If you are looking for a cheap university for your study abroad program in Switzerland then you have come to the right place. After our last post on the Best Universities in Switzerland to Study Abroad.
Most of you were asking for this list, the world study portal team has responded with this carefully put list of cheap universities in Switzerland to study in 2023.
Switzerland has always been among the top study-abroad destinations for international students.
That’s because Switzerland is home to some of the best Universities in the world.
Also, the cost of school there is cheaper than in all other European countries.
This is because the government of Switzerland provides funding to universities.
You may be expecting that a public-funded school might underperform, but these Swiss schools are not falling for that.
In this article, you will learn about the cost of studying at different universities in Switzerland.
Also, you will get a picture of how much it will cost you to study in Switzerland as an International student.
So, if you are ready for this ride, then let’s dive right in.
How much does it cost to study abroad in Switzerland?
Studying in Switzerland is not as expensive as it is in other European countries.
Students have voted Switzerland to be the cheapest country for study abroad programs in Europe.
This is because most of the top universities in Switzerland are public-funded.
As a result, it is not rare to find a top-ranking university in Switzerland accepting tuition fees as low as 500 CHF ($500 USD).
Well, this tuition fee can still vary depending on the program, the course of study, and the university.
As for the cost of living in Switzerland, that one is quite expensive.
International students can expect to spend between 1,500 EUR ($1,800 USD) and 2,500 EUR ($2,900 USD) every month depending on the city where you’re staying.
This budget will cover the cost of your accommodations, food, transportation, and supplies.
If you like leisure so much, then this amount may even cover some leisure expenses.
Can I study in Switzerland for free?
Studying in universities in Switzerland is not for free.
However, the Swiss government invests a lot in education in Switzerland, so most of their universities are very affordable for international students.
Moreover, you can also find a scholarship to cover your tuition while studying in Switzerland.
But the bottom line is that there will always be something to pay for.
What are the cheap universities in Switzerland for study abroad programs?
If you are seeking to study abroad in Switzerland, then here is a list of the cheapest schools that you can enroll in.
Mind you, cheap does not mean low value.
That’s because most of these cheap Swiss universities are ranked in top positions in world university rankings.
Here they are;
#21. Webster University Geneva
- Tuition fees: CHF 40,000 and above
- Acceptance rate: over 60%
Founded in 1978, the university is a public institution offering graduate and undergraduate courses.
At Webster University in Geneva, the concept of an international education becomes a reality, as 600 students from over 90 countries come together in a learning community engaged by faculty from 25 nations.
Webster’s training is attentive and personal. With the presence of the United Nations and other major international organizations, many major international corporations, and the largest private banking center in the world, Webster students have the opportunity to use the resources offered by these institutions to improve classroom learning.
#20. University of Italian Switzerland
- Tuition fees: depend on the program
- Acceptance rate: good
The University of Italian in Switzerland makes our cut among the cheapest Universities in Swiss. The USI bachelor’s degrees are 3-year (6 semesters) full-time study programs that comply with the principles established by the Bologna Declaration.
The first year of the program consists of core courses that provide students with a solid foundation that is then applied in exercises, seminars, workshops, and workshops.
In the second and third years, students have the opportunity to choose a more specific field of study, which is defined by several elective subjects. The USI bachelor’s degree enables students to continue their degree (master’s).
To learn more about the university’s programs and admission requirements, visit the official website using the link below.
#19. Ecole Polytechnique Federal De Lausanne
- Tuition fees: CHF 50,000
- Acceptance rate: about 70%
Ecole Polytechnique made it to our list of the cheapest universities in Switzerland. The school offers a range of technical programs for science and technology students.
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) is a research institute and university in Lausanne, Switzerland, specializing in natural and engineering sciences.
It is one of the two federal universities of applied sciences in Switzerland and has three main tasks: training, research, and technology transfer at the highest international level. EPFL is widely recognized as a leading university.
#18. HIM Hotel Institute Montreux
- Tuition fees: CHF 44,100 – 141,600
- Acceptance rate: about 60%
The Him Hotel Institute is located in Montreux and offers courses in hotel management. The school accepts offers from local and international students from around the world. They offer a mixture of traditional Swiss hospitality and contemporary American business administration.
