How Expensive Is Seoul National University? Breaking Down the Costs for Your Dream Degree

Wondering about the cost of studying at Seoul National University? The truth is, it’s actually more affordable than you might think for a top-tier global university, especially compared to many Western institutions. While some might assume a university of its caliber would come with a hefty price tag, SNU, as a public institution, generally offers competitive tuition fees. Your overall expenses will really depend on your program, lifestyle, and whether you snag one of the generous scholarships available.

Seoul National University SNU isn’t just any university. it’s often called the “flagship” institution of Korea, consistently ranking among the best globally. In 2025, it was ranked #31 in the QS World University Rankings, and #38 in QS World University Rankings 2026. This reputation isn’t just for show – SNU graduates are highly sought after, with about 90% finding jobs or pursuing further studies within six months of graduation. Major companies like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai are often looking to hire SNU alumni. So, while we’re talking about costs, remember you’re investing in a world-class education that opens up a lot of doors.

Tuition Fees: What to Expect

Let’s get straight to the numbers. One of the best things about SNU is that tuition fees are generally the same for both domestic and international students, which is a huge plus. But, like any university, what you pay can vary depending on your specific major and whether you’re going for an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Undergraduate Programs

For a bachelor’s degree, you’re looking at an average tuition fee of around 6,034,163 KRW per year for 2024. That’s roughly $4,500 to $5,000 USD per year as of current exchange rates. This figure can fluctuate a bit, with some programs being more or less expensive. For example, some undergraduate programs can be as low as ₩2,442,000 per semester about $1,800 USD for humanities, while something like clinical medicine might go up to ₩5,038,000 per semester about $3,700 USD.

To give you a clearer picture, generally, undergraduate tuition can range from 4,000,000 KRW to 6,000,000 KRW about $3,000 to $4,500 USD per semester. That means an annual cost could be anywhere from $6,000 to $9,000 USD for most programs.

Graduate Programs

If you’re eyeing a Master’s or PhD, the tuition fees are pretty similar to undergraduate rates, but they can still vary by school and program. For a regular master’s program, you might see fees from around ₩3,278,000 for humanities to ₩5,362,000 for a Global Public Administration major per semester. Professional courses, such as those in clinical medicine and dentistry, can be higher, reaching about ₩6,131,000 per semester.

So, an annual range for graduate tuition could be from around ₩6,556,000 to ₩10,724,000 roughly $4,800 to $7,900 USD per year for most programs, with specialized professional degrees being more. How to buy xbox series x

It’s always a smart move to check the official SNU website or the specific department for the most accurate and up-to-date fees for your chosen program, because these numbers can shift.

Beyond Tuition: Estimating Your Living Costs

Tuition is just one piece of the puzzle, right? When you’re thinking about studying in Seoul, you also need to factor in your living expenses. Seoul is a bustling, vibrant city, and your lifestyle will definitely influence how much you spend. Generally, students can expect monthly living costs to be around ₩840,000 to ₩1.64 million approximately $620 to $1,200 USD. This covers housing, food, transportation, insurance, utilities, and other personal expenses.

Here’s a breakdown:

Accommodation

This is usually your biggest expense, and you have a few options: What Does SEO Cost Per Month?

• On-Campus Dormitories Gwanak Residence Halls: This is often the most affordable choice, and a great way to meet people! For undergraduates, monthly rent for on-campus rooms typically ranges from ₩124,800 to ₩248,100 about $90 to $180 USD, depending on the room type single, double, or shared flat. Graduate students might pay a bit more, from ₩190,000 to ₩293,000 about $140 to $215 USD per month. There’s usually a security deposit required as well, like ₩100,000 for undergraduates. Keep in mind that on-campus housing can be competitive, and sometimes it’s based on a lottery system for exchange students, so not everyone gets a spot.
• Off-Campus Housing: If you prefer to live independently, off-campus options are available around the campus. These are typically more expensive, ranging from ₩400,000 to ₩800,000 about $295 to $590 USD per month, and this usually doesn’t include a deposit, which can be substantial. The Office of International Affairs OIA at SNU can provide information on options like shared houses and homestays.

