Studying in South Korea vs. Turkey
South Korea and Turkey 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 €714 in South Korea and €500 in Turkey.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Turkey
Cheaper monthly living
Turkey
Lower visa proof of funds
Turkey
Side-by-side comparison
South Korea
Turkey
Currency
KRW (₩)
TRY (₺)
Public tuition (annual)
₩8,000,000
≈ €5,360 / yr
₺15,000
≈ €390 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
₩12,000,000
≈ €8,040 / yr
₺200,000
≈ €5,200 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
₩1,066,250 / mo
≈ €714 / mo
₺19,225 / mo
≈ €500 / mo
Visa proof of funds
₩13,000,000
Bank balance proof (D-2 visa)
₺200,000
Proof of funds (annual)
Cities tracked
Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu
Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.