Saudi Arabia: Scholarship-Focused Public Education

Saudi universities occupy leading positions in QS Arab Region 2026, with KFUPM ranked #1 and King Saud University also positioned among the region’s leading institutions.

Cost-Effective

1. King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)
KFUPM’s international admissions page states that eligible international students residing outside Saudi Arabia may receive full tuition waivers through scholarship awards.

Why it can be cost-efficient: Tuition coverage combined with campus support significantly reduces overall educational expenses.

2. King Saud University (KSU)
According to QS, KSU charges no tuition in many cases and offers substantial scholarship opportunities.

Why it can be cost-effective: As a public university, its funding model and scholarship access can reduce student expenses—though details vary by program.

What to Review Before Applying (Saudi Arabia)

• Whether your chosen program offers funded seats for international students

• Required English proficiency tests and academic prerequisites

• Scholarship coverage details (housing, stipends, insurance)

Qatar: Public University with Transparent Pricing

Qatar University ranks #2 in QS Arab Region 2026, reflecting recognized academic credibility.

Cost-Conscious

Qatar University (QU)
QU publishes tuition per credit hour for undergraduate programs (for example, Arts 400 QAR and Engineering 600 QAR per credit hour, depending on cohort). Graduate tuition structures are also publicly available by credit hour.

Why QU may offer good value:

• Clearly posted tuition reduces uncertainty in financial planning

• Its regional reputation can enhance return on investment through employability and employer recognition

What to Verify

• Whether tuition tables apply to your intake year

• Differences between local and international tuition categories

United Arab Emirates: Quality with Program-Dependent Cost

UAE universities perform competitively in QS Arab Region 2026, including Khalifa University (#3), UAE University (#5), and American University of Sharjah (#9).

Budget-Aware Public Option

United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)
UAEU provides published fee schedules for international undergraduate programs, outlining per-credit charges and estimated totals.
Graduate fee structures are also available by program.

Why the UAE can still be financially manageable:
If students select programs with moderate credit-hour costs and manage living expenses carefully (shared housing, student transport options), overall spending can remain controlled—even though the UAE generally has higher living costs than some neighboring countries.

What to Confirm

• Total credit-hour requirements (to avoid extending graduation time)

• Merit scholarships or financial aid options

Jordan: Balanced Academic Reputation and Cost Control

Jordan appears in the QS Arab Region top 10 through the University of Jordan (#10).

Jordan’s advantage is straightforward: reputable universities combined with comparatively lower living expenses than Gulf capitals, along with accessible tuition documentation.

Cost-Effective options

1. University of Jordan (UJ)
UJ publishes tuition documentation that includes an International (USD) category, simplifying cost planning for foreign applicants.

2. Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST)
JUST provides structured fee schedules outlining credit-hour costs by student category.

Why Jordan is frequently considered cost-efficient:

• Transparent pricing structures

• Moderate monthly living expenses

• Programs aligned with regional labor-market demand in medicine, engineering, and applied sciences

Oman: Public University Model with Predictable Fees

Sultan Qaboos University ranks within the QS Arab Region 2026 top 10.

Budget-Friendly Universities

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)
Some SQU graduate programs list tuition rates for international students (for example, 120 OMR per credit hour plus thesis-related fees).

Why Oman may be financially reasonable:

• Public university structure

• Predictable credit-hour pricing simplifies budgeting

Egypt: Recognized Institutions with Varying International Costs

Egypt includes multiple universities positioned prominently in QS Arab Region 2026, including The American University in Cairo (#13) and Cairo University (#20).

Cost Considerations

Public universities such as Cairo University are often viewed as more economical than private institutions. However, international tuition varies by faculty and admission category, so direct verification is essential.

Private universities may carry considerably higher tuition. For example, AUC publishes detailed credit-hour tuition rates and cost-of-attendance estimates for both Egyptian and international students.

Recommended Approach for Egypt

• Request official tuition documentation directly from the admissions office

• Compare the overall cost of attendance rather than tuition alone

Lebanon: Prestigious Education with Aid-Dependent Affordability

The American University of Beirut (AUB) is listed among the QS Arab Region 2026 top institutions.

However, its published tuition documentation indicates expenses that may be substantial unless scholarships or financial assistance are secured.

When Lebanon Makes Financial Sense

If your affordability analysis focuses on net cost after financial aid, AUB can become a viable option for academically competitive students.