The monthly cost of studying in Saudi Arabia depends mainly on where you live, whether university accommodation is provided, and how you manage your daily expenses. For a student paying for their own living costs, a practical starting budget is around SAR 2,500 to SAR 6,000 per month, although students in shared accommodation and smaller cities may spend less, while students renting private accommodation in Riyadh or Jeddah can spend considerably more. Current student cost estimates put monthly expenses in major cities at roughly SAR 3,000 to SAR 6,000 when rent is included, while smaller cities can be closer to SAR 2,500 to SAR 4,500. These figures are for living expenses and generally do not include annual university tuition.
Accommodation usually has the biggest effect on a student's monthly budget. A student living in university housing or sharing a room can spend much less than someone renting a private apartment. Food, transportation, mobile internet, study materials, and personal spending then make up the rest of the monthly budget. If you receive a scholarship that includes accommodation and other benefits, your personal monthly spending can be significantly lower, which is why scholarship conditions should be considered when calculating the actual cost of studying in Saudi Arabia.
Average Monthly Cost for International Students in Saudi Arabia
There is no single monthly amount that applies to every international student. Riyadh and Jeddah generally require a larger budget than smaller cities, while the difference between university accommodation and private housing can be substantial.
For a student paying their own living expenses, the following ranges provide a useful starting point:
| Expense | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Shared room or accommodation | SAR 1,000 to 3,000 |
| Food and groceries | SAR 700 to 1,500 |
| Transportation | SAR 150 to 500 |
| Mobile and internet | SAR 100 to 200 |
| Personal expenses | SAR 300 to 800 |
| Study and miscellaneous costs | SAR 200 to 500 |
| Estimated total | Around SAR 2,500 to 6,000+ |
These are planning figures rather than fixed student prices. Current cost estimates also show a range of roughly SAR 3,000 to SAR 6,000 per month for students paying for housing in Riyadh and Jeddah, while smaller cities can be less expensive.
Your actual budget can be below or above these ranges. A student who lives in university accommodation, cooks regularly, uses public transportation, and limits unnecessary spending can keep costs relatively low. A student renting a private apartment, eating out frequently, and using ride-hailing services may need a much larger monthly budget.
Does the monthly cost include tuition?
When people search for the cost of studying in Saudi Arabia per month, it is easy to mix up living expenses and tuition fees. Tuition is usually charged according to the university and program, often on a semester or annual basis, rather than as a simple monthly living expense.
For example, a student might have a monthly living budget of SAR 3,500 but also need to pay university tuition separately. Another student receiving a scholarship might have tuition covered and possibly receive accommodation or other financial benefits.
This distinction is especially important when comparing universities. Calculate your education budget using two separate categories: academic costs such as tuition and university fees, and living costs such as rent, food, transportation, and personal expenses.
Accommodation Cost in Saudi Arabia
Accommodation is usually the largest part of a student's monthly budget if housing is not provided by the university. Students can generally consider university accommodation, shared apartments, rented rooms, or private apartments depending on their university and city.
Current student cost estimates put shared accommodation in Riyadh and Jeddah at roughly SAR 1,500 to SAR 3,000 per month, while smaller cities may offer shared accommodation closer to SAR 1,000 to SAR 2,000.
Private accommodation can cost substantially more. Current housing estimates show that a furnished studio or one-bedroom apartment in Riyadh can cost several thousand riyals per month, with prices depending heavily on location and property type.
For students, sharing accommodation can therefore make a major difference. If two or three students share a suitable apartment, the rent and some household expenses can be divided between them.
University Accommodation
University accommodation can be one of the most affordable options for international students when it is available. Some scholarships also include accommodation as part of the benefits, which can remove the largest individual expense from a student's monthly budget.
The official Study in Saudi scholarship information states that full scholarship benefits can include housing, along with other benefits depending on the applicable scholarship regulations.
