6 Best Public Universities in Surabaya for International Students

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Surabaya is one of the cities in Indonesia you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Surabaya can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.

There are 14 universities you can find in Surabaya, and 6 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes Surabaya a great place for international students.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Surabaya, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Rank University Location
1 Airlangga University Surabaya, Indonesia
2 Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology Surabaya, Indonesia
3 Surabaya State University Surabaya, Indonesia
4 University of Surabaya Surabaya, Indonesia
5 National Veteran Development University of East Java Surabaya, Indonesia
6 State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya Surabaya, Indonesia

Public Universities in Surabaya

1. Airlangga University

  • Airlangga University Page
  • Established in 1954, Airlangga University is a leading university in Surabaya and is one of Indonesia’s “Big Five” universities. The faculty of medicine and dentistry is the premier faculty of the university, but the institution has since grown to possess numerous faculties and institutes.

    Owing to its unique history with medicine, Airlangga University is one of the best places to study medicine in Indonesia. It has various teaching and research hospitals for its faculties of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary Medicine. Most of these hospitals come equipped with biosafety facilities.

    In addition, the university is home to many prestigious research institutes and centers like the Institute of Tropical Disease, the Cancer and Blood Malignancy Center, and the Big Data and AI Institute.

    2. Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology

  • Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology Page
  • Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology is recognized as one of the top Indonesian universities in science, technology, and engineering. It strives to impart strong fundamental knowledge and advanced skills to future professionals and scientists so they can contribute to the nation’s progress. The university also carries out several activities and programs that aim to help in the improvement of communities and organizations.

    3. Surabaya State University

  • Surabaya State University Page
  • Ranked 103rd among universities in South Eastern Asia, Surabaya State University is one of the leading public universities in Surabaya, Indonesia. The university has a rich competitive history and has won numerous national contests, including the 2009 Indonesia Intelligent Robotic Contest. In addition, Surabaya State University campuses are made accessible to students with special needs through the presence of a service center for disabled people.

    4. University of Surabaya

  • University of Surabaya Page
  • The University of Surabaya is a research-based university that offers a complete range of programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate. Founded in 1966, it is known for its excellence in teaching and research. It aims to produce graduates who can work independently and effectively in their chosen field. Its curriculum is rich, detailed, and informative, taught by academic experts.

    5. National Veteran Development University of East Java

  • National Veteran Development University of East Java Page
  • Initially founded in 1959 as the Surabaya Branch of the Veterans Enterprise Administration Academy, the National Veteran Development University of East Java has grown substantially into a large institution with notable influence in East Java. The university accepts both students from Indonesia and international students and is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate below 70%.

    6. State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya

  • State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya Page
  • Established in 1965, the State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya is one of Indonesia’s oldest Islamic universities. It offers 60 undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programs designed to address the socio-economic needs of the region while meeting international standards in education. It also takes pride in its spacious campus that houses its advanced infrastructure, facilities, and laboratories. 


    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Surabaya?

    Absolutely! International students in public universities in Surabaya can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

    As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in Surabaya charge up to 50,000,000 Rp for bachelor’s and 50,000,000 Rp for master’s studies.


    I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Surabaya. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.