15 Cheapest Universities in Shandong for International Students

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In Shandong, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in China 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 Shandong, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 54 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Shandong, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Ludong University 12,000 RMB - 20,000 RMB 32%
Shandong University of Technology 13,600 RMB - 18,000 RMB 23%
Dezhou University 14,000 RMB - 16,000 RMB 21%
Shandong Normal University 14,000 RMB - 25,500 RMB 21%
Binzhou University 14,000 RMB 21%
Shandong University of Finance and Economics 15,000 RMB - 21,000 RMB 15%
Qilu University of Technology 15,000 RMB - 31,500 RMB 15%
Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences 15,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB 15%
Qilu Normal University 16,000 RMB 9%
Shandong Jianzhu University 16,000 RMB - 20,000 RMB 9%
Shandong University of Science and Technology 16,400 RMB - 18,000 RMB 7%
Qingdao University of Science and Technology 17,000 RMB - 20,500 RMB 3%
Qingdao University of Technology 17,000 RMB 3%
Shandong University 18,000 RMB - 45,000 RMB -2%
Ocean University of China 18,000 RMB - 23,000 RMB -2%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 17,600 RMB for universities in Shandong.

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1. Ludong University

Ludong University is a public institution in Yantai City, China. It started as Yantai Teachers College, then Yantai Normal University, before earning its present name. Many majors (40+) are offered at Ludong University. According to EduRank, the institution is 357th in China.

2. Shandong University of Technology

The Shandong University of Technology, founded in 1956, offers an extensive variety of Engineering and Science courses. Located in Zibo, China, the university campus occupies around 240 hectares, providing students with a conducive learning environment and convenient local transportation. Over 37,000 students are currently enrolled in the university across its 173 undergraduate and graduate programs.

3. Dezhou University

Dezhou University is a public institute of higher education. It is based in the breathtaking province of Shandong. Moreover, it is a center of learning known for providing high-quality education and actively working towards internationalization.

4. Shandong Normal University

Shandong Normal University (SDNU) is a public institute of tertiary studies. It is based in Shandong province’s bustling city of Jinan. Additionally, SDNU is known for its outstanding instructors who provide high-quality education to all students.

5. Binzhou University

Binzhou University was established in the 1950s and for nearly the last 70s, the university has been providing students from China and all around the world with the education they wish to pursue to fulfill their dreams. The university longs to change the world and strives to do so through their students. The university welcomes students from everywhere looking to pursue their educational dreams.

6. Shandong University of Finance and Economics

Shandong University of Finance and Economics, or SDUFE, is located in the historic city of Jinan. SDUFE was initially founded in 1952, then named the Shandong Institute of Finance and Economics. The Shandong University of Finance and Shandong Economic University merged on July 4, 2011, formally forming Shandong University of Finance and Economics. As a university, they specialize in programs related to economics, management, and finance, while also offering additional programs such as engineering and physical education.

7. Qilu University of Technology

The Qilu University of Technology, abbreviated as QLUT, is one of the most reputable universities in the province of Shandong. QLUT has four campuses spread between Heze and Jinan. QLUT offers multiple programs in different areas such as arts, law, management, engineering, and sciences, among others.

8. Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences

Founded in 1891, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences is a public university that provides numerous academic programs in the field of medicine. Students of the university have access to its library of ever-growing books and e-books comprised of research and medical books. The university even publishes several of these books, with some faculty members serving as editors.

9. Qilu Normal University

Qilu Normal University was founded in 1948 as a public university in Jinan. Originally Shandong Institute of Education, it was renamed Qilu Normal University in 2012. Qilu Normal University offers courses from different fields of study such as literature, languages, arts, sciences, mathematics, and tourism, among others.

10. Shandong Jianzhu University

Shandong Jianzhu University is a public institute of higher studies. It is located in the scenic city of Jinan. Furthermore, the center of excellence has two campuses which are the Heping Campus and the New Campus.