University housing also has practical advantages. Students can often live closer to classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, and other campus facilities, reducing transportation expenses and travel time. However, accommodation rules differ between universities. Before accepting an offer, check whether housing is guaranteed, whether it is free or subsidized, whether rooms are shared, and whether utilities are included.
Food Cost for Students in Saudi Arabia
Food can be managed relatively easily if you have a clear monthly budget. Students who eat mainly at university cafeterias, cook some meals, and buy groceries in local supermarkets can generally control spending better than students who order food frequently or eat at restaurants every day.
A reasonable planning range for food and groceries is around SAR 700 to SAR 1,500 per month, although individual spending can vary considerably. Current student cost estimates place food and groceries within approximately this range for international students.
For example, a student who prepares breakfast and dinner at home and eats lunch on campus may have a different budget from someone who eats at restaurants several times each week. Imported food products can also be more expensive than locally available alternatives.
One useful way to control food expenses is to create a weekly grocery budget. This makes it easier to notice where your money is going instead of discovering at the end of the month that small daily purchases have consumed a large part of your allowance.
Transportation Cost for Students
Transportation costs depend heavily on your accommodation and university location. Students who live on campus or close to their university may spend very little on daily transportation, while students living farther away may need regular bus, metro, taxi, or ride-hailing services.
A general student planning range is around SAR 150 to SAR 500 per month, although the actual figure depends on the city and how often you travel. Current estimates place student transportation in this general range.
Riyadh's public transportation network has also expanded, giving students additional options depending on where they live and study. However, ride-hailing can become expensive when used every day.
When choosing accommodation, do not look at rent alone. A slightly more expensive room near your university may cost less overall if it significantly reduces your monthly transportation expenses.
Mobile and Internet Expenses
Mobile and internet services are another regular expense for international students. You will likely need a local mobile connection for communication, university services, transportation apps, banking, and everyday activities.
A planning budget of around SAR 100 to SAR 200 per month can be used for mobile and internet expenses, depending on the plan and whether the internet is already included in your accommodation. Current student cost estimates use a similar range for communications.
Students living in shared apartments should also check whether the internet bill is divided among roommates. Small differences in monthly utility and internet costs can become meaningful over an entire academic year.
Personal Expenses
Personal spending is where student budgets can vary the most. Clothes, entertainment, coffee, gym memberships, social activities, subscriptions, gifts, and occasional trips can all increase your monthly expenses.
A student who wants to keep costs under control might allocate around SAR 300 to SAR 800 per month for personal expenses. This is only a planning range because lifestyle choices can make the actual amount much higher or lower.
The best approach is to set a monthly limit before you arrive. Keep essential expenses such as rent and food separate from optional spending so that entertainment or shopping does not consume money needed for necessities.
Study Materials and University Expenses
Tuition does not necessarily cover every academic expense. Depending on your subject, you may need textbooks, stationery, printing, software, laboratory materials, equipment, or other study resources.
Students studying engineering, medicine, architecture, design, or laboratory-based subjects may need to budget more for academic materials than students in some theory-focused programs. Your university may provide certain resources through its library or online systems, which can reduce the amount you need to spend personally.
A small monthly study budget of around SAR 200 to SAR 500 can be useful for planning, although some months may require very little while the beginning of a semester can be more expensive.
Cost of Studying in Riyadh Per Month
Riyadh is one of the main destinations for international students in Saudi Arabia and has a large selection of universities, services, and housing options. At the same time, accommodation can be a major expense, particularly if you choose private housing in a popular area.
Current student cost estimates put total monthly living expenses in Riyadh at approximately SAR 3,000 to SAR 6,000 for students paying for accommodation, depending on housing and lifestyle.
Independent housing data also shows a wide spread in Riyadh rents. For example, current estimates list a furnished 45 square meter studio in a normal area at around SAR 3,540 per month, while an 85 square meter furnished apartment in a normal area is estimated at around SAR 5,189. These figures are general housing estimates rather than student-specific prices, so shared student accommodation can be considerably cheaper per person.
