9 Cheapest Universities in Osaka for International Students

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In Osaka, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Japan 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 Osaka, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 10 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Osaka, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Soai University 415,000 Yen - 500,000 Yen 41%
Osaka Metropolitan University 535,800 Yen 23%
Osaka City University 535,800 Yen 23%
Osaka Seikei University 556,500 Yen - 890,400 Yen 20%
Osaka Jogakuin University 680,000 Yen 3%
Osaka University of Economics 710,000 Yen -2%
Tokiwakai Gakuen University 800,000 Yen -15%
Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences 1,000,000 Yen -43%
Osaka Institute of Technology 1,020,000 Yen - 1,290,000 Yen -46%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 694,800 Yen for universities in Osaka.

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1. Soai University

  • International Bachelor's Tuition: 415,000 Yen to 500,000 Yen
  • Domestic Bachelor's Tuition: 415,000 Yen to 500,000 Yen
  • Soai University Tuition Pages

Soai University is a private university in Osaka, Japan, and it is known for its great educational staff and affordable tuition fees for domestic and international students. This university was founded in 1888 as a woman’s university, but later on, it changed its name and goal as an institution, and in 1979 it became known as Soai University. Some of the most well-known alumni this university has produced are Hideo Ishikawa, a famous voice actor, and Yasuhito Sugiyama, a tuba player who is a part of Japan’s best orchestra.

2. Osaka Metropolitan University

Osaka Metropolitan University was founded in 2022 by merging Osaka City University and Osaka Prefecture University. It is located in Osaka, Japan in partnership with 233 institutions in 42 countries and regions. Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral-level degree programs are offered in specific graduate schools of the university. Student aids such as scholarships are also open to international students as long as their education are privately financed.

3. Osaka City University

Established in 1949, Osaka City University is committed to addressing urban challenges and cultivating talent. With ten graduate schools and eight faculties, OCU aims to enrich both the international society and local community by fostering socially responsible individuals with specialized creativity and knowledge. OCU focuses on the practical application of knowledge and aims to contribute to Osaka’s industrial and cultural development.

4. Osaka Seikei University

Osaka Seikei University is a private university in Osaka, Japan. The school’s predecessor was founded in 1933 and chartered as a junior women’s college in 1951. The university has three departments that offer degree programs in management, tourism, business, art, design, and education. Osaka Seikei University, Biwako Seikei Sports College, Osaka Seikei College, Osaka Seikei Girls’ High School, and Komichi Kindergarten are all affiliated with the university.

5. Osaka Jogakuin University

Osaka Jogakuin University is a women’s private university in Osaka, Japan. American missionaries from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church founded it in 1884. The university places a significant emphasis on the promotion of human rights, along with multiculturalism and anti-discrimination, as part of its Christian-based education. International and interdisciplinary studies, as well as development studies, are available at the university.

6. Osaka University of Economics

Located in one of the main business hubs of Japan, Osaka University of Economics is committed to training excellent entrepreneurs for tomorrow’s society while having a key role within the community. Its curricula are designed by taking into account four points of view: research, diverse programs, management and organization, and social commitments. Besides its seven faculties and schools, the university has five research centers and cooperation agreements with more than 30 foreign universities.

7. Tokiwakai Gakuen University

Tokiwakai Gakuen University is a private university founded in 1999 and is located in Osaka, Japan. It offers education in kindergarten, elementary, and university level. The university level education provided is mainly handled by the Faculty of Inernational Child Education. Students may join a wide variety of student clubs and organizations to fulfill their recreational and extracurricular interests.

8. Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences

Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Degree programs. The university has three faculties for Nursing, Comprehensive Rehabilitation, and Medical Technology. It consists of several departments for specific fields of study such as Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Acupuncture, Radiological Sciences, Medical Engineering, and Medical Technology. Additionally, Support Programs and Facilities exist to help their students.

9. Osaka Institute of Technology

Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), formerly named Kansai Engineering Technical School, was established in 1922 to offer classes in civil engineering. As the institute progressed, it has grown into a well-established higher education school that provides more interdisciplinary programs in engineering, intellectual property, information science and technology, and robotics and design. And because the institute is determined to provide only the highest quality of education, the university has begun gaining a reputation as one of the leading institutions that generate elite engineers and experts.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Osaka University of Economics 530,000 Yen 27%
Osaka Metropolitan University 535,800 Yen 26%
Osaka City University 535,800 Yen 26%
Osaka Jogakuin University 750,000 Yen -3%
Soai University 960,000 Yen -32%
Osaka Institute of Technology 1,020,000 Yen - 1,230,000 Yen -41%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 722,000 Yen for universities in Osaka.

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1. Osaka University of Economics

Located in one of the main business hubs of Japan, Osaka University of Economics is committed to training excellent entrepreneurs for tomorrow’s society while having a key role within the community. Its curricula are designed by taking into account four points of view: research, diverse programs, management and organization, and social commitments. Besides its seven faculties and schools, the university has five research centers and cooperation agreements with more than 30 foreign universities.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Osaka University of Economics should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 530,000 Yen annually for their master's degree.

2. Osaka Metropolitan University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Osaka Metropolitan University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Osaka Metropolitan University is 535,800 Yen.

Osaka Metropolitan University was founded in 2022 by merging Osaka City University and Osaka Prefecture University. It is located in Osaka, Japan in partnership with 233 institutions in 42 countries and regions. Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral-level degree programs are offered in specific graduate schools of the university. Student aids such as scholarships are also open to international students as long as their education are privately financed.

3. Osaka City University

Established in 1949, Osaka City University is committed to addressing urban challenges and cultivating talent. With ten graduate schools and eight faculties, OCU aims to enrich both the international society and local community by fostering socially responsible individuals with specialized creativity and knowledge. OCU focuses on the practical application of knowledge and aims to contribute to Osaka’s industrial and cultural development.

The tuition fee at Osaka City University for incoming international master’s students is 535,800 Yen. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Osaka Jogakuin University

Another affordable university to consider in Osaka is Osaka Jogakuin University.

Osaka Jogakuin University is a women’s private university in Osaka, Japan. American missionaries from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church founded it in 1884. The university places a significant emphasis on the promotion of human rights, along with multiculturalism and anti-discrimination, as part of its Christian-based education. International and interdisciplinary studies, as well as development studies, are available at the university.

The tuition fee in Osaka Jogakuin University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 750,000 Yen.

5. Soai University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Soai 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 960,000 Yen yearly.

Soai University is a private university in Osaka, Japan, and it is known for its great educational staff and affordable tuition fees for domestic and international students. This university was founded in 1888 as a woman’s university, but later on, it changed its name and goal as an institution, and in 1979 it became known as Soai University. Some of the most well-known alumni this university has produced are Hideo Ishikawa, a famous voice actor, and Yasuhito Sugiyama, a tuba player who is a part of Japan’s best orchestra.

6. Osaka Institute of Technology

Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), formerly named Kansai Engineering Technical School, was established in 1922 to offer classes in civil engineering. As the institute progressed, it has grown into a well-established higher education school that provides more interdisciplinary programs in engineering, intellectual property, information science and technology, and robotics and design. And because the institute is determined to provide only the highest quality of education, the university has begun gaining a reputation as one of the leading institutions that generate elite engineers and experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Applying to cheap universities in Osaka 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 Japan for a more comprehensive guide!

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

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Osaka. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Osaka is the Osaka City University, which offers Business , Mathematics , and Physics to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Osaka Institute of Technology offers Information Science and Technology, Robotics and Design, and Architecture, Civil Engineering and Urban Design.

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

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

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