With specializations offered in close collaboration with industry leaders such as luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer and the Montreux Jazz Festival, you can tailor your education to your future career success. Many of our Hospitality Management graduates hold prestigious positions in a variety of industries around the world.
To apply to the HIM Hotel Institute, visit the official website to learn more about the institute.
#17. Cesarittz Colleges
- Tuition fees: CHF 41,600 – 155,950
- Acceptance rate: Good
Cesarittz College made it to our list of low-tuition universities in Switzerland. The college is a leading global institution with several national and international students enrolled in its programs. It is a highly recommended school to consider when looking for schools with low tuition fees in the country.
#16. The University of Business and International Studies (UBIS)
- Tuition fees: CHF 40,000 or above
- Acceptance rate: the University has a decent admission rate
UBIS is a highly rated management school in Switzerland with several international students in their roasters. The university offers business and management courses at all academic levels.
The University of Business and International Studies (UBIS) is a Swiss boutique university. UBIS courses are taught in English. The programs give you the opportunity to physically work in Geneva and Washington D.C. to study or study online.
They offer exchange and double degree programs with schools and universities in countries around the world. UBIS currently welcomes students from over 40 different countries. This dynamic enables UBIS to create exclusive degrees and opportunities for students before embarking on a globalized career.
#15. IHTTI School of Hotel Management
- Tuition fees: CHF 35, 820 – 140, 080
- Acceptance rate: limited
The IHTTI School of Hotel Management is one of the Swiss universities. The school mainly focuses on hotel management. The training offered by IHTTI embodies the combination of precise Swiss hotel management and creative design.
With two campuses in former palaces with panoramic views, IHTTI is the ideal place to learn five-star service in Swiss hotel management while developing design thinking skills for future success. Admission to this school is relatively limited.
#14. University of St Gallen (HSG)
- Tuition fees: Euro 12,000
- Acceptance rate: 65 – 80%
It is one of the cheapest universities in Switzerland. The university is known for its excellent academic program, which places it at the top of the global university rankings. It is a research university based in St. Gallen, Switzerland that specializes in business administration, economics, law, and international affairs.
In international rankings, the university is considered one of the leading business schools in the world. Applicants can complete an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at the university.
#13. SBS Swiss Business School
- Tuition fees: CHF 2300 – 9,000
- Acceptance rate: fair
SBS Swill Business School offers a variety of business and management courses for international and domestic students. The school is a management institution dedicated to preparing students for careers in the global economy with affiliated campuses in Latvia, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Argentina, India, and Myanmar.
They offer specialized programs in international management, finance, marketing, and other areas. To learn more about the school, visit the university’s official website.
#12. European Graduate School
- Tuition fees: $1,800 – $27,100
- Acceptance rate: 60 – 80 %
Thanks to the excellent academic education at the university, they belong to the new generation who are currently raving about Switzerland. The university, founded in 1994, has steadily improved in the worldwide university rankings.
Initially, the school offered expressive art therapy programs as part of a larger initiative to develop a network of expressive art therapy training institutes. Later [when?] Wolfgang Schirmacher established a separation between philosophy, art, and critical thinking.
#11.Franklin University Switzerland
- Tuition fees: CHF 710 – 22,500
- Acceptance rate: The University has about a 60% acceptance rate
Franklin University is one of the lowest tuition fees for universities in Switzerland. The university offers various scientific disciplines in the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Franklin’s program promotes international awareness and critical thinking and emphasizes an interdisciplinary and liberal arts perspective.
Most courses are taught in English, with the exception of language courses, including advanced language courses on film, culture, and literature. Students are expected to master Italian, French, Spanish, or German by completing a three-year language course.
#10.The American Graduate School of Business
- Tuition fees: CHF 300 – 60,000.
- Acceptance rate: 60 – 70%
The American Graduate School of Business is one of the new generations of universities in Switzerland. The university is known for providing more than just academics to its students as it offers programs that enable its students to thrive in a work environment. The university offers admission for bachelor’s and master’s students
#9. Zurich University of the Arts
Sitting at the bottom of our list is the Zurich University of Arts.
In this school, the tuition fee varies according to the program and whether you are a local and international student.
