University Cost Comparison: USA vs UK vs Continental Europe 2026

It’s a Saturday evening in March. You’re sitting with your family at the kitchen table, laptop open, calculator on your phone, notes scattered on paper. On the screen: Harvard’s financial aid page – “$82,390/year, but financial aid covers an average of 85% of costs.” You then check the University of Amsterdam’s page – “€2,530 annually?! That must be a mistake?” A click further: London School of Economics – “£30,000/year for international students.” Back to the Netherlands: “€2,530… really?” Then Germany: “Tuition… free?!” At this moment, you realize that the range of costs for studying abroad is so vast that without a systematic comparison, you’d be making a decision blindly.

This article provides that systematic analysis. We will compare the real, full costs of studying in nine of the most popular destinations: the USA, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Belgium. We’ll go beyond just tuition fees, as tuition often accounts for less than half of the true expenses. We’ll also cover living costs, hidden expenditures, scholarship availability, and ROI (return on investment) – what truly adds up when you factor in 3–4 years of study. If you’re just starting to consider studying abroad, begin with our comprehensive guide. If you know the USA interests you, check out our detailed guide to the cost of studying in America.

One note before we start: all amounts in this article are provided in their original currency. Exchange rates fluctuate, so treat any conversions as approximate, not absolute.

Tuition Fees: A Comprehensive Comparison Table

Let’s start with the most important question: how much does access to education itself cost – tuition fees, registration fees, and other mandatory university expenses. The data below pertains to international students / non-residents at public universities (unless otherwise noted) for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Country	Annual Tuition Fees (local currency)	Notes
USA (top private)	$55,000–85,000	Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Ivy League. Sticker price, financial aid reduces real cost
USA (public, out-of-state)	$30,000–55,000	UC Berkeley, UMich, UVA. In-state: $10,000–15,000 (not available for international students)
UK (top universities)	£25,000–45,000	Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE. Post-Brexit, EU students = international students
UK (average)	£15,000–25,000	Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Warwick
Netherlands (EU students)	~€2,530	Statutory tuition identical at all WO universities
Netherlands (non-EU students)	€8,000–20,000	Institutional rate, significantly higher
Germany (most states)	€0 (free)	Only a semester contribution fee (Semesterbeitrag): €150–400/semester
Germany (Baden-Württemberg)	€1,500/semester	The only state with tuition fees for non-EU students (since 2017). EU students: free
Italy (public)	€150–4,000/year	Depends on the university and family income (ISEE). Most EU students: €800–2,500
France (public)	€170–380/year	Licence (Bachelor's): €170, Master's: €243. Additional CVEC fee: €103
Switzerland (ETH/EPFL)	CHF 1,460/year	ETH Zurich and EPFL, among the world's best universities for minimal tuition
Switzerland (other)	CHF 1,000–4,000/year	University of Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern
Spain (public)	€700–2,500/year	Depends on the autonomous community. Madrid is cheaper, Catalonia more expensive
Belgium (Flanders)	€960–1,100/year	KU Leuven, Ghent, VUB. EU students = same tuition as Belgian citizens
Belgium (Wallonia)	€835/year	Even cheaper than Flanders

Look at this table and let it sink in: a year at Harvard costs as much as 25 years at ETH Zurich. A year at Oxford is equivalent to 10 years at Sorbonne. A year at LSE costs as much as a full 3-year bachelor’s degree in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, France, and Switzerland – combined. The disparity is absurd. But, and this is a crucial “but” – tuition fees don’t tell the whole story. Let’s delve deeper.

Living Costs: The Hidden Depths of True Expenses

Tuition fees are often less than half of the true cost of studying abroad. The second (and in many countries, the primary) layer of expense is living costs: accommodation, food, transport, insurance, phone, and entertainment. And here, the disparity is just as dramatic as with tuition.

