Tunisia is a wonderful study destination on the North African coast, with a rich heritage shaped by Carthaginian, Roman, and Islamic influences. It has 12 universities in the overall Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and its higher education system includes a well-established network of public universities.
With a rich and diverse culture and many exciting destinations to travel to while you are in the country, studying in Tunisia can be a great choice. The cost of living is generally affordable compared with many other study destinations. In addition, public higher education in Tunisia is mandated as free under key national legislation, while private university fees vary by institution and program.
Below, we have listed affordable university options in Tunisia.
Affordable Schools in Tunisia for International Students
1. University of Carthage
Established in 1988, this university was originally the University of Law, Economics and Management Tunis III. It has since grown into a large network of academic institutions. The name changed to the University of Carthage in 2011, inspired by its location in a district within the city of Tunis that was once part of the Carthaginian empire. Today, its institutions are spread across northeastern Tunisia, including Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Tunis, Ariana, Soukra, Nabeul, Bizerte, and Borj Cedria.
The University of Carthage has 32,944 students, according to data collected for the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. Some of its largest academic groups include the Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis, and IHEC Carthage. Parts of the university are highly selective; for example, Tunisia Polytechnic School accepts only about 50 students from around 4,000 applicants. About 1% of the student body is international, and the student-to-staff ratio is 10.6:1.
2. University of Manouba
This public university is based in Manouba, about 10 kilometers from Tunis. It was founded in 2000 and operates from a 30-hectare campus. Its motto is “Criticism, Creativity, and Conviviality,” and it aims to develop graduates who can contribute to Tunisia’s wider social and economic development.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the University of Manouba reported 18,601 students and 1,354 teachers. Its institutions include the Tunis Business School, the Higher Institute of Accounting and Business Administration, and the National School of Computer Science. It is also known for specialized programs at institutions such as the Institute of Press and Information Sciences, the Higher Institute of Documentation, and the Higher School of Digital Economy.
International students make up about 2% of the student body, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 data.
3. University of Monastir
A major Tunisian institution, the University of Monastir was set up in 2004 as part of a series of national higher education reforms. Its aim is to prepare future generations for high-ranking positions in a wide range of fields.
Monastir is a remarkable tourist city and a brilliant place to live. The university also has institutions in Mahdia and is made up of two schools, five faculties, and nine institutes.
Here, you will find collaboration programs with universities outside Tunisia, including institutions in France, Spain, Belgium, Algeria, and Morocco. The university has 20,673 students, and international students make up about 2% of the student body.
4. University of Sfax
Also known historically as the University of the South, this affordable university in Tunisia is located in Sfax and was established in 1986. It later evolved into three separate public universities: the University of Sfax, the University of Gabes, and the University of Gafsa.
The University of Sfax is organized into 21 higher education institutions, including five research faculties, three colleges, twelve institutes, and a research center. One of its most recognized areas of expertise is in the social sciences, and only about 10% of applicants gain admission there each year.
This is a large university complex, with 33,852 students reported in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 data. The university has many collaboration and exchange programs with universities abroad, and international students make up about 4% of its student body.
5. University of Tunis
Founded in 1960, the University of Tunis focuses strongly on the arts and humanities while also offering programs in areas such as business, economics, engineering, physical sciences, psychology, and social sciences.
The university has 11 schools and four research institutes. It counts 18,795 students, with international students making up about 2% of the student body. Students can pursue a wide range of undergraduate, Master’s, and doctoral study options across its academic institutions.
6. University of Sousse
We end our list of affordable universities in Tunisia with the University of Sousse. In 2004, the large University of the Centre was divided into three new institutions, one of which was the University of Sousse, located in Tunisia’s third-largest city. It aspires to be “one of the major players in the socio-economic development of the country and region.”
The university offers degrees in basic sciences, law, economics, management, technology, agronomic sciences, arts, humanities, medical sciences, and paramedical fields. It has 17 higher education institutions, including four faculties, four schools, and nine institutes. In 2006, the University of Sousse was among the first Tunisian universities to adopt the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate progression of qualifications.
Its oldest department is the medical school, which was founded in 1974 independently and worked closely with the University of Montreal between 1978 and 1992. This is one of the best-known study programs at the University of Sousse, with three teaching hospitals attached to it.
A number of prominent Tunisian public figures have been associated with the University of Sousse, including Abdelkrim Zbidi, a former dean of medicine and former Tunisian minister of defense.
The University of Sousse has 29,075 students, of whom about 2% are international students. It also has a large number of international cooperation and exchange programs.
We hope that this article on affordable universities in Tunisia was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
