15 Free and Cheap Universities in Austria for International Students

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In Austria, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Austria 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 Austria, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 73 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Austria, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Vienna 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Klagenfurt 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Leoben 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Applied Arts Vienna 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Innsbruck 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Art and Design Linz 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
Graz University of Technology 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences 0 Euros 100%
University of Graz 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Music and Performing Arts Graz 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
Johannes Kepler University Linz 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Applied Sciences Burgenland 0 Euros 100%
Vienna University of Economics and Business 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna 726 Euros 79%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 3,375 Euros for universities in Austria.

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1. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna

The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) is a public research university in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 1872 and offered agriculture, economics, and social sciences courses. As a pioneer in green economy innovation, BOKU combines knowledge in the social and economic sciences with that of the natural sciences, engineering, and biotechnology.

2. University of Vienna

The University of Vienna is one of the leading universities in the country, with hundreds of academic programs to offer. It is the center for medicine, physics, business, and economics, among others. The university has been the source of competent professionals that are well-knowledgeable in their field. Since its establishment, the university did not fail to provide education that is focused on solving the current challenges of significant sectors in society.

3. University of Klagenfurt

The University of Klagenfurt (AAU) is a public research university in Klagenfurt, Austria. It was founded in 1970 and reopened in 1993. Undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs are available in the arts, humanities, education, management, social sciences, and technical sciences at the university. It is ranked 48 in the Young University Rankings 2021 by Times Higher Education.

4. University of Leoben

The University of Leoben has continuously deepened and developed its foundation to solve current and relevant social issues actively. The university has a clear goal in mind, which is to focus on the areas of climate, energy, resources, and environment, allowing its students to create scientific methods on how to face today’s challenges.

5. University of Applied Arts Vienna

The University of Applied Arts Vienna is one of the oldest universities in the country. This university was established in 1867 based on the need for creative and formal education in the region. This university is famous because it has a large number of famous alumni that have acted as great ambassadors for the university, from which some of the most famous are the likes of Walter Bosse and Dorrit Dekk.

6. University of Innsbruck

The University of Innsbruck is a public research university in Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria. It was founded in 1669 as the Akademisches Gymnasium Innsbruck. The university is well-known for its development in mountain research and physics. The university currently has 16 faculties offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in architecture, science, theology, economics, education, law, humanities, and management.

7. University of Art and Design Linz

The University of Art and Design Linz is a public university in Linz, Upper Austria. It was founded in 1947 but did not receive official recognition as a university until 1998. The university is well-known for its fundamental values of artistic and research freedom and commitment to modernism and contemporary art. 

8. Graz University of Technology

The Graz University of Technology is a public university in Graz, Styria, Austria. It was founded in 1811 by Archduke John of Austria with only physics, chemistry, astronomy, mineralogy, botany, and technology courses. The university is now one of the highest-ranked in the country, with 19 undergraduate programs and 35 postgraduate programs.

9. FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences

The Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV) is a unique university in the region of Dornbirn, Austria. This university was founded in 1989, and it provides studies in the fields of social work, computer science, and business informatics, which are taught by some of the best professors in the country and are labeled as experts in their chosen fields.

10. University of Graz

The University of Graz is a public university in Graz, Styria, Austria. It is the region’s largest and oldest university. Archduke Charles II founded it in 1585, and it was reestablished as a university in 1827. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, business, medicine, and theology through six faculties.

11. University of Music and Performing Arts Graz

The University of Music and Performing Arts Graz is an internationally-renowned university that focuses on offering education related to music and arts. It provides a contemporary teaching style that enables students to find their own distinct abilities and to stand out in the industry. The university also utilizes research and development as a means to explore arts through its 17 institutes and 2 postgraduate schools.

12. Johannes Kepler University Linz

Johannes Kepler University Linz is a public university in Linz, Austria. It was founded in 1966 as the College of Social Sciences, Economics, and Business. Johannes Kepler University is comprised of four faculties and 127 institutes that offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in business, engineering, law, science, social sciences, and medicine.

13. University of Applied Sciences Burgenland

The University of Applied Sciences Burgenland is a public university in Burgenland, Austria. It has two campuses in Eisenstadt and Pinkafeld. It was founded in 1994. The university is known for its unique degree programs and has produced over 11,000 graduates in senior positions. It provides a diverse array of courses in health sciences, engineering, economics, and media studies.

14. Vienna University of Economics and Business

The Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) is a public research university in Vienna, Austria. It was established in 1898 as the Export Academy to provide professional business training. WU is Europe’s largest university specializing in business and management. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in economics, management, and marketing in both English and German.

15. University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna

The University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna is a public university in Vienna, Austria. It began in 1996 with a course in European Economics and Corporate Management. It has gradually expanded into a variety of courses, and it now provides undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in management, finance, economics, media, and law.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Vienna University of Economics and Business 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Vienna 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Leoben 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Klagenfurt 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Innsbruck 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Applied Arts Vienna 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
Graz University of Technology 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Art and Design Linz 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Graz 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences 0 Euros 100%
Johannes Kepler University Linz 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Music and Performing Arts Graz 0 Euros - 1,453 Euros 100%
University of Applied Sciences Salzburg 726 Euros 82%
St. Polten University of Applied Sciences 727 Euros 82%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 3,823 Euros for universities in Austria.