City / Region	Accommodation (room/month)	Food (month)	Transport (month)	TOTAL monthly
New York / Boston	$1,200–2,000	$500–800	$130	$2,000–3,000
San Francisco / LA	$1,500–2,500	$500–800	$100–200	$2,200–3,500
Smaller US cities (college towns)	$600–1,200	$350–500	$50–100	$1,100–1,800
London	£800–1,500	£300–500	£150 (Oyster)	£1,300–2,200
Other UK cities (Manchester, Edinburgh)	£500–900	£250–400	£60–100	£850–1,400
Amsterdam	€600–800	€250–350	€0–50 (OV-chipkaart)	€900–1,250
Groningen / Maastricht	€350–550	€200–300	€0–30	€600–900
Munich / Frankfurt	€600–900	€250–350	€30 (Deutschlandticket)	€900–1,300
Smaller German cities (Heidelberg, Freiburg)	€400–600	€200–300	€30	€650–950
Milan	€500–750	€250–350	€25	€800–1,150
Bologna / Padua	€350–550	€200–300	€20	€600–900
Paris	€600–1,000	€300–400	€40 (Imagine R)	€1,000–1,500
Lyon / Toulouse	€400–600	€250–350	€30	€700–1,000
Zurich / Lausanne	CHF 800–1,200	CHF 400–600	CHF 50	CHF 1,300–1,900
Madrid / Barcelona	€400–700	€250–350	€20 (student)	€700–1,100
Leuven / Ghent	€400–600	€200–300	€30	€650–950

Key takeaways from this table:

The USA and London are in a different cost league. Living in New York costs 2–3 times more than in Bologna or Groningen. Even affordable college towns in the USA (Ann Arbor, Ithaca, Chapel Hill) are more expensive than most European cities.

Switzerland has high living costs, but low tuition. ETH Zurich charges CHF 1,460 in annual tuition, but living in Zurich costs CHF 1,300–1,900 per month. The paradox: tuition is cheaper than a single month of living expenses.

Continental Europe is surprisingly affordable. Groningen, Bologna, Leuven, Heidelberg (€600–950 per month are realistic figures).

Transport in Europe is an advantage. The Deutschlandticket for €49/month (all public transport in Germany), the Dutch OV-chipkaart (free public transport for students), and Italian and French student discounts mean transport is not a significant expense in Europe. In the USA, without a car, you’re often immobile outside a few major cities (NYC, Boston, Chicago, SF).

Financial Aid and Scholarships: Who Offers the Most?

This section changes the entire calculation. Because sticker price ≠ real price, and the difference can be enormous.

USA: The Most Generous, But Most Selective

The American financial aid system is a paradox: the world’s most expensive universities are simultaneously the most generous. The top 20 universities in the USA (Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, UPenn, Duke, Caltech, and others) practice need-blind admissions for international students. This means your financial situation does not affect the admission decision, and the university covers 100% of your demonstrated financial need.

What does this mean in practice? If your family earns below a certain threshold:

• Harvard: families with income below $85,000 – free tuition (tuition, accommodation, meals). Families earning up to $150,000 contribute 0 to 10% of their income. Average grant: $59,000/year. 55% of students receive financial aid.
• MIT: a comparable system. The average grant covers approximately 90% of costs.
• Princeton: the most generous in the Ivy League (83% of graduates complete their studies without any debt).
• Stanford: families with income below $100,000 receive free tuition and accommodation.

Learn more about scholarships and financial aid at Harvard in our guide to Harvard costs. For a general overview of scholarships in the USA, see: scholarships for studying in the USA for Poles. If you’re aiming for MIT, check out MIT costs.

BUT, and this is a huge “but” – these generous packages apply to universities with an acceptance rate of 3–8%. Getting in is extremely difficult. If you apply to universities outside the top 20 (which most students do), financial aid for international students is significantly more limited. Public universities (UC Berkeley, UMich, UVA) offer minimal financial aid for non-residents, meaning you pay full out-of-state tuition. Realistically: if you don’t get into a top 20 university with full financial aid, studying in the USA without substantial family savings is financially unrealistic.

Prepare for the SAT with okiro.io; at top US universities, your SAT score still matters. Check out our SAT guide.

UK: Limited After Brexit

Following Brexit, EU students lost access to UK student loans (Student Finance) and “home fee” tuition rates. As an international student in the UK, you now pay the full international rate, and scholarships for international students are limited and highly competitive.

Key options:

• Oxford & Cambridge: few scholarships specifically for EU undergraduates. The Clarendon Fund (Oxford) and Gates Cambridge (Cambridge) are prestigious but extremely selective (primarily for master’s/doctoral levels).
• Universities with scholarship programs: LSE, Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh offer merit-based scholarships, but these usually cover only a portion of tuition (£5,000–15,000/year), not the full costs.
• Chevening Scholarship: a full scholarship from the British government, but only for master’s degrees, not undergraduate.

