend.
Why it's great: Excellent for engineering, IT, and business programs.
Scholarships: Highly competitive, but fully funded.
Monthly stipend (around 800–1000 SAR or more)
Free furnished housing
Free medical care
Annual return ticket
Free meals or cafeteria subsidies
Visa assistance
Apply early — deadlines are often months in advance.
Keep your academic documents ready in both Arabic (if possible) and English.
For Islamic universities, being Muslim may be a requirement.
Most scholarships target non-Saudi students, especially from developing countries.
Some universities require proof of Arabic proficiency, but many now offer English-taught programs, especially in science and engineering.
