The Average Cost of Study Abroad Programs Around the World - A Study

A global cost analysis on the costs of study abroad programs

Whether you're majoring in Finance or Liberal Arts, the numbers matter when it comes to education abroad. That’s why we decided to scoop up some data on study abroad programs around the world to give you an idea of what to expect to pay for your life changing semester abroad. 

Read on to see GoAbroad's 2019 study abroad cost analysis to help YOU determine which region of the world fits your study abroad budget (including a never-before-seen average program cost calculation across different study abroad program providers!).

Our research process for determining average study abroad costs

For transparency’s sake, we want you to be able to match our pretty pictures to the dirty details. Take a peek at our spreadsheets here if you want to learn more about the data.

Disclaimer: This is not an exact science because we are not all-knowing superhumans. We scoured through our data and picked a variety of programs from around the world to give you a general perspective on the average cost of studying abroad for a semester.

In order to determine the average cost of studying abroad for a semester, we chose 19 popular countries to study abroad. We made sure to include a variety of countries from around the world: Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, Oceania. In this way, we hoped to have a way to compare the cost of study abroad programs around the globe. We pulled data from ten different programs for study abroad in each country and crunched the numbers. 

This infographic can answer questions like, “How much does it cost to study abroad in Europe?”, or, “what’s the cost to study abroad in Asia?”, but it doesn’t give you the exact breakdown of that cost. Some programs include housing, others do not, some are very specialized, others cater to every major… you get the picture. And that’s what we were going for: a basic picture of the cost of studying abroad. 

The costs of the programs used for this infographic and in this article go are estimates for one semester abroad. But if a semester doesn’t fit your timeline, never fear! Many programs offer full academic years, while others offer shorter summer programs. It all depends on what you’re looking for. 

A handful of program cost averages we sourced include:

• IES Abroad: Average $17,993
• CIEE: Average $16,557
• CISabroad: Average $14,816
• AIFS: Average $14,449
• International Studies Abroad: Average $13,351
• USAC: Average $8,718

Keep in mind that these aren’t all-encompassing averages for their entire program set (this is taking into account 13-16 programs each individual organization runs). This also doesn’t necessarily account for or reflect program value—while IES Abroad may appear on the expensive end, they likely include more services and support, such as accommodation and extensive alumni resources, in their overall pricing.

Our findings on the cost to study abroad

There are noticeable differences as far as the cost of studying abroad is in part dependent on the region and the country you choose. We noticed that you could actually save money by studying abroad in Asian countries, while going to school in Europe or Australia would be more akin to attending an out of state college in the US. 

Within each country, the programs tend to be based in bigger, well-known locations, like Prague, London, and Cape Town. That means you’ll have an amazing metropolitan experience all set up for you, but you should definitely sneak away to explore the rest of the country! 

Average cost of studying abroad for a semester

How much does it cost to study abroad for a semester?

How much can you expect to pay to study abroad for a semester? On average, studying abroad costs about $14,295 a semester, which is a pretty sweet deal for living abroad and experiencing a totally foreign culture for four-six months. Especially when you put it into the perspective of US university averages: in state is ~$9,970, while out of state costs average ~$25,620 a semester. You could live in Thailand for a semester and pay less than you would for a semester in Oklahoma (unless you’re from Oklahoma, but you get the picture). Think about that. 

The average we calculated doesn’t include all the details of each program, so looking at cost alone won’t guarantee you the perfect placement. It’s important to find out what type of programs are offered, how much living in the country costs, additional travel expenses, and all that jazz when looking for programs. But you can use this guide as a jumping off point for the perfect match! 

Average costs of study abroad programs in Europe

How much does it cost to study abroad in Europe?

What is the average cost of study abroad programs in Europe? A European semester abroad costs on average $15,797, which is only a touch over the global average. Looks like Europe isn’t as expensive as people think! MYTH. BUSTED. And guess what country rang in at a surprisingly low $12,758? Germany. Study abroad in Germany during the fall for a chance to experience an authentic Oktoberfest in Europe’s economic powerhouse. Academic Programs International has an amazing deal for a semester in Berlin—around $16,580. You’ll get tons of resources, exciting excursions, and a chance to fully immerse yourself in German culture. 

If you’re ok with a more expensive European country, study in France for $18,452 a semester. With thousands of amazing higher education institutions, your college career will excel, and your global-citizen status with most likely triple. You can start practicing phrases like “pass the croissants,” and, “I would love to hop on your moped,” so that you’re prepared for any situation. Treat yourself to a semester in Paris, with ISA’s program in the “City of Light”—around $13,450. Not only will you learn the language (classes for every level), but you’ll have a chance to explore the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, the Eiffel Tower, and so much more.

Average costs of studying abroad in Asia

How much does it cost to study abroad in Asia?

What is the average cost of study abroad programs in Asia? You’re sure to find adventure when you study abroad in Asia. On average, a semester in Asia only costs $8,886. Think of all the money you can spend on extracurricular activities! If you decide to study in China, only $6,614 a semester, you could be eating dim sum every DAY with money to spare! If you’re interested in Chinese culture, check out the Center for Study Abroad program in Beijing (only $2,595!).