Realistically: the UK is one of the most expensive destinations for an international student, with limited financial support options. Three years at a top London university (tuition + living) requires a significant financial commitment, and most of this amount must be covered from your own funds. More in our guide to studying in the UK.

Netherlands: DUO and Low Tuition Fees

The Dutch system is elegantly simple: low tuition fees (€2,530/year for EU students) + the possibility of obtaining a DUO scholarship if you work a minimum of 56 hours per month. DUO includes a basisbeurs (~€300/month) plus a preferential student loan. Additionally: free public transport with the OV-chipkaart. Details in our guide to studying in the Netherlands.

Germany: Free Tuition + Deutschlandstipendium

Germany is the only major country where tuition fees at public universities are free – for everyone, regardless of citizenship (exception: Baden-Württemberg, €1,500/semester for non-EU students). You only pay a Semesterbeitrag (€150–400/semester), which often includes a public transport ticket. Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month, independent of income, awarded for academic merit. DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers scholarships at the master’s and doctoral levels. More in our guide to studying in Germany.

Italy: The DSU System and Regional Scholarships

The Italian scholarship system is based on DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) – regional agencies that award grants based on family income (ISEE declaration). An international student from an EU country with a low-income family may be eligible for: tuition fee exemption + a living cost grant (€2,000–5,000/year) + a place in a student residence. Details vary between regions: Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany are among the most generous. More about Italian universities in our guide to studying in Italy.

France: Nearly Free Tuition

With tuition fees of €170–380/year at public universities, France doesn’t need an extensive scholarship system for tuition, as the fees are symbolic. The CROUS scholarship (Centre Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires) covers living costs for low-income students: €100–600/month. APL (Aide Personnalisée au Logement) is a housing allowance: €100–250/month, available to any student residing in France, regardless of nationality.

Switzerland: Low Tuition, High Living Costs

ETH Zurich (CHF 1,460/year) and EPFL (CHF 1,460/year) – universities ranked in the world’s top 10 for tuition fees lower than many private institutions. However, living costs in Zurich and Lausanne (CHF 1,300–1,900/month) are among the highest in Europe. ETH scholarships: Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme, covers tuition + living costs (CHF 12,000/year), but is highly selective. More in our guide to ETH Zurich.

Belgium and Spain: Affordable and Accessible

Belgium: tuition fees €835–1,100/year, living costs in Leuven/Ghent at €650–950/month. University scholarships and Flemish aid programs are available. More about KU Leuven.

Spain: tuition fees €700–2,500/year, living costs €700–1,100/month (Madrid and Barcelona are more expensive). Ministry of Education scholarships (Becas MEC) are available for EU students based on income.

Total Cost of 3–4 Years of Study: A Grand Comparison

Here’s the moment of truth. How much do full undergraduate studies (3 years in Europe, 4 years in the USA/UK in Scotland) really cost – tuition + living expenses + insurance + travel home, in each of the compared countries? Scenario: an international student without a scholarship (worst case) and with a realistically available scholarship (best realistic case). (Note: Approximate conversions from original PLN values to relevant local currencies have been used for the “Full Cost” columns, based on the exchange rates provided in the original article: 1 USD = 4.05 PLN, 1 EUR = 4.18 PLN, 1 GBP = 5.15 PLN, 1 CHF = 4.55 PLN.)

Destination	Duration	Full Cost WITHOUT Scholarship (approx.)	Full Cost WITH Realistic Scholarship (approx.)
USA, top private (Harvard, MIT)	4 years	$270,000–345,000	$0–50,000 (need-blind financial aid)
USA, public (UC Berkeley)	4 years	$185,000–245,000	$150,000–210,000 (minimal aid)
UK, top (Oxford, LSE)	3 years	£97,000–136,000	£78,000–116,000 (limited scholarships)
UK, average (Manchester, Leeds)	3 years	£68,000–97,000	£58,000–87,000
Netherlands (UvA, Maastricht)	3 years	€29,000–45,500	€17,000–31,000 (DUO + part-time work)
Germany (TU Munich, Heidelberg)	3 years	€24,000–40,500	€19,000–33,500 (Semesterbeitrag + living)
Italy (Bologna, Polimi)	3 years	€21,500–38,000	€9,500–24,000 (DSU grant)
France (Sorbonne, Sciences Po)	3 years	€24,000–48,000	€14,500–31,000 (CROUS + APL)
Switzerland (ETH, EPFL)	3 years	CHF 44,000–66,000	CHF 33,000–55,000 (living costs are high)
Spain (Madrid, Barcelona)	4 years	€31,000–48,000	€21,500–36,000 (Becas MEC)
Belgium (KU Leuven, Ghent)	3 years	€24,000–37,000	€17,000–28,500

