25 Best Universities In Saudi Arabia For International Students 2024

If you are looking to study in Saudi Arabia, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 39 universities and colleges in Saudi Arabia, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 39 universities in Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology are the top-performing schools in Saudi Arabia. This list covers both public and private institutions in Saudi Arabia.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Saudi Arabia. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Saudi Arabia.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Saudi Arabia?

Applying to the universities in Saudi Arabia involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Saudi Arabia to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Saudi Arabia?

Tuition fees at Saudi Arabia’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 SAR to 94,000 SAR , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 SAR to 130,000 SAR. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Saudi Arabia!

As we cover the best universities in Saudi Arabia for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Saudi Arabia for International Students

King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is the largest and most prestigious institution of higher learning in Saudi Arabia. Located in Jeddah, the commercial hub of Saudi Arabia, KAU has the highest enrollment rate in the kingdom, with over 100,000 students studying at the university. In addition, it offers a wide variety of programs, including programs like meteorology and astronomy, which are not available in other Saudi Arabian universities.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has a multicultural academic environment that seeks to develop high-caliber students and help them create their mark in research and the academe. The university seeks to transform society through breakthrough discoveries and new technologies. More than its excellent reputation, the university focuses on offering a student-friendly education that allows individuals to chase their passion in the most productive way without limiting them from their potential to be future professionals in the industry.

King Saud University is one of the most reputable educational institutions in the country. It is known for its excellence in areas of instruction, research, and professional training, which leads to the creation of new knowledge for outstanding future experts in society. As a large public university, it offers a lot of academic opportunities that allow students to gain experience in and out of Saudi Arabia.

The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is among the highest-ranked universities for petroleum engineering in the world. With an acceptance rate of 4%, KFUPM is one of the most sought-after institutions of higher learning in Saudi Arabia. The school has numerous partnerships with some of the top universities in the world, such as MIT and Stanford University, making it a dream study destination not only for Saudi Arabian students but also students from all around the world.

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is a leading institution in Saudi Arabia that offers courses in engineering, science, and business fields but specializes in Petroleum and Minerals. Since its inception in 1963, the university has helped develop the petroleum and petrochemical industry in Saudi Arabia by providing innovative solutions and training highly competent professionals.

Students of KFUPM view the institution as a center of cutting-edge research and transformative education that tries its best to keep up with global best practices. In addition, the university aims to become an international powerhouse not only in petroleum engineering but also in renewable energy research.

Founded in 2002 by the King Faisal Foundation, Alfaisal University is a private non-profit institution in Riyadh with five colleges. While it is a small university compared to the large public universities present in Saudi Arabia, it is still immensely prestigious and among the top universities in the Kingdom. According to Times Higher Education, it is ranked 9th among the world’s best small universities and is known for adopting global best practices in its teaching methods and curricula.

The University of Ha’il is one of the fastest-growing academic institutions in Saudi Arabia, with new facilities, structures, and departments added to it yearly. As an entity, the university dedicates itself to two goals, in which the first involves elevating the research quality and output of Saudi Arabia. For its second goal, the university is committed to fulfilling the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals in its local community.

Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University was established by the former governor of the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia and is one of the most prestigious universities in the region and globally. It is made up of seven colleges and offers 25 majors in various fields including engineering and business. The university has a globally integrated student body as well as staff, having students from up to 29 countries.

Formerly a part of King Faisal University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University separated to become a thriving independent university. It is among the best universities in Saudi Arabia and has distinguished itself in research by churning out impactful articles in high-quality international journals yearly. As a growing university, it seeks to add new colleges and offer new programs, including unique multidisciplinary courses.

Umm Al-Qura University derives its name from the phrase “Umm Al-Qura,” meaning “mother of all settlements,” which refers to ‘Mecca. A combination of the university’s location and the value placed on it by the people and government of Saudi Arabia makes it an outstanding and prominent institution of higher learning.

It began operations as a humble Islamic Law College but has since grown into the influential university it is today. As a result, the university has expanded to cover numerous areas of expertise and possesses a curriculum that combines ancient traditions with contemporary ideas.

With over 23,000 alumni and currently hosting over 16,000 students, Northern Border University is a public university made up of 16 colleges spread out in 4 different cities. NBU has nine colleges in the city of Arar, which is the location of the main campus, four colleges in the town of Rafha, two in another town, Turayf, and one college in Al Uwayqilah.

