Rising living and dormitory costs impact Turkish students

Rising living and accommodation costs are significantly impacting university students in Turkey for the 2026-2027 academic year. In Eskişehir, a major student city, basic monthly expenses for a student living alone are estimated to exceed 25,000 TL, potentially reaching 35,000 TL when including social activities. Rent for 1+1 apartments in popular student districts ranges from 12,000 TL to over 20,000 TL, with some premium locations reaching 26,000 TL.

In the private dormitory sector, prices have surged, with monthly rates for single rooms reaching up to 80,000 TL in Istanbul, 74,000 TL in Ankara, and 55,000 TL in Izmir. Notably, the most significant price hikes have occurred in multi-person rooms; for instance, base prices for 4-6 person rooms have seen increases of up to 60%. This sharp rise in housing costs has contributed to a 20% contraction in the private dormitory sector as some businesses have ceased operations, while students increasingly seek universities in their home cities to mitigate expenses.