Famously known as The Holy Land, Israel is a Middle Eastern country situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. It is surrounded by the countries Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Israel is a place considered sacred by numerous religious groups such as Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Furthermore, it is the birthplace of Christianity. Here, we will be looking at affordable universities in Israel for international students.
Its capital is Jerusalem, and as of 2024, the country currently has a population of around 8,887,00. The official languages in Israel are Hebrew and German, while English is widely spoken as well as Arabic.
The educational system in the country has four levels. It begins with pre-primary or nursery, followed by primary. The next or third level is secondary, and of course, the last one is higher education. Preprimary and primary school years are free and compulsory, while secondary is free but not compulsory.
Moreover, students who are entering the secondary level may choose from academic high school, vocational-technical high school, or comprehensive high school. After completion of this level, students can opt to go to training institutions or universities.
Related Scholarships
- Technion–Israel Institute of Technology Scholarships
- Israel Scholarships
- Tel Aviv University Scholarships
Cheap Universities in Israel
1. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- Tuition Fee:
- Undergraduate – $4,000
- Postgraduate – $5,000 to $10,000
- Tuition Link
The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is an affordable public research university in Israel. It is presently recognized as one of Israel’s leading research universities. Today, there are around 20,000 students and 4,000 faculty members at the esteemed center of learning.
Some of the university’s alumni are known all over the globe for their achievements, such as software engineer & creator of the Newspeak programming language Gilad Bracha, scientist & entrepreneur Isaac Berzin, Olympic synchronized swimmer Anastasia Gloushkov, former nuclear technician & peace activist Mordechai Vanunu, and entrepreneur, philanthropist, & political activist Michael W. Sonnenfeldt.
Moreover, the university has three main campuses, five faculties, and one institute. When it comes to tuition fees, it depends on the student’s level and chosen course.
2. Jerusalem University College
- Tuition Fee: $7,600 to $15,200
- Tuition Link
Founded in 1957, Jerusalem University College is a Christian college that was formerly named the American Institute of Holy Land Studies. The center of learning boasts of its exceptional education quality and the hands-on approach it utilizes, which will give students a top-notch educational experience.
The academic programs at this cheap university in Israel are divided between long-term programs and short-term programs. The former includes the Master of Arts, Semester Study Abroad, and Graduate Certificate. At the same time, the latter consists of the Short-Term Study Programs, Pastor & Parishioner Study Program, and Specially-Arranged Programs.
The exact amount of tuition fees depends on a student’s chosen study program. In line with this, the college offers financial aid to all of its students through scholarships and payment plans.
3. University of Haifa
- Tuition Fee: $11,339
- Tuition Link
The University of Haifa was founded in 1963, but it was given full accreditation in the year 1972. From there, the institution developed and improved many aspects, such as establishing Israel’s first-ever “Multiversity,” which is a multi-campus institution focused on interdisciplinary studies & partnerships.
Currently, there are more than 18,000 students of all nationalities and from all walks of life at the university. Moreover, the institute is well-known for having the largest university library in the country. In addition to this, the university has six faculties, 59 departments, ten schools, and 57 research centers & institutes.
As the University of Haifa is undeniably a distinguished institution, there is no question as to why it has an extensive list of notable alumni. This includes Russian businessman & investor Igor Polovets, former Olympic runner & long jumper Maya Kalle-Bentzur, psychologist, social worker, & peace activist Nabila Espanioly, sociologist Bernardo Sorj, and diplomat Yael Rubinstein.
For tuition fees at this affordable university in Israel, it must be noted that international students pay a different amount compared to Israeli citizen students.
4. Tel Aviv University
- Tuition Fee: $15,000 to $21,000
- Tuition Link
Tel Aviv University (TAU) is a public research university located in the lively city of Tel Aviv. Moreover, it is Israel’s largest institution of higher learning. Currently, there are around 30,000 students spread out across its nine faculties and over 125 schools & departments. In addition to this, there are approximately 1,200 international students at the institute.
Indeed a university of note, the following people are alumni of TAU: theater director Fouad Awad, diplomat, politician, & historian Shlomo Ben-Ami, neuroscientist & former white-hat hacker Moran Cerf, writer Etgar Keret, champion Paralympic swimmer Keren Or Leibovitch, and lawyer & co-director Shibolet Yoram Raved.
The center of learning specializes in the fields of sciences, humanities, and the arts. It is often cited as a top choice for Israeli students when it comes to universities, and it is also consistently in lists of top 100 universities internationally.
Tuition fees vary depending on a student’s level and course.
5. Reichman University
- Tuition Fee:
- Undergraduate – $16,260 to $16,560
- Postgraduate – From $12,950
- Tuition Link for Undergraduates
- Tuition Link for Postgraduates
Founded in 1994 by Professor Uriel Reichman and having its humble beginnings as a private college under a different name, Reichman University is an affordable private research university in Israel. The center of learning offers programs for students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, but there are also special programs available at its ten schools.
Currently, the university has 8,400 students, and 2,000 of these come from around 90 different countries all around the world. Speaking of students, the university has loads of alumni who are now thriving in various parts of the world. This includes computer security researcher & practitioner Iftach Ian Amit, Israeli politician & member of the Knesset for Yesh Atid Meirav Ben-Ari, entrepreneur & co-founder of Monday.com Roy Mann, Olympic sailor Vered “Vardush” Buskila, and Hollywood actress Gal Gadot.
Tuition fees depend on each student’s level and course.
