9 Best Universities In Riyadh For International Students 2025

Riyadh 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. With more than 14 universities and colleges in Riyadh, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 14 universities in Riyadh, King Saud University and Alfaisal University are the top-performing schools in Riyadh. This list covers both public and private institutions in Riyadh.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Riyadh. 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 Riyadh.

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

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

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

Tuition fees at Riyadh’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 6,870 SAR to 94,000 SAR , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 32,400 SAR to 120,000 SAR. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Riyadh!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.