Austria has quietly become one of the best value study destinations in Western Europe, combining respected public universities, low regulated tuition fees and a genuinely high standard of living. Austria is a popular destination for international students. In fact, it ranks sixteenth in the latest Best Student Cities ranking. Add an estimated cost of living of around one thousand two hundred euros per month and it’s easy to see why so many students choose to study there. Looking for the cheapest universities in Austria for international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level? This guide breaks down ten affordable institutions, their tuition fees and the real cost of living in each city they’re located in.
This article is written specifically for students exploring funding, budgeting, and sponsorship options for studying abroad, so alongside university costs we have also covered scholarship routes and practical ways to reduce your monthly expenses while studying in Austria.
How Tuition Fees Work in Austria
Before looking at individual universities, it helps to understand the fee structure that applies almost everywhere in the country, since this explains why Austria is so consistently affordable compared with other Western European destinations.
Tuition fees at public universities in Austria are regulated, which helps keep them low across the entire public system. Austrian students, along with nationals of the European Union and European Economic Area, generally do not pay tuition fees at public universities until they exceed the allocated duration of their programme, and even then there is a tolerance of two extra semesters before fees must be paid. Once that tolerance period is exceeded, EU and EEA students pay around three hundred sixty three euros and thirty six cents per semester.
Non-EU and non-EEA students with a Residence Permit-Student generally pay seven hundred twenty six euros and seventy two cents per semester at public universities, which works out to roughly fourteen hundred fifty euros a year, a figure that remains dramatically lower than tuition at comparable universities in the United Kingdom, the United States, or Australia. On top of tuition, all students, regardless of nationality, must pay around twenty four euros and seventy cents per semester, which covers the student union membership fee and accident insurance.
Universities of Applied Sciences, often referred to by their German abbreviation FH, can charge tuition fees up to a maximum of three hundred sixty three euros and thirty six cents per semester, while private universities set their own tuition fees independently, which can range from just a few thousand euros per year to over twenty thousand euros or more for specialised programmes. For this reason, this guide focuses primarily on public universities and applied sciences institutions, since these consistently offer the lowest cost route into Austrian higher education for both EU and non-EU applicants.
General Cost of Living in Austria
Tuition is only part of your overall budget, and living costs vary meaningfully depending on which city you choose. The cost of living for students in Austria varies by city and lifestyle, but on average you can expect to spend around eight hundred fifty to twelve hundred euros per month. Accommodation is usually the biggest single expense, ranging from three hundred to six hundred euros for student dorms, shared flats, or private rentals.
Cities like Vienna tend to be the most expensive, while smaller university towns such as Graz, Innsbruck, or Salzburg are generally more affordable. Cities such as Graz, Klagenfurt, and Innsbruck generally have lower living costs compared with Vienna and Salzburg, so choosing a smaller university town can meaningfully reduce your overall budget even if tuition fees themselves are largely standardised across the public system.
The 10 Cheapest Universities in Austria for International Students
1. University of Vienna
Universität Wien is the oldest university in the German speaking world, founded in Vienna in 1365, and it remains one of the most respected institutions in the country. The university is home to a wide range of faculties, including law, business and economics, computer science, historical and cultural studies, psychology, and social science, and most programmes are taught in English, though many are also available in German.
Tuition fees at the University of Vienna are free for EU, EEA, and Swiss students, along with students from certain developing countries, while non-EU students pay around seven hundred twenty six euros and seventy two cents per semester. The university is ranked one hundred thirtieth in the world according to the QS World University Rankings, making it an academically strong choice at a genuinely accessible price.
City: Vienna. Monthly cost of living: Vienna requires a monthly budget of around nine hundred to thirteen hundred euros to cover accommodation, food, social activities, and public transportation.
2. Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien)
TU Wien, commonly known as Technische Universität Wien, is ranked one hundred ninetieth in the QS World University Rankings 2025, making it Austria's second best ranked university. It specialises in engineering, computer science, architecture, and the natural sciences, and offers a strong mix of German taught and English taught programmes at master's level.
EU and EEA students who exceed their designated programme duration pay three hundred sixty three euros and thirty six cents per semester, while non-EU international students pay around seven hundred twenty six euros and seventy two cents per semester, the same standard public university rate applied across most of the country.
City: Vienna. Monthly cost of living: Around nine hundred to thirteen hundred euros, in line with the general Vienna range.
