Cost of Studying in Saudi Arabia 2026

Saudi Arabia is one of the most heavily subsidised study destinations in the world, and the headline is striking: at most public universities, admitted international students pay no tuition at all. Under the Saudi Government Scholarship, accepted students often receive free tuition, a monthly stipend, university housing, and annual airfare. Private universities charge fees of roughly SAR 40,000–80,000 per year, still moderate for the region. Living costs are reasonable, helped by the fact that there is no personal income tax. The currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR or SR), pegged at about 3.75 to the US dollar. Below is the full 2026 breakdown so you can budget with real figures.

Tuition Fees

Two things decide your tuition in Saudi Arabia: whether you attend a public or private institution, and whether you hold a government scholarship.

Public Universities

State-funded universities such as King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran charge international students little or nothing once admitted. For most accepted scholarship students, the picture is:

• Tuition: typically fully covered for admitted international students under the Saudi Government Scholarship
• Monthly stipend: a living allowance paid directly to scholarship students
• Housing: on-campus accommodation provided or heavily subsidised

These universities are administered through the Ministry of Education, and several rank among the strongest in the Arab world. The combination of zero tuition plus a stipend is the country's biggest draw for international students.

Private Universities

Private institutions charge fees but remain moderate by global standards, and award internationally oriented degrees:

• Private universities: roughly SAR 40,000–80,000/year depending on subject and institution
• Specialist and medical programmes: at the higher end of that range, sometimes above it

Always confirm the exact figure on the institution's fee page, as it is set per programme. Even at private rates, the lack of income tax and reasonable living costs keep the all-in total manageable.

KAUST: A Special Case

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a postgraduate research university near Jeddah that runs its own model. Admitted students typically receive a fully funded fellowship — free tuition plus a generous monthly stipend, housing, and medical cover. Admission is competitive and separate from other universities; more on this in the scholarships guide below.

Living Costs by City

Riyadh

The capital and largest city, with the widest range of housing and services.

• University housing (scholarship students): often provided free or heavily subsidised
• Private rented room or shared flat: SAR 1,800–3,000/month
• Groceries and food: SAR 800–1,200/month (local restaurants are inexpensive)
• Transport (Riyadh Metro, buses, ride-hailing): SAR 150–300/month
• Phone plan: SAR 50–100/month for ample data
• Total monthly estimate: SAR 1,800–3,500 if you pay your own rent, far less if housing is provided

Jeddah and Dhahran

Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast, and Dhahran, in the Eastern Province, are the other main student hubs (home to KAU, KFUPM, and nearby KAUST).

• Private rented room or shared flat: SAR 1,500–2,800/month
• Groceries and food: SAR 700–1,100/month
• Total monthly estimate: SAR 1,600–3,200 including rent

For the full housing picture, including compounds and university dorms, see our student housing in Saudi Arabia guide.

Proof of Funds and the Student Visa

International students enter on a student visa arranged through their admitting university, and after arrival receive an Iqama (residence permit). Scholarship students are sponsored by the university, which simplifies the funding question because tuition, housing, and a stipend are covered. Self-funded and private-university students should budget for tuition plus living costs and keep evidence of their means. The full process is covered in our how to apply to Saudi universities guide and on the official Saudi Arabia student visa page.

One-Time Setup Costs

Budget for these in your first month:

• Visa and Iqama processing: usually handled and often covered by the sponsoring university for scholarship students; self-funded students should confirm the fees
• Medical examination: required for the residence permit, typically a modest fee
• Rental deposit (if renting privately): landlords often want one to three months' rent upfront
• Bedding, kitchen basics: SAR 500–1,200 if your housing is unfurnished
• Total one-time costs: low for scholarship students with provided housing; higher if you rent privately

Scholarships and Fee Reductions

Saudi Arabia's funding is unusually generous:

• Saudi Government Scholarship: free tuition plus a monthly stipend, housing, and annual airfare for admitted international students.
• KAUST fellowship: fully funded postgraduate study with a generous stipend, housing, and medical cover.
• University merit awards: individual universities offer additional support for strong applicants.

The full landscape is in our Saudi Arabia scholarships guide.

Working While Studying

Work rules for international students in Saudi Arabia are restrictive and tied to your visa and university sponsorship. Many scholarship students are not permitted to take outside employment, and any work generally requires authorisation. Because tuition, housing, and a stipend are already covered for scholarship holders, part-time work is rarely necessary. Treat any permitted work as a small supplement, not a funding strategy, and always confirm the rules with your university's international office before taking on any role.

Annual Budget Summary

Two scenarios to show the range.

