The invention relates to a preparation method of a low-cost self-reinforced submicron grain alumina ceramic, which belongs to the fine ceramic field. The method comprises the steps of: adopting industrial aluminum hydroxide or boehmite as a raw material, adding fine grain Alpha-alumina and water for ball milling so as to obtain an even slurry; adding water for mixing at a temperature between 70 and 90 DEG C, and adding acid to control the pH value at 2 to 5, so as to form an emulsion; and adding an additive which is a mixture selected from one or more than two of zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, zirconium oxide, boric oxide, ferric oxide, vanadium oxide, silicon oxide or titanium oxide for forming a gel after water is evaporated, and drying the gel and then sintering the gel under high temperature for preparing the self-reinforced submicron grain alumina ceramic containing alumina elongated grains. The ceramic is characterized in that crystal grains have diameters of less than 0.5mu m, and a microstructure contains elongated alumina grains have length-diameter ratios of larger than 5, and has the advantages of high hardness, high toughness and good wear resistance, and can be widely used in ceramic grinding media and the abrasives industry.