15 Cheapest Universities in Budapest for International Students

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In Budapest, 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 Budapest, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 25 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Budapest, make sure to read more!

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

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Budapest 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 47%
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences 1,142,900 HUF - 2,209,500 HUF 39%
Tomori Pal College 1,472,200 HUF 21%
Wekerle Business School 1,509,900 HUF 19%
Eotvos Lorand University 1,536,300 HUF - 3,226,100 HUF 17%
University of Public Service 1,542,500 HUF - 1,619,600 HUF 17%
Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music 1,600,000 HUF 14%
Pazmany Peter Catholic University 1,770,000 HUF 5%
Dennis Gabor College 1,881,100 HUF -1%
John Wesley Theological College 1,887,400 HUF -2%
Budapest Business School 1,891,200 HUF -2%
Corvinus University of Budapest 1,937,800 HUF - 2,480,400 HUF -4%
Obuda University 2,062,400 HUF - 2,444,300 HUF -11%
Kodolanyi Janos University 2,126,700 HUF - 2,643,200 HUF -15%
Budapest Metropolitan University 2,245,500 HUF - 3,019,800 HUF -21%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 1,847,800 HUF for universities in Budapest.

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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. 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. 

3. 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. 

4. 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. 

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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. 

8. 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.

9. Dennis Gabor College

Dennis Gabor College is a private educational institution established in 1992 by the Dennis Gabor Technical Informatics College Distance Education Foundation. Its eponym, Dennis Gabor, is a physicist and electrical engineer world-famous for his invention of holography. The university offers four English-taught bachelor’s programs in computer engineering, tourism, management, and business informatics. 

10. 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. 

11. Budapest Business School

Budapest Business School is dedicated to equipping future professionals with the relevant skills and experience necessary to thrive and meet the constantly-shifting needs of the business industry. It is a private institution with a vast network of international partners that provide various opportunities for academic and professional development. The university also has a mentorship program that supports and helps international students adjust more easily and make their academic journey more memorable. 

12. Corvinus University of Budapest

The Corvinus University of Budapest is Central Europe’s premier institution in business and social sciences. Its expertise in economics and management is highly regarded, and the university maintains such quality by concentrating only on its forte disciplines, whether at the undergraduate or graduate level. The university also ensures that its excellent training is inclusive by offering English-taught programs, which allows international students to pursue students at such a premier university without worrying about language barriers.

13. Obuda University

Established in 1879, Obuda University is known for providing some of the best programs in engineering and computer science in Hungary. Its unique educational model takes a collaborative network-based approach which allows its students and faculty to work together and exchange ideas in planning and carrying out their studies. One of the university’s main objectives is to develop critical thinkers and innovators who possess the competencies required in the international labor market. 

14. Kodolanyi Janos University

Kodolanyi Janos University is a private university recognized for being a national pioneer in e-based learning. Its pedagogical framework strongly focuses on equipping students with the management, communication, and organizational skills that they need for their future professions. The university also takes pride in its distinguished faculty which is composed of academic and industry experts as well as international lecturers. 

15. Budapest Metropolitan University

Budapest Metropolitan University is a private institution that began as a communication and business college. Although it has expanded its range of disciplines, the university remains focused on only a few fields: the arts, communication, social sciences, economics, and tourism. In doing so, its students are assured that training is specialized and the knowledge they receive is unique, which gives them an edge against the tight labor competition.

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

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Budapest 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 71%
Karoli Gaspar University of the Reformed Church in Hungary 835,700 HUF - 2,279,200 HUF 68%
Eotvos Lorand University 998,600 HUF - 3,218,500 HUF 62%
University of Public Service 1,619,600 HUF - 1,696,700 HUF 38%
Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music 1,900,000 HUF 27%
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences 1,904,800 HUF - 2,285,700 HUF 26%
Corvinus University of Budapest 2,247,900 HUF - 4,185,700 HUF 13%
Pazmany Peter Catholic University 2,250,000 HUF - 2,515,700 HUF 13%
Budapest Business School 2,269,500 HUF 12%
Budapest Metropolitan University 2,322,900 HUF - 3,097,300 HUF 10%
Obuda University 2,444,300 HUF - 2,673,400 HUF 6%
Semmelweis University 2,597,800 HUF - 2,750,600 HUF -0%
Kodolanyi Janos University 2,643,200 HUF -2%
Budapest University of Technology and Economics 2,673,300 HUF - 2,902,400 HUF -3%
Central European University 4,629,700 HUF - 5,787,200 HUF -79%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 2,573,200 HUF for universities in Budapest.

