Study in Turkey Fees for International Students in 2025- 2026
When people search for information about study in Turkey fees, the first thing they want to know is if Turkey is really affordable compared with other study abroad destinations. In recent years, Turkey became one of the fastest growing international education hubs. Students from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East are coming to Turkish universities because of reasonable study in Turkiye costs for international students, modern campuses, and the simple admission process.
This article explains how much does it cost to study in Turkey in 2026, how tuition fees changed in the last five years, and why the number of international students is growing even while global tuition fees increase.
Why Turkey is an Attractive Study Abroad Destination
Turkey is a country that connects Europe and Asia, with Istanbul being a mega-city full of life, history and modern opportunities. For international students, the combination of cultural richness, affordable tuition and strong university rankings makes it an attractive destination.
Some of the key reasons:
No entry exam requirement for private universities. Unlike public universities which usually require YÖS or SAT, private universities admit students directly based on high school diploma.
No IELTS or TOEFL requirement for most private institutions if the program is taught in English, students can take an internal proficiency test or join the prep school.
Easy visa and residence permit process, with international offices supporting students.
Discounted transportation for students in Istanbul and other major cities makes the cost of living more manageable.
International fairs and campaigns organized by universities and the government to attract students.
Growing international recognition and accreditations that make degrees valuable outside Turkey.
This mix explains why students who check the study in Turkey cost often decide that it is a good investment.
Growth of International Students Year by Year
The number of foreign students in Turkey has been rising every year. In 2010, there were fewer than 30,000. By 2020, the number jumped to more than 200,000. Now in 2026, estimates say that Turkey hosts over 300,000 international students in both public and private universities.
This growth continued even during times of global inflation, currency fluctuations, and tuition increases. Students are choosing Turkey not only because of the lower study in Turkiye fees for international students, but also because of the opportunity to study in English-medium programs, participate in exchange agreements, and live in a vibrant society.
Tuition Fees Trends in the Last Five Years
Tuition Fees Between 2021 and 2026
In the last five years, the study in Turkey fees has increased gradually. The main reason is global inflation and rising operational costs for universities.
In 2021, private universities charged around 2,500–8,000 USD per year for most programs, while medicine ranged between 12,000 to18,000 USD.
By 2023, fees increased by about 10–15%. Engineering programs in English cost around 4,000–6,000 USD, while medical faculties reached 20,000 USD or more.
In 2024, after global price changes, universities adjusted fees again, with medicine in some Istanbul universities rising to 22,000–25,000 USD.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, average fees for international students in Turkey range between 3,000 to 6,000 USD for most bachelor programs, while medicine and dentistry are now 18,000–27,000 USD depending on language and university ranking.
Even with this increase, students are still coming in larger numbers. That is because compared to the UK, USA, Canada or EU countries, study in Turkey cost is still much lower.
Living Expenses in Istanbul and Other Cities
Besides tuition, students must calculate cost of living in Turkey. On average:
Accommodation: 150 to 400 USD per month depending on dorm or apartment.
Food: 150 to 250 USD per month.
Transportation: 20 to 30 USD with student card.
Other expenses: 100 to 200 USD.
So the monthly living cost is between 400 to 800 USD, which is much cheaper than in most European capitals.
Scholarships and Discounts
International students also have options to reduce the study in Turkey cost:
Early payment discount (usually 5%–10%).
Merit scholarships for high-achieving students.
Sibling discount if more than one family member studies at the same university.
Government Türkiye Scholarships (competitive, but full coverage including living expenses).
These scholarships make Turkey even more attractive to students from middle-income countries.
Here are the general ranges of study in Turkiye fees for international students for the 2025–2026 academic year:
Medicine (English): 20,000 to 44,000 USD per year
Medicine (Turkish): 16,000 to 37,000 USD per year
Dentistry (English): 18,000 to 67,000 USD per year
Dentistry (Turkish): 14,000 to 18,000 USD per year
Pharmacy (English): 8,000 to 16,000 USD per year
Engineering (English): 2,600 to 6,000 USD per year
Computer Science / Software Engineering: 4,500 to 6,500 USD per year
Business Administration / Economics (English): 3,800 – 5,500 USD per year
Social Sciences, Psychology, International Relations: 3,500 – 5,000 USD per year
Vocational / Associate Degrees: 2,500 – 3,500 USD per year
Master’s Programs: 3,000 – 9,000 USD total, depending on thesis or non-thesis
PhD Programs: 5,000 to 12,000 USD per year in most fields
These numbers may look high for some regions, but in comparison to studying medicine in the UK (40,000+ GBP), USA (60,000+ USD), or Canada (45,000+ CAD), Turkey is still far more affordable.
In the last 5 years the study in Turkey fees went up step by step, mostly because of global inflation and the currency situation. Universities had to adjust their tuition fees to keep the quality of education and to pay for modern laboratories, new campuses and academic staff. Normally when fees rise, students number should go down, but in Turkey the opposite happened. Every year more international students are coming, and there are several reasons behind it.
