Student life in China
Cost of living and dormitories in China
What a student in China spends each month besides tuition, and what the campus dormitories of our partner universities cost. Figures are approximate; we confirm the exact fee with you after admission.
Monthly expenses (excluding housing)
| Expense | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou | Other cities |
|---|---|---|
| Food (mostly campus canteens) | 1,800–2,500 ¥ | 1,200–1,800 ¥ |
| Transport (metro, bus) | 100–250 ¥ | 80–200 ¥ |
| Phone and internet | 50–100 ¥ | 50–100 ¥ |
| Personal expenses | 600–1,200 ¥ | 400–900 ¥ |
| Total | 2,550–4,050 ¥≈ 360–570 $ | 1,730–3,000 ¥≈ 240–420 $ |
A meal in a campus canteen usually costs 10–25 ¥. Estimates are based on Chinese Government Scholarship stipends (2,500 ¥ for bachelor's students) and the living-cost estimates universities publish.
Campus dormitories
International students in China usually live in the international student dormitories on campus. Fees are per person, as published by each university.
| University | Dormitory fee | Approx. per month | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Electronic Science & Technology of China (UESTC)Chengdu | 3,000–6,000 ¥ / yeardepending on room type | 250–500 ¥≈ 40–70 $ | source2026 |
| Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics (NUAA)Nanjing | 4,000 ¥ / yeardepending on room type | 330 ¥≈ 50 $ | source2023 |
| Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS)Guangzhou | 2,400–4,800 ¥ / semesterdepending on room type | 400–800 ¥≈ 60–110 $ | source2025 |
| Xidian UniversityXi'an | 5,000–15,000 ¥ / yeardepending on room type | 420–1,250 ¥≈ 60–180 $ | source |
| Central China Normal University (CCNU)Wuhan | 450–1,200 ¥ / monthdepending on room type | 450–1,200 ¥≈ 60–170 $ | source |
| Shanghai Maritime University (SHMTU)Shanghai | 3,000–6,000 ¥ / semesterdepending on room type | 500–1,000 ¥≈ 70–140 $ | source |
| Southwestern Univ. of Finance and Economics (SWUFE)Chengdu | 500–800 ¥ / monthdepending on room type | 500–800 ¥≈ 70–110 $ | source2022 |
| Dalian University of TechnologyDalian | 600–900 ¥ / monthdepending on room type | 600–900 ¥≈ 80–130 $ | source |
| Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU/NWPU)Xi'an | 7,200–9,000 ¥ / yeardouble room | 600–750 ¥≈ 80–110 $ | source2021 |
| Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU)Xi'an | 8,000–19,000 ¥ / yeardepending on room type | 670–1,580 ¥≈ 90–220 $ | source |
| Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)Wuhan | 700–1,200 ¥ / monthdepending on room type | 700–1,200 ¥≈ 100–170 $ | source2026 |
| Beijing International Studies University (BISU)Beijing | 9,000–16,900 ¥ / yeardouble room | 750–1,410 ¥≈ 110–200 $ | source2024 |
| Xi'an International Studies University (XISU)Xi'an | 4,500 ¥ / semesterdouble room | 750 ¥≈ 110 $ | source |
| Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL)Wuhan | 750 ¥ / monthdouble room | 750 ¥≈ 110 $ | source2025 |
| China University of PetroleumBeijing | 800–1,200 ¥ / monthdepending on room type | 800–1,200 ¥≈ 110–170 $ | source2026 |
| Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT)Beijing | 900–1,350 ¥ / monthdouble room | 900–1,350 ¥≈ 130–190 $ | source2026 |
| Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE)Shanghai | 30–90 ¥ / daydepending on room type | 910–2,740 ¥≈ 130–390 $ | source2026 |
| Northeastern University (Shenyang)Shenyang | 32–60 ¥ / daydepending on room type | 970–1,830 ¥≈ 140–260 $ | source2026 |
| Nanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjing | 1,000–1,200 ¥ / monthdouble room | 1,000–1,200 ¥≈ 140–170 $ | source2026 |
| Sichuan UniversityChengdu | 36–50 ¥ / daydepending on room type | 1,100–1,520 ¥≈ 150–210 $ | source |
| Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU)Shanghai | 6,600 ¥ / semesterdouble room | 1,100 ¥≈ 150 $ | source2020 |
| Shandong UniversityJinan | 1,200–2,000 ¥ / monthdepending on room type | 1,200–2,000 ¥≈ 170–280 $ | source2025 |
| Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU)Beijing | 40–100 ¥ / daydepending on room type | 1,220–3,040 ¥≈ 170–430 $ | source2023 |
| Beijing University of Posts and TelecommunicationsBeijing | 50 ¥ / daydepending on room type | 1,520 ¥≈ 210 $ | source2026 |
| Tianjin University (TJU)Tianjin | 50–60 ¥ / daydepending on room type | 1,520–1,830 ¥≈ 210–260 $ | source |
| Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT)Beijing | 10,800–12,600 ¥ / semesterdepending on room type | 1,800–2,100 ¥≈ 250–300 $ | source2026 |
| Nankai UniversityTianjin | 60–90 ¥ / daydouble room | 1,830–2,740 ¥≈ 260–390 $ | source |
| Beijing Normal UniversityBeijing | 65–85 ¥ / daydepending on room type | 1,980–2,590 ¥≈ 280–360 $ | source2024 |
| East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST)Shanghai | 80–110 ¥ / daysingle room | 2,430–3,350 ¥≈ 340–470 $ | source2026 |
| Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)Shanghai | 83–95 ¥ / daydouble room | 2,530–2,890 ¥≈ 360–410 $ | source |
| Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU)Beijing | 90–110 ¥ / daydouble room | 2,740–3,350 ¥≈ 390–470 $ | source2025 |
Electricity, water and internet are paid separately in most dormitories, and a deposit is charged at check-in. Many universities collect the fee in advance at the start of each semester. For universities not listed here, we find out the dormitory fee for you during your application.
Living off campus
- A room in a shared flat: about 2,500–5,000 ¥ a month in the big cities, 1,000–2,500 ¥ elsewhere.
- Students living off campus must register their address at the local police station within 24 hours of moving in (住宿登记).
- Some universities require first-year students to live on campus; ask your advisor before signing a lease.
Extra costs in the first year
- Mandatory health insurance
- 800 ¥ / year
- Residence permit (first year)
- 400–800 ¥
- Dormitory deposit (refundable)
- 500–1,000 ¥