3. Medical University of Vienna
The Medizinische Universität Wien was established in 2004 as the successor of the University of Vienna's Faculty of Medicine, and its roots make it the second oldest medical faculty after Charles University in Prague. It is known for highly competitive admission, accepting only around nine percent of its roughly eight thousand applicants, and offers programmes in Medicine, Dentistry, a Master's in Medical Informatics, and a PhD in Applied Medical Science.
Despite its selective admission, tuition remains free for EU, EEA, and Swiss students, along with students from developing countries, while non-EU students pay around seven hundred twenty six euros and seventy two cents per semester. Around thirty percent of its student population comes from countries all around the world, giving it a genuinely international community despite its smaller overall size.
City: Vienna. Monthly cost of living: Around nine hundred to thirteen hundred euros.
4. University of Graz
Universität Graz is the largest and oldest university in Styria, home to approximately thirty one thousand five hundred students, twelve percent of whom are international. The university has six different faculties and around one hundred twenty study courses, and Graz itself was named European Capital of Culture in 2003 and City of Design in 2009.
International students can expect to pay standard public university tuition fees for both Bachelor's and Master's programmes, in line with the national non-EU rate of around seven hundred twenty six euros and seventy two cents per semester.
City: Graz. Monthly cost of living: In student cities like Graz, living costs generally range between nine hundred and one thousand euros per month.
5. Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)
TU Graz is one of the most affordable universities in Austria, ranking among the top four hundred thirteen universities globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, and it is recognised for its strong focus on engineering, technology, and innovation. Students get to work on real projects, use state of the art laboratories, and collaborate with top industry partners, meaning graduates typically leave with valuable hands on experience.
Tuition fees for EU students are around three hundred sixty three euros and thirty six cents, while non-EU students pay around seven hundred twenty six euros and seventy two cents per semester, which remains far more affordable compared with most technical universities elsewhere in Europe.
City: Graz. Monthly cost of living: Around nine hundred to one thousand euros.
6. University of Innsbruck
Universität Innsbruck is ranked two hundred sixty fifth in the world and one hundred eleventh in the EU according to the QS World University Rankings, and it offers a broad range of Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral programmes across the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, set against the backdrop of the Austrian Alps.
International students pay the standard non-EU public university tuition rate, and the university's reputation for research combined with its lower cost of living relative to Vienna makes it a popular choice among budget conscious applicants.
City: Innsbruck. Monthly cost of living: Living expenses in the Innsbruck area range from around seven hundred five to thirteen hundred sixty seven US dollars per month.
7. Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU)
Johannes Kepler University Linz has four faculties, namely Engineering and Natural Sciences, Business and Social Sciences, Law, and Medicine, spread across six specialised schools. JKU is one of the places in Austria where you can study fully in English, offering a range of English taught programmes alongside dual language degrees generally offered in German.
Fees for international students at Johannes Kepler University Linz stand at around three hundred sixty three euros and thirty six cents per semester for many programmes, making it one of the more budget friendly options on this list, alongside the standard non-EU rate applied to other programmes.
City: Linz. Monthly cost of living: In cities like Linz, living costs range between nine hundred and one thousand euros per month.
8. University of Salzburg
The University of Salzburg is based in Austria's fourth largest city and was founded in the year 1622, offering a strong range of humanities, law, natural science, and theology programmes, alongside a growing selection of English taught options at postgraduate level.
Tuition follows the standard national structure, with EU and EEA students studying largely free of charge and non-EU students paying the standard public university rate of around seven hundred twenty six euros and seventy two cents per semester.
City: Salzburg. Monthly cost of living: The cost of living in Salzburg ranges from around six hundred ninety three to twelve hundred seventy eight US dollars per month.
9. University of Klagenfurt (Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt)
Klagenfurt is a smaller university city in the south of Austria, close to the borders of Slovenia and Italy, and its university offers a compact but well regarded selection of programmes in informatics, business, cultural studies, and education. Klagenfurt itself is an eight hundred year old town, located in the green heart of Austria, close to Vienna and Salzburg, as well as Croatia, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
Tuition again follows the national public university structure, and because Klagenfurt is smaller and less touristic than Vienna or Salzburg, it consistently ranks among the more affordable cities to live in while studying.
