Top 10 Cheapest Universities in Japan for International Students (2023)

Japan is famous for making the best Sushi in the world as well as fresh, yummy, and healthy cuisines. The country is also one of the smartest countries in the world renowned for producing some of the most brilliant students in the world. Unfortunately, Japan is also ill-famed for its high cost of living however, there are some affordable universities in the country.

The Top 10 Cheapest universities in Japan for international students include Kyoto University, Osaka University, Kobe University, Tohoku University, University of Tsukuba, Sophia University, Nagoya University, Kyushu University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and the University of Tokyo. International students who desire to study in Japan should consider enrolling in any of these universities. 

Top 10 Cheapest Universities in Japan for International Students

1. Kyoto University 

Tuition Fee: $4,168 (Undergraduate Degree Program).

Kyoto University was established in 1897 making it the second oldest university. With an annual tuition fee of $4,168, it is undoubtedly one of the cheapest universities in Japan for international students. Kyoto University has 2 campuses located in Kyoto and Uji with a population of over 23,000 students, 2,000 of which are international students. 

The University offers both Undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Engineering, Agriculture, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Education, Science, medicine, Economics and Law amongst others.

School’s official website for additional costs: https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/current/how-to/tuition/tuition-and-fees

2. Osaka University 

Tuition Fee: $4,168 (Undergraduate Degree Program).

Osaka University was formerly established as The Kaitokudo in 1724, and it was renamed in 1947. It is a national university and it is one of the most affordable universities in Japan for international students with an annual tuition fee of $4,168. Osaka University ranks as the 7th best University and it has 3 campuses located in Suita, Toyonaka and Minoh. 

The University is one of the many Japanese Universities that offer English-taught undergraduate degree programs. The school has 11 undergraduate and 16 undergraduate faculties with a student population of over 22,000 local and international students.

School’s official website for additional costs: https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/campus/tuition/tuition_info/tuition

3. Kobe University 

Tuition Fee: $4,168 (Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs).

Kobe University was established in 1949 and it is recognized as one of the biggest universities in Japan. International students are required to pay $4,168 for tuition every year for both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The school has a student population of over 15,000 of which about 1,280 are international students. 

The school offers undergraduate degree programs in Engineering, Letters, Agriculture, Maritime Science, Business Administration, Intercultural studies, Economics, Medicine, Human Development, Science, and Law. Graduate degree programs in System Informatics, humanities, International Cooperation Studies and Health Science are also offered at Kobe University.

School’s Official Website for additional costs: https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/study_in_kobe/tuition/index.html

4. Tohoku University 

Tuition Fee: $4,168 (Undergraduate Degree Program).

Tohoku University was established in 1907 and it is well-known as the third National University in Japan and ranked as the third-best University in Japan. International students are required to pay an annual tuition fee of $4,168 for an undergraduate degree program. The University has four campuses located in Kawauchi, Seiryo, Aobayama, and Katahira all in Sendai City. 

Tohoku University has a student population of about 17,591 of which about 1,732 are international students. The school has 6 research institutes and offers degree programs in Law, Engineering, Pharmacy, Education, Medicine, and Dentistry amongst other courses.

School’s Official website for additional costs: https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/admissions/tuition_fees.html.

5. University of Tsukuba 

Tuition Fee: $4,168 (Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs).

The University of Tsukuba was officially founded in 1973 and it is a public research university as well as one of the top 10 national universities in Japan. The university has a student population of over 16,542 students of which about 3,400 are international students and about 4,608 faculty and staff. 

The University of Tsukuba has 28 college clusters and it is the second-biggest campus in Japan. The university offers degree programs in Art & Design, Medicine, Humanities, Engineering, Social science, Technology, Mathematics, and Science. All students of the university are required to pay an annual tuition fee of $4,168 for both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

School’s Official website for additional costs: https://www.tsubuka.ac.jp/en/admissions/fees-tuition/

6. Sophia University 

Tuition Fee: $6,070 (Undergraduate Degree Program).

