List of 126 Best Universities in Turkey (2026 Fees)

Every year, more and more students flock to Turkey to study. To date, there are approximately 48,000 international students in this transcontinental country in Eurasia – a figure which has doubled since the last decade. This statistics is not surprising as Turkey is home to many reputable and recognized universities worldwide. A member of the European Higher Education Area actively participating in the Bologna Process, there are about 190 universities in Turkey (Türkiye'deki üniversiteler) providing an excellent education at par with European and global standards. In the city of Ankara alone, there are the Bilkent University, Middle East Technical University, and Hacettepe University. In Istanbul, there are the Sabanci University, Istanbul University, Koc University, Bogazici Üniversitesi, and Istanbul Technical University. Turkey also offers students a cheaper alternative to education compared to most countries in Europe albeit with the same quality and accreditations.

Turkey is a great option for international students to complete their undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees. On top of that, the country is also a famous tourist spot and holiday destination. To study abroad in Turkey simply means enjoying the perks of living in one of the most beautiful and historically rich countries in the world. In fact, it is home to two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum in Halicarnassus. While getting topnotch instruction in world-recognized universities, students in Turkey can simultaneously learn about a country whose history is evident in its cities, streets, and festivals.

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Table of Contents

• Facts about Universities in Turkey
• What is education like in Turkey?
• Which city is best for international students in Turkey?
• Quick Facts about Turkey

Facts about Universities in Turkey

• There are about 48,000 international students in Turkey.
• Universities can either be public or foundational (private).
• International students in Turkey are allowed to do part-time jobs 24 hours per week.
• The most common foreign language in schools and universities in Turkey is English.
• Many students in Turkey attend an intensive English language “prep year” upon enrollment to a university.
• Turkish universities included in the top global rankings list of high quality schools are Koc University, Sabanci University, Bilkent University, Istanbul Sehir University, Yasar University, Istanbul Aydin University, Izmir University of Economics, Beykent University, and Okan University.
• Turkish universities actively cooperate with neighboring institutions in Turkey and around the world.
• Most universities are run by the state, and are still considered young having been established in the 1970s.
• All universities, whether publicly or privately administered, follow the Bologna Agreement – an agreement that aims to standardize all degree programs across the European continent.
• A large number of universities in Turkey participate in the Erasmus+ program or the international student exchanges program.

What is education like in Turkey?

• The literacy rate in Turkey is at 95.6%.
• Academic degree programs in Turkey follow the American education system: two-year associate degree programs, four-year bachelor’s degree programs, and finally a two- to four- year graduate degree programs.
• As with other countries, public universities in Turkey have lower tuition fees compared with private universities. For instance, public university’s postgraduate degree may only cost $300-800 compared to a private university which has an average of $20,000 fees. Nevertheless, education in Turkey is relatively cheaper.
• English study programs cost higher than Turkish-taught programs.
• Similarly, the cost of living in Turkey is fairly cheaper than in other European countries. With about $500-$650 per month, living costs such as accommodation, food, and even books and administrative fees will be covered.
• In Turkish public schools, English as a subject is taught from second grade until the end of high school. Upon reaching high school level, students will be taught a second foreign language.
• In Turkish private schools, English is taught since kindergarten. They even get the services of native English language speakers to better teach their students.
• In 2011, the Ministry of Education announced a revision on the way English is taught across the country which included hiring 40,000 teaching assistants in public schools.
• The Turkish education system is supervised by the Ministry of National Education. Education in the country is considered compulsory from age 6 to 14. Free education is also provided for state schools.
• The academic year in Turkey typically starts in mid-September or early October until May or early June, with a two-week winter break in February.
• Universities in Turkey are overseen by the Higher Educational Council or YOK.
• Overall, Turkey has 166 registered higher education institutions, 104 of which are state universities and 62 are private universities.
• Undergraduate education takes 4 years to complete, although some exceptions, like medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science, takes longer than four years to complete.
• Students need to pass the ÖSS so they can be admitted in a university.
• State universities offer free education. Their students are only required to pay a small student fee.
• The language used for teaching in Turkish state universities are English, German, French, or Turkish. International students do not need knowledge of the Turkish language when applying for the university as they can consider taking a year of Turkish language training.
• For private universities, English is the primary language for instruction. Hence, those who are considered not proficient in English are required to enroll in one year of English training.
• About ten percent of the government’s budget is allocated to education.

The education system in Turkey follow two main sections: formal and non-formal education.