11. Shandong University of Science and Technology

Shandong University of Science and Technology (SDUST) is a public institution that mainly provides science and technology (S&T) programs. Aside from these, they also have course offerings related to business, humanities, education, and arts. The school’s main campus is situated in Qingdao, but there are also campuses in Tai’an and Jinan.

12. Qingdao University of Science and Technology

Qingdao University of Science and Technology was founded in 1950 with an initial focus on vocational courses. After its move to Qingdao, the university has undergone further transition, eventually leading to its current focus on Science and Technology, along with Engineering, Management, and Liberal Arts. It has also built four campuses across several districts in the city.

13. Qingdao University of Technology

The Qingdao University of Technology was established in 1952, and it only started as a civil engineering-focused institution. As of now, the institution offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses even in other fields, like humanities, business, and more. Its performance in engineering programs has gained recognition in different rankings.

14. Shandong University

Shandong University, also called Shanda or SDU, is a public research university that was established in 1901. SDU has a total of eight campuses: six are located in Jinan, while two others are located in Weihai and Qingdao. Shandong University also has a number of research centers catering different fields from engineering to humanities and social sciences, and also has three university hospitals.

15. Ocean University of China

The Ocean University of China is a public institution in Qingdao City specializing in oceanography and fisheries science. It offers courses in science, engineering, fisheries, agronomy, pharmaceuticals, liberal arts, etc. Over the years, it became part of China’s Top 40 and Top 100 Universities lists. It comprises four campuses: Yushan, Fushan, Laoshan, and Huangdao.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Shandong University of Technology 17,600 RMB - 23,600 RMB 22%
Ludong University 18,000 RMB - 24,000 RMB 20%
Shandong Normal University 18,400 RMB - 30,700 RMB 18%
Shandong University of Finance and Economics 20,000 RMB - 28,000 RMB 11%
Shandong Jianzhu University 20,000 RMB - 24,000 RMB 11%
Shandong University of Science and Technology 20,400 RMB - 23,000 RMB 9%
Ocean University of China 20,500 RMB - 25,000 RMB 9%
Qingdao University 20,500 RMB - 24,600 RMB 9%
Qingdao University of Science and Technology 20,500 RMB - 24,600 RMB 9%
Shandong University 22,000 RMB - 40,000 RMB 2%
Qingdao University of Technology 22,000 RMB 2%
University of Jinan 28,000 RMB - 30,000 RMB -25%
Shandong University of Arts 28,000 RMB -25%
Weifang Medical University 30,000 RMB -33%
Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 30,000 RMB -33%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 22,400 RMB for universities in Shandong.

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1. Shandong University of Technology

The Shandong University of Technology, founded in 1956, offers an extensive variety of Engineering and Science courses. Located in Zibo, China, the university campus occupies around 240 hectares, providing students with a conducive learning environment and convenient local transportation. Over 37,000 students are currently enrolled in the university across its 173 undergraduate and graduate programs.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Shandong University of Technology should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 17,600 RMB to 23,600 RMB annually for their master's degree.

2. Ludong University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Ludong University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Ludong University is 18,000 RMB to 24,000 RMB.

Ludong University is a public institution in Yantai City, China. It started as Yantai Teachers College, then Yantai Normal University, before earning its present name. Many majors (40+) are offered at Ludong University. According to EduRank, the institution is 357th in China.

3. Shandong Normal University

Shandong Normal University (SDNU) is a public institute of tertiary studies. It is based in Shandong province’s bustling city of Jinan. Additionally, SDNU is known for its outstanding instructors who provide high-quality education to all students.

The tuition fee at Shandong Normal University for incoming international master’s students is 18,400 RMB to 30,700 RMB. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Shandong University of Finance and Economics

Another affordable university to consider in Shandong is Shandong University of Finance and Economics.

