13 Cheapest Universities in Tianjin for International Students

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In Tianjin, 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 Tianjin, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 21 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Tianjin, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Tianjin Normal University 14,400 RMB - 21,200 RMB 26%
Civil Aviation University of China 15,000 RMB 23%
Tianjin Foreign Studies University 15,400 RMB 21%
Tianjin University of Technology and Education 15,500 RMB - 16,300 RMB 20%
Hebei University of Technology 16,000 RMB 18%
Tiangong University 16,000 RMB - 23,800 RMB 18%
Tianjin University of Science and Technology 16,000 RMB 18%
Tianjin University of Technology 16,400 RMB 16%
Tianjin University of Finance and Economics 16,600 RMB 14%
Tianjin University 16,600 RMB - 26,000 RMB 14%
Nankai University 20,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB -3%
Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 25,000 RMB - 37,000 RMB -29%
Tianjin Medical University 48,000 RMB -148%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 19,400 RMB for universities in Tianjin.

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1. Tianjin Normal University

Tianjin Normal University started as Tianjin Teachers’ College in 1958. It earned its current name and university status in 1982. Several programs are offered at Tianjin Normal, including around 70 bachelor’s and 16 master’s courses. Thousands of students choose from these programs, which may be in philosophy, law, economics, education, science, etc. The institution comprises two campuses: Ba Li Tai and Xi Qing.

2. Civil Aviation University of China

Civil Aviation University of China (CAUC) is a national institute of higher studies. It is situated in the historically rich city of Tianjin. CAUC opened its doors to students in 1951 and today, it is one of the country’s leading schools for aspiring pilots.

3. Tianjin Foreign Studies University

Tianjin Foreign Studies University is among China’s leading academic institutions for foreign languages. It offers several language courses, including Arabic, Burmese, Swahili, Italian, Malaysian, Urdu, Farsi, and many more. Its English and Japanese courses are especially regarded in China. Two campuses comprise the university: Machang Road and Binhai.

4. Tianjin University of Technology and Education

Tianjin University of Technology and Education was initially established in pursuance to generate vocational teachers. Throughout the years, the school has evolved and has also become one of the in-demand schools for providing high-quality technical academic programs. Furthermore, undergraduate students of the university are more than capable of obtaining a bachelor’s degree and a vocational qualification certificate at the same time. This is an opportunity not to be missed, especially for students who aspire to acquire double certificates.

5. Hebei University of Technology

The Hebei University of Technology, founded in 1903, was among the first academic institutions in the country to train industrial professionals. The university is also popular for its success in the field of Chemistry, Engineering, and Material Science. Currently, the university has more than 30,000 students, with around 300 international students, and offers mostly Chinese-taught programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

6. Tiangong University

Tianjin Polytechnic University is a public university in China. It had its humble beginnings in 1958 and back then, it was named Hebei Textile Institute. Presently, it is popular for being an eminent institution that actively works towards internationalization.

7. Tianjin University of Science and Technology

Tianjin University of Science and Technology was founded in 1958 as the Tianjin Institute of Light Industry. It has undergone further developments, becoming one of China’s comprehensive universities and offering degree programs in a diverse catalog of disciplines. More than 26,000 students are taking courses in Science and Technology, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, Management, and Law.

8. Tianjin University of Technology

Tianjin University of Technology is a public university primarily known for its programs in engineering. It also offers excellent programs in the arts, humanities, and management. The university welcomes students from all around the globe and provides Chinese language classes for those who want to improve in the language, as well as unique classes like Wu Shu and Chinese painting as electives.

9. Tianjin University of Finance and Economics

Tianjin University of Finance and Economics strives to educate their students on how to make the world a better place. With over 12,000 students making this university their home, the university’s mission is to teach these students in whatever course they want to pursue, teaching them to make a difference. The vision of the university includes helping these young students chase their dreams and pursue whatever career they wish.

10. Tianjin University

Tianjin University was founded in 1895 under its former name, Peiyang University. With such long history in the academic world, the university is among the institutions that inspired modern higher education systems. It is currently home to over 36,000 students, and offers courses in Science, Engineering, and Medicine.

11. Nankai University

Nankai University, also known as NKU or simply Nankai, was founded in 1919 in Tianjin as a public research university. NKU is known as one of the top universities across China, offering different programs such as research studies, economics, history, information technology, business, tourism, among others. NKU has three campuses, each are located in Balitai, Jinnan, and TEDA in Binhau New Area.

12. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical school in Northern China. It is part of the Double First-Class Initiative, which includes elite Chinese universities. The university comprises 15 schools plus several hospitals and research facilities. These provide many avenues of opportunities for undergraduate and graduate medical students.

