Top 11 cheapest universities in France

Studely
December 4, 2025

France offers a wide range of quality courses that attract many international students every year. However, some are hesitant to take the plunge due to the perception of high tuition fees.

In fact, the Studying in France are much more accessible than one might think. The country is not limited to being an essential tourist destination: it also has a long academic tradition and public universities renowned for the quality of their education at very affordable costs.

In this article, we invite you to discover the list of the most accessible universities in France for foreign students.

List of the cheapest universities in France in 2023

1. Paris-Saclay University
The University of Paris-Saclay is located in the heart of Paris and was founded in 1150. This prestigious public institution is recognized for its mathematics program. However, it also offers degrees in several other scientific fields, law, management, medicine, etc.

Paris-Saclay is the cheapest university in France, with an annual fee of €170 for undergraduate studies and €243 for higher education

2. Aix-Marseille University
Aix-Marseille University (AMU) is a public university located in south-eastern France, with campuses in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. Founded in 1409, it is one of the oldest universities in Europe.
Today, AMU is the largest university in France, with more than 80,000 students enrolled in more than 150 different study programs. AMU awards degrees in the fields of medicine, health sciences, social sciences and humanities, as well as science and technology.
AMU is also among the cheapest universities in France, with an annual fee of €170 for the first cycle and €243 for higher education.

3. The University of Orleans
Founded in 1306, the University of Orléans is one of the oldest universities in France. Today, it has approximately 16,000 students enrolled in over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs.
The University of Orleans is also inexpensive, with an annual fee of €170 for undergraduate and €243 for higher education.

4. Toulouse 1 Capitole University
It is a university specialized in legal, economic and management sciences. Toulouse 1 Capitole University offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in these fields.
To date, the university has over 21,000 local and international students with affordable tuition fees.
The University of South-West France offers €170/year for the undergraduate program and €243/year for higher education programs.

5. The University of Montpelier
The University of Montpelier is one of the oldest universities in the world and has been a leading center of teaching and research in Europe for centuries.
In this university where the undergraduate and graduate programs cost €180/year, students have the option of enrolling in faculties, namely:
Physical education, dentistry, economy, education, education, law, medicine, medicine, medicine, pharmacy, science, management, engineering, general administration, business administration and technology.

6. The University of Strasbourg
The University of Unistra or Strasbourg, created in 2009 from the merger of the three historic universities of Strasbourg: Louis Pasteur University, Marc Bloch University and Robert Schuman University. It is the 2nd largest university in France with more than 50,000 students enrolled in more than 300 different study programs.
The first cycle costs €184 per year and higher education starts at €256/year at the University of Strasbourg.

7. The University of Paris
If you want to choose the University of Paris, know that the first cycle costs €261/year and the higher education programs cost €334/year.
Made up of 3 faculties, namely health, science and human and social sciences, the roots of the University of Paris date back to 1150. Its rich history makes it one of the most coveted public institutions in France with more than 63,000 students.

8. The University of Angers
With higher tuition fees than other universities, the University of Angers charges undergraduate and graduate programs at €851.80 per year.
However, it is one of the cheapest universities in France.
In 1450, the University of Angers had within it faculties of law, theology, arts and medicine that attracted students from all over the world.
During the French Revolution, it was suppressed and returned in 1807 with the creation of the Faculty of Medicine. Thus, other faculties will follow: the Faculty of Science, Technology, Technology, Law and Business Studies and the Faculty of Human Sciences.

9. The University of Nantes
The University of Nantes has several campuses located in the city. Founded in 1460, the university, which was recently ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, has schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, psychology, science and technology, science and technology, law, and political science.
It is also known for its affordable school fees, especially for international students.
Tuition fees for undergraduate programs: €184/year
Tuition fees for graduate programs: €212/year

10. Jean Monnet University
Jean Monnet is a public university in Saint-Etienne that was created in 1969 and falls under the Lyon Academy.
It includes faculties of letters, languages and letters, law, law, medicine, engineering, economics and management, and human sciences.
With tuition fees of €500/year and €750/year respectively for undergraduate and graduate programs, the University is ranked 59th among institutions in the country of France and 1810th in the world.

11. Blaise Pascal University
Blaise Pascal University has now merged with Clermont Auvergne University to form Clermont Auvergne University (UCA). This French public university located in the city of Clermont-Ferrand, in the center of France.
Blaise Pascal University, now merged with Clermont Auvergne University to form Clermont Auvergne University (UCA), is a French public university located in the city of Clermont-Ferrand in central France.
Tuition fees at Blaise Pascal University varied depending on the program of study chosen and the level of study.

Conclusion


In general, for students from the European Union, the annual tuition fees for bachelor's programs ranged from 170 euros to 601 euros per year.
As for international students, fees could range from 243 euros to 3,770 euros per year for bachelor's programs.
For second cycle (Master) programs, tuition fees were between 243 and 601 euros per year for students from the European Union. For foreign students, fees could vary from 243 euros to 3,770 euros per year.

Studely
December 4, 2025
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