5 Best Universities In Jeddah For International Students 2025

Jeddah is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Saudi Arabia. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.

Out of 5 universities in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz University and Effat University are the top-performing schools in Jeddah. This list covers both public and private institutions in Jeddah.

In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Jeddah. 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 Jeddah.

Rank University Country Type
1 King Abdulaziz University Saudi Arabia Public
2 Effat University Saudi Arabia Private
3 University of Jeddah Saudi Arabia Public
4 Dar Al-Hekma University Saudi Arabia Private
5 University of Business and Technology Saudi Arabia Private

How do I get admission to the best universities in Jeddah?

Applying to the universities in Jeddah 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 Jeddah to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Jeddah?

Tuition fees at Jeddah’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 51,500 SAR to 90,000 SAR , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 65,000 SAR to 91,200 SAR. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Jeddah!

As we cover the best universities in Jeddah 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 Jeddah for International Students

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#2 in Saudi Arabia
#42 in Asia
#365 in World
Percentage of International Students
2%
Total Number of students - 117,096
International Number of students - 2,250

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.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#20 in Saudi Arabia
#841 in Asia
#3017 in World
Percentage of International Students
23%
Total Number of students - 1,316
International Number of students - 300

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.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#26 in Saudi Arabia
#1083 in Asia
#3621 in World
Percentage of International Students
2%
Total Number of students - 28,000
International Number of students - 591

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.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#31 in Saudi Arabia
#1955 in Asia
#5468 in World
Percentage of International Students
23%
Total Number of students - 1,347
International Number of students - 312

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.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#36 in Saudi Arabia
#2941 in Asia
#7258 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 5,000

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.

We know that choosing your dream school in Jeddah not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Jeddah, make sure to visit our list of the best public and private universities in Jeddah! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!