15 Cheapest Universities in Hungary for International Students

In Hungary, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Hungary without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Hungary, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 41 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Hungary, make sure to read more!

How do I get admission to affordable universities in Hungary?

Applying to cheap universities in Hungary requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Hungary for a more comprehensive guide!

What can I study at Best affordable universities in Hungary?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Hungary. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Hungary is the Eotvos Lorand University, which offers Computer Science , English and American Studies, and Finance and Accounting to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Eotvos Lorand University offers American Studies, Biology, and Cartography .

Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Hungary for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Hungary ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary 987,700 HUF - 2,735,100 HUF 44%
University of Pannonia 1,026,400 HUF - 2,280,900 HUF 42%
University of Nyiregyhaza 1,138,300 HUF - 10,244,500 HUF 36%
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences 1,142,900 HUF - 2,209,500 HUF 35%
University of Szeged 1,146,700 HUF - 2,522,600 HUF 35%
Szechenyi Istvan University 1,274,000 HUF - 1,948,500 HUF 28%
University of Sopron 1,332,800 HUF - 2,161,300 HUF 24%
Tomori Pal College 1,472,200 HUF 17%
Wekerle Business School 1,509,900 HUF 14%
University of Dunaujvaros 1,535,200 HUF 13%
Eotvos Lorand University 1,536,300 HUF - 3,226,100 HUF 13%
University of Public Service 1,542,500 HUF - 1,619,600 HUF 13%
Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music 1,600,000 HUF 9%
University of Pecs 1,681,400 HUF - 2,872,000 HUF 5%
Pazmany Peter Catholic University 1,770,000 HUF -0%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 1,753,000 HUF for universities in Hungary.

1. Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary

Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary is a public academic institution that specializes in theological studies. It was founded in 1993 as the successor of the Reformed Theological Academy of Pest. The university also offers programs in liberal arts, management, and education that integrate the teachings and principles of Reformed theology.

2. University of Pannonia

The University of Pannonia is a public institution in western Hungary with a prominent international reputation for its high-quality research programs that focus on sustainability and making sustainability-related knowledge accessible to everyone. It is composed of two campuses and five faculties that offer a variety of programs taught by accomplished instructors. The university also maintains close ties with different sectors of the community in conducting projects and training programs for its students. 

3. University of Nyiregyhaza

The University of Nyiregyhaza is a regional frontrunner in technical and agricultural training, education, and research. It has also gained popularity on the national and international scale because of its state-of-the-art infrastructure that helps facilitate an environment conducive to learning and conducting different research and development projects. The university’s primary aim is to contribute to the economic and social development of the region through practice-oriented education and active cooperation with different sectors of the community. 

4. Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences has an international reputation for being one of Europe’s largest and best agricultural universities. It was founded in 2021 through the integration of several top institutions in Budapest, but its history and tradition of educational excellence can be traced back to 1787. The university offers high-quality academic and research programs that focus on improving agricultural production, food safety, and sustainability. 

5. University of Szeged

The University of Szeged is a public academic institution known for its internationally-competitive programs in medicine, natural sciences, engineering, and humanities. It also prides itself on having a sustainable campus and carrying out several initiatives that promote environmental responsibility. The university’s student-teacher ratio allows students to have more individual interactions with their professors and gain a more personalized academic experience. 

6. Szechenyi Istvan University

Szechenyi Istvan University is a public academic institution known for its top-notch engineering programs focused on contributing to the social and economic development of the region. It is situated by the Danube River and close to major cities in Slovakia and Austria. The university also has an extensive network of universities outside the country with which it conducts academic programs and research and development activities. 

7. University of Sopron

Situated in the beautiful town of Sopron in northwest Hungary and in close proximity to main cities in Slovakia and Austria, the University of Sopron is best known for its outstanding programs in the wood industry and forestry. It is also famous for having a green and sustainable campus that reduces its negative impact on the atmosphere. The university also welcomes students from all around the world and provides various opportunities for international mobility. 

8. Tomori Pal College

Tomori Pal College is a regional frontrunner and center of knowledge in different fields of business and liberal arts. It was established in 2004 and was named after Pal Tomori, a Catholic monk known for his military success and bravery in battle during the Ottoman occupation in Hungary. The university offers undergraduate programs in management, international relations, accounting, and liberal arts and plans to expand its course offerings to include academic programs in technical sciences and information technology in the coming years. 

9. Wekerle Business School

Wekerle Business School is a leading institution for higher business education in Budapest. It was named after Sandor Wekerle, a Hungarian politician and former prime minister who had significant contributions to the country’s economic and social development. The university is known for its high-quality academic and research programs in different areas of management, marketing, and commerce. 

