Tuition fees in South Korea are significantly lower than in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia, but they vary significantly between public and private universities.
On average, tuition fees at a public university are around 4,000,000 won per semester (~$3,000), while tuition fees at a private university are around 6,500,000 won. At Yonsei University, the cost varies from 4.3 million to 8.7 million won per semester, depending on the department, while at Seoul National University, it ranges from 2.4 million to 5.7 million won per year for undergraduate programs and from 5 million to 7 million won per year for graduate programs.
In addition to tuition, students also need to cover living expenses. On average, students should expect to spend between $800 and $1,200 per month on rent, food, and transportation. Rent is usually between $300 and $800 per month, depending on the city, and Seoul is significantly more expensive than regions like Daejeon or Gwangju. As of 2021, NHIS health insurance is mandatory for international students and costs around 76,000 won per month.