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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 Public Service

Another affordable university to consider in Budapest is 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.

The tuition fee in University of Public Service for master’s program for foreign students starts from 1,619,600 HUF.

5. Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music 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 1,900,000 HUF yearly.

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. 

6. 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. 

7. Corvinus University of Budapest

The Corvinus University of Budapest is Central Europe’s premier institution in business and social sciences. Its expertise in economics and management is highly regarded, and the university maintains such quality by concentrating only on its forte disciplines, whether at the undergraduate or graduate level. The university also ensures that its excellent training is inclusive by offering English-taught programs, which allows international students to pursue students at such a premier university without worrying about language barriers.

8. 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.

9. Budapest Business School

Budapest Business School is dedicated to equipping future professionals with the relevant skills and experience necessary to thrive and meet the constantly-shifting needs of the business industry. It is a private institution with a vast network of international partners that provide various opportunities for academic and professional development. The university also has a mentorship program that supports and helps international students adjust more easily and make their academic journey more memorable. 

10. Budapest Metropolitan University

Budapest Metropolitan University is a private institution that began as a communication and business college. Although it has expanded its range of disciplines, the university remains focused on only a few fields: the arts, communication, social sciences, economics, and tourism. In doing so, its students are assured that training is specialized and the knowledge they receive is unique, which gives them an edge against the tight labor competition.

11. Obuda University

Established in 1879, Obuda University is known for providing some of the best programs in engineering and computer science in Hungary. Its unique educational model takes a collaborative network-based approach which allows its students and faculty to work together and exchange ideas in planning and carrying out their studies. One of the university’s main objectives is to develop critical thinkers and innovators who possess the competencies required in the international labor market. 

12. Semmelweis University

Semmelweis University is an internationally-renowned academic institution that specializes in medicine and health sciences. Graduates of the university make up the majority of the country’s doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and other medical practitioners. It is also known for providing world-class patient care in its clinical centers that also serve as training grounds for aspiring healthcare professionals. 

13. Kodolanyi Janos University

Kodolanyi Janos University is a private university recognized for being a national pioneer in e-based learning. Its pedagogical framework strongly focuses on equipping students with the management, communication, and organizational skills that they need for their future professions. The university also takes pride in its distinguished faculty which is composed of academic and industry experts as well as international lecturers. 

14. Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Budapest University of Technology and Economics is one of the most prestigious universities in Hungary and Europe. It was established in 1782 to provide top-notch engineering education and training. At present, around 70% of all engineering degrees in the country are issued by the university. Graduates of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics are known for possessing strong technical, theoretical, and practical knowledge in the applied sciences that allow them to provide innovative solutions to different industrial and societal challenges. 

15. Central European University

Central European University is the leading private university in Hungary and is renowned for its English-taught, interdisciplinary, and internationally accredited programs. International accreditation allows your diploma to be recognized in specific countries; for CEU, it’s either Austria, Hungary, or the United States. This is advantageous for students keen on exploring the world.

CEU has two campuses, one in Budapest and the other in Vienna, Austria. Its programs are focused on the social sciences, humanities, or international studies. It attracts hundreds of international students, given its high-quality courses and convenient medium of instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Applying to cheap universities in Budapest 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!

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

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Budapest. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Budapest is the Budapest Business School, which offers Business Administration and Management, Communication and Media Science, and Commerce and Marketing to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Budapest Business School offers International Economics and Business, International Relations, and Marketing.

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

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

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