King Khalid University was established with the mission of providing a conducive academic environment that allows holistic teaching, learning, and research, and also promotes the development of society. The university is well known for its many outstanding achievements which include awards for local advancement, research, scientific studies, and government integration, among others. It upholds the values of honesty, commitment, respect, excellence, innovation, and transparency in its approach toward being a highly regarded university.

Located in the holy city of Medina, The Islamic University of Madinah is a single-gender institution tasked with conducting studies and instruction in the areas of shariah, hadiths, Quran, Islamic culture, and Arabic language. It is one of Saudi Arabia’s better-known religious universities and has a great influence on Islamic scholars locally and abroad.

The University of Tabuk is a comprehensive educational institution that focuses on courses related to economics, business, and sciences. As a technical university, it maintains an advanced set of facilities that can cater to the creativity of students, which reflects in their research studies and outputs. The university also aims to provide transformational leadership through the commitment to serving the people.

Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University is a public research institution in Riyadh founded by the first Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ash-Sheikh. The university envisions itself as a home of impactful research, innovative ideas, and constructive education. Its goal is to train competent leaders and skilled professionals capable of influencing both Saudi Arabian and global labor markets.

With its main campus in Riyadh and its other two campuses in Jeddah and Al-Ahsa, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences is a public university committed to nurturing skillful health professionals. The university has 14 campuses spread across its three campuses allowing students to receive first-rate medical or health training at a favorable location. Present at all campuses is a nursing and an applied medical sciences college, ensuring all regions in the Kingdom have the necessary professionals readily available.

Known nationally for its emphasis on food security, King Faisal University (KFU) is among the largest universities in Saudi Arabia, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students. The university offers numerous programs in diverse fields of study, from agriculture to business and law. It is also a treasure for the Al-Ahsa region and is the most favored institution by locals in the area.

Furthermore, KFU has gained recognition on the international stage as a frequent host of various global conferences and symposiums, including the International Conference & Exhibition for Science (ICES2023).

Since its establishment in 2004, Taif University has continuously served Saudi Arabia by engaging in teaching and research to drive constructive change and positive development. It has thirteen colleges or faculties and three branch campuses located not close to the main campus in Taif city. The university has recently been investing heavily in its health colleges and is predicted to become one of the leading centers for health sciences in Saudi Arabia.

Taibah University is an internationally recognized institution that is dedicated to offering excellent education to students worldwide. It aims to promote sustainable development by helping students gain valuable insights on how to serve the community in the future through their fields of interest. The university also coordinates with various organizations and institutions in order to fulfill its objectives of having productive academic environments that focus on learning and creativity enhancement.

Jazan University, commonly referred to as JazanU, seats the vibrant and rapidly developing port city of Jazan. It is known for its medical school but offers many programs as it possesses an extensive range of departments and faculties. The university not only emphasizes academic excellence but also supports the development of social responsibility in its students and adherence to proper ethical standards.

Named after Sattam bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the former governor of Riyadh, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University is a public research institution of higher learning in Al-Kharj. It has 18 colleges spread across its five campuses, all located within the same region. Aiming to distinguish itself through innovation and research by 2030, the university continuously invests heavily in graduate programs and research through the help of the Saudi Arabian government.

Jouf University, sometimes referred to as Al-Jouf University, is a public university located in the city of Sakaka in the Al Jouf region of Saudi Arabia and is currently the only university that serves the whole region. It offers free tuition for all its students and also provides financial support for its students who need it, both Saudi and international students.

Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University is a testament to the efforts of the Saudi Arabian government to elevate women’s education in the Kingdom. The university is an all-female public research institution in Riyadh. Its vision is to empower women by ensuring they receive an effective and superior education that will enable them to excel in all fields of endeavor.

Established in 2009 to ease the burden on universities in large cities and serve students in the Majmaah region, Majmaah University has since grown to become a beacon of top-tier education in the area. The university is community oriented and centers its effort around improving the scientific quality and cultural experience of the local community. Furthermore, It encourages sustainability and community development through research projects, social initiatives, and educational programs.

With about 13 campuses located in different areas in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia, Qassim University is a large university with its main campus in Buraidah, the capital city of the Qassim region. The university offers 120 bachelor’s and 70 master’s degree programs. In particular, Qassim University is known for its emphasis on sports, as it hosts numerous sporting activities at the national level, even winning some of the competitions through its various sports teams.