Students who receive university accommodation or share housing can therefore have a much smaller monthly budget than someone renting a private apartment alone.
Cost of Studying in Jeddah Per Month
Jeddah is another major destination for students and has several universities and a large urban environment. Housing costs can vary significantly depending on the neighborhood and accommodation type.
Current student estimates suggest that a student paying for shared accommodation, food, transport, communication, and personal expenses may spend around SAR 3,000 to SAR 6,000 per month in Jeddah. Smaller accommodation arrangements can bring the budget down, while private housing can increase it. (study-abroad.org)
Current housing data also shows that a furnished 45 square meter studio in a normal area of Jeddah is estimated at around SAR 1,861 per month, while an 85 square meter furnished apartment in a normal area is around SAR 2,538. These are general housing estimates and should not be treated as guaranteed student rental prices. (expatistan.com)
Compared with Riyadh, Jeddah can therefore offer some housing options at lower prices, although the difference depends heavily on the neighborhood and type of accommodation.
Monthly Cost in Smaller Saudi Cities
Students do not necessarily need to study in Riyadh or Jeddah. Saudi Arabia has universities in several other cities, and living costs can be lower in some locations.
Current student estimates suggest that students in smaller cities may spend around SAR 2,500 to SAR 4,500 per month when paying their own living expenses. Shared accommodation and lower local prices can make these locations more manageable for students with limited budgets. (study-abroad.org)
However, the cheapest city is not automatically the best choice. Consider the university, course quality, teaching language, scholarship availability, transportation, student support, and career opportunities alongside the monthly cost.
Example Monthly Student Budget
Suppose an international student lives in shared accommodation in a Saudi city and follows a relatively controlled lifestyle. Their monthly budget might look something like this:
| Category | Example Monthly Budget |
|---|---|
| Shared accommodation | SAR 1,500 |
| Food and groceries | SAR 1,000 |
| Transportation | SAR 250 |
| Mobile and internet | SAR 150 |
| Study materials | SAR 200 |
| Personal expenses | SAR 400 |
| Emergency savings | SAR 300 |
| Total | SAR 3,800 |
This is an example rather than an official average. A student with free university accommodation could remove or substantially reduce the accommodation amount, while a student renting a private apartment could spend much more.
The purpose of creating a sample budget is to understand how the monthly total is built. Instead of asking only "How much money do I need?", divide the budget into categories and estimate each one based on the university and city you have selected.
How Much Money Should a Student Bring to Saudi Arabia?
The amount you need when first arriving can be different from your normal monthly budget. The first month may include expenses that do not happen every month, such as travel from the airport, deposits, bedding, clothing, household items, SIM cards, university registration expenses, or other setup costs.
If accommodation is already arranged through your university or scholarship, the initial budget can be smaller. Students renting privately should prepare for deposits and other housing-related payments before their normal monthly routine begins.
It is also wise to keep an emergency reserve separate from your regular spending money. This gives you some protection if a flight changes, you need medical treatment, your accommodation requires an unexpected payment, or another unplanned expense occurs.
How Scholarships Change Monthly Study Costs
Scholarships can make a major difference to the amount an international student needs each month. Saudi Arabia offers scholarship opportunities for international students, including full scholarships whose benefits can include housing, healthcare, financial support, and other benefits depending on the applicable scholarship rules. (studyinsaudi.moe.gov.sa)
If your scholarship provides accommodation and a monthly allowance, your personal spending may be much lower than the budget of a self-funded student. However, you should read the scholarship conditions carefully because not every scholarship provides the same benefits.
A scholarship that covers tuition but not accommodation can still leave you with a significant monthly expense. A scholarship that includes both tuition and housing can have a much greater effect on your total study budget.
How to Reduce Your Monthly Expenses
The easiest way to reduce your monthly cost is usually to control accommodation. University housing or shared accommodation can be much cheaper than renting a private apartment alone. Living near campus can also reduce transportation costs and save time.