• Pre-primary education or kindergarten is optional for children aged 3-5 years old.
• Primary education is compulsory covering four years of elementary school and four years of middle school
• Secondary education is high school education taken for four years in various institutions.

Types of High School in Turkey

Public High Schools (“Normal Liseler” or “Duz Liseler”)

Public high schools are open to all students who have graduated successfully from an eight-year basic education. Public high school graduates (awarded with the Lise Diplomasi) can enter higher education institutions provided they pass the University Entrance Examination known as the ÖSS.

Vocational High Schools (Meslek Liseleri)

Vocational high schools provide students with an opportunity to go to higher vocational schools or a two-year vocational college. They may also enter the university with a four-year degree program provided they pass the ÖSS.

Anatolian High Schools (Anadolu Liseleri)

For Anatolian high schools, the course of study includes a year of English study, three years of high school, and additional hours for learning English. In these schools, English is usually the medium of instruction for Science and Mathematics. Otherwise, German or French is used.

Super High Schools (Super Liseleri)

In contrast with Anatolian high schools, super high schools offer Mathematics and Science subjects in Turkish. However, they compensate for English language learning with an additional one year of studying English.

Science High Schools (Fen Liseleri)

This type of high school is for those students who have deep interest and excellence in the sciences. Such high school develop and train their students who want to pursue a degree in the sciences (technical, medical, natural sciences) for higher education.

Private High Schools (Ozel Liseleri)

Private high schools are privately-funded institutions offering higher tuition costs compared to public high schools.

Which City is Best for International Students in Turkey?

With Turkey’s many universities offering high-quality education for international students, it is only a matter of choosing what city to stay in. With its affluent history, Turkey is definitely a must-visit cultural hub. International students need not worry about getting along with the people as there are a lot of opportunities for cultural engagements in the country.

Below is a list of top five cities where living is at its best for international students residing in Turkey.

Study in Istanbul

As a bridge between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is the most populated city in Turkey. Located within this historical place are more than 50 universities for international students. It also has a rich concentration of festivals and cultural programs. Istanbul also offers a majestic view of Turkey from a boat on the Bosphorus or the Galata Tower.

Study in Antalya

Antalya is one of the cities in Turkey flocked into by tourists. Its weather is at least 15 C without any cold days. It also celebrates a sand festival where artists impress with their creativity and skill.

Study in Izmir

Despite being the third biggest city in Turkey, Izmir is a very secure city. It has many beaches where students can take a dip whenever there is a free time from schoolwork. Izmir is popularly known for its liberated lifestyle.

Study in Ankara

Ankara is the second largest city in Turkey which houses most of the country’s universities. Considered as a modern jungle where different cultures meet, Ankara respects cultures from around the world. It also boasts of historical places such as the Mausoleum of Ataturk and the Old Quarters. Hence, a student in the city of Ankara will never run out of laces to discover.

Study in Gaziantep

Located in the western side of Turkey, Gaziantep is a developed city with a collection of museums, zoos, and ancient places. It is home to the Gaziantep University, a state university that provides excellent quality of education. An education one can be proud of and a beautiful city to learn the history of are what make Gaziantep ideal for international students.

Quick Facts about Turkey

• Turkey has the largest shopping mall in the world known as the Grand Bazaar. It is located in Istanbul and measures 333,000 square feet.
• Turkey has the highest number of Facebook users in the world.
• Despite the majority of the Turkish population being Muslims, Turkey is a secular country since 1927.
• There are 13 places in Turkey deemed as UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Some of these are the Mesolithic temple (Göbekli Tepe), the Biblical city (Ephesus), and World War One battlefield (Gallipoli). There are 62 more places yet to be announced as World Heritage Sites in Turkey.
• Turkey is the sixth most-visited tourist destination in the world.
• Santa Claus is actually from Turkey, not from the North Pole as legends believe it to be.
• The Prophet Abraham is also born in Şanlıurfa.
• You can cross two continents (Europe and Asia) in Turkey using the Marmaray metro line.
• Istanbul is the only city in the world that is both in Europe (3%) and Asia (97%).
• The national sport of Turkey is grease wrestling – also the world’s oldest sport.
• Turkey has 82,693 mosques across the country.

