Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is a major center for education, culture, business, and technology. The city offers international students access to numerous universities, extensive public transportation, cultural attractions, and neighborhoods such as Shibuya.
Besides being a popular destination for visitors, Tokyo is also known for its educational institutions. The city has national, metropolitan public, and private universities offering programs to domestic and international students. The least expensive options are generally national or public institutions, although tuition varies by university, program, and year of entry. The cost of living in Tokyo can be high. International students may work part-time only after obtaining the required immigration permission and generally may work no more than 28 hours per week.
To reduce your education costs, compare each university’s current tuition, admission fees, scholarships, and tuition-reduction programs. Let’s take a look at these affordable universities in Tokyo for international students.
Affordable Schools in Tokyo for International Students
1. University of Tokyo
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Annual Tuition: ¥642,960 for undergraduate students entering in academic year 2025 or later; ¥535,800 for master’s and most professional programs; ¥520,800 for most doctoral programs
The University of Tokyo is a national research university established in 1877 as Japan’s first national university. It offers undergraduate and graduate education across a broad range of academic disciplines.
UTokyo is a major research university. Its official facts page lists 13 Nobel Prize laureates among its professors and alumni. The university has also educated numerous researchers, public officials, business leaders, and other prominent graduates.
Current annual tuition is ¥642,960 for undergraduate students who entered in academic year 2025 or later. Students who entered in or before academic year 2024 continue to pay ¥535,800 annually. Annual tuition is ¥535,800 for master’s and most professional programs, ¥520,800 for most doctoral programs, and ¥804,000 for the School of Law. Admission and other required fees are separate.
2. Tokyo Metropolitan University
Tokyo Metropolitan University is the only university operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It was established in 1949 and has subsequently undergone several reorganizations. Its current academic structure includes seven faculties and graduate schools covering the humanities, law, business, science, engineering, urban studies, and health sciences.
The university’s official pages list six principal campus or satellite locations: Minami-Osawa, Hino, Arakawa, Harumi, Marunouchi, and Iidabashi. Different faculties and programs are based at different locations.
Annual tuition is ¥520,800 for undergraduate and most graduate programs and ¥663,000 for the Law School. International students may be eligible to apply for tuition reduction or exemption programs and university or external scholarships. Financial support is subject to eligibility requirements and selection.
3. The University of Electro-Communications
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Annual Tuition: ¥642,960 for daytime undergraduates entering in academic year 2026; ¥321,480 for the night program; ¥535,800 for master’s and doctoral programs
The University of Electro-Communications is a national university located in Chofu, Tokyo. Its origins date to the Technical Institute for Wireless-Communications, founded in 1918. The University of Electro-Communications was established in 1949.
The university specializes in informatics and engineering. Its academic areas include computer science, communications, electronics, robotics, mechanical systems, applied physics, chemistry, biotechnology, and related fields.
For students entering in academic year 2026, annual tuition is ¥642,960 for the daytime undergraduate program, ¥321,480 for the night undergraduate program, and ¥535,800 for master’s and doctoral programs. Admission fees and other expenses are separate, and applicants should confirm that their chosen program and admission route are available to international students.
4. Tokyo University of Science
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Annual Tuition: from ¥700,000 in the Faculty of Science Division II, excluding the admission fee, educational enhancement fee, and other required charges
The next university on our list of comparatively affordable universities in Tokyo is Tokyo University of Science. It is a private research university and one of Japan’s oldest private universities of science and technology. It was founded in 1881.
The university’s campus network includes Kagurazaka and Katsushika in Tokyo, Noda in Chiba Prefecture, and Oshamambe in Hokkaido. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs centered on science, engineering, technology, pharmacy, management, and related disciplines.
The lowest published undergraduate tuition for academic year 2026 is ¥700,000 for the Mathematics Department in the Faculty of Science Division II. This is a night-division program and is not representative of tuition across all faculties. Its first-year charges also include a ¥150,000 admission fee, a ¥160,000 educational enhancement fee, and other required costs. Tuition for daytime programs is generally higher, so applicants should check the fee schedule for their specific department.
5. Ochanomizu University
Our final recommendation is a national women’s university. Ochanomizu University was founded in 1875 as Tokyo Women’s Normal School, Japan’s first national institution of higher education for women. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs and admits international students under its published eligibility requirements.
Annual tuition for academic year 2026 is ¥535,800. In July 2026, the university announced that it was considering a proposal to raise annual undergraduate tuition to ¥642,960 for students entering from April 2027 and master’s tuition to ¥642,960 for students entering from April 2028. As of July 15, 2026, the proposal had not been finalized, and the university stated that a final decision was expected by the end of October 2026. Prospective students should therefore check the latest official fee announcement before applying.
FAQs: Studying in Tokyo
Is it Difficult to Secure a Spot at Universities in Tokyo for International Students?
Admission difficulty varies considerably by university, degree level, department, and admission route. Some institutions and programs are highly selective, including programs at universities commonly listed among Japanese universities with low acceptance rates. However, applicants should not rely solely on unofficial university-wide acceptance-rate estimates. Review the current official application guidelines for your chosen program, including academic qualifications, language requirements, entrance examinations, required documents, and interviews.
Do Universities in Tokyo Offer Scholarships to International Students?
Yes. Universities, the Japanese government, the Japan Student Services Organization, and private foundations offer scholarships and tuition-support programs for international students. Eligibility, coverage, application procedures, and the number of awards vary, and funding is not guaranteed.
For example, the Global Scientists and Engineers Program at Science Tokyo is an English-taught bachelor’s program rather than a scholarship itself. The program admits up to eight MEXT scholarship recipients and ten privately funded international students. Successful MEXT recipients are exempt from enrollment and tuition fees and receive a monthly stipend of ¥120,000 for four years, as well as airfare under applicable MEXT conditions. Ochanomizu University lists scholarship opportunities from sources including MEXT, JASSO, university funds, and private organizations. Applicants should review the current conditions for each award rather than assuming that all scholarships are fully or partially funded in the same way.
We hope this article encourages you to consider studying in Japan. Unsure which program to choose? Here is a list of Available Program for International Students. Also, visit our Study in Japan guide for more helpful articles.