City: Klagenfurt. Monthly cost of living: Klagenfurt generally has lower living costs compared with Vienna and Salzburg, typically falling toward the lower end of the national eight hundred fifty to twelve hundred euro range.
10. FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
Founded in 1989 as the Technical School of Vorarlberg, this university has progressed into an institution offering practice linked degrees, with students majoring in Bachelor's and Master's programmes focused on Business, Design, Engineering, and Social Work. FH Vorarlberg is a tuition free university in Austria, and it continues to attract international students with a long list of scholarships and financial grants, making it one of the most genuinely low cost options on this entire list, particularly for applied and career focused fields.
City: Dornbirn, in the Vorarlberg region. Monthly cost of living: Generally comparable to or slightly below the Innsbruck and Graz range, reflecting the smaller regional city setting away from Austria's most expensive urban centres.
Cheapest Universities in Austria at a Glance
The table below summarises all ten universities, their host city, approximate tuition fees for non-EU international students, and the general monthly cost of living in that city. Figures are approximate and should be confirmed directly with each university and current exchange rates before you finalise your budget.
| University | City | Approx. Tuition (Non-EU, per semester) | Approx. Monthly Living Cost | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Vienna | Vienna | 726.72 EUR | 900 to 1,300 EUR | Humanities, law, business, psychology, computer science |
| TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) | Vienna | 726.72 EUR | 900 to 1,300 EUR | Engineering, computer science, architecture |
| Medical University of Vienna | Vienna | 726.72 EUR | 900 to 1,300 EUR | Medicine, dentistry, medical informatics |
| University of Graz | Graz | 726.72 EUR | 900 to 1,000 EUR | Broad faculty range across six schools |
| Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) | Graz | 363.36 to 726.72 EUR | 900 to 1,000 EUR | Engineering, technology, applied innovation |
| University of Innsbruck | Innsbruck | 726.72 EUR | 800 to 1,100 EUR | Sciences, humanities, alpine research |
| Johannes Kepler University Linz | Linz | 363.36 to 726.72 EUR | 900 to 1,000 EUR | Engineering, business, law, medicine, English-taught programmes |
| University of Salzburg | Salzburg | 726.72 EUR | 900 to 1,300 EUR | Humanities, law, natural sciences, theology |
| University of Klagenfurt | Klagenfurt | 726.72 EUR | 800 to 1,000 EUR | Informatics, business, cultural studies, education |
| FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences | Dornbirn | Tuition-free | 800 to 1,000 EUR | Business, design, engineering, social work |
Undergraduate vs Postgraduate Costs
Tuition fees in Austria generally do not change dramatically between Bachelor's and Master's level at public universities, since the national fee structure applies fairly uniformly across both cycles. You can obtain a Bachelor's degree in Austria after completing three or four years of university level education, requiring at least one hundred eighty ECTS credits, while postgraduate admission requires you to have completed your Bachelor's programme first, with a Master's degree typically taking at least two years to complete.
The bigger cost difference tends to come from programme type rather than degree level. Public universities typically charge between seven hundred twenty six euros and fifteen hundred euros per semester for non-EU students, while private universities charge between seven thousand and thirty five thousand euros per year, so choosing a public university over a private one has a far greater impact on your total budget than choosing between a Bachelor's or Master's programme within the public system.
Additional Living Costs to Budget For
Beyond tuition and rent, a realistic Austria study budget should include several recurring monthly costs.
- Utilities generally cost between one hundred and two hundred euros per month if you live in a privately rented flat, though this is usually lower if you share with one or two flatmates
- Public transportation is convenient and affordable, with a single fare costing around two euros and monthly transport passes costing between thirty and fifty euros, with additional student discounts available
- Health insurance is mandatory for international students and typically costs between fifty and one hundred euros per month
- Groceries typically cost around two hundred to two hundred fifty euros per month, with the most budget friendly supermarkets including Hofer, Zielpunkt, Spar, and Billa
- Study materials and leisure activities, including books, culture, and recreation, generally add around three hundred euros to your overall budget
Practical Ways to Reduce Your Costs
Even within Austria's already affordable system, there are several practical steps that can meaningfully lower your monthly spending.
