University fees in Japan in 2026
A detailed analysis of the tuition fees of the 140 institutions in Japan that published their fees: bachelor, master, doctorate, public vs private.
Fee summary in Japan
According to our data, the average bachelor fee in Japan is 705,072 JPY per year, for the 138 universities that published their fees. Costs vary considerably by institution, field of study and public or private status.
The most attractive bachelor fee starts at 500,000 JPY per year, with a maximum observed of 1,500,000 JPY per year. This range illustrates the gap that can exist between public institutions and private schools.
Fees by study level
Bachelor's degree
Based on 138 universities
From
500,000
JPY
Average
705,072
JPY
Up to
1,500,000
JPY
Master's degree
Based on 138 universities
From
600,000
JPY
Average
881,884
JPY
Up to
1,800,000
JPY
Doctorate
Based on 44 universities
From
800,000
JPY
Average
1,354,545
JPY
Up to
2,000,000
JPY
Public vs Private — Bachelor fees
Average bachelor fee
Minimum bachelor fee
Looking for the most affordable options?
Discover our selection of the cheapest universities in Japan, ideal for optimising your study budget.
Cheapest universitiesFrequently asked questions about fees in Japan
How much does a bachelor's degree cost in Japan?
A bachelor's degree in Japan costs between 500,000 and 1,500,000 JPY per year, with an average of 705,072 JPY, depending on the institution and field.
Are public universities cheaper in Japan?
Yes, generally. On average, a bachelor's degree costs 500,000 JPY at a public university versus 1,044,231 JPY in the private sector, a difference of 108.8%.
How much does a master's or doctorate cost in Japan?
For a master's, fees range from 600,000 to 1,800,000 JPY per year. A doctorate costs between 800,000 and 2,000,000 JPY per year.
Do these amounts include all fees?
No. The fees shown correspond to the tuition announced by the institutions. Application, housing, living and insurance costs remain the student's responsibility and vary by city and lifestyle.
Universities included in this analysis
The 140 universities in Japan that published their minimum bachelor fees. Only the first 30 are shown — use the button to reveal more.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI)
Tohoku University
The University of Tokyo
University of Hamamatsu School of Medicine
Okayama University
Gifu University
University of the Ryukyus
Niigata University
Shinshu University
Shiga University
Osaka Kyoiku University
Yokohama City University
University of Fukui
Saga University
Yokohama National University
Tokyo Gakugei University
Nagoya University
Gunma University
Hiroshima University
Kumamoto University
Ibaraki University
Oita University
Nagaoka University of Technology
Tottori University
Hokkaido University of Education
Osaka University
Ehime University
Nara Women's University