Private Universities in Mainz: Media City on the Rhine with Frankfurt Access

IU, CBS, and FOM – private degree programmes in the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate
  • 2 Universities
  • 19 Courses
  • 220.000 Population
Mainz is the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate and sits directly opposite Wiesbaden on the Rhine. Around 38,000 students are enrolled here. Private universities such as IU, CBS, and FOM offer programmes in business, media, and management – with a semester ticket covering the entire Rhine-Main region including Frankfurt.
📍 Region Rhineland-Palatinate
👥 Population 220.000
🎓 Students 38.000
🏠 Avg. Rent (shared flat) 450€/month
💰 Cost of Living Index 71
🚇 Public Transport Rating ★★★★☆
🌙 Nightlife ★★★☆☆
🌳 Green Spaces ★★★☆☆

All private Universities in Mainz

Shown are private universities headquartered in Mainz as well as private universities offering courses in Mainz.

UAS · Private

  • Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia
  • 4600 Students
  • International Management, Business Psychology, Marketing, Finance, MBA, Health Management, Childhood Education, Social Work, Sustainable Management, Pedagogy, Business Administration, General Manageme…
  • Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts
  • 35 Degree programs in the directory
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UAS · Private

  • Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia
  • 45611 Students
  • Business Administration, International Management, Finance, Legal Sciences, Business Informatics, Mechanical Engineering, Human Resources, IT Management, Communication Sciences, MBA, Business Psycholo…
  • Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Laws
  • 28 Degree programs in the directory
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All study programmes in Mainz

Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bielefeld, Bonn, Brunswick, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Virtual Campus German
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bielefeld, Bonn, Brunswick, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Virtual Campus German
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Part-time program · Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)

FOM University of Applied Sciences · B.Sc. · 7 Semester

FOM University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Dortmund, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Kassel, Cologne, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Neuss, Nuremberg, Siegen, Stuttgart, Wesel, Wuppertal German
from 365 € monthly 15.330 € total
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Part-time program · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

FOM University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

FOM University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Arnsberg, Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Dortmund, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt, Hagen, Hamburg, Hannover, Karlsruhe, Kassel, Cologne, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Neuss, Nuremberg, Siegen, Stuttgart, Wesel, Wuppertal German
from 365 € monthly 15.330 € total
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bielefeld, Bonn, Brunswick, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Virtual Campus German
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Stuttgart, Virtual Campus German
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bielefeld, Brunswick, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Duisburg, Dusseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Muenster, Nuremberg, Ravensburg, Stuttgart, Virtual Campus German
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Augsburg, Berlin, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart German
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Distance learning program · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 9 Semester

DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences
9 Semester Hannover, Mainz German
from 295 € monthly 17.135 € total
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bielefeld, Bonn, Brunswick, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Virtual Campus German
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bielefeld, Bonn, Brunswick, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Virtual Campus German
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

CBS University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 6 Semester

CBS University of Applied Sciences
6 Semester Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Mainz, Neuss, Rheine, Rostock, Solingen German
from 589 € monthly 20.500 € total
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bielefeld, Bonn, Brunswick, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, or Virtual Campus German
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Part-time program · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

FOM University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

FOM University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Dortmund, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt, Gütersloh, Hagen, Hamburg, Hanover, Kassel, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Wesel, Wuppertal German
from 345 € monthly 14.490 € total
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

IU International University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 7 Semester

IU International University of Applied Sciences
7 Semester Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bielefeld, Bonn, Brunswick, Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Mainz, Mannheim, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Virtual Campus German
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

CBS University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 6 Semester

CBS University of Applied Sciences
6 Semester Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Mainz, Neuss, Rheine, Rostock, Solingen German
from 609 € monthly 21.924 € total
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Dual studies · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

CBS University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 6 Semester

CBS University of Applied Sciences
6 Semester Köln, Berlin, Hamburg, Mainz, Rostock, Rheine, Solingen, Neuss German
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Part-time program · Master of Science (M.Sc.)