Food

Eating in Seoul can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it. University cafeterias are usually budget-friendly. If you cook your own meals, you can save a lot. Eating out, even casually, will add up. A reasonable estimate for food expenses would be around ₩300,000 to ₩400,000 about $220 to $295 USD per month.

Transportation

Seoul’s public transportation system is fantastic – efficient, extensive, and relatively inexpensive. You’ll likely use the subway and buses a lot. Expect to spend about ₩50,000 to ₩80,000 about $37 to $59 USD per month on local transportation.

Health Insurance

It’s mandatory for all non-Korean international students to enroll in Korea’s National Health Insurance Service NHIS upon their alien registration. This typically costs about ₩40,000 around $30 USD per month. SNU also recommends having additional medical insurance for your initial period in Korea before your NHIS enrollment is complete.

Books and Supplies

Budget around ₩150,000 about $110 USD per semester for textbooks and other academic supplies.

Personal Expenses

This category is super flexible and depends entirely on you. It includes things like going out with friends, shopping, entertainment, toiletries, and communication phone bill, internet. A good estimate would be ₩300,000 to ₩500,000 about $220 to $370 USD per month. How to Become an SEO Content Writer: Your Roadmap to Ranking Success

Application Fees

Don’t forget the initial application fee! For international bachelor’s programs, it’s usually ₩70,000 around $50 USD, and for graduate applications, it’s ₩90,000 around $66 USD.

Total Estimated Annual Cost Excluding Scholarships

Putting it all together, here’s a rough annual estimate for an international student at SNU, based on the lower and higher ends of the ranges:

• Tuition: ₩6,000,000 – ₩10,724,000 approx. $4,400 – $7,900 USD
• Accommodation On-campus: ₩1,497,600 – ₩3,516,000 approx. $1,100 – $2,600 USD
• Food: ₩3,600,000 – ₩4,800,000 approx. $2,650 – $3,550 USD
• Transportation: ₩600,000 – ₩960,000 approx. $440 – $710 USD
• Health Insurance: ₩480,000 approx. $350 USD
• Books/Supplies: ₩300,000 approx. $220 USD for two semesters
• Personal Expenses: ₩3,600,000 – ₩6,000,000 approx. $2,650 – $4,400 USD

Estimated Total Annual Cost:

• Low End: Approximately ₩16,077,600 around $11,800 USD
• High End: Approximately ₩26,780,000 around $19,700 USD

This means, for a full year, you’re looking at a range of about $12,000 to $20,000 USD to study at Seoul National University without significant scholarship aid. This is incredibly competitive for a globally-ranked institution! How to Find SEO Keywords of a Website

Scholarships: Your Key to Making SNU Even More Affordable

we’ve talked about the costs, but here’s where it gets really exciting: Seoul National University and the Korean government offer a ton of scholarships for international students. These can seriously cut down or even completely cover your expenses! Over 500 international students at SNU benefit from scholarships each year.

Here are some of the main scholarships you should definitely check out:

• Global Korea Scholarship GKS / Korean Government Scholarship Program KGSP: This is a big one, fully funded by the Korean government. If you get this, it can cover your full tuition, provide a monthly living allowance around ₩900,000 per month, round-trip airfare, medical insurance, and even a mandatory one-year Korean language training program. It’s available for undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD candidates.
• SNU President Fellowship SPF: This is a prestigious scholarship, especially for PhD candidates often prioritizing faculty members from developing countries. It offers a full tuition waiver for up to six semesters, a generous monthly stipend of ₩1,500,000 – ₩2,000,000 about $1,100 – $1,470 USD for 3-4 years, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and Korean language training.
• Graduate Scholarship for Excellent Foreign Students GSFS: Another fantastic option for graduate students, the GSFS covers full tuition for up to four semesters and provides a monthly stipend of at least ₩500,000 about $370 USD per month, though this can vary by major.
• Silk-Road Scholarship: Designed for exceptional international students, this scholarship offers full tuition coverage for up to four semesters, a monthly stipend of KRW 600,000, round-trip airfare, and Korean language training.
• SNU Global Scholarships GS I & II: These are university-funded scholarships for newly admitted and enrolled international graduate students, based on academic merit and financial need.