13. Tianjin Medical University

Tianjin Medical University (TMU) is a public educational institution in China. It began to welcome students in the year 1951. Additionally, TMU is a respected center of excellence and is known for their outstanding quality when it comes to their medical and allied health programs.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Tianjin Normal University 19,200 RMB 18%
Tianjin Foreign Studies University 19,400 RMB 17%
Tianjin University of Technology and Education 20,400 RMB 13%
Tianjin University of Technology 20,500 RMB 12%
Civil Aviation University of China 22,000 RMB 6%
Tiangong University 22,000 RMB - 30,000 RMB 6%
Tianjin University of Science and Technology 24,000 RMB -3%
Tianjin University 24,900 RMB - 39,000 RMB -7%
Nankai University 26,000 RMB - 50,000 RMB -11%
Tianjin University of Finance and Economics 26,000 RMB -11%
Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 31,000 RMB - 41,000 RMB -33%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 23,300 RMB for universities in Tianjin.

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1. Tianjin Normal University

Tianjin Normal University started as Tianjin Teachers’ College in 1958. It earned its current name and university status in 1982. Several programs are offered at Tianjin Normal, including around 70 bachelor’s and 16 master’s courses. Thousands of students choose from these programs, which may be in philosophy, law, economics, education, science, etc. The institution comprises two campuses: Ba Li Tai and Xi Qing.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Tianjin Normal University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 19,200 RMB annually for their master's degree.

2. Tianjin Foreign Studies University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Tianjin Foreign Studies University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Tianjin Foreign Studies University is 19,400 RMB.

Tianjin Foreign Studies University is among China’s leading academic institutions for foreign languages. It offers several language courses, including Arabic, Burmese, Swahili, Italian, Malaysian, Urdu, Farsi, and many more. Its English and Japanese courses are especially regarded in China. Two campuses comprise the university: Machang Road and Binhai.

3. Tianjin University of Technology and Education

Tianjin University of Technology and Education was initially established in pursuance to generate vocational teachers. Throughout the years, the school has evolved and has also become one of the in-demand schools for providing high-quality technical academic programs. Furthermore, undergraduate students of the university are more than capable of obtaining a bachelor’s degree and a vocational qualification certificate at the same time. This is an opportunity not to be missed, especially for students who aspire to acquire double certificates.

The tuition fee at Tianjin University of Technology and Education for incoming international master’s students is 20,400 RMB. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Tianjin University of Technology

Another affordable university to consider in Tianjin is Tianjin University of Technology.

Tianjin University of Technology is a public university primarily known for its programs in engineering. It also offers excellent programs in the arts, humanities, and management. The university welcomes students from all around the globe and provides Chinese language classes for those who want to improve in the language, as well as unique classes like Wu Shu and Chinese painting as electives.

The tuition fee in Tianjin University of Technology for master’s program for foreign students starts from 20,500 RMB.

5. Civil Aviation University of China

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Civil Aviation University of China 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 22,000 RMB yearly.

Civil Aviation University of China (CAUC) is a national institute of higher studies. It is situated in the historically rich city of Tianjin. CAUC opened its doors to students in 1951 and today, it is one of the country’s leading schools for aspiring pilots.

6. Tiangong University

Tianjin Polytechnic University is a public university in China. It had its humble beginnings in 1958 and back then, it was named Hebei Textile Institute. Presently, it is popular for being an eminent institution that actively works towards internationalization.

7. Tianjin University of Science and Technology

Tianjin University of Science and Technology was founded in 1958 as the Tianjin Institute of Light Industry. It has undergone further developments, becoming one of China’s comprehensive universities and offering degree programs in a diverse catalog of disciplines. More than 26,000 students are taking courses in Science and Technology, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, Management, and Law.

8. Tianjin University

Tianjin University was founded in 1895 under its former name, Peiyang University. With such long history in the academic world, the university is among the institutions that inspired modern higher education systems. It is currently home to over 36,000 students, and offers courses in Science, Engineering, and Medicine.

9. Nankai University

Nankai University, also known as NKU or simply Nankai, was founded in 1919 in Tianjin as a public research university. NKU is known as one of the top universities across China, offering different programs such as research studies, economics, history, information technology, business, tourism, among others. NKU has three campuses, each are located in Balitai, Jinnan, and TEDA in Binhau New Area.

10. Tianjin University of Finance and Economics

Tianjin University of Finance and Economics strives to educate their students on how to make the world a better place. With over 12,000 students making this university their home, the university’s mission is to teach these students in whatever course they want to pursue, teaching them to make a difference. The vision of the university includes helping these young students chase their dreams and pursue whatever career they wish.

11. Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical school in Northern China. It is part of the Double First-Class Initiative, which includes elite Chinese universities. The university comprises 15 schools plus several hospitals and research facilities. These provide many avenues of opportunities for undergraduate and graduate medical students.


Frequently Asked Questions

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

Applying to cheap universities in Tianjin 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 Tianjin?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Tianjin. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Tianjin is the Civil Aviation University of China, which offers Communication Engineering, Traffic and Transportation, and Business Administration to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Civil Aviation University of China offers Safety Science and Engineering, Aircraft Airworthiness Certification and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.


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

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

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