Studying in Saudi Arabia vs. South Korea
Saudi Arabia and South Korea 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 €1,072 in Saudi Arabia and €714 in South Korea.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Saudi Arabia
Cheaper monthly living
South Korea
Lower visa proof of funds
South Korea
Side-by-side comparison
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Currency
SAR (SR)
KRW (₩)
Public tuition (annual)
SR0
≈ €0 / yr
₩8,000,000
≈ €5,360 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
SR60,000
≈ €14,700 / yr
₩12,000,000
≈ €8,040 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
SR4,375 / mo
≈ €1,072 / mo
₩1,066,250 / mo
≈ €714 / mo
Visa proof of funds
SR36,000
Proof of funds (≈ SR 3,000/month) — often covered by a scholarship
₩13,000,000
Bank balance proof (D-2 visa)
Cities tracked
Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca
Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.