10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Pakistani Students 2026 | Complete Cost & PR Guide
10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Pakistani Students (2026 Complete Guide)
Studying abroad doesn’t always mean spending millions. Many countries offer low tuition fees, affordable living costs, cheap universities, part-time job opportunities, and even post-study PR pathways for Pakistani students.
Below is a complete 2026 guide covering tuition fees, living expenses, affordable universities, job markets, and permanent residence opportunities.
📌 List of Cheapest Countries
1. Turkey
2. Romania
3. Poland
4. Hungary
5. China
6. Malaysia
7. Germany
8. Italy
9. France
10. Austria
1. Turkey
Avg. Tuition: $2,000–$6,000/year
Living Cost: $300–$600/month
Cheap Universities:
- Istanbul University
- Ankara University
Job Opportunities:
Tourism, engineering, international trade, and business sectors are growing.
Post-Study PR Scope:
Limited direct PR pathway, but work permits are possible after securing employment.
2. Romania
Avg. Tuition: €2,000–€5,000/year
Living Cost: €400–€700/month
Cheap Universities:
- University of Bucharest
Job Opportunities:
Medicine, IT, and technical fields.
Post-Study PR Scope:
Temporary stay extension available; PR possible after long-term employment.
3. Poland
Avg. Tuition: €2,000–€6,000/year
Living Cost: €400–€800/month
Cheap Universities:
- University of Warsaw
- Jagiellonian University
Job Opportunities:
IT, logistics, finance, manufacturing sectors are strong.
Post-Study PR Scope:
Temporary residence permit for job search → PR after several years of legal stay.
4. Hungary
Avg. Tuition: €3,000–€8,000/year
Living Cost: €500–€800/month
Cheap Universities:
- University of Debrecen
- University of Szeged
Job Opportunities:
IT, healthcare, and business sectors expanding rapidly.
Post-Study PR Scope:
Residence extension for job search; PR possible after legal employment period.
5. China
Avg. Tuition: $2,500–$6,000/year
Living Cost: $400–$800/month
Cheap Universities:
- Zhejiang University
- Nanjing Medical University
Job Opportunities:
Engineering, medicine, and international trade.
Post-Study PR Scope:
Limited PR options; work visa required after graduation.
6. Malaysia
Avg. Tuition: $3,000–$7,000/year
Living Cost: $300–$700/month
Cheap Universities:
- University of Malaya
- UCSI University
Job Opportunities:
Hospitality, IT, and business services.
Post-Study PR Scope:
Limited PR pathway; work visa required.
7. Germany
Avg. Tuition: Mostly FREE at public universities
Living Cost: €850–€1,200/month
Cheap Universities:
- Technical University of Munich
- University of Stuttgart
- University of Cologne
Job Opportunities:
High demand in engineering, IT, automotive, and manufacturing sectors.
Post-Study PR Scope:
18-month job seeker visa → EU Blue Card → Permanent Residence.
8. Italy
Avg. Tuition: €1,000–€4,000/year
Living Cost: €700–€1,000/month
Cheap Universities:
- University of Bologna
- Sapienza University of Rome
Job Opportunities:
Architecture, fashion, design, hospitality.
Post-Study PR Scope:
Stay-back option available; long-term residence possible after stable employment.
9. France
Avg. Tuition: €2,500–€6,000/year
Living Cost: €800–€1,200/month
Cheap Universities:
- Sorbonne University
- University of Lyon
Job Opportunities:
Business, hospitality, luxury management, engineering.
Post-Study PR Scope:
Temporary work residence → Long-term stay possible after employment.
10. Austria
Avg. Tuition: €1,500–€7,500/year
Living Cost: €800–€1,100/month
Cheap Universities:
- University of Vienna
Job Opportunities:
Engineering, research, tourism.
Post-Study PR Scope:
Red-White-Red Card system provides pathway to residency.
🎯 Which Country is Best for PR?
✔ Best PR Pathways: Germany, Austria, Poland
✔ Affordable + Scholarship Focused: Hungary, Turkey, Romania
✔ Lowest Living Cost: Turkey, Romania, Malaysia
✔ Strong Job Markets: Germany, France, Poland
📊 Quick Comparison Overview
📌 How to Choose the Right Country to Study Abroad?
Before choosing a country, compare:
- Tuition + living cost
- Scholarship availability
- Post-study work visa duration
- Long-term settlement opportunities
- Job market demand in your field