These figures speak volumes. Here are a few key observations:

The USA is binary. Either you get into a top 20 university with full financial aid (and study for $0–50,000, potentially cheaper than in Switzerland!), or you pay $185,000–345,000. There’s no intermediate option that is financially rational for most international students. It’s an “all or nothing” game, and it’s crucial to understand these stakes before applying.

The UK is expensive without a proportional advantage. For £97,000–136,000 at Oxford, you get a 3-year degree. For €24,000–40,500 in Germany, you get a degree from TU Munich, a university that ranks 30–40 positions lower but is equally valued by employers (especially in engineering and STEM). Is a difference of £70,000–100,000 worth those 30–40 positions? For most families, probably not.

Continental Europe offers the best value for money on the planet. ETH Zurich (#7 QS) for a total of CHF 44,000–66,000. Politecnico di Milano (top 3 in Europe for design and engineering) for €21,500–38,000. University of Amsterdam for €29,000–45,500. Sorbonne for €24,000–48,000. No other region in the world offers such high-quality education at such a low price.

Hidden Costs: What No One Talks About

Beyond tuition and living costs, there are hidden expenses that can add thousands of dollars or euros annually to your budget. Here are the most significant ones.

Health insurance. In the USA, mandatory university health insurance costs $2,000–4,000/year. In the UK, the NHS (National Health Service) is accessible after paying the Immigration Health Surcharge: £776/year. In EU countries, as an EU citizen, you can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – free of charge for basic care. Non-EU students will typically need to purchase private health insurance. In the Netherlands, if you work, you must take out a basiszorgverzekering (~€130/month). In Germany, public student health insurance is ~€110/month.

Visa and immigration fees. USA: SEVIS fee ($350) + F-1 visa fee ($185) = $535. UK: student visa (£490) + Immigration Health Surcharge (£776/year × 3 years = £2,328) = total £2,818. EU Europe: €0, as an EU citizen, you do not need a visa.

Travel home. USA: round-trip flight $600–1,200, realistically 1–2 trips per year. UK: flight $50–200, more frequent visits possible. Netherlands/Germany/Belgium: flight €30–100 or train/bus €40–80 – weekend visits home are a reality. Italy/France/Spain: €50–150. Switzerland: €60–150. This item adds up: 4 years × 2 flights to the USA can mean significant travel costs. 3 years × 4–6 flights within Europe will be considerably less.

Books and materials. USA: $500–1,200/year (no joke, American textbooks cost $200–400 each). Europe: €0–300/year (most materials online, textbooks cheaper or available in the library).

Phone and internet. USA: $40–80/month for a mobile plan. Europe: €10–25/month. Over 4 years, this difference can be substantial.

Application costs. USA: application fee $60–90 × 8–12 universities = $480–1,080 + SAT ($64) + TOEFL ($200–220) + score reporting = total $800–1,400. UK: UCAS £28.50 (for 1–5 universities) + IELTS ($200–220) = £250–300. Continental Europe: €0–100 per application + IELTS/TOEFL = €300–500.

ROI: Return on Investment – Post-Graduation Earnings

Costs are one side of the equation. The other is how much you’ll earn after graduation and how quickly your investment will pay off. The data below represents the median salary for graduates 1–3 years after completing their bachelor’s/master’s degrees (indicative data, varying significantly by field of study).

