Best Private Universities in Austria
Jules de Bruin
Expat in Vienna
Updated: April 24 2026
Updated April 2026 — MODUL University Vienna is Austria's strongest private university for international business, tourism, and sustainable management. FH Wiener Neustadt (Campus Wieselburg) is the best applied sciences institution in Lower Austria. Webster Vienna remains the only university in Austria with US regional accreditation, awarding US degrees. Tuition at accredited private universities typically runs from €5,000 to €15,000 per year, compared with €363.36 per semester at public universities. Private universities and Fachhochschulen are accredited by AQ Austria, so their Bachelor and Master degrees are fully recognized across the EU/EEA.
How Do Private Universities Differ in Austria?
Austrian private universities and Fachhochschulen differ from public universities on several important dimensions. Key points for international students:
- Smaller cohorts: Typical class size of 20 to 40 students versus lectures of several hundred at public universities.
- Fixed, structured curriculum: Especially at Fachhochschulen. Less flexibility in course choice, but clearer progression and predictable graduation dates.
- More English instruction: Most programmes run fully in English. Public Bachelor programmes rarely do.
- Integrated internships and industry projects: Common at FHs and private universities, less common at classical public universities.
- Higher tuition: €5,000 to €15,000+ per year versus €0 to €363.36 per semester at public universities.
- Faster Master programmes: 1-year Master options exist at private universities, rare at public universities.
Check AQ Austria accreditation before applying
What Do Private Universities Cost in Austria?
Private university tuition in Austria is still lower than comparable programmes in the US, UK, or Switzerland, but much higher than Austrian public universities. Typical price ranges as of April 2026:
- Bachelor at a private university: €7,000 to €13,000 per year, plus application and material fees.
- Master at a private university: €8,000 to €20,000 per programme (1 to 2 years).
- MBA / executive programmes: €20,000 to €50,000, often with partner universities abroad.
- Fachhochschule (FH): €0 to €727 per semester for EU/EEA students at publicly co-funded FHs; higher fees at fully private FHs.
- Scholarships: Merit and need-based scholarships typically cover 10 to 50 percent of tuition. External options include OeAD, Marshall Plan, Erasmus+, and country-specific programmes.
Plan for Living Costs on Top of Tuition
Austrian consulates require proof of around €1,350 per month in living costs for a student visa, and you will spend more if you live in central Vienna. See our cost of living guide for realistic budgets.
Are Austrian Private Degrees Recognized Internationally?
Degrees from AQ Austria-accredited private universities are fully recognized in Austria and across the EU/EEA under the Bologna Process. Quick reference:
- EU/EEA recognition: Automatic for Bologna-compliant Bachelor, Master, and PhD degrees from accredited Austrian institutions.
- UK, US, Canada, Australia: Generally recognized through ENIC-NARIC or WES credential evaluations. Webster Vienna degrees are also directly US-accredited.
- Regulated professions: Medicine, law, teaching, and some engineering fields require separate country-by-country recognition.
- Employer perception: In Austria, top employers treat public and private degrees similarly, with more weight on programme fit and internships than on institution type.
Top 7 Best Private Universities in Austria
Based on AQ Austria accreditation, English programme range, international reputation, and graduate outcomes, here are the top 7 private universities and leading Fachhochschulen in Austria in 2026.
1. MODUL University Vienna
A private university founded by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, specialising in international business, tourism, hospitality management, new media, and sustainable development. Fully English-language, campus on Kahlenberg with views over Vienna.
Best for: International students seeking English-language business, tourism, and sustainability programmes in Vienna
Pros
- +Fully English Bachelor, Master, and PhD programmes
- +Strong reputation in tourism and sustainable management research
- +Small cohorts with direct access to faculty
- +International student body with over 65 nationalities
Cons
- −Higher tuition than public universities
- −Campus is outside the city centre, requires bus connection
- −Narrow subject focus: mostly business and related fields
2. FH Wiener Neustadt (Campus Wieselburg)
A Lower Austrian Fachhochschule with main campus in Wiener Neustadt and specialised campuses in Wieselburg and Tulln. Offers applied Bachelor and Master programmes in business, engineering, security management, and food technology.
Best for: Students interested in applied sciences, security, food technology, and applied business in Lower Austria
Pros
- +Strong niche programmes in security management and food technology
- +Affordable Lower Austrian location with good Vienna connections
- +Close industry partnerships across manufacturing and agri-food
- +Mandatory internship integrated into the curriculum
Cons
- −Smaller campus life than Vienna or Graz
- −Limited international research visibility
- −Fewer fully English programmes than MCI or IMC Krems
3. Webster Vienna Private University
The Vienna campus of Webster University (St. Louis, USA), offering US-accredited Bachelor and Master degrees in business, psychology, international relations, and media. Students can transfer between Webster's global campuses.
