Switzerland is becoming a popular choice amongst international students to pursue higher education abroad. The country is home to a recognized educational system, QS-ranked universities, and the opportunity to learn from the top experts in the market. While Switzerland is great, multiple international students are indecisive about this choice in fear of the high expenses in this country.
But the great news is, Switzerland can also be affordable if you know which university to choose. You can still receive valuable education at a price that caters to your educational budget. So, if you’re looking to study in the top affordable universities in Switzerland, read the blog to make the right choice.
10 Cheapest Universities In Switzerland For International Students
There are multiple cheap universities in Switzerland to choose from. These universities are a popular choice as they offer a range of courses and affordable tuition fees. To help you choose the best, we have listed the top 10 cheapest universities in Switzerland for international students.
- ETH Zurich
- University of Zurich
- University of Bern
- University of Lausanne
- University of Geneva
- University of Basel
- EPFL
- SBS Swiss Business School
- Geneva Business School
- University of St. Gallen
1. ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich is one of the famous affordable universities in Switzerland. The uniqueness of this university is it helps international students develop the proper knowledge and skills required to deal with current and future demur.
| ETH Zurich World Ranking 2024 | 8 |
| Type of University | Public |
| International Student count | 7,733 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 7:1 |
| Popular courses to study here | Finance, Computer Science, Accounting, Economics, etc. |
| Average Tuition Fees | 730 CHF/Semester |
| Location | Zurich |
2. University of Zurich
University of Zurich is another famous Switzerland cheapest university. It is a university with the highest number of women graduates, and the city is known to offer better salary opportunities. The University of Zurich provides multiple programs to choose from as well.
Suggested: Working life of international students in Switzerland
| University of Zurich World Ranking 2024 | 70 |
| Type of University | Public |
| International Student count | 5,044 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 6:1 |
| Popular courses to study here | Medicine, Biology, Genetics, Economics, etc. |
| Average Tuition Fees | 150- 720 CHF/semester |
| Location | Zurich |
3. University of Bern
University of Bern is a superior choice when considering cheap colleges in Switzerland with high-quality teaching. The university offers multiple programs for international students to choose from, providing various options.
| University of Bern World Ranking 2024 | 119 |
| Type of University | Public |
| International Student count | 1,776 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 8:1 |
| Popular courses to study here | International Trade, Business, Data Science, Mathematics, etc. |
| Average Tuition Fees | 200+ 750 CHF/semester |
| Location | Bern |
4. University of Lausanne
University of Lausanne has been a popular choice amongst international students due to the quality academic training provided and the better living experience. The university has seven faculties and is a popular student destination choice.
| University of Lausanne World Ranking 2024 | 176 |
| Type of University | Public |
| International Student count | 3,026 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 9:1 |
| Popular courses to study here | Finance, Management, Public Administration, etc. |
| Average Tuition Fees | 580 CHF/semester |
| Location | Lausanne |
5. University of Geneva
University of Geneva is is another popular student destination to pursue higher education. While the university offers multiple other types of courses, the city also has various reputed business schools as well.
| University of Geneva World Ranking 2024 | 105 |
| Type of University | Public |
| International Student count | 6,547 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 9:1 |
| Popular courses to study here | Medicine, Law, Social Sciences, Economics, etc. |
| Average Tuition Fees | 500 CHF/semester |
| Location | Geneva |
Suggested: Best Universities in Switzerland for Masters
6. University of Basel
University of Basel offers a high-quality learning experience for any study level you choose, such as Bachelors, Masters, and even Doctorate. It is an excellent choice for international students due to the friendliness and warmth in the study environment here.
| University of Basel World Ranking 2024 | 138 |
| Type of University | Public |
| International Student count | 2,875 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 9:1 |
| Popular courses to study here | Music, Management, Art, Languages, Law, etc. |
| Average Tuition Fees | 350- 850 CHF/semester |
| Location | Basel |
7. EPFL
EPFL stands for Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne. The university aims to offer its students innovative learnings and different study level options to choose from. The university has over 350 laboratories making it an ideal space for research-based understandings.
| QS World University Rankings 2024 | 14 |
| Type of University | Public |
| International Student count | 6,426 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 6:1 |
| Popular courses to study here | Engineering and Technology |
| Average Tuition Fees | 730 CHF/semester |
| Location | Lausanne |
8. SBS Swiss Business School
If you’re looking for Switzerland cheap universities for international students with regard to business, SBS is a perfect choice. This business school has been ranked multiple times for the courses and the quality of learning provided.
| Type of University | Private |
| International Student count | 58% |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 10.5:1 |
| Popular courses to study here | Entrepreneurship, Human resource management, etc. |
| Average Tuition Fees | 20,000 CHF/ year |
| Location | Kloten |
9. Geneva Business School
Geneva Business School is another great affordable business school to consider in Switzerland. This business school will equip you to be a better business leader in any niche, from networking events to internships.
| CEOWorld Magazine Ranking Top 100 | 57 |
| Type of University | Private |
| Popular courses to study here | Business Administration, International Management, etc. |
| Average Tuition Fees | 3,900- 12,450 CHF/ per term/semester |
| Location | Geneva |
10. University of St. Gallen
Lastly, St, Gallen is another suitable choice for cheap colleges in Switzerland for international students.
The admission process here is competitive, showing that the best minds are chosen to pursue their education here.
| QS World University Rankings 2024 | 459 |
| Type of University | Public |
| International Student count | 2,390 |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 20:1 |
| Popular courses to study here | Economics, Law, Social sciences, Computer Science, etc. |
| Average Tuition Fees | 1,079- 10,078 CHF/semester |
| Location | St. Gallen |
Suggested: Top 10 Universities in Switzerland for Masters
These cheap universities in Switzerland have become a popular choice amongst multiple international students globally. With the tuition fees being this affordable, students like you can grasp the opportunity to study in prestigious universities. While this list of cheap universities in Switzerland for international students is sufficient to make your choice.