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Below is a comprehensive list of all universities in Turkey (Acarlar, Acıpayam, Adana, Adapazarı, Adilcevaz, Adıyaman, Afşin, Afyon, Agrı, Ahlat, Ahmetli, Akbez, Akcaabat, Akçadag, Akcakale, Akcakoca, Akcay, Akdagmadeni, Akhisar, Aksaray, Aksehir, Aktepe, Alaca, Alacam, Alacati, Alanya, Alapli, Alasehir, Altınoluk, Altınova, Altınova, Amasya, Anamur, Andırın, Ankara, Antakya, Antalya, Araban, Arakli, Ardahan, Ardesen, Arhavi, Aritas, Armutalan, Arsin, Artvin, Askale, Atakent, Atayurt, Atca, Avanos, Avsallar, Ayancik, Aybasti, Aydin, Aydincik, Ayvacik, Ayvalik, Babaeski, Bafra, Bahce, Balikesir, Banaz, Bandirma, Bartin, Basiskele, Baskale, Batman, Battalgazi, Bayat, Bayburt, Bayramic, Bekbele, Beldibi, Belen, Bergama, Besikduzu, Besiri, Besni, Beyoglu, Beypazari, Beysehir, Biga, Bigadic, Bilecik, Bingol, Birecik, Bismil, Bitez, Bitlis, Bodrum, Bogazlıyan, Bolu, Bolvadin, Bor, Borcka, Bostanbasi, Bostanici, Boyabat, Bozdogan, Bozkır, Bozova, Bozuyuk, Bozyazı, Bucak, Buharkent, Bulancak, Bulanik, Buldan, Bunyan, Burdur, Burhaniye, Bursa, Buyukyoncali, Caglayancerit, Caldiran, Camas, Can, Canakkale, Cankirı, Carsamba, Carsibasi, Catalagzi, Cay, Caycuma,Cayeli, Cayiralan, Cayirhan, Cayirova, Cekerek, Cekmece, Celebibagi, Celikhan, Cerkeş, Cerkezkoy, Cermik, Ceşme, Ceyhan, Ceylanpınar, Cicekdagi, Cifteler, Ciftlikkoy, Cihanbeyli, Cikcilli, Cilimli, Cine, Civril, Cizre, Cinar, Cinarcik, Cobanlar, Colakli, Corlu, Corum, Cukurca, Cumra, Dalaman, Darende, Dargecit, Darica, Datça, Davutlar, Demirci, Demre, Denizciler, Denizli, Derik, Derince, Derinkuyu, Develi, Devrek, Dicle, Didim, Dikili, Dilek, Dilovasi, Dinar, Divrigi, Diyadin, Diyarbakır, Dogansehir, Dogubayazit, Dortyol, Duragan, Dursunbey, Duzce, Duzici, Edirne, Edremit, Edremit, Egirdir, Elazig, Elbistan, Eleskirt, Elmali, Emet, Emirdag, Erbaa, Ercis, Erdek, Erdemli, Eregli, Ergani, Ermenek, Eruh, Erzin, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskil, Eskişehir, Eşme, Espiye, Eynesil, Ezine, Fatsa, Fethiye, Finike, Fındıklı, Gaziantep, Gazipaşa, Gebze, Gediz, Gelibolu, Gelinkaya, Genc, Gerede, Germencik, Gerze, Gevaş, Geyve, Giresun, Gokçe, Gokcebey, Goksun, Golbasi, Golcuk, Gole, Golhisar, Golkoy, Golmarmara, Golyaka, Gonen, Gordes, Gorele, Goynuk, Gozculer, Gulşehir, Guluç, Gumushacikoy, Gumushane, Gurgentepe, Guroymak, Gurun, Hakkari, Halfeti, Hani, Harbiye, Haskoy, Hassa, Havran, Havsa, Havza, Haymana, Hayrabolu, Hekimhan, Hilvan, Hizan, Hınis, Honaz, Hopa, Horasan, Icericumra, Idil, Igdir, Ilgaz, Ilgın, Ilıca, Imamoglu, Incirliova, Inebolu, Inegol, Ipsala, Iscehisar, Isıklar, Iskenderun, Iskilip, Islahiye, Ismil, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Izmit, Iznik, Kabala, Kadirli, Kadikendi, Kadinhani, Kagizman, Kahramanmaras, Kahta, Kale, Kaman, Kandira, Kangal, Kapakli, Karaagac, Karaagac, Karabuk, Karacabey, Karacoban, Karaculha, Karadeniz