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1. Vienna University of Economics and Business

The Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) is a public research university in Vienna, Austria. It was established in 1898 as the Export Academy to provide professional business training. WU is Europe’s largest university specializing in business and management. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in economics, management, and marketing in both English and German.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Vienna University of Economics and Business should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 Euros to 1,453 Euros annually for their master's degree.

2. University of Vienna

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is University of Vienna. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at University of Vienna is 0 Euros to 1,453 Euros.

The University of Vienna is one of the leading universities in the country, with hundreds of academic programs to offer. It is the center for medicine, physics, business, and economics, among others. The university has been the source of competent professionals that are well-knowledgeable in their field. Since its establishment, the university did not fail to provide education that is focused on solving the current challenges of significant sectors in society.

3. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna

The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) is a public research university in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 1872 and offered agriculture, economics, and social sciences courses. As a pioneer in green economy innovation, BOKU combines knowledge in the social and economic sciences with that of the natural sciences, engineering, and biotechnology.

The tuition fee at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna for incoming international master’s students is 0 Euros to 1,453 Euros. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University of Leoben

Another affordable university to consider in Austria is University of Leoben.

The University of Leoben has continuously deepened and developed its foundation to solve current and relevant social issues actively. The university has a clear goal in mind, which is to focus on the areas of climate, energy, resources, and environment, allowing its students to create scientific methods on how to face today’s challenges.

The tuition fee in University of Leoben for master’s program for foreign students starts from 0 Euros.

5. University of Klagenfurt

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, University of Klagenfurt 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 0 Euros yearly.

The University of Klagenfurt (AAU) is a public research university in Klagenfurt, Austria. It was founded in 1970 and reopened in 1993. Undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs are available in the arts, humanities, education, management, social sciences, and technical sciences at the university. It is ranked 48 in the Young University Rankings 2021 by Times Higher Education.

6. University of Innsbruck

The University of Innsbruck is a public research university in Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria. It was founded in 1669 as the Akademisches Gymnasium Innsbruck. The university is well-known for its development in mountain research and physics. The university currently has 16 faculties offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in architecture, science, theology, economics, education, law, humanities, and management.

7. University of Applied Arts Vienna

The University of Applied Arts Vienna is one of the oldest universities in the country. This university was established in 1867 based on the need for creative and formal education in the region. This university is famous because it has a large number of famous alumni that have acted as great ambassadors for the university, from which some of the most famous are the likes of Walter Bosse and Dorrit Dekk.

8. Graz University of Technology

The Graz University of Technology is a public university in Graz, Styria, Austria. It was founded in 1811 by Archduke John of Austria with only physics, chemistry, astronomy, mineralogy, botany, and technology courses. The university is now one of the highest-ranked in the country, with 19 undergraduate programs and 35 postgraduate programs.

9. University of Art and Design Linz

The University of Art and Design Linz is a public university in Linz, Upper Austria. It was founded in 1947 but did not receive official recognition as a university until 1998. The university is well-known for its fundamental values of artistic and research freedom and commitment to modernism and contemporary art. 

10. University of Graz

The University of Graz is a public university in Graz, Styria, Austria. It is the region’s largest and oldest university. Archduke Charles II founded it in 1585, and it was reestablished as a university in 1827. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, business, medicine, and theology through six faculties.

11. FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences

The Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV) is a unique university in the region of Dornbirn, Austria. This university was founded in 1989, and it provides studies in the fields of social work, computer science, and business informatics, which are taught by some of the best professors in the country and are labeled as experts in their chosen fields.

12. Johannes Kepler University Linz

Johannes Kepler University Linz is a public university in Linz, Austria. It was founded in 1966 as the College of Social Sciences, Economics, and Business. Johannes Kepler University is comprised of four faculties and 127 institutes that offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in business, engineering, law, science, social sciences, and medicine.

13. University of Music and Performing Arts Graz

The University of Music and Performing Arts Graz is an internationally-renowned university that focuses on offering education related to music and arts. It provides a contemporary teaching style that enables students to find their own distinct abilities and to stand out in the industry. The university also utilizes research and development as a means to explore arts through its 17 institutes and 2 postgraduate schools.

14. University of Applied Sciences Salzburg

The University of Applied Sciences Salzburg is a private university in Salzburg, Austria. It was established in 1995. With 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, students have a wide selection of applied sciences courses to choose from, such as engineering, media, IT, and design, as well as other courses like social affairs and tourism.

15. St. Polten University of Applied Sciences

The St. Polten University of Applied Sciences is a public university in Sankt Poelten, Austria. Despite being established in 1993, the first degree program, in Telecommunication and Media, wasn’t introduced until 1996. Currently, the institution provides 26 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in social work, management, communication, and information technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Austria?

Applying to cheap universities in Austria 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 Austria for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Austria?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Austria. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Austria is the FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, which offers International Business Administration, Environment and Engineering, and Digital Inovation to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences offers Mechatronics, Computer Science, and Social Work.

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 Austria, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

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

We hope that this article on free and affordable institutions in Austria for international students was helpful!