If you want to realize your university dreams in Turkey, it’s not enough to just prepare for the exams; you also need to plan a good budget.
I myself learned how important this is when I was a student: At the end of the month, when there are only a few coins left in the wallet, you face reality!
How Much Does University Education Cost in Turkey?
For international students wishing to study in Turkey, the cost of education varies significantly depending on the type of university (public or foundation), the department and the city.
Education Costs at State Universities
State universities apply special fee schedules for international students. As of 2024-2025, yearly tuition fees at most public universities generally range from $800 – $2,500.
Some specialized majors (e.g. conservatory or English business) may be higher.
Example:
- Faculty of Engineering: $1000 – $3000
- Faculty of Education: $895 – $2000
- Conservatory: $4,800 – $8,100
Master’s degree programs have very low tuition costs: usually in the range of $200 – $700.
Education Costs at Foundation (Private) Universities
At endowed universities, annual fees range from $6,000 to $40,000.
Degrees such as medicine and engineering are among the highest-paying programs.
Many of these schools, however, offer 25%, 50%, or 100% scholarships based on academic achievement, significantly reducing the cost of tuition.
Sample Fees:
- Koç University (Engineering): $20,000 – $50,000
- Istanbul Kent University (Medicine): $25,000 – $40,000
- Bilgi University (Social Sciences): $6,000 – $10000
All fees in the table are approximate values. Prices may be updated every year and may vary depending on the faculty, department or scholarship status of the student. You can get the most accurate and up-to-date information from the official website of the relevant university.
Variable Costs by Faculty and City
Disciplines such as medicine, dentistry and engineering often have higher tuition fees than the social sciences. The average annual tuition at a medical school ranges from $7,000 – $22,000, while at a Faculty of Arts and Sciences it is often $3,000 – $7,000.
In addition to choosing a major, choosing a city can also have a significant impact on your budget. In big cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, living expenses alone can reach an average of $500 – $1000 per month.
On the other hand, in Anatolian cities, a monthly budget of $300 – $600 is enough to provide the same living standards. This difference represents a huge saving on total education costs.
If you want to compare education and living costs in more detail, be sure to check out our guide Cost of Living Comparison in Different Cities in Turkey!
How to Plan Accommodation, Food and Transportation Expenses
One of the biggest expenses for students in Turkey is accommodation. You can save a lot of money by making a good accommodation plan. When I first arrived, I chose a dormitory without doing the math; by the end of the month I realized that proper planning is essential! Especially when education expenses are not kept under control, the end of the month can be really challenging.
KYK Dormitories, Private Dormitories and House Rents
KYK (Credit and Hostels Authority) state dormitories offer affordable accommodation options. As of 2025, monthly KYK dormitory fees range from $16 – $39. If you can’t find a place in a public dormitory, private dormitories or student houses also offer good alternatives.
If you, like all university students, are wondering “How much are the KYK dormitory fees?”, here is the current information:
While the accommodation fee in type 6 KYK dormitory was $15 per month in 2024, this figure increased to $23 in 2025.
The average cost of renting a 1-bedroom apartment in a large city is $250 – $600. In smaller cities, this cost ranges from $105 – $300. Staying with roommates and sharing costs is one of the best solutions for both economic and social living. This can result in significant savings on both housing and total education costs.
You can visit this official KYK page to learn more about accommodation options in Turkey.
When evaluating dormitory options, Student Dormitories in Turkey: I strongly recommend you to take a look at our Options, Prices and Application Process article. Choosing the right dormitory plays a critical role in balancing education costs, especially in the long run.
KYK Dormitory Fees 2024-2025 Comparison
| Year | 6th Type KYK Dormitory Monthly Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $15 |
| 2025 | $23 |
City Transportation and Food Expenses
City transportation in Turkey is quite affordable. Many cities offer special discount transportation cards for students. The average monthly transportation card costs around $60.
Food will be an important part of your budget. A meal at a university dining hall costs $2 – $5. If you want to eat out at a restaurant, you can expect to spend an average of $4 – $15 for one meal.
Table of Student Accommodation, Transportation and Food Expenses in Turkey
| Expense Item | Average Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| KYK Dormitory Monthly Fee | $16 – $39 |
| In metropolitan areas Rent for 1+1 Apartment | $250 – $600 |
| Rent for 1+1 Apartment in Small Cities | $105 – $300 |
| Monthly City Transportation Pass | $40-100 |
| One Meal at the University Dining Hall | $2 – $7 |
| One Meal Eating Out | $7 – $15 |
(All prices in the table are calculated according to the exchange rate of 1 USD = 38 TL.)
Scholarships, Grant Programs and Part-Time Job Opportunities
There are many different ways to find financial support while studying in Turkey. Scholarship programs and part-time job opportunities, in particular, are a great way for students to ease the burden of study costs.
I myself started with only a scholarship in my first year, and then found a part-time job to ease the burden of study costs.
Popular International Student Scholarships in Turkey
Turkey offers generous scholarships to international students.
