15 Cheapest Universities in Shanghai for International Students

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In Shanghai, 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 Shanghai, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 34 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Shanghai, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Shanghai University of Electric Power 16,000 RMB 33%
Shanghai Institute of Technology 18,000 RMB - 22,000 RMB 24%
Shanghai Normal University 19,800 RMB 16%
Shanghai Ocean University 19,800 RMB - 21,500 RMB 16%
Shanghai University of Engineering Science 20,000 RMB - 30,000 RMB 16%
Shanghai University of International Business and Economics 20,000 RMB - 40,000 RMB 16%
Shanghai Maritime University 20,000 RMB 16%
Tongji University 20,000 RMB - 33,800 RMB 16%
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 20,000 RMB - 42,000 RMB 16%
Shanghai Dianji University 20,000 RMB 16%
Shanghai Second Polytechnic University 20,000 RMB 16%
University of Shanghai for Science and Technology 20,500 RMB - 38,000 RMB 13%
Shanghai University 21,000 RMB - 39,000 RMB 11%
Shanghai University of Political Science and Law 21,500 RMB 9%
Donghua University 22,000 RMB - 50,000 RMB 7%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 23,600 RMB for universities in Shanghai.

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1. Shanghai University of Electric Power

Established in the early 1950s, Shanghai University of Electric Power offers courses focused mainly on engineering, science, and technology. The university has around 12,000 students all studying to pursue their dreams. The university is striving to educate these students to change their communities and make the world of electronics, engineering, and science a better place.

2. Shanghai Institute of Technology

Shanghai Institute of Technology, founded in 1954, is one of the public academic institutions in Shanghai, China. It has more than 15,000 students across its two campuses in the city. The institute offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Engineering, Science, and Technology.

3. Shanghai Normal University

One of Shanghai’s top centers of learning for tertiary students is none other than Shanghai Normal University (SHNU). It is a public research university that was established more than 50 years ago. Moreover, as one of the city’s best institutions, it is noted for producing graduates who turn out to be successful individuals in their chosen fields.

4. Shanghai Ocean University

Shanghai Ocean University is a public institute of tertiary studies in China. Its historical roots can be traced back to 1912, and at the time, it was named Jiangsu Provincial Fisheries College. Today, it has two campuses and offers various courses spread out across its 14 faculties.

5. Shanghai University of Engineering Science

Shanghai University of Engineering Science (SUES) is a public institution focusing on engineering, economics, arts, management, and design. It comprises three campuses: Songjiang, Changning, and Hongkou. These campuses offer many undergraduate and graduate courses. These courses are high caliber, especially its engineering programs that are part of the world’s top 1%.

6. Shanghai University of International Business and Economics

Shanghai University of International Business and Economics is a public center of learning in China. It was formerly named Shanghai Institute of Foreign trade until the year 2013. Furthermore, it is regarded as an excellent business school not just in the city of Shanghai, but also throughout the whole country.

7. Shanghai Maritime University

Founded in 1959, Shanghai Maritime University is a public university in China. It offers degree programs in various disciplines aligned with the shipping and logistics industries. With over 26,000 students taking English and Chinese courses, the university is among the significant providers of globally competitive education in the country.

8. Tongji University

Tongji University is a comprehensive university located in Shanghai, China. Founded in 1907, it is one of China’s oldest and most prestigious universities. TJU is known for its excellence in engineering, architecture, environmental science, business, and other disciplines. The University attracts a significant number of international students from around the world. The university provides programs and support services specifically designed for international students, creating a diverse and multicultural learning environment.

9. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was established in 1956. It was formerly known as Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine College before officially using its current name in 1993. The university is one of the pioneers in providing higher education in the specialized field of Chinese medicine. As the institution progresses, its primary goal is to provide improved and advanced teaching and research to its students without straining the original context of traditional Chinese medicine.