In South Korea, you’ll have so much extra cash lying around after putting down $9,684 on average for a semester, you won’t feel guilty about spending it at the Dongdaemun Night Market, one of the busiest and brightest places in all of Seoul. University Studies Abroad Consortium semester in Seoul is perfect for those looking for a bustling adventure in South Korea. 

If your heart is set on Japan but you’re afraid it’ll be too expensive, never fear — affordable study abroad programs are here! You’ll spend about $10,360 a semester, so you’ll have enough cash to explore and celebrate the culture (and the money you’ll save). Sake bombs, anyone? Sign up for Meiji Academy in Fukuoka (~$3,404) for a chance to learn the language, dive into the culture, and even snag a sweet internship! 

Other popular places to study abroad & their costs

How much does it cost to study abroad in other popular places?

What does it cost to study abroad in other popular destinations? If you’re over the European backpacking phenomenon and don’t really want to jump on the Asian adventure bandwagon, consider going to Australia. On average, studying abroad down under will cost you $22,596 a semester. The most popular city to learn is Sydney, of course! Coastal, metropolitan, and everyone has that sexy Aussie accent. What’s not to love? When you do a semester abroad with IES Abroad, Sydney will be your home (~$18,900). The program offers hands-on internships to boost your career and earn college credits on the way. Australia has a ton of amazing opportunities to offer, and you can learn more about them here!

Or, perhaps you’re looking for something a little outside the norm. Study abroad in Morocco (average of $19,230 per semester) to experience Northern African culture. Ride a camel through the desert, explore ancient ruins, and live your best life in this culturally vibrant country. You’ll experience a unique blend of Arab and French cultures if you choose ISA Study Abroad in Meknes (~$12,350). The modern city has a medieval past, and was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. 

Costa Rica is great for people looking for a laidback culture, amazing food, and affordable school! On average, Costa Rican programs cost about $9,567 a semester. But even if you have to pay more for school, actually living there is super affordable. Take a dip in to Costa Rican culture with CISabroad’s program in San Jose (~$9,490). You can take classes in English or Spanish at Universidad Veritas, with the subject matter ranging from art to tropical ecology. CISabroad has some stellar extracurricular activities (dance classes, cooking classes, etc), which means you’ll be living that pura vida in no time. 

Provider cost vs. level of service

Your study abroad program cost should sit comfortably in the overlap of your goals, budget, and preferred level of services.

Here's how to find the right program at the right cost to you. So, what are you really paying for when you study abroad? It really depends on the program. Some providers help you with the bare minimum, like application and admission help. That way they can offer you a pretty sweet deal to hook you up with a study abroad program. The downside is that you still have to pay for all the things that they don’t cover - tuition, housing, travel, food, etc. 

Think about what you’re paying for when you choose a provider. Just because the cost seems low, doesn’t mean you’ll be saving money in the long haul. But if you’re able to invest more time and energy into the process, this could be the perfect cash saver. Other programs may seem intimidating when it comes to price, but that often goes hand in hand with the number of services included. For example, Semester at Sea is definitely on the expensive side of study abroad programs, but you are pretty much pampered. The price includes tuition, activities, housing, food, and even insurance.

[Read the 10 Best Study Abroad Programs in 2019]

If you don’t want to fuss around with sticky details on your own, you may have better luck with a pricier program. They do all the heavy lifting for ya! 

More resources to lower the average cost of studying abroad

Read on to find proven strategies and ideas to decrease your study abroad costs.

Check out our additional articles, tips, and guides to help you make the most of your student experience abroad without going broke in the process.

• 15 Low Cost Study Abroad Programs
• 8 Proven Ways to Lower Your Study Abroad Costs
• Study Abroad for Free in 2019—Here’s How
• 10 Cheapest Places for Study Abroad
• 7 Ways to Study Abroad for Cheap

Keep researching for more tips on lowering your study abroad costs. You can find dozens of study abroad scholarships (even some for summer study abroad), and can use resources like FundMyTravel or good old fashioned fundraising to help foot the bill.

A summary of GoAbroad's study abroad cost analysis

Studying abroad in Europe will cost you roughly $16,000, while the average cost of studying in Asia is around $9,000. For any semester program abroad, you can expect to fork out about $15,000. More cost effective places include Latin America and Africa, but you'll want to steer clear of Australia if you're on a tight budget. At the end of the day, the cost of your study abroad program should reflect a clear intersection of value and cost. Focus on your goals, your preferences, and the level of services that you want before shopping based on price tag.

Don't let these study abroad costs crash over you!

Now you know more about the general cost of study abroad programs!

Studying abroad shouldn’t be some scary, unattainable thing coveted by. It shouldn’t matter where you are on the social economic ladder, or what you’re studying, or where you want to go. Even if a country is “affordable,” education can burn a hole in your pocket. That’s why scholarships and financial aid are a thing! Don’t let the price of a semester abroad throw a wrench in your travel plans. Education is a magical thing, and expanding your worldview while living abroad boosts that magical-ness to the utmost degree (that’s a very high, very scientific measurement, trust us).

Now that you have a better idea of what it looks like to pay for study abroad programs around the globe, you’re ready to enroll in the most life-changing semester yet. Browse hundreds of study abroad programs now, or take a shortcut and…

Get Matched with 5 Programs for Studying Abroad for Free

Special thank you to Rebekah Glebe for creating this infographic and supporting content, as well as Megan Lee for her graphics, research contributions, and final touches.