Khon Kaen University
A well-established university providing quality higher education. Offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs with dedicated faculty and supportive learning environment.
- Acceptance Rate
- 67.7%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.4
- Size
- Large (20,859 students)
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- 1:22
- Setting
- urban
- Graduation Rate
- 72.0%
- Retention Rate
- 76.0%
- Tuition (In-State)
- $3,000
- Tuition (Int'l)
- $5,000
Academic Programs
STEM
Business
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health
Arts
English Proficiency Requirements
Student Life & Environment
Life at Khon Kaen University reflects the relaxed pace and strong community bonds characteristic of Isan culture. The sprawling campus invites exploration by bicycle or motorbike, with shaded pathways connecting academic buildings, dormitories, and recreational areas. Student dormitories on campus offer extremely affordable housing, though many students choose to rent rooms in the surrounding neighborhoods for slightly more independence. The university's central location in Khon Kaen city means students have easy access to shopping malls, night markets, and entertainment venues. Fairy Plaza and Central Plaza sit just minutes from campus, while the famous walking street market on Saturdays brings the entire student community together. Thai students enthusiastically welcome international classmates to explore local food culture, from spicy Isan salads to grilled chicken served with sticky rice. Student organizations cover every conceivable interest, from traditional Thai dance and music to international student associations representing neighboring countries. The athletic complex includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and extensive playing fields. Many students join volunteer programs that take them into rural villages throughout the northeast, an experience that deepens understanding of Thai society beyond the classroom. The annual Silk and Phuk Siaw Festival celebrates the region's famous silk-weaving traditions and reinforces cultural pride. Campus temples and the beautiful Khon Kaen National Museum nearby offer peaceful spaces for contemplation. Evening food stalls around campus create natural gathering spots where friendships form over plates of grilled pork and mango sticky rice.
Location & Surroundings
Khon Kaen city serves as the unofficial capital of northeastern Thailand, a rapidly developing urban center surrounded by agricultural plains that stretch toward the Mekong River and Laos. The city of roughly 400,000 sits at the crossroads of major highways connecting Bangkok to the northeast and beyond to Laos and Vietnam, making it a natural hub for commerce and education in the region. The climate brings hot, dry summers from March through May, a rainy monsoon season from June through October, and pleasant cool weather from November through February. Students quickly adapt to the rhythm of seasons, with the cool season bringing outdoor festivals and the hot season driving everyone toward air conditioning and swimming pools. Rain showers during monsoon rarely last long, and the surrounding countryside turns brilliant green. Khon Kaen offers urban conveniences including modern shopping centers, international restaurants, and quality healthcare facilities while maintaining the friendly, unhurried atmosphere of a provincial city. The cost of living runs perhaps half of Bangkok prices, stretching student budgets considerably further. Weekend trips to Phu Wiang National Park reveal dinosaur fossils, while the Kong River reservoir offers boating and scenic picnic spots. Transportation around the city relies on songthaews, motorbike taxis, and increasingly popular ride-sharing apps. The airport connects to Bangkok with multiple daily flights, while overnight buses and trains provide budget-friendly travel options. Students exploring during breaks find easy access to attractions throughout Isan, from the ancient Khmer temples at Phimai to the Mekong River towns bordering Laos.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Khon Kaen University offers exceptional value compared to both Thai private universities and institutions in Western countries. Tuition fees for international undergraduate students typically range from 40,000 to 80,000 Thai baht per semester depending on the faculty and program, roughly $1,200 to $2,400 USD. Medical and engineering programs fall at the higher end, while humanities and social sciences cost less. Living expenses in Khon Kaen remain remarkably affordable even by Thai standards. On-campus dormitory rooms cost between 2,000 and 5,000 baht monthly, while off-campus rentals range from 3,000 to 8,000 baht for comfortable air-conditioned rooms near campus. Food costs for students eating at campus canteens and local restaurants rarely exceed 150 to 250 baht daily, meaning monthly food budgets of 5,000 to 7,500 baht suffice for most students. The university administers numerous scholarship programs for international students. ASEAN country nationals can apply for fee reductions or full scholarships through regional cooperation agreements. Graduate research students may qualify for research assistantships providing monthly stipends alongside tuition waivers. Healthcare costs remain low with the university hospital providing affordable services to students. Career placement rates vary by field, with medical and engineering graduates finding employment quickly throughout Thailand and the region. The university's strong connections to regional industries help students transition from academic study to professional careers. Alumni networks extend throughout northeastern Thailand's government offices, hospitals, schools, and businesses, opening doors for new graduates entering the workforce.
Campus Location
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