10. University of Dunaujvaros

The University of Dunaujvaros traces its roots to the Technicum of Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering, a specialized tertiary institution founded to meet the demand for engineering specialists. Such a connection is still evident as the university still specializes in metallurgical and mechanical engineering. However, it has since expanded to other engineering branches and non-engineering disciplines, such as business and communication.

Although the University of Dunaujvaros only opened its doors to international students in 2006, it has maintained active efforts to attract them by offering more English-taught courses. This has led to positive results, as the population of foreign learners in the institution keeps growing.

11. Eotvos Lorand University

Eotvos Lorand University, shortly known as ELTE, is Hungary’s premier university. It takes pride in being part of the world’s top institutions, an elite achievement that speaks volumes of its quality education and training. Such excellence may result from centuries of experience, given that the institution was established in 1635. The programs ELTE offers are diverse, but among the most notable is its wide array of foreign language courses and degree programs, including English-taught programs. These courses not only introduce locals to new cultures but also makes it easier for international students to transition into the Hungarian institution.

12. University of Public Service

The University of Public Service (UPS), also known as the National Public Service University or Ludovika – UPS, is a young, specialized institution with a rich and credible teaching history. It was founded in 2012; however, its formation was borne out of a merger of decades-old colleges and faculties, such as the Zrínyi Miklós National Defence University and Corvinus University’s Faculty of Public Administration. Its parent institutions’ experiences allow it to offer high-quality and expert programs in public administration, military, and law enforcement.

13. Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music

Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music is a public musical and cultural institute that opened in 1875 after the establishment of Budapest as the capital of Hungary. It aims to cultivate talented individuals and provide theoretical and instrumental training to aspiring musicians. The academy also consistently appears as one of the world’s top-performing arts schools in multiple global rankings. 

14. University of Pecs

The University of Pecs was founded in 1367 making it one of Europe’s earliest educational institutions. Having a long tradition of excellence and innovation, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs and conducts research in different areas of business, arts, humanities, and applied sciences designed to help build a better and more harmonious society. 

15. Pazmany Peter Catholic University

Pazmany Peter Catholic University is a private institution founded in 1635 and operated by the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference. It was named after its founder,  Archbishop of Esztergom Peter Pazmny who lived during the Ottoman occupation in Hungary and believed in education as a powerful instrument for the country’s intellect, morality, and spirituality to live on. At present, the university comprises four faculties that offer undergraduate and graduate programs in theology, social sciences, law, and information technology.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Hungary for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Hungary ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
John Wesley Theological College 755,000 HUF 67%
Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary 835,700 HUF - 2,279,200 HUF 64%
Eotvos Lorand University 998,600 HUF - 3,218,500 HUF 57%
University of Pannonia 1,443,600 HUF - 2,583,200 HUF 37%
University of Szeged 1,456,300 HUF - 3,134,200 HUF 37%
University of Nyiregyhaza 1,593,600 HUF 30%
University of Public Service 1,619,600 HUF - 1,696,700 HUF 29%
University of Dunaujvaros 1,710,100 HUF 25%
University of Sopron 1,801,100 HUF - 2,161,300 HUF 21%
Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music 1,900,000 HUF 17%
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences 1,904,800 HUF - 2,285,700 HUF 17%
University of Miskolc 1,906,500 HUF - 2,669,100 HUF 17%
University of Pecs 1,910,600 HUF - 3,057,000 HUF 17%
Szechenyi Istvan University 1,948,500 HUF - 2,398,100 HUF 15%
University of Debrecen 1,977,500 HUF - 3,056,100 HUF 14%

* Average Master’s International Tuition is 2,276,200 HUF for universities in hungary.

1. John Wesley Theological College

John Wesley Theological College is a private educational institution operated by the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship. It was established in 1987 and named after John Wesley, an English preacher known as the founder of the United Methodist Church. The college strives to live up to its mission statement by encouraging all its faculty and students to always choose to do good and serve their fellow men. 

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, John Wesley Theological College should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 755,000 HUF annually for their master's degree.

2. Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary is 835,700 HUF to 2,279,200 HUF.

Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary is a public academic institution that specializes in theological studies. It was founded in 1993 as the successor of the Reformed Theological Academy of Pest. The university also offers programs in liberal arts, management, and education that integrate the teachings and principles of Reformed theology.

3. Eotvos Lorand University

Eotvos Lorand University, shortly known as ELTE, is Hungary’s premier university. It takes pride in being part of the world’s top institutions, an elite achievement that speaks volumes of its quality education and training. Such excellence may result from centuries of experience, given that the institution was established in 1635. The programs ELTE offers are diverse, but among the most notable is its wide array of foreign language courses and degree programs, including English-taught programs. These courses not only introduce locals to new cultures but also makes it easier for international students to transition into the Hungarian institution.

