Asia
Cost of Studying in Japan: Tuition Statistics
The median yearly tuition for international master's students in Japan is 3,304 USD, with the middle half of programs charging between 3,304 USD and 3,397 USD. These figures are computed from 883 programs at 73 universities in Japan listed in the Global Admissions catalog; 100% are taught in English.
Data as of July 17, 2026 · all amounts in USD · refreshed as the catalog changes
Tuition in Japan by degree level
The 25th–75th percentile range shows what the middle half of programs charge — a more honest picture than a single average.
| Degree | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 3,304 USD | 3,304 USD | 7,206 USD | 113 |
| Master's | 3,304 USD | 3,304 USD | 3,397 USD | 383 |
| PhD | 3,304 USD | 3,304 USD | 3,304 USD | 334 |
Why the numbers look this way: Japan's education ministry sets a standard national tuition for public universities — ¥535,800 a year — which is why so many programs share the same fee.
Cheapest degree programs in Japan
The lowest published international tuition in our Japan catalog right now — each links to the live program.
| Program | University | Degree | Tuition / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral course | Meiji University | PhD | 2,112 USD |
| PhD in Graduate Program in Education | Sophia University | PhD | 2,985 USD |
| PhD in Graduate Program in Global Studies | Sophia University | PhD | 2,985 USD |
| PhD in Graduate Program of Science and Technology, Green Sience and Engineering | Sophia University | PhD | 2,985 USD |
| PhD in Graduate Program in Global Environmental Studies | Sophia University | PhD | 2,985 USD |
| PhD in Graduate Department of Computer and Information Systems | The University of Aizu | PhD | 3,212 USD |
Quick answers
Can I study in English in Japan?
Yes — 882 of the 883 degree programs in our Japan catalog (100%) are taught entirely in English.
How many universities in Japan accept international students?
73 universities in Japan list programs open to international applicants in the Global Admissions catalog as of July 17, 2026.
Is Japan affordable for international students?
A quarter of master's programs in Japan charge 3,304 USD per year or less, and the cheapest listed program starts at 2,112 USD . Compare against other countries on the tuition statistics table .
Next steps for Japan: browse programs by field of study , upcoming application deadlines , the study-in-Japan guide , or estimate your total cost including living expenses .
Thinking seriously about Japan?
An advisor who knows the Japan admission process can shortlist programs for your budget and profile, and sanity-check deadlines.
Methodology
All figures are computed from the 883 degree programs that 73 universities in Japan list in the Global Admissions catalog, as of July 17, 2026. Tuition quartiles use the yearly tuition each university publishes for international students, converted to USD; programs without published tuition are excluded from quartiles but counted in totals. "English-taught" counts programs whose language of instruction is English. Cite as: "Global Admissions catalog data, July 17, 2026".