10. Shanghai Dianji University

Shanghai Dianji University was founded in 1953 originally as a machinery manufacturing school. After several decades, the school transitioned to focus on Engineering education, with most of its degree programs being at the undergraduate level. Currently, the university has more than 12,900 students on its two campuses in Shanghai, China.

11. Shanghai Second Polytechnic University

Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, also referred to as Shanghai Polytechnic University, is one of the public institutions for higher learning in Shanghai, China. Since its foundation in 1960, the university has undergone significant improvements. At present, the university offers undergraduate and master’s degree programs in Engineering, Business, and Arts.

12. University of Shanghai for Science and Technology

The University of Shanghai for Science and Technology is a public institution focused on engineering and applied research in science, economics, arts, and other fields. It comprises two campuses (Jungong Road and Fuxing Road). It also works closely with other universities and institutions, forming alliances dedicated to engineering, medical engineering, and the machinery industry. For sure, opportunities abound for its students.

13. Shanghai University

Shanghai University was established in 1922, with the initial purpose of molding figures in the Chinese revolution. As a result of the Shanghai Massacre on April 12, 1927, the school was closed and was only reopened in 1983. Shanghai University, or SHU, has since become one of the renowned and recognized universities around the world.

14. Shanghai University of Political Science and Law

Situated at the foot of Sheshan Mountain, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law offers a warm environment for both its domestic and international students. The university vouches for practicality and application, producing intellectual students with realistic skills. For decades, the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law has already secured a spot among excellent political science universities in Shanghai.

15. Donghua University

With three campuses, Donghua University has been educating students for over the last 70 years. Situated in the city of Shanghai, the university has a focus on the work of textile, research, chemistry, and biology. Training students to become the leaders of the future is the mind and goal of Donghua University.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Shanghai University of Electric Power 20,000 RMB 27%
Tongji University 23,000 RMB - 79,000 RMB 16%
Shanghai Normal University 23,000 RMB 15%
Shanghai Maritime University 23,000 RMB 15%
Shanghai University of Political Science and Law 23,000 RMB 15%
Shanghai International Studies University 23,000 RMB - 64,000 RMB 15%
Shanghai University of Sports 24,000 RMB - 26,000 RMB 12%
University of Shanghai for Science and Technology 24,000 RMB - 35,000 RMB 12%
Shanghai University of Engineering Science 25,000 RMB 8%
Shanghai Institute of Technology 25,000 RMB 8%
East China Normal University 25,000 RMB - 35,000 RMB 8%
Shanghai Second Polytechnic University 25,000 RMB 8%
Donghua University 26,000 RMB - 40,000 RMB 4%
Fudan University 26,000 RMB - 30,000 RMB 4%
Shanghai University 26,000 RMB - 114,000 RMB 4%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 27,100 RMB for universities in Shanghai.

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1. Shanghai University of Electric Power

Established in the early 1950s, Shanghai University of Electric Power offers courses focused mainly on engineering, science, and technology. The university has around 12,000 students all studying to pursue their dreams. The university is striving to educate these students to change their communities and make the world of electronics, engineering, and science a better place.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Shanghai University of Electric Power should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 20,000 RMB annually for their master's degree.

2. Tongji University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Tongji University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Tongji University is 22,960 RMB to 79,000 RMB.

Tongji University is a comprehensive university located in Shanghai, China. Founded in 1907, it is one of China’s oldest and most prestigious universities. TJU is known for its excellence in engineering, architecture, environmental science, business, and other disciplines. The University attracts a significant number of international students from around the world. The university provides programs and support services specifically designed for international students, creating a diverse and multicultural learning environment.

3. Shanghai Normal University

One of Shanghai’s top centers of learning for tertiary students is none other than Shanghai Normal University (SHNU). It is a public research university that was established more than 50 years ago. Moreover, as one of the city’s best institutions, it is noted for producing graduates who turn out to be successful individuals in their chosen fields.

The tuition fee at Shanghai Normal University for incoming international master’s students is 23,000 RMB. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Shanghai Maritime University

Another affordable university to consider in Shanghai is Shanghai Maritime University.