Best for: Students who want a US curriculum and degree in Europe, with flexible campus transfers
Pros
- +Dual AQ Austria and US regional accreditation (HLC)
- +Liberal-arts-style US curriculum taught fully in English
- +Transfer between Webster campuses in the US, Europe, and Asia
- +Central Vienna campus at Palais Wenkheim
Cons
- −Tuition higher than most other Austrian private universities
- −Smaller programme catalogue than larger European business schools
- −Less integrated into Austrian public-university networks
4. Lauder Business School (LBS)
A private business school in Vienna offering English-language Bachelor and Master programmes in international business administration and management. Affiliated with the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, known for strong values-based education.
Best for: Students wanting a small, internationally oriented business school with strong values and mentorship
Pros
- +Fully English Bachelor and Master programmes
- +Very small class sizes with direct faculty access
- +Strong alumni network across Central and Eastern Europe
- +Mandatory internship and international semester
Cons
- −Narrow subject focus on business and management
- −Smaller brand recognition outside Central Europe
- −Limited research depth compared to WU or MODUL
5. IMC Krems (Fachhochschule)
One of Austria's leading Fachhochschulen, located in Krems an der Donau (Lower Austria). Strong programmes in life sciences, medical technology, health sciences, tourism, and international business, with many English-language options.
Best for: Students looking for an applied-sciences programme with strong life-sciences and tourism options
Pros
- +Wide range of English-taught Bachelor and Master programmes
- +Strong life-sciences, medical-technology, and tourism departments
- +Attractive Krems campus in the UNESCO Wachau region
- +Mandatory internships with industry and clinical partners
Cons
- −Smaller city with fewer networking opportunities than Vienna
- −Fixed curricula give less elective flexibility
- −Competitive admission for popular health and life-science programmes
6. MCI Management Center Innsbruck
An entrepreneurial university of applied sciences in Innsbruck offering Bachelor and Master programmes in management, tourism, life sciences, engineering, and social work. Known as Austria's entrepreneurial school.
Best for: Students who want a business and engineering FH in an Alpine city with strong entrepreneurship focus
Pros
- +Strong reputation for entrepreneurship and innovation education
- +Many English-taught Master programmes
- +Innsbruck campus with easy access to mountains and outdoor life
- +Large alumni network across DACH business communities
Cons
- −Fixed FH curricula with limited elective options
- −Smaller research output than full universities
- −Innsbruck housing market is tight, especially in winter
7. Sigmund Freud University (SFU)
A private university founded in Vienna in 2005, named after Sigmund Freud and focused on psychology, psychotherapy, medicine, and law. Campuses in Vienna, Berlin, Paris, Linz, and Milan.
Best for: Students seeking a specialised private university focused on psychology and psychotherapy
Pros
- +Strong specialisation in psychology and psychotherapy training
- +International campus network across Europe
- +English-taught options in psychology programmes
- +Practice-oriented curriculum with clinical integration
Cons
- −Mixed reputation compared to public university psychology programmes
- −Higher tuition for medicine and psychotherapy tracks
- −Narrow subject focus outside mental-health fields
Entity References
Full factual profiles for each brand covered on this page:
- MODUL University Vienna
Austrian Private Universities
- FH Wiener Neustadt
Austrian Private Universities
- Webster Vienna Private University
Austrian Private Universities
- Lauder Business School
Austrian Private Universities
- IMC Krems
Austrian Private Universities
- MCI Management Center Innsbruck
Austrian Private Universities
- Sigmund Freud University
Austrian Private Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Are private universities better than public?
Not necessarily. Public universities like Uni Wien, TU Wien, and WU outrank most private universities on research output and global rankings. Private universities compete on smaller cohorts, more English instruction, faster programmes, and closer industry ties. If you want research depth, go public. If you want a structured, English-taught programme with small classes, private can be a better fit.
Do private degrees get recognized abroad?
Yes, provided the university is accredited by AQ Austria (the official Austrian accreditation agency). AQ-accredited private universities issue full Austrian Bachelor and Master degrees that are recognized under the Bologna Process and in EU/EEA countries. For regulated professions abroad, you may still need local recognition (e.g., ENIC-NARIC check or Nostrifizierung).
What is an FH?
An FH (Fachhochschule) is a university of applied sciences. Austria has 21 FHs, offering Bachelor and Master programmes with a strong vocational focus, fixed curricula, smaller classes, and a mandatory internship semester. FH degrees are equivalent to university degrees for the Bologna Process and the labour market. FHs are a mix of publicly co-funded and privately operated institutions.
Can you get scholarships at private universities?
Most private universities run merit and need-based scholarships covering 10 to 50 percent of tuition. Common external options include the OeAD Ernst Mach Grant, Marshall Plan Scholarships, DAAD and Erasmus+ funding for exchanges, and country-specific scholarships such as Chevening or Fulbright. Admissions websites list internal scholarships and their deadlines.
Do private universities teach in English?
Yes, much more than public universities. MODUL, Webster Vienna, Lauder Business School, IMC Krems, and MCI Innsbruck run most or all of their programmes in English. This is a key reason international students choose them. Some programmes still require a basic B1 German level by graduation to support internships in Austria. See our learning German guide for prep resources.