One of the most well-known of these is the Turkey Scholarships Program. This program covers not only tuition fees, but also accommodation, health insurance, and even airfare, providing a huge savings on the total cost of education.
Achievement-based scholarships are another important option. Many public and foundation universities offer full or partial scholarships to students with high academic achievement.
Work Permit and Part-Time Jobs for Students
In Turkey, international students have the right to obtain work permits.
Master’s and doctoral students in particular have more flexible work opportunities during their studies. Undergraduate students can usually take part-time jobs after completing their first year.
Part-time job options include:
- Waitressing in cafes,
- Sales consultancy in stores,
- Customer representative in call centers
- Online freelance jobs (translation, content writing, graphic design, etc.
As of 2025, hourly wages for part-time jobs range from $2.50 to $4.00.
It is possible to earn an additional income of $250 to $500 by working regularly at the end of the month. This income provides great relief, especially in the face of rising education costs.
Ways to Save Money in Daily Life
Being a student in Turkey can be quite affordable when you make the right choices in the right places. I remember the days when I spent a bit too much in the first few months and then carried only business cards in my wallet… So small savings really do make a big difference.
Discount Cards and Student Advantages
There are many discount cards and advantageous opportunities for students in Turkey. One of the most well-known is the student version of the Istanbulkart. With this card, you can travel with discounts of up to 50% on city transportation.
Student discounts are also common in cultural activities. In particular, the student version of the MüzeKart can be purchased for only $5 – $8 and provides free entry to hundreds of museums throughout Turkey throughout the year.
For more information, check out the MüzeKart official website.
Some supermarket chains and restaurants also organize special discount days for students. It is really advantageous to follow such opportunities in the face of high education costs that may occur in education life.
University canteens, movie theaters and some events also offer special prices for students. For example, the price of a student movie ticket usually ranges from $2 – $5.
Note: Participation in cultural activities facilitates not only social life, but also the management of education costs with a balanced budget.
Table of Discount Cards and Advantages for Students in Turkey
| Area | Student Fee (USD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbulkart Single Boarding Fee | $0.70-$3 | City transportation student rate |
| MuseumCard (Annual) | $5 – $10 | Free admission to hundreds of museums and archaeological sites |
| Cinema Ticket (Student) | $2 – $7 | Student discount at chain movie theaters |
| Grocery Discount Days | 10% – 20% Off | Valid on selected days chain supermarkets |
| Restaurant Campaigns | 10% – 20% Discount | Discounts by showing student card |
(All prices are calculated according to the exchange rate of 1 USD = 38 TL)
Cheap Shopping, Social Events and Entertainment
The quickest way for students to shop cheaply in Turkey is in the neighborhood markets! Buying fruits and vegetables in the markets is usually 30-40% cheaper than supermarket shopping.
As for social events: concerts, theater performances, and campus festivals organized by university clubs are often free of charge or can be attended for a nominal fee of $2 – $15.
I can speak from personal experience: Attending free theater or concert events once a week not only saved my budget but also expanded my social circle. Thus, I was able to keep my living expenses other than education expenses to a minimum.
Don’t forget: In many cities in Turkey, municipalities and universities organize free events to support students’ education and social life, reducing the burden on education costs.
Table of Social Activity and Shopping Costs for Students in Turkey
| Area | Average Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Grocery Shopping | $0.80 – $4 / kg |
| Free Events | $0 (Most are free) |
| Campus Concert/Theater Attendance | $1 – $15 |
Creating an Emergency Plan Against Financial Crises
When you’re a student, things don’t always go as planned. Medical expenses, extra costs for school or small crises at home… This is exactly why it is so important to create an emergency plan.
What is an Emergency Fund and How to Create One
An emergency fund is a small but life-saving savings that you set aside to deal with unexpected expenses.
If your monthly expenses are around $263, your goal for building an emergency fund should be to save a minimum of $526 to $789.
Setting aside 10-20% of your allowance or salary each month is one of the smartest ways to access this fund. You should keep it in a bank account that is accessible in the short term, but even if you have it on hand, you should avoid using it except in an emergency.
I myself started by putting it aside small for the first few months when I was a student; then one day when my computer crashed, that fund really saved my life!
(Calculations based on the exchange rate of 1 USD = 38 TL)
Strategies for Coping with Unexpected Expenses
A few simple precautions can be life-saving to cope with sudden big expenses:
The first step is to get health insurance. There are many affordable health insurance options for students in Turkey.
Some universities offer their own insurance packages, while there are also state-sponsored solutions. If you want to get detailed information on this subject, you should definitely check our guide on Health Insurance Subsidies and Scholarships in Turkey.
Make Your Dream Education in Turkey Affordable
It is possible to get a quality education in Turkey without breaking your budget.
With the right budget plan, the right choice of city, the right use of scholarship opportunities and small daily savings, you can maximize both your education and your quality of life.
RoadToStudy offers a full range of support to students who want to study in Turkey, from application processes to finding scholarships, from visa processing to settlement support.
Now is the time to start your educational journey in Turkey with confidence!