Dormitories, universities, and student living costs by city
Pick a region on the map of Turkey and compare cities by KYK dormitory points, state/foundation universities, number of programs, rent, food, and transport costs.
Click a region to filter cities instantly
Each region shows its number of provinces and total KYK dormitory points. Click a region or pick quickly below.
Which city would you like to study in?
Click a region on the map above or type a city name.
81 cities and 348 KYK dormitory points are listed for comparison across Turkey.
Cities with many programs and more affordable living costs
A city-by-city guide to universities and dormitories in Turkey
Turkey has 205 universities, 19.094 bachelor's and associate degree programs, and 348 KYK dormitory points spread across its 81 provinces. Pick your city from the list below to compare its state and foundation universities, dormitory options, and estimated monthly rent, food, and transport costs.
Among the most budget-friendly student cities are Bilecik, Uşak, Kütahya, Burdur, Osmaniye, Niğde, while İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Antalya, Konya, Mersin are among the provinces with the most universities and programs. When choosing a city, it's worth weighing not just university rankings but also the cost of living and dormitory capacity.
Frequently asked questions
- Which city should I study in, and how do I decide?
- Weigh three factors together: which cities have universities offering your target program, the monthly cost of living there (rent + food + transport), and KYK dormitory capacity or scholarship chances. Use the filters on this page to quickly compare cities that fit your budget.
- Which are the cheapest student cities?
- In general, Anatolian provinces outside the big metros (mid-sized and smaller university cities such as Sivas, Amasya, Kırşehir, and Niğde) are among the most affordable, with monthly living costs of roughly 13,500-22,500₺; in major cities like İstanbul, Ankara, and İzmir this figure can exceed 26,000₺.
- Am I guaranteed a spot in a KYK dormitory?
- KYK dormitory placement is score-based (criteria such as family income and academic achievement), and quotas vary by city and dormitory. This page shows the number of dormitory points; for exact application and quota details, check our KYK Dormitory Guide page and the official KYK website.
- Is a city with more universities always the better choice?
- Not necessarily. Big cities with many universities (İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir) offer more program options and social opportunities, but living costs are higher too. A mid-sized city with a handful of strong universities can be more balanced in terms of budget and academic goals.