Studying in China vs. Saudi Arabia
China and Saudi Arabia are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €552 in China and €1,072 in Saudi Arabia.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Saudi Arabia
Cheaper monthly living
China
Lower visa proof of funds
Saudi Arabia
Side-by-side comparison
China
Saudi Arabia
Currency
CNY (¥)
SAR (SR)
Public tuition (annual)
¥26,000
≈ €3,302 / yr
SR0
≈ €0 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
¥45,000
≈ €5,715 / yr
SR60,000
≈ €14,700 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
¥4,343 / mo
≈ €552 / mo
SR4,375 / mo
≈ €1,072 / mo
Visa proof of funds
¥100,000
Bank balance proof (annual, X1/X2 visa)
SR36,000
Proof of funds (≈ SR 3,000/month) — often covered by a scholarship
Cities tracked
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing
Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.