Affordable International Schools in Saudi Arabia (2026)

International school fees in Saudi Arabia span an unusually wide range. At the lower end, several schools charge under SAR 30,000 (approximately USD 8,000) per year, which is genuinely affordable by regional standards. For families who have arrived from Western countries, even the budget options here may feel significant. For locally-based families and those relocating from South or Southeast Asia, the range looks different again. This guide focuses on schools where annual tuition begins below SAR 60,000, across Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Al Khobar.

Quick Comparison: Affordable International Schools in Saudi Arabia 2026

Fees below are the published annual tuition range per child, converted at approximately SAR 4.75 to USD 1. All figures are approximate.

Fees shown are approximate and subject to change. Verify directly with the school.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

What "Affordable" Actually Means in This Market

Saudi Arabia has one of the broadest fee spreads of any international school market in the world. A school charging SAR 20,000 per year sits firmly in the budget tier here, even though the same fee would be considered mid-range in many other countries.

The wide range exists partly because the market caters to genuinely different communities. Indian and Filipino curriculum schools serve large diaspora populations and typically keep fees lower. Cambridge and British curriculum schools serving mixed expatriate communities tend to sit in the mid-range. Schools operating IB programmes or affiliated with UK independent schools generally sit at the top.

"Affordable" in this context means annual tuition broadly below SAR 60,000, though the schools featured here are mostly well below that threshold. It does not necessarily mean lower quality, but it does mean families should look carefully at facilities, teacher stability, and class sizes before assuming any school is the right fit.

What to Watch Beyond the Headline Fee

The published tuition figure is rarely the full picture. Families comparing Saudi Arabia's international schools should account for several additional costs.

• Registration and enrolment fees, which can run from SAR 1,000 to SAR 5,000 and are sometimes non-refundable
• Annual activity fees, covering sports, trips, and events, often charged separately from tuition
• Uniform costs, which vary significantly between schools
• Transport, if the school does not include it, which can add SAR 6,000–12,000 per year depending on distance
• Exam fees at IGCSE and A Level, which are charged per subject entry

Capital levies, common in some other markets, are less standard in Saudi Arabia, but some schools charge a one-time admission fee or building levy at enrolment. Ask specifically whether any such fee applies.

Scholarships are available at some schools for high-achieving students, particularly at the British curriculum end of the market. These are rarely advertised openly. It is worth contacting admissions directly and asking. Some schools also offer sibling discounts, which can make a meaningful difference for families with two or more children enrolled.

For a broader look at what families actually spend when factoring in all costs, the doris guide to affordable international schools in Southeast Asia offers useful context on how to approach the full cost calculation, even if the markets differ.

School Profiles

Al Alia International Indian School

Curriculum: Indian | Fees: SAR 3,800–7,553 (approx. USD 800–1,590)

View Al Alia International Indian School on doris. One of the lowest-fee international schools in Riyadh, this school follows the Indian national curriculum and primarily serves the South Asian community. It is a practical, no-frills option for families seeking continuity with an Indian education system. Families should verify current accreditation status and ask about teacher retention directly.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

International Philippine School in Jeddah

Curriculum: Bespoke | Fees: SAR 6,318–9,704 (approx. USD 1,330–2,043)

View International Philippine School in Jeddah on doris. This school serves the Filipino community in Jeddah and follows a bespoke curriculum. Fees are among the lowest in the city. It suits families who want cultural continuity and a familiar school environment, though pathways into Western universities are more limited here than at Cambridge or IB schools.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

International Indian School Jubail

Curriculum: Indian | Fees: SAR 6,341–11,191 (approx. USD 1,335–2,356)

View International Indian School Jubail on doris. Based in Jubail, this school offers Indian curriculum education at accessible fees. It serves families based in the Eastern Province's industrial city and provides a structured academic environment. As with other Indian curriculum schools in the Kingdom, it is worth asking about extracurricular provision and senior-year examination options.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

Pakistan International School Jeddah (English Section)

Curriculum: British / Cambridge | Fees: SAR 9,652–21,446 (approx. USD 2,032–4,515)

View Pakistan International School Jeddah (English Section) on doris. This school offers Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary, IGCSE, AS Levels, and A Levels, making it one of the most affordable routes to a full British curriculum education in Jeddah. The English Section is well regarded within its community. Families transitioning from UK schooling will find familiar qualifications here at a substantially lower cost than branded British schools.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

Jawahir Al Riyadh International School

Curriculum: British / American | Fees: SAR 13,941–19,304 (approx. USD 2,935–4,064)

View Jawahir Al Riyadh International School on doris. A mid-to-lower-fee option in Riyadh offering both British and American curricula. The dual curriculum offer gives families some flexibility, though it is worth asking how the two streams are structured and whether students follow one track consistently through secondary. Fees sit comfortably below the Riyadh average for British curriculum schools.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

New Generation International Schools

Curriculum: British / American | Fees: SAR 20,515–26,576 (approx. USD 4,319–5,595)

View New Generation International Schools on doris. One of the more affordable British and American curriculum options in Riyadh, with fees notably lower than established branded schools. It offers a relatively accessible entry point into English-medium education with recognised qualifications. As with any school at this price point in Riyadh, families should visit in person and ask about staffing continuity.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

Dome International Schools

Curriculum: British / American | Fees: SAR 23,432–37,416 (approx. USD 4,933–7,877)

View Dome International Schools on doris. Dome offers both British and American curricula in Riyadh at fees that are meaningfully lower than most branded British schools in the city. It attracts a mixed local and international community. The school's dual curriculum structure means families should clarify which pathway their child would follow, particularly from secondary onwards, when academic tracking becomes more consequential.

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

FAQ: Affordable International Schools in Saudi Arabia

Q: What is the cheapest international school in Saudi Arabia?

A: Based on published fees, Al Alia International Indian School in Riyadh and International Philippine School in Jeddah charge the lowest annual fees, starting from around SAR 3,800–6,300. Both follow non-British, non-IB curricula, which suits specific communities but may not suit all families.

Q: Can I find affordable British curriculum schools in Saudi Arabia?

A: Yes. Pakistan International School Jeddah (English Section) and New Generation International Schools both offer British or Cambridge curriculum pathways at fees well below the branded British school tier. They are worth investigating if Cambridge qualifications matter but budget is a constraint.

Q: Are there hidden costs beyond school fees?

A: Almost always. Transport, registration fees, uniform, and exam entry costs are the most common additions. Ask each school for a full fee schedule before comparing headline tuition figures. Some schools also charge a one-time admission or enrolment fee that does not appear in published tuition ranges.

Q: Do affordable schools in Saudi Arabia offer scholarships?

A: Some do, particularly at the Cambridge and British curriculum end of the market. Scholarships are rarely advertised publicly, so contacting the admissions office directly and asking is the most reliable approach. Sibling discounts are more commonly available and worth asking about if you have more than one child to enrol.

 

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This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: Saudi Ministry of Education, IBO.org.

Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.