14 Cheapest Universities in Croatia for International Students

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In Croatia, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Croatia 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 Croatia, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 42 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Croatia, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Marko Marulic Polytechnic in Knin 0 Euros - 980 Euros 100%
University in Rijeka 1,070 Euros - 1,285 Euros 73%
University of Split 2,000 Euros - 4,000 Euros 50%
University College Arca 2,500 Euros 37%
University of Applied Sciences Baltazar, Zapresic 2,700 Euros - 3,000 Euros 32%
European Business School Zagreb 2,900 Euros 27%
College of Occupational Safety and Health 3,199 Euros - 3,200 Euros 19%
University of Zagreb 3,700 Euros 7%
Aspira University College 4,350 Euros - 6,400 Euros -10%
University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb 5,000 Euros -26%
Algebra University College 5,700 Euros -44%
VERN University 6,825 Euros -73%
Zagreb School of Economics and Management 7,400 Euros -87%
Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia 7,800 Euros -97%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 3,940 Euros for universities in Croatia.

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1. Marko Marulic Polytechnic in Knin

Marko Marulic Polytechnic in Knin seeks to produce competent graduates that are equipped to lead the industry in the future. It trains students with entrepreneurial spirit in mind in order to evoke strong leadership and innovative characteristics in them. As the world economy starts to progress each day, the university believes it is only suitable to start giving students learning that transcends over time.

2. University in Rijeka

The University of Rijeka, an internationally recognized university, has offered superior quality education since its inception in 1973. A leader in innovation, it has built modern facilities and developed cutting-edge programs to provide students with a unique learning experience during their studies. And it has, in many ways, successfully transformed countless students’ lives,  supporting them in achieving their academic and personal goals.

3. University of Split

Ranked among the top universities in Croatia according to QS world rankings, the University of Split is a large and prestigious institution in Split, Croatia. As a public research institution, the university offers many graduate and postgraduate programs in addition to its numerous undergraduate programs and diplomas. The University of Split is also home to several research centers and institutions, including the reputable Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries.

4. University College Arca

The University College Arca was established with the vision of training professionals in the fields of inspection and personnel management who can adequately respond to the ever-changing challenges of various economies in the world. The school offers programs in these fields specifically in relation to maritime affairs and prides itself in providing not only training but also practice to better equip its students with the necessary skills.

5. University of Applied Sciences Baltazar, Zapresic

Named after Baltazar Adam Krcelic, a famous Croatian historian and lawyer, the University of Applied Sciences Baltazar, Zapresic, is a private higher education institution in Croatia. The university dedicates itself to supporting and training business and finance professionals that can bring about transformative change in the global business environment.

As part of its social responsibility, the university believes in making education accessible to those with special needs. For this reason, most of its programs are available to impaired students.

6. European Business School Zagreb

The European Business School Zagreb was established with the vision of being a leader in research and higher education, especially for entrepreneurship. It continues to work toward this by incorporating the values of academic and research excellence, institutional integrity, transparency, innovation, and partnership into its academic work. The university offers programs from undergraduate to graduate level, as well as lifelong education programs.

7. College of Occupational Safety and Health

The College of Occupational Safety and Health is an institution of higher learning in Croatia that is a part of SSBM Geneva, a Swiss business and management school. The school prides itself in being a globally involved institution, with students from around the world representing up to 70 countries. The programs offered at the school are not only for admitted students but also hold numerous training for international and national companies, giving the school a good standing with industry leaders.

8. University of Zagreb

The University of Zagreb, one of the most elite Croatian universities, carries a range of cutting-edge programs explicitly designed to meet the demands of the various industry sectors. It currently offers degree programs in arts, humanities, engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences conducted in the Croatian language; however, the institute also provides a few English-taught programs open to all students.

The university, regarded as one of the best in Europe and across the globe, and with its proven academic excellence, has transformed countless professionals and experts who are fully committed to contributing to the socioeconomic development of society.

9. Aspira University College

Established in 2008 by the Contemporary Education Institution, Aspira University College is a private non-profit institution that carries out studies in selected professional areas. As a university hoping to make an impact in the industry by using practice-based transformative education, Aspira University College collaborates with industry leaders to deliver quality training. Furthermore, the university seeks to provide relevant solutions to industry issues. As a result, Aspira encourages innovation and creativity in entrepreneurship.

10. University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb

The University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, is a modest institution in Croatia that operates both as a vocational school and a typical university. As an advanced vocational health school, the school specializes in technical health fields, but it also offers specialist health programs at the master’s level. All this makes it a fully-fledged institution of research and higher learning, capable of catering to the technical and educational needs of health professionals.

11. Algebra University College

Algebra University College is a skill-focused and student-centered university established to ensure students acquire the necessary competencies to thrive in a competitive global labor market. The university distinguishes itself by fielding in-demand digital courses and programs to give its students the edge in an economy in which digital jobs are overtaking the conventional. Also, Algebra University College constantly adapts its curriculum to match changing trends in technology and the industry.

12. VERN University

VERN University is a reputable Croatian university dominating in providing excellent education in the field of economics, management, and media studies. It trains students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and acquire admirable traits to become socially-minded professionals. And as a leading Croatian and European private university, it pushes students to become active participants in raising awareness of global and pressing societal issues.

13. Zagreb School of Economics and Management

Zagreb School of Economics and Management, commonly abbreviated to ZSEM, is a leading private school and the first business school in Croatia to be AACSB accredited. According to Eduniversal, it is the best business school in Croatia as it continues to offer new and innovative business programs like business mathematics and doctor of administration.