Country / City	Median Post-Graduation Salary (annual, local currency)	Earnings/Cost of Study Ratio
USA (top university, STEM)	$85,000–120,000	Highest earnings, but highest costs
USA (top university, humanities)	$55,000–75,000	Lower earnings, same costs
UK (London, finance/tech)	£35,000–55,000	Good earnings, but high costs
UK (outside London)	£28,000–38,000	Moderate
Netherlands	€35,000–50,000	Excellent ratio
Germany	€40,000–55,000	Best ROI in Europe
Switzerland	CHF 70,000–90,000	Very high earnings, but expensive living
France	€32,000–42,000	Good ratio with low tuition
Italy	€25,000–35,000	Lower earnings, but lower costs
Spain	€22,000–32,000	Lowest earnings in comparison
Belgium	€35,000–45,000	Good ratio

ROI analysis leads to several counter-intuitive conclusions:

Germany has the best ROI in Europe. Free tuition + moderate living costs + high post-graduation earnings (€40,000–55,000) means an investment of €24,000–40,500 pays for itself in 1–2 years of work. No other country can beat this.

Switzerland has the best absolute ROI. Despite high living costs, salaries in Switzerland (CHF 70,000–90,000) are the highest in Europe, even before considering lower taxes (approx. 10–15% vs. 30–45% in the rest of Europe). An investment of CHF 44,000–66,000 pays for itself in 1–2 years. The challenge? Remaining in Switzerland after studies requires a work permit (for EU citizens: easier, but not automatic).

The USA with full financial aid is the best deal in the world. If (a big “if”) you get into Harvard/MIT/Stanford with full financial aid, your investment is $0–50,000, and starting salaries are $85,000–120,000+. The ROI is virtually infinite. But remember: an acceptance rate of 3–5% means this is an option for a select few, not a Plan A.

Italy and Spain have the weakest ROI in terms of earnings. Study costs are low, but so are post-graduation salaries – €22,000–35,000 in countries where living costs are not proportionally lower than in Germany or the Netherlands. Exception: Politecnico di Milano (engineering, design) and Bocconi (business) – graduates from these universities earn at a level comparable to Germany.

Currency Fluctuations and Exchange Rate Risk: A Factor Beyond Your Control

There’s one factor you can’t capture in any comparison table: currency risk. If your family earns in your home currency, but you pay tuition in dollars, pounds, or francs, your real cost of study depends not only on prices but also on the exchange rate, which changes daily.

Over the past 5 years, exchange rates for major currencies like EUR, USD, and GBP have shown significant fluctuations against many home currencies. This means your annual cost of studying in the USA, for example, could fluctuate by thousands of dollars or euros depending on when you exchange money.

What does this mean practically?

• Studying in the Eurozone (Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Belgium) carries lower currency risk for families earning in a non-euro currency, as the EUR is a major, relatively stable currency.
• Studying in the USA carries the highest currency risk – the USD can be volatile, and tuition fees are so high that even a small exchange rate change can translate into thousands of dollars.
• Studying in the UK and Switzerland carries moderate risk: GBP and CHF are relatively stable, but often at high values.

Advice: if you plan to study in the USA or UK, consider buying currency in advance (averaging the exchange rate over 12–18 months before departure) or using a multi-currency account with a bank that offers favorable rates (Wise, Revolut).

”Free” Doesn’t Always Mean Free: Opportunity Cost

There’s one aspect of costs rarely discussed: opportunity cost. If you study for 4 years in the USA instead of 3 years in Europe, you “lose” a year of potential earnings. If studies in Germany realistically take 3.5–4 years (instead of the nominal 3, which is common at German public universities), that extra year also comes with a price.

Let’s calculate: a graduate who completes a 3-year degree in the Netherlands at age 21 and starts working will earn approximately €35,000–50,000 in that year (before their peer finishes a 4-year degree in the USA at age 22). This year of work is a “hidden cost” of a 4-year program that no one includes in the tables.

On the other hand: a 4-year degree in the USA gives you time to build your CV (internships, research, extracurriculars), which can translate into higher starting salaries. An MIT CS graduate with 3 FAANG internships doesn’t need an extra year of work; their first salary could be $150,000+.

There’s no single right answer. But it’s worth consciously including opportunity cost in your calculation, especially if the difference between a 3-year European program and a 4-year American one amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars or euros.

Free University Education: Is It Really Possible?

The answer is: yes, but with caveats. Here are scenarios where an international student can complete studies abroad at a top university for less than €12,000–$15,000 out of pocket, or even for free.

Scenario 1: USA with full financial aid. Harvard, MIT, Princeton, need-blind admissions. If your family’s income is below ~$85,000 (which applies to many international families), studies are free. Tuition, accommodation, meals, flights – all covered. You just need to get in (acceptance rate: 3–5%). Prepare for the SAT with okiro.io, and check out our guide to studying in the USA for free.