The tuition fee at Eotvos Lorand University for incoming international master’s students is 998,600 HUF to 3,218,500 HUF. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University of Pannonia

Another affordable university to consider in Hungary is University of Pannonia.

The University of Pannonia is a public institution in western Hungary with a prominent international reputation for its high-quality research programs that focus on sustainability and making sustainability-related knowledge accessible to everyone. It is composed of two campuses and five faculties that offer a variety of programs taught by accomplished instructors. The university also maintains close ties with different sectors of the community in conducting projects and training programs for its students. 

The tuition fee in University of Pannonia for master’s program for foreign students starts from 1,443,600 HUF.

5. University of Szeged

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, University of Szeged has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 1,456,300 HUF yearly.

The University of Szeged is a public academic institution known for its internationally-competitive programs in medicine, natural sciences, engineering, and humanities. It also prides itself on having a sustainable campus and carrying out several initiatives that promote environmental responsibility. The university’s student-teacher ratio allows students to have more individual interactions with their professors and gain a more personalized academic experience. 

6. University of Nyiregyhaza

The University of Nyiregyhaza is a regional frontrunner in technical and agricultural training, education, and research. It has also gained popularity on the national and international scale because of its state-of-the-art infrastructure that helps facilitate an environment conducive to learning and conducting different research and development projects. The university’s primary aim is to contribute to the economic and social development of the region through practice-oriented education and active cooperation with different sectors of the community. 

7. University of Public Service

The University of Public Service (UPS), also known as the National Public Service University or Ludovika – UPS, is a young, specialized institution with a rich and credible teaching history. It was founded in 2012; however, its formation was borne out of a merger of decades-old colleges and faculties, such as the Zrínyi Miklós National Defence University and Corvinus University’s Faculty of Public Administration. Its parent institutions’ experiences allow it to offer high-quality and expert programs in public administration, military, and law enforcement.

8. University of Dunaujvaros

The University of Dunaujvaros traces its roots to the Technicum of Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering, a specialized tertiary institution founded to meet the demand for engineering specialists. Such a connection is still evident as the university still specializes in metallurgical and mechanical engineering. However, it has since expanded to other engineering branches and non-engineering disciplines, such as business and communication.

Although the University of Dunaujvaros only opened its doors to international students in 2006, it has maintained active efforts to attract them by offering more English-taught courses. This has led to positive results, as the population of foreign learners in the institution keeps growing.

9. University of Sopron

Situated in the beautiful town of Sopron in northwest Hungary and in close proximity to main cities in Slovakia and Austria, the University of Sopron is best known for its outstanding programs in the wood industry and forestry. It is also famous for having a green and sustainable campus that reduces its negative impact on the atmosphere. The university also welcomes students from all around the world and provides various opportunities for international mobility. 

10. Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music

Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music is a public musical and cultural institute that opened in 1875 after the establishment of Budapest as the capital of Hungary. It aims to cultivate talented individuals and provide theoretical and instrumental training to aspiring musicians. The academy also consistently appears as one of the world’s top-performing arts schools in multiple global rankings. 

11. Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences has an international reputation for being one of Europe’s largest and best agricultural universities. It was founded in 2021 through the integration of several top institutions in Budapest, but its history and tradition of educational excellence can be traced back to 1787. The university offers high-quality academic and research programs that focus on improving agricultural production, food safety, and sustainability. 

12. University of Miskolc

The University of Miskolc is a public institution for higher education dedicated to the acquisition, application, and dissemination of scientific knowledge. It comprises seven faculties and one institute that offer programs in more than 300 study areas. The university also collaborates with different organizations from Hungary and overseas to conduct research and development projects to help the local community.

13. University of Pecs

The University of Pecs was founded in 1367 making it one of Europe’s earliest educational institutions. Having a long tradition of excellence and innovation, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs and conducts research in different areas of business, arts, humanities, and applied sciences designed to help build a better and more harmonious society. 

14. Szechenyi Istvan University

Szechenyi Istvan University is a public academic institution known for its top-notch engineering programs focused on contributing to the social and economic development of the region. It is situated by the Danube River and close to major cities in Slovakia and Austria. The university also has an extensive network of universities outside the country with which it conducts academic programs and research and development activities. 

15. University of Debrecen

Founded in 1538, the University of Debrecen is the oldest and one of the largest universities in Hungary. Having provided excellent education, training, and research for over four hundred years, the university has played a vital role in the educational and economic development of Debrecen. It currently offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of study areas, such as agriculture, legal sciences, health sciences, and economics.


It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Hungary, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Hungary as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Hungary for international students was helpful!