13 Best Universities In Yogyakarta For International Students 2025

Yogyakarta is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Indonesia. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 13 universities and colleges in Yogyakarta, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 13 universities in Yogyakarta, Gadjah Mada University and Islamic University of Indonesia are the top-performing schools in Yogyakarta. This list covers both public and private institutions in Yogyakarta.

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

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

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

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

Tuition fees at Yogyakarta’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 46,000 Rp to 100,000 Rp , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 4,500,000 Rp to 123,500,000 Rp.

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

Gadjah Mada University, also known as Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia, is one of the country’s finest institutions. It has earned its place not just among elite national universities but also in the rankings of the world’s best institutions. This feat is possible through decades of experience, especially as Gadjah Mada is considered Indonesia’s oldest university.

Many programs are offered at Gadjah Mada University for undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and specialist students. They may either be English or Bahasa-taught. Specific programs may also have tracks, like international exposure, that open more opportunities for admitted individuals.

The Islamic University of Indonesia is an outstanding university in the country that offers exciting opportunities for students all over the world. It embraces diverse cultures, helping students cultivate their passions and train for their future careers. As a leading private university in Indonesia, it hopes to offer an excellent place for learning where everyone can experience highly-intellectual learning and academic freedom.

The State Islamic University of Yogyakarta was established in 1951 and is known as the country’s first public Islamic university. It offers programs in Islamic studies, natural sciences, and social sciences designed to impart strong theoretical knowledge, high-level skills, and good character. The university also cooperates with different organizations and sectors of society in conducting projects that help the local community.

The Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta is a private institution for higher education committed to providing high-quality education grounded on Islamic values. It offers programs in a wide range of study areas aimed at producing globally-competitive professionals. The university also has numerous international partners in Asia and around the world to carry out mobility programs for its students and faculty. 

Ahmad Dahlan University is a private university in Indonesia whose vision is to serve the interests of the nation and be recognized as an innovative university by integrating Islamic values into its teaching and advancing science, technology, and art. The university has six campuses and offers several programs from undergraduate to postgraduate level as well as vocational programs. It does this through its eleven faculties that range from the field of applied science and technology to Islamic religion to literature, making it a multidisciplinary institution.

Founded in 1955 by catholic missionaries from the Society of Jesus, Sanata Dharma University (SDU) combines Christian and Pancasila principles in its academic pursuits to achieve a better society and a united nation. The school encourages interdisciplinary research and critical thinking, which it believes will foster problem-solving attitudes and innovation among its students.

The University of Amikom Yogyakarta offers study programs from diploma to postgraduate level through three faculties, the Faculty of Computer Science, the Faculty of Science and Technology, and the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. It is a private IT university that has established a creative economy park known as the Amikom Creative Economy Park (ACEP), which is a center for research and innovation, in line with its goal to become a world leader in higher education through entrepreneurship.

Duta Wacana Christian University(UKDW) is a culturally and religiously diverse private university in Indonesia that was originally established as a theological school. The school had a population of 4739 by 2019, and this student population is made up of students from various walks of life and faith, making the school a melting pot of global citizens. UKDW is also one of 15 Indonesian universities included in a university partnership program run by a European multinational software company.

Founded in 1984 by Mr. H. Probosutedjo, Mercu Buana University is a private university in Yogyakarta that desires to produce professionals that tally with the needs of the industry and the global market. The university values competitiveness as a virtue and does not just inculcate it into its students but also gives them the skills that will allow them to thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Founded in 1958 as the Veteran National Development Academy, the National Veteran Development University of Yogyakarta is the first veteran development university in the nation. The university is committed to a two-pronged approach to learning in which students are taught core national values in combination with competitive skills to give them an edge in the labor market. According to the university, all efforts of the individual should be targeted towards defending the nation and state building.

The Yogyarkata Arts Institute of Indonesia, founded in 1984, is one of the prominent institutions in Indonesia, known for its excellent performance and creativity. It is a State university of the arts under the country’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. This school offers several diploma, undergraduate, master, and doctoral study programs, which cover traditional and modern visual, performing, and media arts.

Located in Yogyakarta City, Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa University is a private university that educates and transforms individuals based on Taman Siswa teachings, a Javanese educational movement founded by Ki Hadjar Dewantara in 1922. The university sees itself as a champion for social welfare and community development. It aims to safeguard cultural integrity and societal development by conducting research and teaching activities and advocating for community service.

Alma Ata University prides itself on being a school whose innovation never ends, as described in the school motto, and it was established to support the incorporation of Islamic values into the developments of today’s society. Despite being an Islam university, Alma Ata University offers admission to students from all over the world and has partnerships with many institutions all over the world in line with the vision of globalizing the university.