List of Cheapest Universities in South Korea with Tuition Fees

List of Cheapest Universities in South Korea with Tuition Fees

South Korea is an Asian country with its capital in Seoul, it borders its upper part with North Korea since the separation and the Korean war in 1948 and 1950 respectively. South Korea is a hub for technological innovations, business, and medicine, they have world-class institutions.

1. Chungnam National University

Year of establishment – 1952
Location – Yuseong
Average Tuition Fees – $2200
Website – https://plus.cnu.ac.kr
Is the most affordable government-owned university with two other campuses in Daedeok and Munhwa. The university offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programs, scholarships are also available to support students’ tuition fees in most cases.

2. Pusan National University

Year of establishment – 1946
Location – Pusan
Average Tuition Fees – $2500
Website – https://www.pusan.ac.kr
This is also a government-owned university, with 3 campuses in Busan, Yangsan, and Miryang. It offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs which are mostly delivered in the English language.

3. Chonnam National University

Year of establishment – 1952
Location – Gwangju
Average Tuition Fees – $2500
Website – https://international.jnu.ac.kr
This is a government-owned university and one of the best in the country having partnerships with over 100 universities in about 20 countries including the US, Canada, Poland, etc. Following recent trends, they offer in addition to other several programs including Artificial intelligence, Law, Medicine, etc.

4. Cheongju University

Year of establishment – 1924
Location – Cheongju
Average Tuition Fees – $3500
Website – https://www.cju.ac.kr
Is a private university, offering various programs for both undergraduate and postgraduate. It was founded by two brothers Kim Won-keun and Kim Young Keun.

5. Korea University

ear of establishment – 1905
Location – Seoul
Average Tuition Fees – $4000
Website – https://www.korea.edu
This is another privately owned university, which has been ranked the best university in South Korea. It’s renowned for the various programs they offer for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

What these tuition figures actually cover

The fees listed above are tuition only. They exclude accommodation, feeding, health insurance, textbooks, local transport and visa costs. When budgeting, treat tuition as roughly half of what a year will genuinely cost you.

South Korea uses the won (KRW). Beyond tuition, the more important route for Nigerian applicants is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a government programme that covers tuition, airfare, a monthly allowance and Korean language training for selected international students.

Budgeting realistically as a Nigerian student

Work out the full picture before committing:

• Tuition — confirm the current figure directly with the institution, as published figures date quickly
• Accommodation — on-campus housing is usually cheaper than private rental
• Feeding and daily living
• Health insurance — typically mandatory for international students
• Flights — expect at least one connection from Lagos to Seoul
• Visa and immigration fees
• Proof of funds — you will usually need to show you can support yourself for the full period of study

Entry requirements to expect

Requirements vary by institution and programme, but international applicants are generally asked for:

• WAEC, NECO or equivalent secondary certificates for undergraduate entry
• A recognised bachelor’s degree and transcripts for postgraduate entry
• A valid international passport
• Proof of financial capacity
• Academic references

On English tests: Korean universities offer a growing number of English-taught programmes, particularly at postgraduate level, and typically require IELTS or TOEFL. Korean-taught programmes require TOPIK certification. Many scholarship routes include a year of Korean language training.

How to apply

1. Shortlist two or three institutions from the list above and confirm they are accredited and offer your programme.
2. Contact admissions directly and request the current international student fee schedule. Do not rely on figures from any third-party site, including this one, without confirming.
3. Ask about English test requirements for Nigerian applicants specifically.
4. Prepare documents early — transcript and certificate collection routinely takes weeks in Nigeria.
5. Apply, then begin the student visa process once you receive an offer letter.
6. Arrange proof of funds in the format the immigration authority requires.

Working while studying

International students in South Korea may work limited hours with permission from their institution and immigration authorities, often subject to attendance and grade conditions. Confirm before accepting any work.

Is South Korea the right choice for you?

South Korea suits you if you are prepared to compete for the GKS scholarship, which transforms the cost picture entirely. Self-funding is viable but the scholarship route is where the real opportunity sits for Nigerian applicants.

Be clear-eyed about one thing: a low tuition fee is not the same as an affordable degree. Once flights, living costs and visa expenses are counted, self-funding is rarely cheaper than a fully funded scholarship, where tuition, accommodation and travel are all covered and you pay nothing.

If cost is your priority rather than location, apply to funded programmes in parallel:

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC — fully funded Master’s in Canada, including flights and a laptop
• Chevening Scholarship — fully funded UK Master’s for Nigerians
• DAAD EPOS Scholarship — fully funded Master’s in Germany
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarship — fully funded doctoral study in the UK

Frequently asked questions

Can Nigerians study in South Korea?

Yes. Korean universities admit Nigerian students, and Nigeria is among the countries eligible for the Global Korea Scholarship.

What is the Global Korea Scholarship?

GKS is a South Korean government scholarship covering tuition, airfare, settlement and monthly allowances, plus Korean language training, for international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Applications typically route through the Korean embassy or a Korean university. Check current deadlines on the official GKS website.

Is South Korea cheaper than studying elsewhere?

Self-funded study in Korea costs less than Western Europe or North America. With a GKS scholarship, the cost drops to essentially nothing, which is why that route is worth prioritising.

Are these tuition fees current?

Fees change regularly. Treat the figures above as a comparison guide only and confirm current rates directly with each institution before making any decision.

Always verify tuition, entry requirements and visa rules directly with the institution and the relevant immigration authority before applying or making payment.