You can apply for multiple scholarships, but usually, you’ll only be able to accept one major scholarship if offered. Don’t miss out on these opportunities – they can make your dream of studying at SNU a reality without breaking the bank. Always check the SNU Office of International Affairs’ website for the most current scholarship details and application procedures.

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Seoul National University’s Prestige: Why It’s Worth the Investment

When you look at the costs, it’s also important to remember what you’re getting. Seoul National University isn’t just a university. it’s a global powerhouse.

• Top Rankings: SNU consistently ranks among the top universities worldwide. For example, it was ranked #29 in the QS World University Rankings 2023 and #31 in 2025. In Asia, it often places in the top 10. Times Higher Education THE World University Rankings also placed SNU at #56 in 2023 and #62 in 2025. EduRank’s 2025 overall rankings put SNU at 1st in South Korea and 160th in the World, scoring in the TOP 100 for 84 research topics.
• Academic Excellence: The university is known for its rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research. It excels in a wide range of subjects, with many departments ranking in the top 50 globally, including Engineering, Business Administration, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences.
• Strong Reputation: SNU graduates are highly valued. A study by KEDI found that an SNU degree translates to wages that are, on average, about 12% higher than those from other Korean universities. This kind of name recognition and the quality of education can significantly boost your career prospects.

So, while any university degree is an investment, the cost of Seoul National University often represents incredible value, especially given its global standing and the career opportunities it unlocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Seoul National University cost per year for international students?

For international students, the estimated total annual cost to study at Seoul National University, including tuition and living expenses like accommodation, food, transport, and personal costs, can range from approximately $12,000 to $20,000 USD without considering scholarships. This varies based on your program and lifestyle.

Is Seoul National University expensive compared to other top universities?

Compared to many top-tier universities in countries like the US, UK, or Australia, Seoul National University is generally considered quite affordable, especially because its tuition fees for international students are similar to those for domestic students. The average undergraduate tuition fee for 2024 is around ₩6,034,163 per year about $4,500 – $5,000 USD, which is very competitive for a globally ranked institution. Is SEO Good? A Real Talk from Reddit and Beyond

Are there scholarships available for international students at Seoul National University?

Yes, definitely! Seoul National University offers numerous scholarships for international students, which can significantly reduce or even fully cover tuition and living expenses. Popular options include the Global Korea Scholarship GKS, SNU President Fellowship SPF, and the Graduate Scholarship for Excellent Foreign Students GSFS, among others. Many of these provide full tuition waivers, monthly stipends, and even airfare.

What are the living costs in Seoul for a student?

Living costs in Seoul for a student can range from ₩840,000 to ₩1.64 million approximately $620 to $1,200 USD per month. This includes housing on-campus dorms are much cheaper at ₩124,800-₩293,000 per month compared to off-campus at ₩400,000-₩800,000, food, local transportation, health insurance, and personal expenses.

How much is Seoul National University tuition for graduate programs?

Tuition for graduate programs at Seoul National University varies by college and specific major, but it generally falls within a similar range to undergraduate fees. For a regular master’s program, you might expect to pay from around ₩3,278,000 to ₩5,362,000 per semester. Professional programs, like clinical medicine or dentistry, can be higher, around ₩6,131,000 per semester.

What is Seoul National University known for?

Seoul National University is renowned for being South Korea’s premier “flagship” university, consistently ranking among the top institutions globally e.g., #31 in QS World University Rankings 2025. It’s known for its rigorous academic programs, cutting-edge research, and producing highly sought-after graduates who excel in academia, government, politics, and business in South Korea and worldwide. Its strong reputation contributes to higher earning potential for its alumni.

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