Turkey's college tuition fees exceed many in Europe, escalating due to education inflation surging above 70%
In Turkey, the costs of private higher education have reached levels that are equal to or higher than many European countries, leading to an accelerating brain drain among young students. According to data from the Education Data Initiative, as of 2021, Turkish families spent an average of $7,145 annually on private higher education.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, tuition fees for private universities in Turkey range from approximately €13,000 ($15,239) up to €23,457 for students without scholarships. This increase is driven by soaring inflation in the Turkish education sector, which has risen by over 1,300% since 2015, outpacing general consumer inflation. In comparison, private university tuition fees in many European countries like the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Spain, and the Czech Republic usually top out around €12,000 annually.
Despite these high costs, some Turkish institutions like Istanbul Gelisim University offer relatively affordable options, with bachelor’s degrees costing between $3,000 and $3,800, though specialized programs like dentistry can be much higher, around $17,500.
This steep rise in education costs in Turkey is contributing to a brain drain, as many young Turkish students and professionals find education abroad more affordable and attractive. The high tuition fees combined with inflation and living costs are pushing students to seek opportunities outside Turkey, exacerbating the outflow of skilled talent known as the brain drain. Historically, Turkey has experienced significant migration of educated individuals to countries with better economic opportunities, which impacts the country's skilled workforce negatively.
In contrast, while European countries generally maintain high-quality education systems, their tuition fees for private institutions tend to be more stable and often lower than Turkey’s inflated costs, making them more accessible for many students within and beyond Europe.
In summary, Turkey currently faces one of the highest private university education cost burdens in the region, fueling ongoing brain drain challenges that are more pronounced than in many European countries. While institutions like Istanbul Gelisim University offer relatively affordable options, the overall trend of rising costs is causing concern for both students and policymakers alike.
- President Erdogan and Turkish policymakers might need to address the inflating costs of private higher education in Turkiye, as they have reached levels comparable to many European countries and are escalating at an alarming rate, exacerbating the brain drain among young students.
- In light of the rising costs and high inflation in the Turkish education sector, individuals may find it more financially viable to pursue personal-finance strategies to fund their education, such as scholarships, savings, or education loans.
- As the cost of private higher education continues to rise in Turkiye, it is essential for students and families to explore education and self-development opportunities in more financially feasible European countries, working to mitigate the ongoing brain drain and preserve Turkey's skilled workforce.
