8 Best Private Universities in Surabaya for International Students

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There are a lot of great countries and cities that need to be visited and discovered in your lifetime, and one of the main locations that need to be visited for your studies is Surabaya, which is one of the cities in Indonesia. When visiting Surabaya, in addition to developing your skills and academic knowledge, you will become part of a new system and society that will open and enrich your cultural horizons.

Private institutions are a great way to reach your academic goals and get that well-deserved degree. To help you out, check out the list below if you’re looking to study in a private university in Surabaya. Each university page provides you with specific details on tuition, admission, language requirements, available courses, and more. So, make sure to check the university pages! Let’s dig in!

Rank University Location
1 Petra Christian University Surabaya, Indonesia
2 Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya Surabaya, Indonesia
3 Dr. Soetomo University Surabaya, Indonesia
4 Wijaya Kusuma University of Surabaya Surabaya, Indonesia
5 Widya Mandala Catholic University of Surabaya Surabaya, Indonesia
6 University of 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya Surabaya, Indonesia
7 Narotama University Surabaya, Indonesia
8 Ciputra University Surabaya, Indonesia

Private Universities in Surabaya

1. Petra Christian University

  • Petra Christian University Page
  • Petra Christian University is a private Christian university that was named Indonesia’s best private university in the QS World University Rankings from 2018 to 2021. The university prides itself in having long-standing partnerships with leading institutions both in Indonesia and the world that ensure its students and alumni have valuable opportunities in their various fields. With five faculties and 22 programs, Petra Christian University is an innovative and multidisciplinary school with the vision of becoming a leading Christian university globally that impacts society.

    2. Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya

  • Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya Page
  • Established by the Muhammadiyah Foundation in East Java, the Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya is a private non-profit university that started as a collection of several existing institutions of higher education. The university is research-oriented, having partnered with several other institutions of higher learning all over the world as well as many leaders in the industry to facilitate the improvement of their research and teaching as well. Located in Surabaya, a modern and culturally-rich city in Indonesia, Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya provides a conducive and lively environment for its students to grow personally and fully immerse themselves in the culture of the people.

    3. Dr. Soetomo University

  • Dr. Soetomo University Page
  • The University of Dr. Soetomo, commonly referred to as UNITOMO, was initially established with three faculties but has since expanded to nine faculties, offering 27 study programs from diploma to postgraduate level. The university is named after Dr. Soetomo, who was a pioneering figure in Indonesian independence. It continues to work toward its vision of empowering Indonesian people through modernizing education, science, and technology.

    4. Wijaya Kusuma University of Surabaya

  • Wijaya Kusuma University of Surabaya Page
  • Owned by the Wijaya Kusuma Foundation, the Wijaya Kusuma University of Surabaya is a private university in Surabaya with over eight faculties and various other research institutes and graduate schools. The university believes in administering the Tri Dharma of education, which involves teaching, research, and community service. Their goal is to become a high-value institution that will excel in these three areas and bring positive dividends to the community.

    5. Widya Mandala Catholic University of Surabaya

  • Widya Mandala Catholic University of Surabaya Page
  • Established by the Widya Mandala Foundation in 1960, an organization responsible for catholic higher education in Indonesia, the Widya Mandala Catholic University of Surabaya is a private catholic university in Surabaya city. It is among the oldest universities in Surabaya and boasts four campus locations in the city. The university is also one of the most prestigious catholic universities in the nation and partners with numerous institutions in differing countries. Some of the university’s partners are in countries like Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and China.

    6. University of 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya

  • University of 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya Page
  • Located in the port city of Surabaya, the 17 August 1945 University believes that education should impact three levels of society which are national, regional, and international. In the same vein, they maintain that training should develop three forms of character in an individual, which are moral, academic, and cultural. Galvanizing this belief in three levels and types of education through their teachings is the Tridharma, a group that combines the teachings of Buddhism, Confucius, and Lao-Tzu.

    The university gets its name in honor of the date when Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president, declared Indonesia’s independence from the Netherlands.

    7. Narotama University

  • Narotama University Page
  • Narotama University (UN) prides itself on being a modern university that has integrated information technology into its programs to facilitate enhanced learning for its students. The university mainly offers undergraduate and graduate study programs and is located just outside the city, making it a serene and conducive place to study away from the fast-paced city life.

    8. Ciputra University

  • Ciputra University Page
  • Ciputra University is a private university committed to training its students in a manner that will enable them to not only excel in their respective fields but also equip them with the skills that can enable them to become entrepreneurs in those fields. The school motto, ‘Creating World Class Entrepreneurs’, accurately describes the school’s vision and mission. UC has partnerships with both academic and industrial institutions all over the world to ensure its students are provided with broader opportunities during and even after their studies.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How much does Private Universities in Surabaya Cost?

    There are 8 private universities in Surabaya, out of which, we have tuition fee of 2 private universities available.


    As you plan your studies abroad, we hope that this article will help you in choosing a good private university.

    We know that attending a private university can be expensive, given its benefits and added perks. But remember that public universities are always an option, too, as they're affordable and can provide you with the same high-quality education. With that, feel free to check out our list of public universities in Surabaya to learn more about your options for your next academic destination.