University Fee Structure in Pakistan: Complete 2026 Guide by University
A comprehensive comparison of university fees in Pakistan for 2026 — public vs private, engineering vs medical vs business — with per-semester and total degree costs.
University fees in Pakistan vary enormously. Public universities charge PKR 25,000-50,000 per semester (UET Lahore, Punjab University). NUST charges PKR 250,000-300,000. FAST charges PKR 200,000-250,000. LUMS charges PKR 350,000-500,000 — the highest in Pakistan. Private universities average PKR 200,000-400,000 per semester. Total degree cost (4-5 years) ranges from PKR 200,000 at Punjab University to PKR 4-5 million at LUMS. Medical degrees at private colleges cost PKR 10-18 million total. This guide breaks down costs by university type and program.
Why University Fees Vary So Much in Pakistan
Four factors determine university fees in Pakistan: whether the university is public or private, the degree program (engineering and medical cost more than arts), the location (Islamabad and Lahore are more expensive), and the university's prestige (top-ranked universities charge more). Public universities are heavily subsidised by the government. Private universities charge market rates and invest in facilities.
Public Engineering University Fees
UET Lahore: PKR 30,000-40,000 per semester for undergraduate engineering. UET Taxila: PKR 25,000-35,000 per semester. NED University Karachi: PKR 30,000-50,000 per semester. Mehran UET Jamshoro: PKR 25,000-40,000 per semester. UET Peshawar: PKR 25,000-35,000 per semester. Total 4-year cost: PKR 200,000-400,000 plus hostel and living expenses.
Semi-Public University Fees
NUST: PKR 250,000-300,000 per semester (8 semesters = PKR 2-2.4 million total). COMSATS: PKR 100,000-150,000 per semester (total PKR 800,000-1.2 million). FAST NUCES: PKR 200,000-250,000 per semester (total PKR 1.6-2 million). These universities charge more than pure public universities but less than top private ones.
Private University Fees
LUMS: PKR 350,000-500,000 per semester — total PKR 2.8-4 million for 4-year BS. GIKI: PKR 300,000-400,000 per semester — total PKR 2.4-3.2 million. University of Lahore: PKR 150,000-250,000 per semester. Habib University: PKR 300,000-400,000 per semester. Private universities often include free hostel for the first year as an incentive.
Comparison Table: Total Degree Cost
| University | Type | Per Semester | Years | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UET Lahore | Public | PKR 35,000 | 4 | PKR 280,000 |
| Punjab University | Public | PKR 25,000 | 4 | PKR 200,000 |
| NUST | Semi-Public | PKR 275,000 | 4 | PKR 2.2 million |
| FAST NUCES | Semi-Public | PKR 225,000 | 4 | PKR 1.8 million |
| COMSATS | Semi-Public | PKR 125,000 | 4 | PKR 1 million |
| LUMS | Private | PKR 425,000 | 4 | PKR 3.4 million |
| GIKI | Private | PKR 350,000 | 4 | PKR 2.8 million |
Hidden Costs to Include in Your Budget
- Hostel fee: PKR 30,000-80,000 per semester depending on type (shared vs single)
- Mess/food: PKR 40,000-80,000 per semester
- Books and stationery: PKR 15,000-30,000 per semester
- Transportation: PKR 15,000-40,000 per semester
- Lab fees: PKR 5,000-15,000 per semester for science/engineering
- Caution deposit (refundable): PKR 10,000-30,000 one-time
Frequently Asked Questions
Academic Content Writer, Parhlai
Sana Malik writes Parhlai's study-skills, scholarships, and student-life guides, focused on helping Pakistani students study smarter and stress less.
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