Top 5 Cheapest Universities in South Korea for International Students

     Tuition fees: Look for universities where annual tuition is significantly lower for international students. For example, at some public universities in                  Korea, humanities programmes can cost USD 2,000–3,500 per year, and engineering programmes around USD 3,500–5,000.  

• Scholarships & fee waivers: Many Korean universities offer tuition-discounts of 30-100% or full waivers for international students with strong academic records or Korean language proficiency.  

• Cost of living & campus location: Studying in a city outside Seoul can reduce accommodation and daily cost. Also check whether dorms are offered. 

• English-taught programmes: If you’re not fluent in Korean, you’ll want to check how many programmes are offered in English. 

• Career / industry connections: Especially for digital marketers or entrepreneurs, how strong is the university’s link to industry, internships, or entrepreneurial ecosystems? 

• Return on investment (ROI): For your brand/business mindset, you’ll want to consider how your degree can boost your profile, skills or career potential. 

• Compare tuition fees in both USD and KRW, and check the exchange rate. 

• Review the intake deadlines for international students and language requirements (TOPIK, IELTS). 

• Explore scholarship options (e.g., Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)). 

• Visit the university website and check living cost estimates. 

• Connect with current international students via social media or forums. 

• Don’t assume “cheap” means low quality — many public Korean universities offer excellent education. 

• Don’t ignore hidden costs: visa, health insurance, travel, books, accommodation. 

• Don’t apply at the last minute — international admissions often have fixed windows and extra documents. 

• Don’t neglect language support — even English-taught programmes may require some Korean proficiency or culture adaptation. 

• Known as one of the most affordable universities for international students in South Korea.  

• Estimated annual tuition: Humanities programmes approx USD 2,800–4,200; Engineering/Natural Sciences approx USD 3,500–5,000.  

• Located in Gwangju, which typically has lower cost of living compared with Seoul. 

• Pro-tip: Because it’s less expensive, it may attract fewer international students, making it easier to stand out. 

• Another budget-friendly public university. Estimated annual tuition: Humanities ~ USD 2,500–3,500; Engineering/Natural Sciences ~ USD 3,500–5,000.  

• Offers English-taught programmes in fields like engineering, agriculture, business.  

• Tip: Being in a regional city (Jinju) means lower accommodation and lifestyle cost. 

• Large public research university with relatively low tuition for international students (approx USD 3,000–6,000 per year depending on major).  

• Strong reputation in engineering and sciences—good for students looking for technical or business credentials. 

• Pro-tip: Look out for PNU scholarships (tuition waivers 30-100%) for international students.  

• Located near Seoul (Incheon) offering a strategic location but still somewhat lower cost. 

• Reported tuition approx USD 3,000–5,000 per year for international students.  

• Offers global business, data science, AI programmes in English.  

• Tip: For entrepreneurs or digital marketers wanting proximity to Seoul’s business ecosystem, this is a good trade-off. 

• According to one listing, tuition at KNU is among the lowest: KRW 1,470,000–2,100,000 for certain programmes—very affordable. fly.homes 

• Ideal for students seeking engineering, agriculture or life sciences in a quieter city environment. 

• Pro-tip: Because Chuncheon is not Seoul, living costs are lower and you may have a more immersive local experience. 

• Many institutions offer tuition waivers up to 100% for high-performing international students.  

• The Korean Government’s GKS scholarship covers full tuition, stipend, and airfare.  

• Cities outside Seoul tend to be cheaper for accommodation and daily living (e.g., Gwangju, Jinju, Chuncheon). 

• On-campus dorms often cost less and make it easier to access campus life. 

• International students in Korea can often work part-time (check visa regulations), which helps offset living costs. 

• If you’re not fluent in Korean, look for English-taught programmes. These may sometimes carry slightly higher fees—but still affordable compared to Western countries. 

• Invest in basic Korean language skills: this improves your chances for scholarships and part-time opportunities. 

• Q: What is the average total cost (tuition + living) for a budget-friendly university in Korea? 
  A: For the most affordable setups: tuition ~ USD 2,000-5,000 per year + living costs ~ USD 5,000-8,000.  

• Q: Are there truly “free” universities in South Korea for international students? 
  A: While full free tuition is rare, scholarships and waivers often bring the cost very low.  

• Q: Can I study in English only and still benefit from low-tuition universities in South Korea? 
  A: Yes — many universities listed above offer English-taught programmes, especially at the postgraduate level. 

• Q: How do I choose between value and brand/reputation? 
  A: If you’re aiming for a global brand and networking, you might choose a slightly higher-cost university. But for many digital marketers, entrepreneurs or small-business owners, a lower-cost but quality university is a smart ROI play.