ZSEM hopes to impart students with the skills, knowledge, and values needed to achieve success in an ever-changing and global business environment.

14. Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia

Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia is an institution that integrates internationalization deeply into its academic curriculum. It is the only educational center in the country that offers both diplomas in American and Croatian degrees, signifying its intent to help graduates excel in the field worldwide. Its campuses are full of vibrant people who share the same passion for studying and learning. As an institution that is student-centered, its goals are aligned with ensuring a harmonious environment where every student can strive for their passions and dreams.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
University in Rijeka 1,070 Euros - 5,000 Euros 81%
University of Split 1,115 Euros - 4,000 Euros 80%
University of Zagreb 2,000 Euros - 3,700 Euros 65%
European Business School Zagreb 2,900 Euros - 3,450 Euros 48%
College of Occupational Safety and Health 3,200 Euros 43%
Aspira University College 4,850 Euros - 4,980 Euros 13%
Algebra University College 6,120 Euros -9%
VERN University 6,825 Euros -22%
Zagreb School of Economics and Management 10,400 Euros -86%
Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia 17,200 Euros -208%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 5,569 Euros for universities in Croatia.

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1. University in Rijeka

The University of Rijeka, an internationally recognized university, has offered superior quality education since its inception in 1973. A leader in innovation, it has built modern facilities and developed cutting-edge programs to provide students with a unique learning experience during their studies. And it has, in many ways, successfully transformed countless students’ lives,  supporting them in achieving their academic and personal goals.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, University in Rijeka should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 1,070 Euros to 5,000 Euros annually for their master's degree.

2. University of Split

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is University of Split. 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 Split is 1,115 Euros to 4,000 Euros.

Ranked among the top universities in Croatia according to QS world rankings, the University of Split is a large and prestigious institution in Split, Croatia. As a public research institution, the university offers many graduate and postgraduate programs in addition to its numerous undergraduate programs and diplomas. The University of Split is also home to several research centers and institutions, including the reputable Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries.

3. University of Zagreb

The University of Zagreb, one of the most elite Croatian universities, carries a range of cutting-edge programs explicitly designed to meet the demands of the various industry sectors. It currently offers degree programs in arts, humanities, engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences conducted in the Croatian language; however, the institute also provides a few English-taught programs open to all students.

The university, regarded as one of the best in Europe and across the globe, and with its proven academic excellence, has transformed countless professionals and experts who are fully committed to contributing to the socioeconomic development of society.

The tuition fee at University of Zagreb for incoming international master’s students is 2,000 Euros to 3,700 Euros. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. European Business School Zagreb

Another affordable university to consider in Croatia is European Business School Zagreb.

The European Business School Zagreb was established with the vision of being a leader in research and higher education, especially for entrepreneurship. It continues to work toward this by incorporating the values of academic and research excellence, institutional integrity, transparency, innovation, and partnership into its academic work. The university offers programs from undergraduate to graduate level, as well as lifelong education programs.

The tuition fee in European Business School Zagreb for master’s program for foreign students starts from 2,900 Euros.

5. College of Occupational Safety and Health

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, College of Occupational Safety and Health 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 3,200 Euros yearly.

The College of Occupational Safety and Health is an institution of higher learning in Croatia that is a part of SSBM Geneva, a Swiss business and management school. The school prides itself in being a globally involved institution, with students from around the world representing up to 70 countries. The programs offered at the school are not only for admitted students but also hold numerous training for international and national companies, giving the school a good standing with industry leaders.

6. Aspira University College

Established in 2008 by the Contemporary Education Institution, Aspira University College is a private non-profit institution that carries out studies in selected professional areas. As a university hoping to make an impact in the industry by using practice-based transformative education, Aspira University College collaborates with industry leaders to deliver quality training. Furthermore, the university seeks to provide relevant solutions to industry issues. As a result, Aspira encourages innovation and creativity in entrepreneurship.

7. Algebra University College

Algebra University College is a skill-focused and student-centered university established to ensure students acquire the necessary competencies to thrive in a competitive global labor market. The university distinguishes itself by fielding in-demand digital courses and programs to give its students the edge in an economy in which digital jobs are overtaking the conventional. Also, Algebra University College constantly adapts its curriculum to match changing trends in technology and the industry.

8. VERN University

VERN University is a reputable Croatian university dominating in providing excellent education in the field of economics, management, and media studies. It trains students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and acquire admirable traits to become socially-minded professionals. And as a leading Croatian and European private university, it pushes students to become active participants in raising awareness of global and pressing societal issues.

9. Zagreb School of Economics and Management

Zagreb School of Economics and Management, commonly abbreviated to ZSEM, is a leading private school and the first business school in Croatia to be AACSB accredited. According to Eduniversal, it is the best business school in Croatia as it continues to offer new and innovative business programs like business mathematics and doctor of administration.

ZSEM hopes to impart students with the skills, knowledge, and values needed to achieve success in an ever-changing and global business environment.

10. Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia

Rochester Institute of Technology Croatia is an institution that integrates internationalization deeply into its academic curriculum. It is the only educational center in the country that offers both diplomas in American and Croatian degrees, signifying its intent to help graduates excel in the field worldwide. Its campuses are full of vibrant people who share the same passion for studying and learning. As an institution that is student-centered, its goals are aligned with ensuring a harmonious environment where every student can strive for their passions and dreams.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Croatia. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Croatia is the Algebra University College, which offers Computing, 3D Modeling, and Visual Communications Design to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Algebra University College offers Design and Communications Management, Digital Marketing, and Game Development.

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

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

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