2025 - 2026 SAA Rankings for Best Value Universities In Saudi Arabia For International Students

38 Best Value Institutions in Saudi Arabia for International Students

Here are the 38 best-value institutions in Saudi Arabia for international students. Here, you’ll learn more about their rankings, international student population, and their background.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Prince Sultan University was the first private university to be established in Saudi Arabia as well as to receive full institutional accreditation from NCAAA (National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment). It was initially founded as a private college and was upgraded to a university in 2003. The school offers 22 study programs in various fields.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Najran University focuses on the development of the economy in the region and on building partnerships in the community through providing education together with scientific research necessary to support the students. The innovative nature of the institution makes it independently self-sustaining. It initially began as a community college of King Khalid University but received independent status in 2006 by the decree of the king. 

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.

Effat University was established as a private university for women in 1999 and is considered the first private women’s college in Saudi Arabia. It opened its doors to male students in 2022 but still considers itself primarily a women’s college. The university’s core values are based on the teachings of Islam, specifically from the Quran, and include lifelong research, ethical social and educational values, responsible and creative leadership, and effective communication and outreach.

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.

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.

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.

Located in the heart of Jeddah, the University of Jeddah benefits from its unique environment through its numerous partnerships with various industry leaders in Saudi Arabia. Students also get to enjoy the experience of living in the cultural and commercial center of the kingdom, gaining long-lasting impressions and networks that will help them in their careers or businesses.

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.

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.

Shaqra University is a public university that was established in 2009. It is made up of twenty-four colleges. The colleges that make up the universities are spread out all over Saudi Arabia, with the main campus in Shaqra. The university offers programs in various fields, including computing and information technology, humanities, business, engineering, and education, among others.   

Institute of Public Administration is a research-driven institution that prides itself in the preparation of administrative leaders by providing its students with a comprehensive education that involves cutting-edge research. It offers programs in the field of law, human resources, business and money, digital transformations, and administration and public policies. The university aims to help in the development of human resources through its training programs and propel its students into a promising future.

Al Baha University is a public institution that prides itself on providing higher education, especially in scientific research, together with community service, contributing to building an informed society. The developments in the university aim at making the institution advanced in administration and academic activities, governed by values that, in turn, make it efficient for the students.

Dar Al-Hekma University is a private university that offers higher education specifically for women in Saudi Arabia. It is a high-ranking institution, ranking first among private institutions in Saudi Arabia. The university prides itself in providing a well-equipped environment for nurturing its students’ personal development and creativity, as well as building scientific research and taking social responsibility. It recently opened its Master’s programs to men as well.

Al Yamamah University provides a warm environment for students to study and cultivate their talents. The university applies practical learning in its educational programs in order to produce well-rounded professionals according to the highest standards. Its mission is to instill leadership skills and critical thinking among its students through research and experience-based learning.

University of Hafr Al Batin is a public institution of higher learning established to support the sustainability of both environmental resources and societal resources by providing quality education to its students to enable them to meet the needs of society. It is made up of ten colleges offering programs in various fields in both English and Arabic.

The University of Bisha was established from the merging of King Khalid University’s former branches in Bisha, Bilqarn, Namas, and Tathleeth in Saudi Arabia. The school’s vision is to train professionals in their respective fields who will contribute to a productive community. It also aims to ensure the quality of its programs to earn accreditation at regional, national, and international levels.

The University of Business and Technology is a private institution located in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia that originally started as the Institute of Business Administration in 2000. It is a young university that prides itself in training professionals with strong skills who go on to have strong reputations in the world of employment. The school has two campuses, a male campus, and a female campus, both in Jeddah.

Dar Al Uloom University is a coeducational institution that offers undergraduate and postgraduate study programs across several fields, including law, business administration, computer engineering and IT, education and human development, architectural engineering, and digital design, among others. Like many universities in the region, it aspired to be a regional leader in education and contribute to the development of society.

Originally established in 2003, Fahad Bin Sultan University (FSBU) only included a College of Computing. The university has since expanded to five colleges, that is, the College of Business and Management, the College of Engineering, the College of Computing, the College of Sciences and Humanities, and the College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research. It offers admission to students from all around the world.