Cheap Universities in China

Here is the list of all the affordable universities in China. We will first go over the list of cheap bachelor's colleges and universities in China. Then after that, we will go over the list of cheap master's colleges and universities in China. Location, tuition fees, and some of the degrees offered will be available for each institution.

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

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

1. Chifeng University

Chifeng University is a public undergraduate institution established in 2003. It was formed by merging Chifeng Normal College of Nationalities with several colleges in the city. More than 50 undergraduate programs are offered by the university, including medical courses. The university is also affiliated with hospitals, thus, providing medical students with more opportunities.

Chifeng University is the most affordable educational institution in China for undergraduate studies. Incoming international bachelor’s students are required to pay as low as 1,600 RMB.

2. Hubei University of Automotive Technology

The next university on our list of cheap universities in China is Hubei University of Automotive Technology.

The Hubei University of Automotive Technology is a public university that offers specialized undergraduate and master’s degree courses in Automotive Technology and Engineering. As a multidisciplinary university, it also offers programs in Management, Economics, and Science. There are more than 10,500 students on its campus in Shiyan City, China.

International students planning to study for a bachelor's degree at Hubei University of Automotive Technology must prepare a tuition fee of 2,000 RMB to 7,000 RMB.

3. Chongqing Medical Center

Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) is among China’s leading medical institutions and is also a forerunner in medical research. It offers various programs in disciplines such as clinical medicine and immunology. With its many partnerships with premier universities abroad, CQMU is truly a global institution as well.

This public university has a tuition fee range of 3,000 RMB for international students studying a bachelor’s program.

4. Hechi University

Another cheap university to consider in China is the Hechi University.

Hechi University was founded in 1951, and officially became a university in 2003. Also known as HCU, Hechi University has two campuses, namely east and west. HCU offers programs for law, engineering, arts, and sciences, among others, and focuses on scientific research for the respective fields.

As a first-year international student here, you will be required to pay a tuition fee of 3,000 RMB. This is really affordable compared to other schools in China.

5. Yibin University

Joining the cheapest universities in China is Yibin University.

Yibin University is centered around their students and their education. Their goal is to help students discover their talents and gifts so they can chase their dreams. The university has been helping make a difference for over the last 40 years and invites students to continue to come and learn at Yibin University.

With its affordable rates, you can have world-class education without breaking your wallet. To give you an idea, international undergraduate students pay 3,700 RMB for bachelor's studies at Yibin University.

6. Hubei University for Nationalities

Hubei University for Nationalities is a provincial institution also known as Hubei Minzu University. This institution focuses on undergraduate subjects, but they also offer master’s programs. Thousands of students from in and out of Enshi City are welcomed every year into its 18 degree-offering school units. Overall, 60+ programs are available.

7. Liupanshui Normal University

The Liupanshui Normal University was established in 1978. It was only converted to a full-time undergraduate college back in 2009. The school offers programs in different disciplines, such as engineering, education, and more.

8. Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine

With nearly 20,000 students calling this university their home for the duration of their education there, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine has been educating students in the field of medicine for over the last 65 years. With many various courses to choose from, the university invites students from all over to come chase their dreams at their university. The university holds to the mission of changing the world of medicine and longs to train students to learn how to better the world.

9. Hunan University of Technology

The Hunan University of Technology is a leading university when it comes to engineering and science degrees. It has excellent training facilities and teaching staff, producing wise-minded graduates that contribute deeply to the community. Throughout the years, the university has expanded and now offers management, arts, and economics subjects to both domestic and international students.

10. Jiujiang University

Jiujiang University is a local public university located in the Jiangxi Province. The school was established by a combination of different local colleges, such as the Jiujiang Teacher’s College and Jiujiang Vocational College. There are more than 30,000 students studying in programs in various disciplines like business, arts, engineering, and medicine.

11. Changsha University of Science and Technology

Changsha University of Science and Technology became a public university in 2003 after the merger of Changsha Institute of Electric Power and Changsha Institute of Transportation. The university offers English and Chinese courses in Engineering, Science and Technology, and Management across its two campuses. With more than 31,000 students, the university is one of the largest in Hunan Province, China.

12. Wuhan University of Science and Technology

Wuhan University of Science and Technology, abbreviated as WUST, traces back its roots to 1898 as Hubei Technical Institute. The name was officially changed to Wuhan University of Science and Technology in 1999. WUST offers specializations that cater to metallurgy, iron, steel, and engineering industries. WUST has two campuses, located each in Qingshan and Hongshan districts, both in Wuhan.

13. Huanghuai University

Huanghuai University was founded in 1973 in its former name, Zhumadian Teachers’ College. The university is an undergraduate university and offers a wide range of specializations, such as Art and Design, Architecture, Music, and Engineering. It has two campuses that are home to more than 20,000 students.

14. Jinggangshan University

Jinggangshan University was originally founded in 1958. Also known as JGSU, it closed in 1963 and was reinstated in 1978 when Jiangxi Medical University and Jiangxi Normal University merged. It was officially renamed Jinggangshan University in March of 2000. JGSU offers a variety of programs such as law, sciences, languages, business, engineering, information technology, education, etc.

