How much does university cost in Japan?

Choose your route, compare the course, then check the current application guide.

How much does university cost in Japan?

First-year academic costs

JASSO’s published averages are about ¥820,000 at national universities, ¥910,000 at local public universities and ¥1,300,000 at private universities excluding medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. Junior-college averages are about ¥600,000 public and ¥1,200,000 private. These include admission and tuition fees; each school’s current fee schedule takes precedence.

Living costs and funding

JASSO cites ¥105,000 per month excluding study and research costs, from its 2023 privately financed student survey. Use it as a dated baseline, then price your actual city and housing. Add deposits, travel, insurance and materials. Check MEXT, JASSO, school scholarships and fee reductions separately; selection, nomination and funding are not guaranteed.

Find a school

MEXT register: 1 May 2026, provisional; retrieved 26 October 2026. All 825 university, 292 junior-college and 58 KOSEN records without a closure marker are included, plus 2,957 specialised training-school records. Universities include graduate-only schools. Training-school course levels vary. Names and addresses follow the register; current programmes and admissions must be checked with each institution.

Official school names are Japanese. English search aliases are available for selected universities; use a prefecture filter or the official programme finder for other English names.

Official programme finder

Questions

When does university start in Japan?

The academic year usually starts in April. Some universities also admit in September or October; exchange calendars and application deadlines are programme-specific.

Do I need JLPT N2 or N1 to study in Japan?

The requirement depends on the programme. Japanese-taught degrees may use JLPT and/or EJU with other tests; English-taught degrees and exchange programmes set separate language rules. Check the current faculty guidance.

Is SPI a university admission test?

SPI is used in recruitment. Prepare for the university’s specified entrance assessments when applying, and use SPI practice for relevant internship or job selection later.

How do I choose a university in Japan?

Shortlist courses you can enter, compare their language, total cost and graduate destinations, then check campus support. For exchange, confirm partner eligibility and credit transfer first.

How much does university cost in Japan?