Food is another area where small decisions make a difference. Cooking some meals, using university cafeterias, buying groceries in larger quantities, and limiting frequent food delivery can help keep your budget predictable.
Transportation should also be planned around your daily routine. If you can walk to class or use public transportation instead of taking taxis every day, the savings can add up over a semester. Students should also take advantage of university facilities such as libraries, study spaces, and campus activities rather than spending money on outside alternatives.
Monthly Cost for Scholarship Students
A scholarship student can have a very different monthly budget from a self-funded student. If accommodation is included and the scholarship provides a living allowance, the student's personal expenses may mainly consist of food, transportation, phone services, personal items, and expenses outside the scholarship package.
The official Saudi Study in Saudi scholarship information states that full scholarships can include accommodation and financial benefits, along with other services under the applicable regulations.
This does not mean every scholarship student will have no expenses. Flights, personal shopping, additional travel, and other costs may still require personal money. Students should therefore keep a small emergency fund even when most major study expenses are covered.
Is Saudi Arabia Expensive for International Students?
Saudi Arabia can be affordable for students who have university housing or scholarships, but living independently in major cities can become expensive. Housing is the biggest variable, and private accommodation can quickly push monthly spending beyond a basic student budget.
For students paying their own expenses, a monthly budget of around SAR 2,500 to SAR 6,000 is a reasonable starting point for planning, with major cities generally toward the higher end and smaller cities potentially toward the lower end. Current student cost estimates support a similar range, although individual circumstances can produce much higher or lower totals.
The important thing is to calculate the cost of your actual university and accommodation. A general national average cannot tell you exactly how much you will spend because two students in different cities can have completely different housing costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Saudi Arabia as a student per month?
International students paying their own living expenses can use roughly SAR 2,500 to SAR 6,000 per month as an initial planning range. The actual amount depends mainly on accommodation, city, food, transportation, and lifestyle.
How much does a student need per month in Riyadh?
A student paying for their own accommodation may need around SAR 3,000 to SAR 6,000 per month for general living expenses, although shared housing and careful spending can reduce the amount. Private accommodation alone can increase the budget considerably.
Is Jeddah cheaper than Riyadh for students?
Jeddah can have cheaper housing options than Riyadh, although the difference depends on the neighborhood and type of accommodation. Current housing data shows significantly different rental estimates between the two cities, but student accommodation and shared housing can change the comparison.
Does a Saudi scholarship cover monthly living expenses?
Some full scholarship programs provide financial support and accommodation, but benefits vary by scholarship. The official Study in Saudi information states that full scholarship benefits can include housing and financial support under the applicable regulations.
How much should I budget for food in Saudi Arabia as a student?
A reasonable starting range is around SAR 700 to SAR 1,500 per month for food and groceries. Students who cook regularly and use university cafeterias can potentially spend less, while frequent restaurant meals and food delivery can increase the budget.
Is university accommodation cheaper than renting privately?
University accommodation is often more affordable for students, particularly when it is subsidized or included with a scholarship. Private accommodation can involve rent, deposits, utilities, internet, and other costs, so students should compare the complete monthly expense rather than rent alone.
Conclusion
The study cost in Saudi Arabia per month can range widely, but international students paying their own living expenses can use approximately SAR 2,500 to SAR 6,000 as a practical starting budget. Students in smaller cities or shared accommodation may spend less, while students living alone in private housing in Riyadh or Jeddah can spend considerably more. Accommodation is usually the biggest factor, followed by food, transportation, communication, and personal expenses.
The best way to plan your budget is to calculate the actual costs for your university and city rather than relying on one national figure. Check whether your university provides accommodation, find out how much shared housing costs nearby, estimate your food and transportation expenses, and keep money aside for emergencies. If you receive a scholarship that covers housing and provides financial support, your personal monthly cost can be significantly lower.