France is not only a good place to visit but also a great place to study. It has a long tradition of academic excellence, reflected by its historic and internationally recognized universities.
While France is open to foreign applicants, some students are held back by concerns about tuition and living costs. Many believe studying and living in a European destination can be very expensive.
That concern is understandable, but public universities in France can still be relatively affordable, especially for EU/EEA students and for non-EU students who qualify for national-fee rates or exemptions. However, many non-EU students at public universities may be charged differentiated fees, so always check the university’s current fee rules before applying.
Affordable Schools in France for International Students
1. Université Paris-Saclay
Paris-Saclay University is a public research institution in the Paris-Saclay area, south of Paris. Its current form was officially created by decree and took effect on January 1, 2020.
Université Paris-Saclay is one of France’s leading public universities and is especially known for mathematics. It offers programs in science and engineering, life sciences and health, law, economics, management, humanities, social sciences, and sports science. It is one of the affordable public universities in France for students who pay national fees or qualify for the university’s fee exemption policy.
2. Université d’Orléans
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: 2026–2027 national fees from €178/year (bachelor’s) | €255/year (master’s) | €398/year (doctorate); some non-EU students in international mobility may pay differentiated fees
The University of Orléans is a public university with its main campus in Orléans-La Source, France. It was founded in 1306, closed during the French Revolution, and revived in the 1960s with the creation of a campus south of Orléans.
With a main campus in Orléans-La Source and off-site campuses in Bourges, Chartres, Châteauroux, and Issoudun, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs through faculties, schools, and institutes covering law, economics, management, science and technology, humanities, languages, social sciences, education, engineering, medicine, and physiotherapy.
3. Université de Montpellier
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: 2025–2026 national fees from €178/year (bachelor’s) | €254/year (master’s) | €397/year (doctorate); non-EU differentiated fees may apply from 2026–2027
The University of Montpellier is a research institution in southern France. Its heritage dates back to 1220, and the current university was established on January 1, 2015, after the merger of Montpellier 1 and Montpellier 2 universities.
At this affordable university in France, students can enroll in faculties, schools, and institutes covering law, economics, education, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, science, sports science, management, engineering, teacher training, technology, and general administration.
As one of France’s major public universities, the University of Montpellier has more than 51,000 students across its 17 faculties, schools, and institutes. Prospective non-EU students should check the latest fee rules because the university has announced that differentiated fees will apply from the 2026–2027 academic year.
4. University of Strasbourg
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: 2026–2027 national fees from €178/year (bachelor’s) | €255/year (master’s) | €398/year (doctorate); non-EU differentiated fees may apply unless exempt
The University of Strasbourg, or Unistra, is a public educational institution in Alsace, France. Its roots go back to the Protestant Gymnasium founded in 1538; the institution became a university in 1621. The modern University of Strasbourg was formed in 2009 through the merger of Louis Pasteur University, Marc Bloch University, and Robert Schuman University.
The university is organized across faculties, schools, and institutes covering arts, languages, law, economics, management, social sciences, humanities, science, technology, and health.
Unistra is one of the more internationally diverse French universities. In its official 2022 profile, it reported more than 57,000 students, including about 20% foreign students.
As an international student, you do not have to assume that higher education in another country is always out of reach. The French institutions above show that France can offer relatively affordable study options, especially when you qualify for national fees, scholarships, or exemptions. Check each university’s current fees, program rules, and scholarship options before making your choice.
We hope this article on affordable universities in France was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe and Study in France!