Sophia University was established in 1913 by the Jesuits and it is a private research university in Japan as well as an English and Japanese teaching University. International students are required to pay an annual tuition fee which starts from $6,070 for undergraduate students and $3,735 for graduate students depending on the course of study. 

Sophia University has five campuses located in Yotsuya, Shakujii, Osaka, Mejiro Seibo, and Hadano. The school has also ranked as the top third Catholic university in Asia and it has a student population of about 13,435 students with about 1,478 of them as international students and a staff strength of 1,271.

School’s Official website for additional costs: https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions-and-aid/tuition/gakuhi/

7. Nagoya University 

Tuition Fee: $4,168 (Undergraduate and Graduate Degree programs).

Nagoya University was founded in 1871 and it is a research university as well as the seventh national university in Japan. It ranks as the third-highest tertiary education institution in Japan. International students are required to pay an annual tuition fee of $4,168 for both undergraduate and graduate students. 

The school has a student population of over 15,771 with over 1,900 of them as international students and a staff strength of over 3,847. The school has 5 research institutes, 9 faculties, and 13 graduate schools.

School’s Official website for additional costs: https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp/academics/campus_life/tuition/index.html

8. Kyushu University 

Tuition Fee: $4,168 (Undergraduate Degree Program).

Kyushu University is a national university located on Kyushu Island established in 1903 and it was formerly known as the Kyushu Imperial University. It is the 6th national university in Japan and it is one of the top 10 designated national universities in the country. The school has a population of over 18,560 students of which over 2,089 are international students.

The school has 4 urban campuses, 1 rural campus, and 1 research forest and farm. The University was selected for the Global 30 University Program as well as the top 13 global university projects. Undergraduate students are required to pay an annual tuition fee of $4,168 while graduate students are required to pay an annual tuition fee of $6,548.

School’s official website for additional costs: https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/education/fees/expenses/

9. Tokyo Institute of Technology 

Tuition Fee: $4,951 (Undergraduate & Graduate Degree Programs).

Tokyo Institute of Technology is a national research university established in 1881 and the biggest tertiary institution in Japan focused on Science and Technology. It is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan for International Students. The school has a student population of about 10,036 and a staff strength of 1,324. 

The University has 6 schools in Science, Engineering, Computing, Life Science & Technology, and environment & Science as well as 6 research laboratories and several research centres. Students are required to pay an annual tuition fee of $4,951 for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

School’s Official website for additional costs: https://www.titech.ac.jp/english/student-support/prospective-students/tuition.

10. University of Tokyo 

Tuition Fee: $4,168 (Undergraduate Degree Program).

The University of Tokyo is a public research university established in 1877 and it is the first national university in Japan. It is the only Japanese university that made it to the top 100 universities in the world. The university has 5 campuses located in Hongo, Komaba, Kashiwa, Nakano and Shirokane. The school has a student population of about 30,000 with 4,200 as international students and a staff strength of 3,937. 

The University of Tokyo has 10 faculties, 15 graduate schools and 11 research institutes. It is one of the cheapest universities in Japan for international students with an annual tuition fee of $4,168.

School’s Official website for additional costs: https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/prospective-students/tuition_fees.html

Related:

• Top 10 Cheapest Universities in Japan for International Students

Closing

Japan is not only one of the richest countries in the world, but it is also one of the countries with the best universities that produce some of the most excellent students in the world. The country has a high-quality educational system however, the high cost of living is one discouraging factor that makes students shy away from choosing Japan as a study destination. 

Thankfully, there are some reasonably priced universities in Japan and we have put together this quick review of the cheapest universities in Japan for international students in the piece above. Students that desire to study in Japan can consider any of the universities that we have reviewed in this piece. I would love to know which of these universities you would love to attend, please feel free to tell me in the comment section below. 

Cheers!