Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
A respected university offering high-quality education and research opportunities. Features modern facilities, diverse programs, and strong connections with industry and community partners.
- Acceptance Rate
- 60.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.4
- Size
- Large (29,564 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:23
- Setting
- suburban
- Graduation Rate
- 82.0%
- Retention Rate
- 83.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $3,500
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $18,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Student life at Ben-Gurion University reflects the pioneering spirit that has defined the Negev development project since Israel's founding. The Be'er Sheva campus creates a self-contained community where students from across Israel and around the world live, study, and socialize together. Residence halls house thousands of students on campus, creating neighborhoods where lifelong friendships form over late-night conversations and shared experiences. The desert setting might seem isolated, but Be'er Sheva has grown into a city of over 200,000 with restaurants, entertainment venues, and cultural attractions. Student organizations cover the full range of interests, from academic societies in each department to political groups representing Israel's perspectives to sports clubs and artistic ensembles. The university's mixed Jewish and Arab student population creates opportunities for intergroup dialogue increasingly important in Israeli society. Volunteer programs send students into local schools, hospitals, and community organizations. The Negev landscape itself becomes a classroom and playground, with hikes through desert canyons, visits to kibbutzim, and exploration of ancient Nabatean cities like Avdat and Shivta. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem remain accessible by train and bus for weekend trips to museums, beaches, and nightlife. International students find support through orientation programs, Hebrew courses, and social activities designed to ease adjustment. Religious observance ranges from secular to observant, with facilities and organizations supporting various traditions. The campus includes a swimming pool, sports fields, and fitness facilities encouraging activity despite desert heat.
Location & Surroundings
Ben-Gurion University has developed extensive facilities across its campuses supporting education, research, and student life in the Negev region. The Marcus Family Campus in Be'er Sheva contains the core academic buildings, including modern lecture halls, laboratories, and faculty offices constructed over the university's fifty-plus year history. The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience houses research programs investigating brain function and neurological disorders. Engineering buildings contain specialized laboratories for electronics, materials science, and computing research. The natural sciences complex includes advanced equipment for physics, chemistry, and biology investigations. The medical school connects to Soroka Medical Center, one of Israel's largest hospitals, where clinical training occurs alongside patient care. The library system provides study spaces, computer access, and collections supporting all academic programs. The Sede Boqer campus, located in the heart of the Negev desert, hosts the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research with unique facilities for studying arid environments. Sports facilities include a swimming pool, gymnasiums, tennis courts, and playing fields. The student center contains cafeterias, a student union, and gathering spaces. Residence halls have been expanded to meet demand from growing student populations. The Beersheba Advanced Technologies Park adjacent to campus hosts the cybersecurity campus where academic programs operate alongside government and industry partners. Prayer spaces serve students from various religious traditions. Health services address routine medical needs on campus.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Studying at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev requires understanding costs that differ for Israeli citizens, international students, and various special populations. Israeli students pay regulated tuition rates set by the Council for Higher Education, currently around 12,000 to 15,000 NIS annually, with government support helping offset costs. International degree students face higher tuition ranging from approximately $7,000 to $15,000 annually depending on program and level, with medical and some professional programs at premium rates. Living expenses in Be'er Sheva cost less than in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, making the Negev an economically practical choice for budget-conscious students. On-campus dormitories offer affordable housing options, with double rooms costing several thousand shekels monthly and single rooms or apartments available at higher rates. Off-campus rentals in Be'er Sheva remain reasonable by Israeli standards. Food, transportation, and personal expenses add several thousand shekels monthly to living costs. Various scholarship programs support students based on academic merit, financial need, or specific backgrounds. International students can explore scholarships from their home governments, the Israeli government, and private foundations with programs in Israel. Research assistantships and teaching positions provide income for graduate students. The financial aid office counsels students on available support and application procedures. Work opportunities exist on campus and in Be'er Sheva, though visa restrictions may limit hours for international students. The lower cost of living compared to other Israeli cities helps stretch available resources.
Campus Location
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