First, many private universities in Istanbul started to appear in world rankings like QS and Times Higher Education. When parents see the university name in an international ranking table, they feel more confident to send their kids. Also, Turkish universities are gaining strong international accreditations in engineering, business, medicine and psychology, so the diploma value is increasing.
Second, Turkey built a system of exchange programs with Europe, USA and Asia, so students can spend a semester abroad and transfer credits. This makes the experience in Turkey more global, not only local.
Another reason is the living cost in Turkey. Even if tuition is higher now, daily life is still much cheaper than in most of Europe or USA. Rent, transportation, and food are affordable, especially with student discounts. Many families calculate total cost, not just tuition, and they see that studying in Istanbul or Ankara is still cheaper compared to London, Paris or New York.
Finally, there is the community factor. More than 300,000 international students are already studying in Turkey. When new students ask around, they hear positive stories from friends, relatives or people from their own country. Word of mouth plays a big role.
So, even with the tuition increase, the balance between price, quality and recognition is still positive. That is why every year the number of international students keeps growing.
One of the mistakes many international students do when they plan to study in Turkey is waiting too long before applying. Every year the admission season usually starts in January or February, but already by May most of the popular universities in Istanbul have no seats left in the best programs. Faculties like medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and engineering are always the first to fill, because thousands of students from different countries target them.
When a student waits until July or August, he usually finds that the affordable universities with good reputation are already full. What remains are more expensive options, or programs that maybe are not the first choice. Some students end up paying double of what they could pay if they applied earlier, just because they were late.
Applying early is not only about securing a place. Universities in Turkey also give early payment discounts. Many private universities reduce 5% or even 10% from the tuition if the student pays in advance, sometimes even more if you pay the whole year together. For a program like medicine or dentistry, this discount can save thousands of dollars.
Another important point, applying early gives you more time to prepare your documents, apply for visa, arrange your accommodation and plan your travel. Students who leave it for last minute face stress with deadlines, embassy delays, and sometimes they even miss the semester.
So if you really want to study in Istanbul or in another big city, it is better not to delay. Think of it like booking a flight ticket the earlier you buy, the better the seat and the cheaper the price. The same logic works with Turkish universities. Those who are fast have more choices, more discounts, and less stress when the semester starts.
Many families ask the same thing before making decision: are the study in Turkiye fees for international students really worth it? From what we see in the last years, the answer is clearly yes.
If you compare Turkey with UK, USA, Canada or Australia, the difference is very big. In those countries, tuition for medicine or engineering can be 40,000–60,000 dollars per year, sometimes even more. In Turkey, even in the most expensive private universities, you pay one-third or one-fourth of that amount. This makes higher education reachable for middle class families who cannot afford Western universities.
But it’s not only about the price. Istanbul and other Turkish cities give something extra. When you live in a mega city like Istanbul, you don’t just get a diploma. You experience history, culture, and modern life all together. You meet people from every corner of the world, build networks, join international conferences, and even find internships in multinational companies based in the city. Many students say the life experience they gain in Turkey is as important as the degree itself.
The diplomas are also recognized in many countries. Graduates from Turkish universities are now working in Europe, the Gulf region, North Africa, and Asia. Some continue their postgraduate studies in Germany, UK or USA without any problem. This shows the value of the degree is accepted internationally, especially when the university has accreditations and appears in world rankings.
Private universities in Turkey invested a lot in the last decade. You find campuses with modern architecture, new laboratories for health sciences, simulation centers for medical students, strong English-language programs, and professors who studied or worked abroad. The quality is going up every year, and that is why more students are applying even when tuition fees rise.
Another big point is the living cost. Turkey is cheaper than most European countries. With student transportation cards you pay very little for metro or bus, student dorms are affordable, and food is also cheaper than in Western cities. Families don’t only look at tuition, they look at the total cost of education. When you calculate tuition + living, Turkey is still much more affordable than UK, Germany, USA or Canada.
So when we put all this together lower fees, modern education, life in a mega city, international recognition, and cheaper cost of living the balance between price and quality becomes very clear. That is why in 2026 Turkey is still one of the best destinations for international students, and for many families it is an opportunity they don’t want to miss.
The last five years showed that even when study in Turkiye fees for international students increased, the number of applicants continued to grow. This proves that Turkey is not only affordable but also valuable as an education destination.
In 2026, studying in Istanbul or Ankara means access to high-ranking universities, English-medium programs, simple admission rules, and affordable living. For international students who want a balance between cost and quality, Turkey is one of the best choices worldwide.
Do not wait too long to apply. Seats fill up quickly, and applying early will save both money and stress. Turkey is giving international students a unique opportunity affordable tuition, world-class degrees, and unforgettable life experience.
