Cheapest Universities in Chile 2023
Chile is a famous South American tourist destination due to the high quality of its educational institutions and the big number of universities to select from. The country is noted for its stunning scenery and high standard of living.
Due to the length of the country, Chile enjoys a wonderful climate. The Andes mountain range, which is responsible for limiting the passage of air masses from Argentina and ocean breezes from the Pacific, is another important weather element. The ocean has a significant impact on Chile’s climate.
Here is the List of Cheap University in Chile
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The University of Chile https://www.uchile.cl/english
The University of Chile is the first on our list of low-cost universities in Chile. The Institution of Chile, founded in 1842, is Chile’s oldest and most prominent public university.
It is the second-best university in the country and the 189th-best in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings for 2020. It is ranked between the 601 and the 800th best universities in the Times World University Rankings.
Its facilities, which include five transdisciplinary institutes, four museums, a publishing firm, two radio stations, and a television studio, educate around 40,000 students each year.
Tuition costs will increase from 2,000,000 CLP (2,825 USD) to 6,000,000 CLP in 2019. (8,475 USD).
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Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC) (https://www.uc.cl/en)
The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC) was founded in 1888 and is a conventional and private university. It is Chile’s best private institution and is known for its extensive research in a variety of fields.
It is the best university in Chile and the 127th best in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings for 2020.
As is the case with the University of Chile, it is placed between the 601 and 800th top universities in the world by the Times World University Ranking. Here, notable personalities such as two Chilean presidents and Pritzker Prize recipients have been investigated.
If you want to apply to the University of California, you must take the Selection Exam (PSU in Spanish). Check the University website for more information.
The cost of tuition varies between 2,400,000 CLP (3,400 USD) to 6,800,000 CLP (9,600 USD).
Studying in Chile on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in Chile. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: Chile requires a student visa or study permit obtained after admission. Expect an interview at the embassy or consulate for some countries, proof that you can fund the full programme, and evidence of ties to Nigeria. Visa refusal rates for Nigerian applicants can be high, so prepare your financial documentation carefully and honestly.
Language of instruction: most degree programmes in Chile are taught in the local language, with a smaller selection available in English — usually at postgraduate level. Check the language of instruction for your specific programme before anything else, because this single detail rules out more applicants than tuition cost does. Where an English-taught programme exists, ask whether an IELTS or TOEFL waiver applies to Nigerian degree holders.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in Chile, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from Chile itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in Chile?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in Chile subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in Chile and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in Chile?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for Chile shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- Full list of universities in Chile
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for Chile before you apply or pay anything.