Turkey can be a good place to study if you want an international education destination with relatively affordable tuition and a culturally diverse environment. Because the country sits between Europe and Asia, students can experience influences from both regions while studying at Turkish universities.
With many Turkish universities appearing in international rankings, let’s check Turkey’s current tuition fees and living expenses for aspiring international students.
Cost of Studying in Turkey
In Turkey, tuition fees at public universities are generally more affordable than those at many private or foundation universities. However, fees vary widely by university, program, language of instruction, and academic year. Medicine, dentistry, engineering, and English-taught programs are often more expensive, so students should always check the current fee page of their chosen university before applying.
Çankaya University is a private institution in Ankara. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the annual undergraduate tuition fee is ₺585,000. For international students in master’s programs, the application fee is $175, and the semester tuition fee is $1,845 for the first three semesters and $820 from the fourth semester onward. Students who finish earlier still need to complete the required program payment, listed by the university as $6,355.
Koç University publishes program-based tuition for international undergraduate students. For the Fall 2025/2026 intake, Medicine is listed at $59,000 per year, while Law is listed at $38,000 per year. Koç University automatically evaluates new international undergraduate applicants for merit-based, tuition-only scholarships, which may be partial or full depending on the applicant’s academic profile.
Cost of Living in Turkey
1. Istanbul
Istanbul is usually one of the most expensive cities in Turkey for students, especially because of rent. As of 2026, a single person’s estimated monthly costs are about ₺34,476, excluding rent.
A one-bedroom apartment in Istanbul costs about ₺47,569 per month in the city center and about ₺29,403 outside the city center. Basic utilities for an 85-square-meter apartment average about ₺3,495 per month, and broadband internet averages about ₺747. For transportation, a one-way local ticket is about ₺42, while a regular monthly public transportation pass is about ₺2,748.
2. Izmir
Excluding rent, a single person is estimated to spend about ₺32,366 per month when living in Izmir. Izmir is often more manageable than Istanbul for students, but it is no longer as inexpensive as older estimates suggest.
A one-bedroom apartment in Izmir costs about ₺28,813 per month in the city center and about ₺20,719 outside the city center. Basic utilities average about ₺4,293 per month, while broadband internet averages about ₺665. A one-way local transport ticket is about ₺30, and a regular monthly transportation pass is about ₺2,375.
Food costs depend on lifestyle. Eating out regularly can increase monthly expenses quickly, while buying groceries and cooking at home is usually the better option for students on a budget.
3. Antalya
Antalya is a coastal city that can be attractive for students who want a large-city lifestyle outside Istanbul. However, rent and utilities have increased, so students should budget carefully.
As of 2026, a single person’s estimated monthly costs in Antalya are about ₺28,519, excluding rent. A one-bedroom apartment costs about ₺23,692 per month in the city center and about ₺18,838 outside the city center. Basic utilities average about ₺4,129 per month, and broadband internet averages about ₺622.
Public transportation is still useful for keeping costs manageable. A one-way local transport ticket is about ₺35, while a regular monthly public transportation pass is about ₺1,200.
4. Bursa
Bursa is a large city known for its student-friendly lifestyle and more moderate rents compared with Istanbul. It can be a practical option for students who want city amenities without Istanbul-level housing costs.
As of 2026, a single person’s estimated monthly costs in Bursa are about ₺29,859, excluding rent. A one-bedroom apartment costs about ₺18,375 per month in the city center and about ₺15,063 outside the city center. Basic utilities average about ₺3,768 per month, while broadband internet averages about ₺594.
For transportation, a one-way local ticket costs about ₺65, and a regular monthly public transportation pass costs about ₺1,700. Students who cook at home and share accommodation can reduce their monthly expenses significantly.
5. Konya
Konya is a major city in central Turkey and is generally more affordable than Istanbul for rent and everyday transportation. However, some available cost-of-living data for Konya is based on a smaller number of contributors, so students should use the figures as estimates.
A one-bedroom apartment in Konya costs about ₺22,500 per month in the city center and about ₺15,250 outside the city center. Basic utilities average about ₺1,762 per month, and broadband internet averages about ₺507.
Food and transportation can be relatively manageable. An inexpensive restaurant meal is about ₺250, a one-way local transport ticket is about ₺22, and a regular monthly public transportation pass is about ₺1,275.
We hope that this article on the cost of studying and living in Turkey for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
