Asia
Cost of Studying in China: Tuition Statistics
The median yearly tuition for international master's students in China is 4,237 USD, with the middle half of programs charging between 3,475 USD and 5,509 USD. These figures are computed from 14,777 programs at 237 universities in China listed on Global Admissions; 61% are taught in English.
Data as of August 9, 2026 · all amounts in USD · refreshed as our data changes
Tuition in China 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 | 2,542 USD | 3,249 USD | 4,237 USD | 3,253 |
| Master's | 3,475 USD | 4,237 USD | 5,509 USD | 6,629 |
| PhD | 4,520 USD | 5,226 USD | 6,356 USD | 4,159 |
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.
| Program | University | Degree | Tuition / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Chinese Language and Literature (taught in Chinese) | Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) | Bachelor's | 1,271 USD |
| Bachelor in Economics (taught in Chinese) | Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) | Bachelor's | 1,271 USD |
| Bachelor in English (taught in Chinese) | Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) | Bachelor's | 1,271 USD |
| Bachelor in Translation (taught in Chinese) | Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) | Bachelor's | 1,271 USD |
| Bachelor in Japanese (taught in Chinese) | Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) | Bachelor's | 1,271 USD |
| Bachelor in Spanish (taught in Chinese) | Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) | Bachelor's | 1,271 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:
| Program | University | Degree | Tuition / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Chemical Engineering & Technology | East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) | Master's | 42,000 USD |
| PhD in Political Science and International Relations | University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) | PhD | 4,209 USD |
Quick answers
Can I study in English in China?
Yes — 9,021 of the 14,777 degree programs in China on Global Admissions (61%) are taught entirely in English.
How many universities in China accept international students?
237 universities in China list programs open to international applicants on Global Admissions as of August 9, 2026.
Is China affordable for international students?
A quarter of master's programs in China charge 3,475 USD per year or less, and the cheapest listed program starts at 1,271 USD . Compare against other countries on the tuition statistics table .
Next steps for China: browse programs by field of study , upcoming application deadlines , the study-in-China guide , or estimate your total cost including living expenses .
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 14,777 degree programs that 237 universities in China list on Global Admissions, as of August 9, 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 data, August 9, 2026".