For students wishing to earn their college degrees internationally, there are a lot of different factors to take into consideration. The cost of attending a university in another country could cost a lot more than it would for a native. Not to mention the cost of housing, food, books, and other miscellaneous expenses.
I have compiled a list of affordable universities in China for international students. China has some of the most world-renowned schooling programs and they surprisingly are a little cheaper than expected and affordable for most. Most of these affordable Chinese universities on this list have international programs and offer courses in native languages. These costs do not include housing, food, transportation, or any other miscellaneous fees.
Related Scholarships
- Tsinghua University Scholarships
- Zhejiang University Scholarships
- Zhengzhou University President Scholarship
Cheap Universities in China
1. Nanjing University
NU is not only the affordable Chinese university on this list but also the oldest in the Nanjing area being founded in 1902! The public university has over 38,000 students across three campuses and is part of the C9 League of Chinese universities. The league is an alliance of 9 Chinese universities to represent higher education in China. These nine universities make up 3% of the country’s researchers! At Nanjing University, students can choose to specialize in Business, Liberal Arts, Foreign Studies, Architecture, Geoscience, and much more.
Tuition for undergraduate students ranges from ¥5,200 to ¥6,800 per academic year. If students plan on bunking in the dorms, they can expect to tack on an extra ¥1,200 per year. As for graduate students, tuition can range anywhere from ¥8,000-¥10,000 per year. This depends mainly on if the student is pursuing a master’s degree or a doctor’s degree.
2. Guangxi University
Guangxi University, AKA Xida, also has a little over 38,000 current students and over 27 colleges to choose from and 98 undergraduate majors! Four of the university’s faculties have been ranked in the world’s top 1% in agricultural science, engineering, and material science.
The cost for undergraduate students who wish to attend will pay ¥11,000 to ¥23,000 per year, depending on the desired degree. Students working toward a master’s degree will pay anywhere from ¥15,000 to ¥35,000 each year, and doctorate students will pay an average of ¥20,000. There is also a registration fee of ¥200-¥650 depending on the student’s level and if they perform it orally or written.
3. China University of Mining and Technology
CUMT is recognized globally for its mining technology and has been ranked the #1 mining school in China! This affordable university in China consists of the China University of Mining and Technology in Beijing and the China University of Mining and Technology, which is the main campus in Xuzhou, Jiangsu. According to the national government, CUMT is a Double First-Class Discipline University. This means that they have been chosen by the government to turn into a world-class facility by the year 2050. The main campus in Beijing is best known for its STEM programs including mining, mathematics, electrical, chemical, and more.
An international undergraduate degree will cost students a total of ¥13,800- ¥14,600 each year. The master’s program ranges from ¥15,400-¥16,200 per academic year and ¥17,000 for the doctoral program. Also listed is a mandatory medical insurance cost of ¥600 and a ¥200 entry fee.
4. Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University is ranked the 5th best university in China and is one of the oldest. Of the 60,000 total enrolled students, over 7,000 are international! The school is also part of the C9 League and is a Class A Double First Class University. ZJU occupies seven campuses with over 130 undergraduate and over 300 graduate programs to choose from. Some programs include Computer Science, Marxism, Psychology, Education, and so much more!
All applicants must first pay an upfront flat fee of ¥400 RMB. Depending on the undergraduate program, students can expect to pay ¥19,800 to ¥29,800 annually. A master’s degree can cost anywhere from ¥22,800 to ¥32,800 per year and upwards of ¥29,800 to ¥39,800 for the doctoral program.
5. Wuyi University
Wuyi University is another affordable university in China is located in China’s biggest tourist city of Wuyishan. The school was originally a teacher’s college and has since grown to include 15 different schools. They offer some unique school options like Tea & Food Science, Tourism, Media & Animation, Strait Chenggong and so much more! Wuyi University has a smaller student body with just over 14,000 enrollees.
The tuition fee to attend WYU is ¥14,000 per year for all students. There are additional fees students must pay each year including ¥500 health examination, ¥600 for textbooks, ¥800 for insurance, and a ¥500 residence permit if the student plans to live on campus. There is also a one-time application fee and registration fee of ¥200 each.
6. Zhejiang University of Science and Technology
Also referred to as ZUST, the public university specializes in focuses of engineering and architecture! The school is the outcome of a merge between three different universities. There are only about 15,600 students total, 1,000 of them are international. Despite the size, ZUST has won 3,300 disciplinary awards to date in international and domestic competitions.
Undergraduate courses cost anywhere from ¥18,000 up to ¥30,000 per year. The master’s degree program is about the same price, ranging from ¥25,000 to ¥30,000 per year. A doctor’s degree costs about ¥30,000 up to ¥45,000 annually. If students wish to take the course instructed in English, it will cost an additional ¥5,000 each year. There is no registration fee required, but there is an application fee of ¥800.
7. Chongqing University
Chongqing University, one of the cheapest universities in China, also has some wide recognition as it is part of the C9 Excellence League and a Class A Double First Class University! The school is ranked highly in its faculties of Engineering, Technology, Built Environment and Business. There are currently 50,000 students in attendance, 5% of which are international students. Across all four campuses, students can choose from 166 undergraduate programs and 192 post-graduate programs.
All applicants must pay an application fee of ¥400. Undergraduate programs run from ¥14,000 to ¥20,000 per year. Students wanting to pursue a master’s degree are looking at paying ¥21,000 to ¥49,000 a year and ¥25,000 to ¥38,0000 for the doctoral program.
All universities listed have an International Affairs office that offer further guidance. The International student population in China is continuing to grow each year. These affordable Chinese universities offer unique and award-winning courses that may not be available or as established in your native country. I hope this list of heap universities in China helps any students who are considering becoming an international student in China!
