Public Universities in Turkey: Are They Free? Fees Through YKS and YÖS

Public universities in Turkey are known for low fees, and many families ask whether they are completely free. The honest answer is: it depends on who you are and how you enter. Turkish citizens pay nothing in daytime programs, while foreign students pay a fee that changes a lot between the YKS route and the international quota. This guide explains the 2026–2027 rules with real numbers, so you can plan your budget.

Turkish citizens: free in daytime programs

According to the 2026 presidential decree on university fees, published in the Official Gazette on 15 August 2026, Turkish students in daytime programs (birinci öğretim) and open education pay no contribution fee in 2026–2027. The state covers it.

There are two exceptions. First, students who stay longer than the normal study period pay a fee, for example from the ninth semester of a four-year program. Second, some joint international programs at public universities charge tuition. Also note that public universities no longer open new places in evening programs (ikinci öğretim).

This rule also covers naturalized citizens. For example, a Syrian student who became a Turkish citizen and enters a public university through YKS studies under the same rules as any Turkish student.

Foreign students at public universities in Turkey: the YKS route

Since 2026, foreign students who studied at a Turkish high school enter university through YKS. The same decree sets their fee: they pay tuition equal to one times the cost per student of their program (cari hizmet maliyeti). In other words, they pay roughly what the program costs the state, with no extra margin.

For instance, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University published its 2026–2027 fees: for architecture, a foreign student placed through YKS pays 22,700 TL per year.

International-quota students

Students who enter through the international quota, usually with TR-YÖS, SAT or another accepted exam, pay a fee set by each university. The decree says this fee must be at least twice the cost per student. In the same Mimar Sinan example, an international-quota student in architecture pays 113,600 TL per year, five times the cost per student.

There are some discounts, for example for siblings, for scholarship holders and for students from certain priority countries. Even so, the gap is large: in this example, the international quota costs five times more than the YKS route.

What this means for your family

For a foreign student who studied in Turkey, the YKS route is not only required since 2026, it is also much cheaper at public universities in Turkey. That makes a strong YKS result doubly valuable: it opens better programs and keeps the fees low. If you are not sure which route applies to you, read our guide to YKS vs YÖS and the guide on YKS for foreign students.

Foundation universities are different

Foundation (private) universities set their own tuition. However, many of their programs offer scholarship places, such as full scholarship or 50% discount, and these places also go through YKS rankings. You can see the fee status of each program on YÖK Atlas. As a rule, a scholarship place needs a higher ranking than a paid place in the same program.

How to check the exact fee

Fees change every year, so always check the latest numbers:

1. Read the university’s yearly fee notice (katkı payı ve öğrenim ücreti duyurusu).
2. Check whether the program is a joint international program, because these charge extra.
3. For foundation universities, compare paid and scholarship places on YÖK Atlas.
4. Add living costs such as housing, transport and books to your budget.

How ILEAP Academy helps

ILEAP Academy is one of the first Arabic centers in Istanbul specialised in YKS. We help Arab and international students reach the ranking that opens public universities in Turkey, with lessons explained in Arabic, Turkish exam training and timed practice exams. After the results, we also help families compare programs and fees. Classes run in person in Istanbul and online. Discover ILEAP Academy.

Frequently asked questions

Are public universities in Turkey free?

For Turkish citizens in daytime programs, yes: in 2026–2027 they pay no contribution fee. Foreign students pay tuition, but the amount depends on their route.

How much do foreign students pay through YKS?

Foreign students placed through YKS after a Turkish high school pay one times the cost per student of their program, for example 22,700 TL per year for architecture at Mimar Sinan in 2026–2027.

Is the international quota more expensive?

Yes. The fee must be at least twice the cost per student, and in some programs it is much higher.