Scenario 2: Germany. Tuition: €0. Semesterbeitrag: €300–400/semester (including a public transport ticket). Living costs: €650–950/month in smaller cities. If you work part-time (20h/week × €12–15/h = €960–1,200/month), you can cover a significant portion of your living costs from your earnings. Total out-of-pocket cost: €7,000–19,000 for 3 years. Close to free.

Scenario 3: France with APL + CROUS. Tuition: €170–380/year. APL (housing allowance): €100–250/month. CROUS (social scholarship): €100–600/month. Part-time work: €400–600/month. If you qualify for maximum support, studying in France could cost €0–9,500 out of pocket.

Scenario 4: Italy with DSU. If your family’s income qualifies you for full DSU support: tuition fee exemption + living cost grant + a place in a student residence. Out-of-pocket cost: €4,800–12,000 for 3 years.

Scenario 5: Government scholarships in Asia. MEXT (Japan) and CSC (China) cover everything: tuition, accommodation, flights, and a monthly stipend. Cost: €0. But you must pass a selective recruitment process.

The Best Option for an International Student: It Depends

There isn’t one best answer, but there are best answers for specific situations. Here’s my recommendation based on your priorities and financial situation.

If you dream of the absolute best university in the world and have outstanding results → apply to the top 15–20 in the USA with financial aid. Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Princeton for free is the best deal in global education. But have a Plan B in Europe. Prepare for the SAT and TOEFL.

If minimizing costs while maintaining quality is a priority → Germany (TU Munich, Heidelberg, LMU Munich, RWTH Aachen) or France (Sciences Po, Sorbonne). Free or nearly free tuition, moderate living costs, universities in the top 100–200 QS rankings.

If you’re looking for the best balance: quality + costs + prospects + English-taught programs → the Netherlands. Tuition €2,530, 13 universities in the top 200, over 2,100 English-taught programs, DUO for working students, free transport. Hard to beat. Details in the guide to the Netherlands.

If you’re aiming for STEM/engineering at the absolute highest level → ETH Zurich or EPFL. Top 10 worldwide, tuition CHF 1,460/year. Living costs are high (Zurich/Lausanne), but the quality of education is on par with MIT. Alternatives: TU Delft in the Netherlands (cheaper living) or Politecnico di Milano (even cheaper living).

If you value lifestyle and want a sunny campus life → Italy (Bologna, Padua, Milan) or Spain (Madrid, Barcelona). Low tuition fees, beautiful countries, great cuisine, warm climate. Post-graduation earnings are lower, but so are living costs.

If you want the prestige of the UK but cannot/do not want to pay the full rate → consider University of Edinburgh or St Andrews (Scotland, 4 years, but SAAS may cover tuition for EU students in certain programs; check current conditions post-Brexit) or Trinity College Dublin (Ireland, lower tuition than the UK, EU students = €6,500–8,000/year).

How College Council Can Help You

Choosing a country, university, and financial strategy is one of the most important decisions in your life, and simultaneously one of the most complex. Each country has a different system, different deadlines, different requirements, and different financial options. Navigating this process independently is possible, but professional support can save you tens of thousands of dollars or euros (literally, by identifying scholarships and financial options you weren’t aware of).

College Council helps international students at every stage:

• Financial analysis and strategy – we’ll compare the real costs for your specific situation (family income, academic profile, preferences). We’ll help you choose the optimal country and university from a financial perspective.
• Scholarship applications – identification of available scholarships, preparation of scholarship applications (financial aid in the USA, DSU in Italy, DAAD in Germany, DUO in the Netherlands).
• IELTS/TOEFL preparation – language coaching with experienced tutors. Also prepare with prepclass.io – full practice tests with AI feedback.
• SAT preparation, if you’re applying to universities in the USA or Europe that accept the SAT. Practice also on okiro.io.
• Essays and personal statements – tailored to the specific requirements of universities in different countries.
• Multi-country strategy – we’ll help you apply simultaneously to the USA, UK, and Europe so you have options and can compare offers.

Check out our services on the study abroad preparation page or contact us via the contact form. Your first orientation call is free.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Study Abroad Costs

Is University in Germany Really Free?

