Asia

Cost of Studying in China: Tuition Statistics

The median annual fee for international master's students in China is 4,462 USD, with the middle half of the programs billed per year charging between 3,659 USD and 5,949 USD. These figures are computed from 15,749 programs at 243 universities in China listed on Global Admissions; 57% are taught in English.

Data as of September 2, 2026 · all amounts in USD · medians cover programmes billed per year · refreshed as our data changes

Tuition in China by degree level

Annual fees, over the programmes billed per year. The 25th–75th percentile range shows what the middle half of them charge — a more honest picture than a single average.

Bachelor's · 3,225 programs
Median annual fee 3,421 USD · middle half 2,677 USD–4,462 USD
Master's · 6,661 programs
Median annual fee 4,462 USD · middle half 3,659 USD–5,949 USD
PhD · 4,157 programs
Median annual fee 5,503 USD · middle half 4,611 USD–6,693 USD

Why the numbers look this way: Chinese public universities are state-subsidised, and many pair low tuition with generous scholarships for international students.

Cheapest degree programs in China

The lowest published international tuition on Global Admissions for China right now — each links to the live program.

Chongqing Medical University (CQMU)
Bachelor's · 1,339 USD
Chongqing Medical University (CQMU)
Bachelor's · 1,339 USD
Chongqing Medical University (CQMU)
Bachelor's · 1,339 USD
Chongqing Medical University (CQMU)
Bachelor's · 1,339 USD
Chongqing Medical University (CQMU)
Bachelor's · 1,339 USD
Chongqing Medical University (CQMU)
Bachelor's · 1,339 USD

Apply faster in China

These China universities partner with Global Admissions and take applications directly on the site — no separate portal, and typically a first response within weeks. The most-viewed partner programs right now:

East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST)
Bachelor's · 10,411 USD
University of International Business and Economics (UIBE)
PhD · 4,432 USD
Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU)
Bachelor's · 16,361 USD
Hebei Medical University (HBMU)
Bachelor's · 5,356 USD

Quick answers

Can I study in English in China?

Yes — 8,947 of the 15,749 degree programs in China on Global Admissions (57%) are taught entirely in English.

How many universities in China accept international students?

243 universities in China list programs open to international applicants on Global Admissions as of September 2, 2026.

Is China affordable for international students?

A quarter of master's programs in China charge 3,659 USD a year or less, and the cheapest listed annual fee starts at 1,339 USD. Compare against other countries on the tuition statistics table.

Thinking seriously about China?

An advisor who knows the China admission process can shortlist programs for your budget and profile, and sanity-check deadlines.

Methodology

All figures are computed from the 15,749 degree programs that243 universities in China list on Global Admissions, as of September 2, 2026. Quartiles cover the programmes billed per year, using the price each university publishes for international students converted to USD; programs priced per semester, per credit or for the whole programme, and programs without published tuition, are excluded from the quartiles but counted in totals. "English-taught" counts programs whose language of instruction is English. Cite as: "Global Admissions data, September 2, 2026".