For undergraduate programs, Swiss students pay 750 CHP ($800 USD) per semester while International Students pay 1,250 CHP ($1,400 USD) per semester.
As for graduate programs, Swiss students pay 750 CHP ($800 USD) per semester while international Students pay 1,250 CHP ($1,400 USD) per semester.
You can learn more about the tuition fee on the school website.
Zurich University of Arts happens to be among the top arts universities in Europe and offers a wide range of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs.
The subject areas of these degrees include Dance, Art Education, Music, Fine Arts, and Theatre.
Being a university of the arts means the students are exposed to different cultural and artistic events that enrich their learning.
Aside from a theatre where the students can watch and perform, the university also has a museum where a wide variety of artworks are on display.
This is a guarantee that you will definitely enjoy this cheap Swiss University as your destination for your study abroad programs.
#8. University of Bern
The University of Bern is definitely one of those cheap universities in Switzerland.
But don’t let that fool you.
This school ranks in the top 10 universities in Switzerland.
At the University of Bern, the tuition fee for undergraduate programs for Swiss students costs 750 CHF ($800 USD) per semester.
For international students, the tuition fee is 950 CHF ($1,000 USD) per semester
Check the university website for details.
At the University of Bern, you have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of courses and programs spread across eight faculties.
There are Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs available for both local and international students.
These degree programs include Art History, Education, Theology, Physics, Law, and Linguistics.
In addition, students have the opportunity to engage in research programs and contribute to finding solutions to global issues and challenges.
#7. University of Fribourg:
On the 7th position of cheap universities in Switzerland, we have the University of Fribourg.
In this university, Swiss/Liechtenstein undergraduate program students pay a tuition of 835 CHF ($900 USD) per semester.
On the other hand, International students pay a tuition fee of 985 CHF ($1,100 USD) per semester.
Learn more on the University website.
The University of Fribourg can be traced back to 1580 when it was established, but it only became a university in 1889.
Interestingly, it is the only bilingual university in Switzerland.
While courses in this school are offered mainly in French and German (two of Switzerland’s national languages), some courses are available for international students in English.
The university features five faculties offering a wide range of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses.
These faculties include the faculties of Humanities, Law, Theology, Economics and Social Sciences, and Sciences.
In addition, there are lots of activities available for students in this school that make learning blissful.
#6. University of Basel
The University of Basel is the 6th cheapest university in Switzerland.
In this school, Undergraduate students pay 850 CHF ($900 USD) per semester as tuition fees for the program.
Learn more about this tuition fee from University of Basel Website.
The University of Basel was established in 1460, making it the oldest university in Switzerland.
Besides that, it is also among the world’s oldest surviving universities.
The University of Basel has 7 faculties including the faculties of theology, law, medicine, humanities, social sciences, science, psychology, and business and economics.
In addition, it offers a wide range of programs for local and international students, including Computer Science, Physics, Actuarial Science, European Global Studies, and Sustainable Development.
So, if you are looking for a cheap university in Switzerland for your study abroad programs, then consider the University of Basel.
#5. Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne:
The fifth university on this list of cheap universities in Switzerland is the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.
The tuition fee for undergraduate programs at this university is 780 CHF ($900 USD) per semester.
Students that enroll in graduate programs pay 780 CHF ($900 USD) per semester as a tuition fee.
Visit the university website for more details.
The École Polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, and it has three main missions: education, research, and technology transfer.
Among other universities in Europe, this school is one of the most vibrant science and technology.
It offers a wide variety of Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, including Mathematics, Architecture, Communication Systems, and Data Science.
The students also get to enjoy an awesome learning environment.
#4. ETH Zurich (A.K.A. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich):
ETH Zurich is not only one of the cheapest universities in Switzerland but also one of the best in the world.
This school is among the top 5 universities in Europe and the top 10 in the world.
So, it’s really amazing that this school falls into this list of cheap universities in Switzerland.
The tuition fee for undergraduate programs at ETH Zurich is 730 CHF ($800 USD) per semester.
Also, that of graduate programs is set at the same 730 CHF ($800 USD) per semester
Learn more about ETH Zurich Tuition fees here.
The school offers a wide range of Bachelor’s and Master’s programs for both local and international students.
