22 cheapest universities in South Korea in 2026
The most affordable universities in South Korea, ranked by minimum bachelor fees. Ideal for optimising your study budget.
Lowest fee
3,000,000 KRW/yr
Price range
22 universities ranked by increasing fees
No. 1Jeonbuk National University
National university in Jeonju, flagship of Jeollabuk-do, known for value and research strength.
No. 2Pusan National University
First public university in Korea (1946), the scientific and industrial engine of the Busan metropolitan area.
No. 3Pukyong National University
Public university in Busan born from the merger of fisheries sciences and industrial engineering traditions.
No. 4Jeju National University
Public university on Jeju Island, recognized for marine sciences, tourism and renewable energy programs.
No. 5Chonnam National University
National university in Gwangju, a symbol of Korean democracy, strong in medicine and engineering.
No. 6Youngsan University (Y'sU)
Private university in Busan and Yangsan specialising in tourism, hospitality and management.
No. 7Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
Leading private Seoul university specialising in languages, translation and international studies.
No. 8Inha University
Private university in Incheon founded with the Korean-American diaspora, strong in engineering and logistics.
No. 9Kyungpook National University
National university in Daegu, a major institution of south-east Korea, strong in medicine and engineering.
No. 10Seoul National University
South Korea's most prestigious national university and the nation's leading research institution in Seoul.
No. 11Soonchunhyang University
Private university in Asan and Seoul, renowned for its medical school and hospital network.
No. 12KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
Leading public research institute in Daejeon, a global frontrunner in science, engineering, AI and advanced technologies.
No. 13Sogang University
Jesuit university in Seoul founded in 1960, renowned for humanities, business and Korean studies.
No. 14Sungshin Women's University
Private women's university in Seoul founded in 1936, recognised for design, education and pharmacy.
No. 15UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)
Public research institute in Ulsan devoted to science, engineering and convergence technologies, highly international.
No. 16The Catholic University of Korea
Private Catholic university with deep historical roots, a reference in medicine and health sciences.
No. 17Kyung Hee University
Private university founded in 1949, renowned for its stunning campus, peace studies and hospitality management.
No. 18Konkuk University
Private university in Seoul founded in 1946, known for its lively campus and veterinary medicine programs.
No. 19Chung-Ang University
Prestigious private university in Seoul founded in 1918, renowned for pharmacy, media, arts and law.
No. 20Hanyang University
Private university founded in 1939, a major powerhouse of Korean engineering, with campuses in Seoul and Ansan.
No. 21Ajou University
Private university in Suwon born from French-Korean cooperation, renowned for engineering and IT.
No. 22Woosong University
Private university in Daejeon specializing in international careers: hospitality, culinary arts, rail and IT.