Studying in Russia vs. Saudi Arabia
Russia 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 €333 in Russia and €1,072 in Saudi Arabia.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Saudi Arabia
Cheaper monthly living
Russia
Lower visa proof of funds
Saudi Arabia
Side-by-side comparison
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Currency
RUB (₽)
SAR (SR)
Public tuition (annual)
₽300,000
≈ €2,940 / yr
SR0
≈ €0 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
₽450,000
≈ €4,410 / yr
SR60,000
≈ €14,700 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
₽33,950 / mo
≈ €333 / mo
SR4,375 / mo
≈ €1,072 / mo
Visa proof of funds
—
SR36,000
Proof of funds (≈ SR 3,000/month) — often covered by a scholarship
Cities tracked
Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk
Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.