Tuition Fees and Living Costs in Russia, Cold Weather Makes It Comfortable
Although Russia may not be as popular as Germany, the UK, or France, it remains one of the preferred European countries for education. One of the main reasons people choose to study in Russia is the affordability, both in terms of tuition fees and living costs.
See also how to send money from Indonesia to Russia with Transfez App
If you’re curious about how much it costs to study and live in Russia, here’s a complete breakdown:
List of Universities and Affordable Tuition Fees in Russia
1. Lomonosov Moscow State University
Founded in 1755 by Mikhail Lomonosov, this public university is located in Moscow. It ranks highly in the QS World Rankings 2018 and is one of the most prestigious institutions in the former Soviet Union.
It offers over 30 faculties including Mechanics, Mathematics, Computational Math, Biotechnology, Geology, and more.
Undergraduate tuition: ~RUB 325,000/year
Graduate tuition: ~RUB 582,430/year
2. Saint Petersburg State University
One of the oldest and most prominent universities in Russia, dating back to the 18th century. It is research-focused across sciences, humanities, and engineering.
Undergraduate tuition: ~RUB 260,000/year
Graduate tuition: ~RUB 285,000/year
3. Novosibirsk State University
Located in Siberia, it’s one of the top universities in Russia with strong integration of education and research.
Undergraduate tuition: ~RUB 303,250/year
Graduate tuition: ~RUB 350,600/year
4. National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE)
Founded in 1992 by renowned Russian economists, HSE offers programs in Economics, Business, Computer Science, Law, Humanities, Social Sciences, and more.
Tuition fee: ~RUB 300,000/year
5. MGIMO University (Moscow State Institute of International Relations)
Operated by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and founded in 1944, MGIMO is one of the country’s elite institutions with over 8,000 students.
Tuition fee: ~RUB 420,467/year
Popular majors: International Politics, Journalism, Financial Economics, Linguistics, Intercultural Studies, Business Administration
6. Tomsk State University
Located in Siberia, this public research university was founded in the 19th century and serves as the only major university from the Urals to the Pacific Ocean.
Undergraduate tuition: ~RUB 150,120/year
Graduate tuition: ~RUB 135,240/year
7. Voronezh State University
Located in Central Russia, this liberal arts university was established in 1918. It has 18 departments and attracts around 20,000 students from Russia, Europe, Africa, America, and Asia.
Undergraduate tuition: ~RUB 187,000/year
8. Altai State Technical University
Founded in 1942 in Barnaul, it has 8 faculties and 6 research institutes. It gained recognition from the French Embassy for scientific research grants in 2018.
Tuition: ~RUB 182,210/year for both undergraduate and graduate programs
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Cost of Living in Russia
As mentioned earlier, the cost of living in Russia is quite affordable, even compared to Indonesia. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Housing Costs
Rental prices vary by location and apartment size:
1-bedroom in city center: RUB 20,000 – 80,000/month
3-bedroom in city center: RUB 30,000 – 150,000/month
1-bedroom outside city center: RUB 13,000 – 40,000/month
3-bedroom outside city center: RUB 22,000 – 80,000/month
2. Utility Costs
Includes electricity, heating, water, trash, etc..
Utilities: RUB 5,400 – 11,000/month
Prepaid mobile plan: RUB 1.00 – 3.00
Unlimited internet (60 Mbps+): RUB 393 – 720/month
3. Food and Drink
Food expenses vary by lifestyle:
Cheap restaurant meal: RUB 300 – 1,000
Mid-range restaurant: RUB 1,500 – 5,000
McDonald’s combo: RUB 250 – 400
Bottled water (0.33L): RUB 25 – 70
4. Transportation Costs
Public transport is generally much cheaper than car rental:
One-way public transport: RUB 35 – 55
Taxi (base fare): RUB 70 – 200 (RUB 10 – 30 per km)
Car rental (per hour): RUB 1,450,000 – 1,800,000 (likely a typo in source; expected monthly rates around that range)
5. Entertainment Costs
Recreational options such as gyms, tennis, or cinema:
Gym membership: RUB 1,100 – 5,000/month
Tennis court (1 hour): RUB 710 – 2,100
Movie ticket: RUB 250 – 500
From this overview, it’s clear that both tuition and living costs in Russia are relatively affordable compared to Indonesia. With the right preparation, studying in Russia can be a financially manageable and enriching experience.
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