These programs include Architecture, Computer Science, Physics, Human Medicine, and Materials Science.
The school features modern facilities to support its culture of academic excellence.
Talking about academic excellence, this school has produced at least 21 Nobel Laureates, 2 Pritzker Prize winners, and Turing award winners.
So, students can always look forward to learning in a good environment that enhances campus experience and gives room for creativity.
#3. University of Lausanne
The third on our list of cheap universities in Switzerland to study abroad is the University of Lausanne.
The tuition fee for undergraduate programs at the University of Lausanne is 580 CHF ($600 USD) per semester.
Also, the tuition fee for graduate programs is set at the same 580 CHF ($600 USD) per semester.
See details of the tuition fees on the school website.
The University of Lausanne was established in 1537 as a theology school but became a university in 1890.
Today, the university has seven faculties offering a wide variety of courses for both local and international students.
The programs offered by the university include Biology, Law, Geosciences and Environment, Management, and Psychology.
If you are skeptical about whether this school is a good fit for study abroad programs, just know that one-fifth of the student population of the University of Lausanne comes from abroad.
As a result, you can also look forward to learning using modern facilities in this international environment.
#2. HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland:
Sitting in the second position of cheap universities in Switzerland is the HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland.
This university takes a tuition fee of just 500 CHF ($500) per semester for undergraduate programs.
You can learn more about their tuition fee on the school website.
With about 21,000 students, the HES-SO is the largest University of Arts and Sciences in Switzerland.
International students can choose from a wide variety of study programs and research activities in the school.
These programs are divided into six faculties:
In addition, students have access to the free productivity software that the school provides which they can use for their university work.
There is a free downloadable app that allows them to learn a foreign language and they also have access to the sports facilities of the university.
#1. University of Geneva:
The University of Geneva is the cheapest public university in Switzerland for study abroad programs.
The tuition fee for undergraduate programs in this school is as low as 500 CHF ($500 USD) per semester.
You can visit the school website to see the breakdown of their tuition fee.
Besides being the cheapest school in Switzerland, the school is also one of the oldest in the country, established in 1599.
The University of Geneva is one of the largest universities in Switzerland.
It has a massive population of over 17,000 students from different nationalities.
The university excels greatly in research and is among the best research universities in Europe.
There are several different programs that you can choose from at the University of Geneva.
Their programs cover a wide variety of fields, including social sciences, medicine, law, and humanities, among others.
In addition, the university also has strong ties with international organizations, including the European Organization for Nuclear Research, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Health Organization, and the International Telecommunications Union.
What this means is that you have access to more than enough resources to carry out your research at any level.
Conclusion
Study abroad programs are usually very expensive in most European countries.
As a result, it is very easy for anyone to assume that it is expensive to study in a country like Switzerland.
This list of cheap universities in Switzerland is proof that International students can study in Switzerland without spending so much.
Please share this article to help other students get access to this quality information.
Frequently Asked Question On Cheapest Universities in Switzerland
Which is the cheapest university in Switzerland?
Is Switzerland cheap to study?
In comparison to other countries with world-renowned universities, Switzerland offers exceptionally cheap tuition fees to its students. One of the prime examples is the difference between Swiss annual tuition fees and those of the US.
How much does it cost to study in Switzerland?
In comparison to other countries with world-renowned universities, Switzerland offers exceptionally cheap tuition fees to its students. One of the prime examples is the difference between Swiss annual tuition fees and those of the US.
Is university free for international students in Switzerland?
The truth here is that International students coming to Switzerland as part of an exchange program do not pay any tuition fees. Average tuition fees at public Swiss universities: Bachelor and Master programs: 400 – 3,700 EUR / year. Promotions: 100 – 900 EUR / year.
Can international students work in Switzerland?
Yes, you can be Working in Switzerland during your studies. As an international student, you can take up part-time work for up to 15 hours a week during the semester and you can work full-time during holidays. But there’s a catch for non-EU/EFTA students: they can only begin working 6 months after the start of their studies.
Can I stay in Switzerland after studying?
well, the hard truth is you can not but that’s not the end. International students can stay in Switzerland for the time specified on their residence permit to study. It is against the law for one to stay in the country over the permitted time period. Applications for extensions can be submitted at the local immigration office.
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