How Much Does It Cost to Study in Switzerland? Tuition and Housing
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Swiss universities are publicly funded and their tuition is moderate for the quality on offer. The catch for international students is twofold: most universities add a surcharge for anyone who finished school abroad, and the cost of living is the highest on the continent.
Tuition fees
Fees are charged per semester and set by each university. In our catalogue, converted to euros, a year at a Swiss university costs between €1,057 and €8,456, with a typical figure of €2,579. The universities of Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel are at the low end; St. Gallen and the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano are at the high end.
Fees are set in Swiss francs, so the euro figures on our pages move with the exchange rate.
The surcharge for students from abroad
Some universities charge everyone the same: Basel, Geneva and Lausanne are examples. Most add a surcharge for students who obtained their school-leaving certificate abroad. The rule looks at where you went to school, not at your passport, so a Swiss citizen schooled abroad pays it and a foreigner schooled in Switzerland does not.
The difference can be large. Per semester, ETH Zürich charges CHF 2,190 instead of CHF 730, the University of Bern CHF 2,550 instead of CHF 850, and the University of St. Gallen CHF 3,343.50 instead of CHF 1,310.50.
The price we show for EU and non-EU students is the one for students coming from abroad, since that is what a reader of this guide will pay.
Small compulsory contributions
On top of tuition, universities charge small compulsory amounts each semester for sport, the student union or exams. They are not included in our figures and are listed in each university's fee table.
Housing
Housing is the largest item in a Swiss student budget. Student residences are run by foundations and housing offices linked to the universities, and demand in Zürich, Geneva and Lausanne far exceeds supply. For the 20 residences with a published price in our catalogue, monthly prices typically start at about €349 and rise to €1,300 for larger or newer rooms.
Proof of funds and work
Non-EU students must show the cantonal migration office that they can finance their stay. The canton states the required amount. Part-time work is allowed within limits that depend on your citizenship and on how long you have been in the country, so do not build a budget that depends on a job from the first month.
How to keep costs down
- Compare the surcharge between universities. It changes the ranking of which one is cheapest.
- Apply for a residence place at the same time as you apply for admission.
- Consider smaller university cities such as Fribourg or Neuchâtel, where rents are lower than in Zürich and Geneva.
Where to look next
Official sources
- Study in Switzerland+: official portal for international students
- swissuniversities
- State Secretariat for Migration
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.