- Live in student housing or shared flats to reduce rent rather than renting a private studio alone
- Cook at home and buy groceries from discount chains such as Hofer, Lidl, or Spar rather than eating out regularly
- Apply for the ÖBB Vorteilscard Youth for fifty percent discounts on train travel across the country
- Use semester public transport passes for your daily commute rather than paying per journey
- Join student unions or clubs, since many offer discounts on books, food, and cultural activities
- Buy second hand textbooks or borrow them from university libraries instead of purchasing new copies
- Apply for multiple scholarships even if individual awards seem small, since they can add up meaningfully over an academic year
Scholarships That Can Lower Your Costs Further
A great first stop for international students researching funding is OeAD, Austria's main online platform listing scholarships from the government, universities, and external organisations, and it serves as the central hub where most students begin their funding search. Many universities also run their own scholarship programmes, often awarded for academic excellence or specific eligibility criteria, and some can reduce your tuition fees by as much as fifty percent.
Other notable options include Erasmus+ scholarships, available for students from EU and EEA countries for exchange programmes and study periods in Austria, and OeAD run schemes such as the Ernst Mach Grant, alongside the Joint Excellence in Science and Humanities programme aimed specifically at doctoral students. Public support is also available through the Austrian Study Grant Authority, which handles applications for a range of study grants for students who meet the required conditions.
Working While Studying to Offset Costs
International students in Austria are allowed to work part time while pursuing their studies, generally up to twenty hours per week during the semester and full time during semester breaks. This flexibility allows students to gain relevant work experience, support their living expenses, and immerse themselves in local culture, though balancing work and study carefully remains important for academic success.
How to Apply to a Cheap University in Austria
The typical application process involves paying any required application fees once you have submitted your application, attending interviews or admissions tests depending on your chosen programme, and then reviewing and accepting your offer of admission once it arrives. International students then need to apply for a student residence permit and Visa D to study in Austria, and it is recommended to begin this process as soon as you have your university acceptance letter in hand. Once your visa and residence permit are underway, you can arrange your accommodation, secure your travel, and complete your relocation checklist for Austria.
Getting Started
Austria genuinely delivers on its reputation as one of the most affordable serious study destinations in Western Europe, offering internationally recognised universities at a fraction of the tuition cost found in the UK, the US, or Australia. Start by matching your intended field of study to the universities on this list, confirm the exact current tuition fee and cost of living for your chosen city, and apply early for scholarships through OeAD and your target university, since funding decisions and admission timelines often move in parallel.
When you are ready to explore scholarship and funding listings for Austria in more detail, you can begin with the official OeAD scholarship database for studying in Austria, which lists government, university, and external funding options for international students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest university in Austria for international students?
FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences is tuition-free for eligible students, making it one of the cheapest options overall. Among traditional public universities, most charge the same standard non-EU rate of around seven hundred twenty six euros and seventy two cents per semester, so the choice often comes down to the cost of living in each city rather than tuition alone.
Do EU students pay tuition fees in Austria?
EU, EEA, and Swiss students generally study for free at Austrian public universities, provided they complete their degree within the standard duration plus a two semester tolerance period. Beyond that period, a reduced fee of around three hundred sixty three euros and thirty six cents per semester applies.
How much do non-EU international students pay in tuition fees?
Non-EU international students typically pay around seven hundred twenty six euros and seventy two cents per semester at public universities, which is significantly lower than tuition fees in the UK, the US, or Australia. Private universities charge considerably more, ranging from a few thousand to over twenty thousand euros per year.
Which Austrian city is cheapest to live in as a student?
Smaller university cities such as Graz, Klagenfurt, and Innsbruck generally offer lower living costs compared with Vienna and Salzburg. Students in these cities can often manage on eight hundred to one thousand euros per month, compared with nine hundred to thirteen hundred euros in Vienna.
Can international students work while studying in Austria?
Yes, international students can work part time, generally up to twenty hours per week during the semester and full time during semester breaks. This helps many students offset their living costs while gaining local work experience.
Are scholarships available for international students in Austria?
Yes, scholarships are widely available through OeAD, individual university programmes, and external organisations. Some university scholarships can reduce tuition fees by up to fifty percent, and the Austrian Study Grant Authority also processes applications for a range of study grants.
Is it cheaper to study a Bachelor's or a Master's degree in Austria?
Tuition fees are broadly similar between Bachelor's and Master's programmes at public universities in Austria, since the national fee structure applies fairly uniformly across both levels. The bigger cost factor is whether you choose a public university or a private university, rather than the specific degree level.