Turkey tuition fees for 2026 depend on two factors: the university type (public or foundation) and the field of study. The most affordable route for international students is the public university international quota — 1,000–2,500 AZN (60–150 USD) per year for most programs, 2,000–3,500 AZN for engineering, and 8,000–12,000 AZN for medicine and dentistry. This article presents all figures in tables with local living costs, insurance and residence permit fees added.
Annual tuition table (2026)
| University type | Program group | Annual fee (AZN) | Annual fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public university | General programs | 1,000–2,000 | 60–120 |
| Public university | Engineering | 2,000–3,500 | 120–210 |
| Public university | Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy | 8,000–12,000 | 480–720 |
| Foundation (private) | Most programs | 3,000–15,000 | 180–900 |
| Foundation (private) | Medicine, dentistry | 12,000–30,000 | 720–1,800 |
Exchange reference: 1 AZN ≈ 20 TL, 1 USD ≈ 34 TL (2025–2026). Some universities quote fees in USD directly; always confirm on the official university page.
Additional mandatory costs
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Residence permit | ~10 USD/year | Apply within 30 days of arrival |
| Health insurance | ~10 USD/year | Mandatory for all international students |
| Dormitory (state KYK) | 50–80 USD/mo | Cheapest option; registration opens in July |
| Dormitory (private) | 150–350 USD/mo | Up to 2x in Istanbul |
| Food + transport + personal | 250–450 USD/mo | Lower in regional cities |
Six ways to cut costs
- 1Choose regional cities (Giresun, Ordu, Sinop) over Istanbul — 30–40% cheaper living
- 2State dormitories (KYK): 2–4x cheaper than private rent; register early in July
- 3University merit scholarships: 10–50% tuition discounts after the first semester
- 4Türkiye Scholarships: full tuition + stipend + dorm; apply January–February
- 5Part-time work: up to 24 hours/week legally allowed
- 6Student discounts on transport, museums and cinema save 30–50 USD monthly
