Ankara, Türkiye’s capital, is a calmer and more affordable alternative to Istanbul without giving up quality. Our catalogue covers 6 universities and around 222 programs in the city, with tuition from about $1,440 a year. Here is how they compare.
Why study in Ankara
As the seat of government, Ankara is the natural home for political science, international relations and public policy, and it has grown into a serious technology and defence-tech hub too. Living costs are noticeably lower than Istanbul, the city is built around its students and universities, and you are well connected to the rest of the country. It suits students who want a focused, academic environment over big-city buzz.
The 6 universities at a glance
| University | Founded | Programs | English-taught | From (tuition/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSTIM Technical University | 2017 | 51 | 22 | $1,440 |
| Atilim University | 1997 | 50 | 34 | $6,700 |
| Ankara Medipol University | 2018 | 46 | 11 | $2,250 |
| Ankara Bilim University | 2016 | 28 | 19 | $3,000 |
| Lokman Hekim University | 2017 | 26 | 3 | $3,500 |
| TED University | 2009 | 21 | 21 | $1,875 |
Tuition is the lowest published starting fee per year; “English-taught” is the number of programs offered fully in English. Click any university to open its full profile, campus and programs.
A few that stand out
- OSTIM Technical University is a public, industry-linked technical university inside the OSTIM industrial zone, and the most affordable on the list at about $1,440 a year.
- Atilim University offers the most English-taught programs in the city (34) and is known for strong engineering.
- TED University is a compact, English-medium university in central Ankara with a liberal-arts feel.
- Ankara Medipol University and Lokman Hekim University focus on health sciences, including medicine and dentistry.
How much does it cost?
Ankara is good value. Tuition starts from about $1,440 a year and most universities sit between $1,875 and $6,700. Living costs are roughly $400 to $600 a month, lower than Istanbul. Scholarships and sibling or cash-payment discounts reduce the price further; see them in our programs explorer and our scholarships and tuition guide. For the lowest fees anywhere, compare our cheapest universities roundup.
Popular programs
Ankara is especially strong for International Relations and political science, Computer Engineering and an MBA or Business Administration, along with medicine and dentistry at the health-focused universities. Many of these are available in English.
How to choose
With six options, weigh the program, language and cost together. Our post on how to choose the right university and major gives you a framework, and our Study in Türkiye guide walks through admission, visa and timing.
Ready to browse? See every Ankara university here, or book a free consultation and we will shortlist the right ones for you.
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