Scenario A: Scholarship Student, Public University + Provided Housing

• Tuition: SAR 0 (covered by the Saudi Government Scholarship)
• Housing: provided by the university (no rent)
• Food and groceries: SAR 10,800/year (SAR 900/month, partly offset by the stipend)
• Transport, phone, internet: SAR 3,600/year
• Personal: SAR 6,000/year
• Total out-of-pocket: very low — the stipend often covers day-to-day costs

Scenario B: Self-Funded Student, Private University, Riyadh + Rented Flat

• Tuition (private university): SAR 55,000/year
• Rent (room in shared flat, Riyadh): SAR 28,800/year (SAR 2,400/month)
• Food and groceries: SAR 12,000/year (SAR 1,000/month)
• Transport, phone, internet: SAR 4,800/year
• Personal: SAR 8,400/year
• Total: ~SAR 109,000/year (about €27,200)

Model your own numbers with the cost-of-study calculator.

Cost Comparison: Scholarship vs Self-Funded

Item (per year)	Scholarship, public university	Self-funded, private university
Tuition	SAR 0	SAR 40,000–80,000
Housing	Provided	SAR 18,000–36,000
Food	SAR 8,400–12,000	SAR 8,400–12,000
Other	SAR 6,000–10,000	SAR 8,000–13,000

Hidden Costs Students Miss

• Air-conditioning bills: summers are very hot, so if you pay your own electricity in a private flat, cooling can add a meaningful amount each month.
• Iqama and visa renewals: the residence permit is renewed periodically; for scholarship students this is usually handled by the university.
• Flights home: scholarship students often receive an annual return ticket, but self-funded students should budget for travel.
• Furnishing an unfurnished flat: private rentals can come bare; factor in furniture and appliances.
• Health cover for self-funded students: confirm whether medical insurance is included or must be arranged.

Banking in Saudi Arabia

Once you have your Iqama and a local address, opening a bank account is straightforward. Major banks such as Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi National Bank (SNB), and Riyad Bank all offer accounts to residents. You will typically need your passport, Iqama, and a letter from your university. Card payments and mobile apps are used widely, and the mada debit network plus app-based wallets make everyday spending easy in cities. There is no personal income tax, so your stipend or salary is not taxed.

Healthcare

Scholarship students and those on a sponsored visa generally have access to medical care through their university or an arranged insurance plan; KAUST and similar institutions provide their own medical cover. Saudi Arabia has modern, well-equipped hospitals in the major cities. Keep your Iqama and insurance details with you. Self-funded and private-university students should confirm exactly what health cover their enrolment includes and arrange insurance if it does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in Saudi Arabia?

At public universities, admitted international students often pay no tuition under the Saudi Government Scholarship, which also provides a monthly stipend, housing, and airfare. Private universities charge roughly SAR 40,000–80,000/year. Living costs are moderate, helped by no income tax.

Is studying in Saudi Arabia really free?

For many admitted international students at public universities, yes — the Saudi Government Scholarship covers tuition and adds a stipend, housing, and an annual flight. Private universities and some self-funded routes do charge fees, so the answer depends on your institution and scholarship status.

How much are living costs in Riyadh?

If you pay your own way, budget roughly SAR 1,800–3,500/month in Riyadh including a rented room, food, transport, and a phone plan. Scholarship students with provided housing spend far less, as the stipend often covers day-to-day costs.

Do international students pay income tax in Saudi Arabia?

No. Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax, so a stipend, allowance, or permitted earnings are not taxed. Note that a value-added tax (VAT) applies to most goods and services, which is built into the prices you pay in shops.

What is the currency and exchange rate?

The currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR or SR), pegged at about 3.75 to the US dollar. Because the peg is stable, prices in dollars stay predictable, which makes budgeting easier than in countries with floating currencies.

Can I work part-time to fund my studies?

Generally no, or only with authorisation. Work rules are restrictive and tied to your visa and university sponsorship, and many scholarship students cannot take outside jobs. Since tuition, housing, and a stipend are covered for scholarship holders, part-time work is rarely needed.

What is the cheapest way to study in Saudi Arabia?

Win a place on the Saudi Government Scholarship at a public university such as KSU, KAU, or KFUPM. That typically means zero tuition, a monthly stipend, provided housing, and an annual flight home — making it one of the lowest out-of-pocket study options anywhere.

For the complete picture — tuition, the student visa, scholarships, and life as a student — see Study in Saudi Arabia and our why study in Saudi Arabia guide.

Related guides

• Scholarships for Saudi Arabia 2026
• Student Housing in Saudi Arabia 2026
• How to Apply to Saudi Universities 2026
• Study in Saudi Arabia: Country Guide
• Saudi Arabia Student Visa & Iqama Guide 2026