15. Yulin University

Yulin University takes pride in its state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities. Since it was established, the university has aimed to train students and urge them to contribute to the local community. The university seeks to equip students with the appropriate skills and knowledge to help them become qualified professionals in the future.

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

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

1. Hubei University of Automotive Technology

The Hubei University of Automotive Technology is a public university that offers specialized undergraduate and master’s degree courses in Automotive Technology and Engineering. As a multidisciplinary university, it also offers programs in Management, Economics, and Science. There are more than 10,500 students on its campus in Shiyan City, China.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Hubei University of Automotive Technology should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 RMB to 10,000 RMB annually for their master's degree.

2. Minjiang University

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

Minjiang University is one of the public universities in Fujian Province in China. It officially started offering bachelor’s degree programs in 2002, though its history goes back 1958, through its predecessor, Fuzhou Teacher’s College. At present, the university is home to around 16,000 students.

3. Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine

With nearly 20,000 students calling this university their home for the duration of their education there, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine has been educating students in the field of medicine for over the last 65 years. With many various courses to choose from, the university invites students from all over to come chase their dreams at their university. The university holds to the mission of changing the world of medicine and longs to train students to learn how to better the world.

The tuition fee at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine for incoming international master’s students is 3,200 RMB to 32,000 RMB. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Hunan University of Technology

Another affordable university to consider in China is Hunan University of Technology.

The Hunan University of Technology is a leading university when it comes to engineering and science degrees. It has excellent training facilities and teaching staff, producing wise-minded graduates that contribute deeply to the community. Throughout the years, the university has expanded and now offers management, arts, and economics subjects to both domestic and international students.

The tuition fee in Hunan University of Technology for master’s program for foreign students starts from 7,000 RMB.

5. Yunnan University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Yunnan University 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 8,000 RMB yearly.

Yunnan University was established in 1922, making it one of the oldest comprehensive universities in China’s southwest region. It has two campuses, located in Chenggong and Donglu in Kunming City. The university currently has more than 26,000 students across its degree programs in Science, Technology, Fine Arts, Agriculture, and Business Administration.

6. Hefei University

Hefei University comprises of a total of four campuses. The goal of the university is to educate students to be creative, innovative, and unique. With many various programs, the university strives to provide an excellent education for their students in the fields of their dreams.

7. Baoji University of Arts and Sciences

Baoji University of Arts and Sciences is a public institution in Shaanxi province, China. It started as Baoji University in 1958. Then, the said university was merged with Baoji Teacher’s College in 1992 to form the present Baoji University of Arts and Sciences. It is ranked 385th in China by EduRank.

8. Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications

Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications (XUPT) is a Chinese educational institution. It is based in the city of Xi’An which is in the historically rich province of Shaanxi. Furthermore, XUPT is well-known for its courses and programs in engineering as well as information science technology.

9. Liaoning Technical University

Liaoning Technical University was established in 1949 in Fuxin City, China. With more than 28,000 students, the university is among the key universities in the region. It offers degree programs in several fields, such as Engineering, Management, Science and Technology, and Business.

10. Capital Normal University

Capital Normal University is one of the high-ranking public universities in China. Located in Beijing, the university has been responsible for cultivating talents in the Chinese capital throughout the years. It offers study options across a broad range of disciplines and has received multiple awards for its excellence in teaching, particularly at the undergraduate level.

11. Hunan Institute of Science and Technology

Hunan Institute of Science and Technology (HNIST) is a highly regarded public institution for its science and engineering programs. It comprises 16 units that offer undergraduate and graduate programs in science, engineering, liberal arts, economics, and other fields. HNIST’s excellent training is evident in the performance of its students, who have been winning competitions left and right.

12. Nanning Normal University

Nanning Normal University is a provincial institution comprising four campuses: Wuhe, Wuming, Mingxiu, and Changgang. The university’s history reflects a background in teaching education, especially since its ultimate predecessor is the Guangxi Secondary School for Teachers’ Training. However, current programs in the university extend beyond teaching and education, as they include the sciences, humanities, engineering, economics, etc.

13. Xi’an University of Science and Technology

Xi’an University of Science and Technology traces its history back to 1895 from its predecessor Mining and Metallurgy Division of the National Peiyang Technical Institute. Xi’an University of Science and Technology, also known as XUST, has two campuses: the Lintong Campus and Yanta Campus. XUST specializes in programs such as engineering, mining, and sciences, while also offering other courses such as management, economics, and arts, among others.

14. Jianghan University

Jianghan University (not to be confused with Jiangnan University) in Wuhan, China, is a public institution formed by merging four universities and colleges in 2001. Last 2018, it became part of the Double First-Class Initiative, a program that comprises elite Chinese institutions. The university offers economics, law, literature, education, agriculture, science, engineering, medicine, and other disciplines.

15. North China Institute of Science and Technology

North China Institute of Science and Technology started as the Yanjiao campus of the Beijing Institute of Coal Management in 1984. As a public institution, it is under the direction of the Emergency Management Ministry, previously the State Administration of Work Safety. Several undergraduate and master’s programs are offered at the institute.


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