Eregli, Karakocan, Karakopru, Karaman, Karamursel, Karapınar, Karasu, Karataş, Karayılan, Kargipinari, Kars, Kartepe, Kastamonu, Kavak, Kaynasli, Kayseri, Keciborlu, Kelkit, Kemer, Kepez, Kesan, Kesap, Keskin, Kestel, Kilimli, Kilis, Kiraz, Kinik, Kirıkhan, Kirıkkale, Kırkagaç, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kizilcahamam, Kızılpinar, Kiziltepe, Kocaali, Konacik, Konakli, Konya, Korfez, Korgan, Korkuteli, Koru, Koşk, Kovancılar, Koycegiz, Kozaklı, Kozan, Kozlu, Kozluk, Kucukdalyan, Kucukkoy, Kulp, Kulu, Kumluca, Kumru, Kurtalan, Kusadasi, Kutahya, Kuyucak, Kuzuculu, Ladik, Ladik, Lapseki, Lice, Luleburgaz, Macka, Mahmutlar, Malatya, Malazgirt, Malkara, Manavgat, Manisa, Mardin, Marmaraereglisi, Marmaris, Mavikent, Mazıdagı, Mersin, Merzifon, Midyat, Milas, Mucur, Mugla, Muradiye, Muratli, Mus, Mustafakemalpasa, Mut, Nallihan, Narli, Narlica, Nazilli, Nevsehir, Nigde, Niksar, Nizip, Nurdagi, Nusaybin, Obakoy, Odabasi, Odemis, Of, Oltu, Ondokuzmayis, Ordu, Orhaneli, Orhangazi, Ortaca, Ortaklar, Ortakoy, Osmancik, Osmaneli, Osmaniye, Ovaeymir, Ozalp, Palu, Pamukova, Pasinler, Patnos, Payas, Pazar, Pazarcık, Pelitli, Perşembe, Pertek, Piraziz, Pınarbasi, Pınarhisar, Polatli, Pozanti, Resadiye, Reyhanli, Rize, Safranbolu, Sahilkent, Sakcagoze, Salihli, Samandag, Samsun, Sandikli, Şanliurfa, Saray, Saraykent, Saraykoy, Sarayonu, Sarıgol, Sarikamış, Sarikaya, Sarilar, Şarkikaraagac, Şarkisla, Şarkoy, Saruhanli, Sason, Savastepe, Savuca, Savur, Sebinkarahisar, Sefaatli, Sekeroba, Semdinli, Sreflikochisar, Serik, Serinhisar, Serinyol, Seydisehir, Side, Siirt, Silifke, Silopi, Silvan, Simav, Sinop, Siran, Sivas, Siverek, Sivrihisar, Sındirgi, Sirnak, Sogut, Sogutlu, Soke, Solhan, Soma, Sorgun, Suhut, Sultanhanı, Sultankoy, Suluova, Sungurlu, Surmene, Suruc, Susehri, Susurluk, Tarsus, Taskopru, Tasova, Tasucu, Tatvan, Tavas, Tavsanli, Tekebasi, Tekirdag, Terme, Tire, Tirebolu, Tokat, Tomarza, Tomuk, Tonya, Toprakkale, Tosya, Trabzon, Tuncbilek, Tunceli, Turgutalp, Turgutlu, Turgutreis, Turhal, Turkoglu, Turuncova, Tuzluca, Uluborlu, Uludere, Ulukisla, Umurlu, Unye, Urgüp, Usak, Uzunkopru, Vakfıkebir, Van, Varto, Velimese, Vezirkopru, Viransehir, Vize, Yaglidere, Yahsihan, Yahyali, Yakinca, Yalikavak, Yalova, Yalvac, Yatagan, Yazikonak, Yenice, Yenicekoy, Yeniceoba, Yeniciftlik, Yenisehir, Yerkoy, Yesilhisar, Yesilkoy, Yesilli, Yesilyurt, Yildızeli, Yomra, Yozgat, Yuksekova, Yunak, Yurtbasi, Zara, Zeytinli, Zile, Zonguldak). Edarabia strives to offer the latest updates, helping you find the best university in Turkey with information on tuition fees, accreditation details, videos, photos, location map, community reviews and ratings.

Edarabia showcases all universities and colleges in Turkey which can be filtered by courses and tuition fees. International students looking to get a degree in Turkey can choose from a diverse range of programs and diplomas and obtain their Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhDs (or MBAs) from some of the top-rated institutions. Some universities also offer online courses through which students can apply for distance learning and get an online degree in certain fields.

Students who require financial aid can apply for scholarships in order to study higher education at a lower cost. Student visas and accommodation are also provided to students at many universities. There are study abroad and exchange programs offered in order to promote language development skills while giving students the opportunity to interact with other cultures around the world. Additionally, each university/college has ratings based on student reviews and are ranked below accordingly.

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