Founded in 1959, Shanghai Maritime University is a public university in China. It offers degree programs in various disciplines aligned with the shipping and logistics industries. With over 26,000 students taking English and Chinese courses, the university is among the significant providers of globally competitive education in the country.

The tuition fee in Shanghai Maritime University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 23,000 RMB.

5. Shanghai University of Political Science and Law

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law 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 23,000 RMB yearly.

Situated at the foot of Sheshan Mountain, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law offers a warm environment for both its domestic and international students. The university vouches for practicality and application, producing intellectual students with realistic skills. For decades, the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law has already secured a spot among excellent political science universities in Shanghai.

6. Shanghai International Studies University

Shanghai International Studies University specializes in teaching languages and literature. It actively encourages the development of a global perspective and offers excellent programs that aim to train future global leaders. It operates on two campuses and is home to state-of-the-art linguistic laboratories, interpretation systems, and vast libraries.

7. Shanghai University of Sports

Shanghai University of Sports (SUS) is one of China’s “Double First-Class University”. It’s a recognition given to the country’s most elite universities and colleges. The institution is also the very first sports university in mainland China. SUS currently ranks first in Asia and top 51-75 worldwide for its outstanding performance in sports science and physical education-related courses. Not only does this university specializes in sports, but it’s a comprehensive and multidisciplinary institution offering degree programs in management, science, literature, medicine, and arts featuring sports.

8. University of Shanghai for Science and Technology

The University of Shanghai for Science and Technology is a public institution focused on engineering and applied research in science, economics, arts, and other fields. It comprises two campuses (Jungong Road and Fuxing Road). It also works closely with other universities and institutions, forming alliances dedicated to engineering, medical engineering, and the machinery industry. For sure, opportunities abound for its students.

9. Shanghai University of Engineering Science

Shanghai University of Engineering Science (SUES) is a public institution focusing on engineering, economics, arts, management, and design. It comprises three campuses: Songjiang, Changning, and Hongkou. These campuses offer many undergraduate and graduate courses. These courses are high caliber, especially its engineering programs that are part of the world’s top 1%.

10. Shanghai Institute of Technology

Shanghai Institute of Technology, founded in 1954, is one of the public academic institutions in Shanghai, China. It has more than 15,000 students across its two campuses in the city. The institute offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Engineering, Science, and Technology.

11. East China Normal University

East China Normal University, founded in 1951, is one of the universities located in Shanghai, China. The university is known for its nickname “Garden University,” with its campuses in the Putuo and Minha districts occupying an area of more than 207 hectares. From its initial focus on teacher training, the university’s academic profile has extended to scientific research, talent training, global education, and community service.

12. Shanghai Second Polytechnic University

Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, also referred to as Shanghai Polytechnic University, is one of the public institutions for higher learning in Shanghai, China. Since its foundation in 1960, the university has undergone significant improvements. At present, the university offers undergraduate and master’s degree programs in Engineering, Business, and Arts.

13. Donghua University

With three campuses, Donghua University has been educating students for over the last 70 years. Situated in the city of Shanghai, the university has a focus on the work of textile, research, chemistry, and biology. Training students to become the leaders of the future is the mind and goal of Donghua University.

14. Fudan University

Fudan University has four total campuses located throughout China. The university holds a variety of challenging courses of study, including history, science, research and more. Fudan University desires to challenge their students in the education of their chosen field and help them learn to take on the world.

15. Shanghai University

Shanghai University was established in 1922, with the initial purpose of molding figures in the Chinese revolution. As a result of the Shanghai Massacre on April 12, 1927, the school was closed and was only reopened in 1983. Shanghai University, or SHU, has since become one of the renowned and recognized universities around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Applying to cheap universities in Shanghai 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 Shanghai?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Shanghai. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Shanghai is the Donghua University, which offers Fundamental Math, International Trade, and Consumer Behavior to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Donghua University offers Design Studies, Fine Arts, and Finance.

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

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

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