CBS University of Applied Sciences · M.Sc. · 5 Semester

CBS University of Applied Sciences
5 Semester Köln, Berlin, Hamburg, Mainz, Neuss, Rheine, Rostock, Solingen German
from 495 € monthly 14.850 € total
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Part-time program · Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

CBS University of Applied Sciences · B.A. · 8 Semester

CBS University of Applied Sciences
8 Semester Berlin, Hamburg, Köln, Mainz, Neuss, Rheine, Rostock, Solingen German
from 290 € monthly 13.920 € total
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Mainz is one of Germany's oldest university cities and the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate. Around 38,000 students shape this city on the Rhine. Beyond Johannes Gutenberg University, several private universities operate here: IU International University of Applied Sciences runs a campus with over 25 on-campus and dual programmes, CBS University of Applied Sciences offers business programmes, and FOM University of Applied Sciences enables part-time study alongside work. Programmes are NC-free.

Why study at a private university in Mainz?

Mainz: Media capital on the Rhine with direct access to Frankfurt

Mainz combines state-capital status with a manageable city size. It is the headquarters of ZDF, Germany's second-largest public broadcaster, making it a centre of the German media landscape. Its position on the Rhine, opposite Wiesbaden, places Mainz within the Rhine-Main economic region – one of Europe's strongest.

Media city with ZDF and broadcasting

ZDF is headquartered on the Lerchenberg in Mainz. SWR, numerous production companies, and an active creative scene add to the media cluster. For students in media, communication, or business programmes, this offers practical experience and career opportunities.

Rhine-Main region: one job market, three cities

Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and Mainz together form the Rhine-Main economic area. The RMV semester ticket takes you to Frankfurt central station in 35 minutes. Banks, consulting firms, chemical and pharmaceutical companies – the job market is broad and strong.

What does it cost to live in Mainz as a student?

Mainz sits in the mid-range for living costs. The cost of living index is 71 – cheaper than Frankfurt but pricier than Erfurt or Leipzig. Monthly total costs: €800–1,050.

Rent and housing

A room in a shared flat costs between €380 and €520 per month. Neustadt, Bretzenheim, and Gonsenheim are popular. The Studierendenwerk Mainz offers dormitory rooms from around €230.

Sample monthly budget

  • Rent (shared flat): €450
  • Health insurance: €110
  • Semester ticket: €30
  • Groceries & household: €200
  • Leisure & culture: €90
  • Total: approx. €880 per month (excluding tuition fees)

Admission, requirements, and financing

Private universities in Mainz are NC-free. IU tuition starts from around €250/month (distance learning) or €700/month (on-campus). CBS and FOM offer part-time models. BAföG is available at all state-recognised institutions.

International applicants

If you hold a non-German qualification, verify recognition at anabin.kmk.org. IU offers several English-taught degree programmes at the Mainz campus. CBS has English-language business programmes. The Rhine-Main region's international character makes integration straightforward – many employers in Frankfurt operate in English.

Frequently asked questions about studying privately in Mainz

Yes. The RMV semester ticket is valid across the entire Rhine-Main transport network. You reach Frankfurt central station in 35 minutes, Wiesbaden in 15 minutes. This opens up internships and jobs across the region at no additional cost.

Mainz has a larger student community (around 38,000 vs. 18,000), more nightlife, and a younger crowd. Wiesbaden is quieter and has Fresenius University as its anchor institution. Both cities are directly connected – crossing the Rhine bridge takes 15 minutes.

Absolutely. ZDF is headquartered in Mainz, SWR has studios here, and there are numerous production companies. IU offers media and communication programmes at the campus. Proximity to Frankfurt further expands the media job market.

Mainz's housing market is tight but not as competitive as Frankfurt or Munich. Options: Studierendenwerk Mainz (from €230), WG-Gesucht.de, university groups. Start searching 2–3 months in advance. Alternatively, housing in Wiesbaden or Ingelheim is cheaper and reachable with the RMV ticket.

Picture above: salomon10, CC BY 2.0

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