Shandong University of Finance and Economics, or SDUFE, is located in the historic city of Jinan. SDUFE was initially founded in 1952, then named the Shandong Institute of Finance and Economics. The Shandong University of Finance and Shandong Economic University merged on July 4, 2011, formally forming Shandong University of Finance and Economics. As a university, they specialize in programs related to economics, management, and finance, while also offering additional programs such as engineering and physical education.

The tuition fee in Shandong University of Finance and Economics for master’s program for foreign students starts from 20,000 RMB.

5. Shandong Jianzhu University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Shandong Jianzhu 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 20,000 RMB yearly.

Shandong Jianzhu University is a public institute of higher studies. It is located in the scenic city of Jinan. Furthermore, the center of excellence has two campuses which are the Heping Campus and the New Campus.

6. Shandong University of Science and Technology

Shandong University of Science and Technology (SDUST) is a public institution that mainly provides science and technology (S&T) programs. Aside from these, they also have course offerings related to business, humanities, education, and arts. The school’s main campus is situated in Qingdao, but there are also campuses in Tai’an and Jinan.

7. Ocean University of China

The Ocean University of China is a public institution in Qingdao City specializing in oceanography and fisheries science. It offers courses in science, engineering, fisheries, agronomy, pharmaceuticals, liberal arts, etc. Over the years, it became part of China’s Top 40 and Top 100 Universities lists. It comprises four campuses: Yushan, Fushan, Laoshan, and Huangdao.

8. Qingdao University

Qingdao University, founded in 1909, is one of the universities in Qingdao, in the Shandong Province, China. It offers academic programs in Engineering, Art, History, Philosophy, and Business, and most are taught in the Chinese language. Over 46,000 students, with more than 1,600 international students, are currently enrolled across the university’s 34 colleges.

9. Qingdao University of Science and Technology

Qingdao University of Science and Technology was founded in 1950 with an initial focus on vocational courses. After its move to Qingdao, the university has undergone further transition, eventually leading to its current focus on Science and Technology, along with Engineering, Management, and Liberal Arts. It has also built four campuses across several districts in the city.

10. Shandong University

Shandong University, also called Shanda or SDU, is a public research university that was established in 1901. SDU has a total of eight campuses: six are located in Jinan, while two others are located in Weihai and Qingdao. Shandong University also has a number of research centers catering different fields from engineering to humanities and social sciences, and also has three university hospitals.

11. Qingdao University of Technology

The Qingdao University of Technology was established in 1952, and it only started as a civil engineering-focused institution. As of now, the institution offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses even in other fields, like humanities, business, and more. Its performance in engineering programs has gained recognition in different rankings.

12. University of Jinan

The University of Jinan (UJN) is a public center of excellence. It offers a variety of courses for all students across the tertiary level. Additionally, UJN is located in the picturesque province of Shandong.

13. Shandong University of Arts

The Shandong University of Arts, founded in 1958, is a public university located in Jinan City, China. It has two campuses in the region, spanning 1,000 acres of land. More than 10,000 students are taking degree programs in Musicology, Fine Arts, Drama, Urban Art, and Art Management.

14. Weifang Medical University

Weifang Medical University (WMU)was originally founded in 1951 as Changweig Medical School. It has undergone several reconstructions and has become a comprehensive and multidisciplinary institution. The institution offers a range of degree programs with the main focus on medicine and medical sciences. In addition, it has world-class teaching facilities and state-of-the-art research centers that cater to the needs of students in developing advanced scientific research. WMU also has a solid global reputation as it’s listed in the WHO World Directory of Medical Schools.

15. Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, abbreviated as SDUTCM, was founded in 1958 as Shandong Traditional Chinese Medicine College. SDUTCM was reorganized in 1996, hence the name was changed to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. SDUTCM has focused on science, technology, and innovation research platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Applying to cheap universities in Shandong 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 China for a more comprehensive guide!

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

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Shandong. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Shandong is the Dezhou University, which offers Accounting, Business Management, and Chemical Engineering and Technology to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Ocean University of China offers Zoology, Aquatic Biology, and Aquaculture .

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

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

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