Yes, public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees to any student (regardless of citizenship), with one exception: Baden-Württemberg (Heidelberg, Freiburg, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Konstanz) charges €1,500/semester for non-EU students. As an EU citizen, you are exempt from even this fee. You only pay a Semesterbeitrag (€150–400/semester), which often includes a public transport ticket. More in our guide to studying in Germany.

What Does Harvard University Really Cost?

The sticker price is ~$82,390/year (tuition + accommodation + meals). However, Harvard practices need-blind admissions with financial aid covering 100% of demonstrated financial need. For families with income below $85,000, studies are free. Families earning up to $150,000 contribute 0 to 10% of their income. 55% of Harvard students receive financial aid, and the average grant is $59,000/year. For many international families, Harvard is cheaper than LSE. Details in our guide to Harvard costs.

Do EU Citizens Pay Less in the Netherlands and Belgium?

Yes, in the Netherlands, EU/EEA citizens pay the statutory tuition fee of ~€2,530/year (vs. €8,000–20,000 for non-EU students). In Belgium (Flanders), EU tuition is €960–1,100/year. In both countries, you also have the full right to work without a permit and access to financial support systems (DUO in the Netherlands if working a minimum of 56h/month). This is one of the biggest advantages of being an EU citizen, so make the most of it.

Which Degrees Offer the Best Return on Investment (ROI)?

The best absolute ROI: USA with full financial aid (cost: ~$0, earnings: $85,000+/year). The best realistic ROI in Europe: Germany (cost: €24,000–40,500, earnings: €40,000–55,000/year) and Switzerland (cost: CHF 44,000–66,000, earnings: CHF 70,000–90,000/year).

Can I Work While Studying Abroad?

Yes, with varying restrictions. In EU countries (Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Belgium), as an EU citizen, you have the full right to work without restrictions. In the USA: up to 20h/week on campus (off-campus requires special permission). In the UK: up to 20h/week during term time, full-time during breaks. Part-time work in Europe (10–20h/week) can cover €400–800/month, a significant portion of living costs.

Is Financial Aid in the USA Available for International Students?

Yes, top US universities (Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, Amherst, Williams, and others) offer need-blind admissions and full-need financial aid for international students. Your financial situation does not affect the admission decision, and the university covers 100% of your demonstrated need. BUT: these universities have an acceptance rate of 3–8%. At universities outside the top 20, financial aid for international students is significantly more limited. Details in our guide to scholarships in the USA.

How to Choose Between the USA and Europe?

It depends on three factors: (1) Do you have a chance at a top 15–20 US university with financial aid? If so, apply, as it’s the best deal. (2) What is your family’s financial situation? If you cannot afford $195,000–345,000 (without financial aid), the USA outside the top 20 is not a viable option. (3) Where do you want to live after graduation? If in Europe, a European degree is more practical. If in the USA, an American degree + OPT/H-1B is a necessity. Optimally: apply simultaneously to top US universities (with financial aid) and in Europe, then compare offers. College Council can help you plan this strategy.

Is University in Europe Inferior to the USA?

No, but they are different. European universities (ETH Zurich, Oxford, Cambridge, TU Munich, KU Leuven, Sciences Po) are at an absolutely top academic level. Differences: (1) System: USA, liberal arts, broad education, 4 years. Europe, specialization from the first year, 3 years. (2) Campus life: USA, campus mini-cities with clubs, sports, Greek life. Europe, more integrated with the city, less of a “campus bubble.” (3) Costs: Europe is 3–10x cheaper. (4) Financial aid: USA is most generous at the top, but most expensive elsewhere. Europe: predictable, low costs without the need for extensive aid. Neither approach is objectively “better”; it’s a matter of preference and situation.

Summary: Calculator Before Heart

Studying abroad is a financial decision on the level of buying a home, and sometimes even more expensive. A year at Harvard without financial aid can cost as much as a small apartment. Four years in the USA can equate to the price of a substantial property. But that same Harvard with financial aid is cheaper than 3 years at LSE. And ETH Zurich, the seventh-ranked university in the world, costs less than many private high schools.

Therefore, don’t make decisions based on prestige or emotion. Make them based on a full calculation: tuition + living costs + hidden expenses + scholarships + post-graduation earnings + currency risk + opportunity cost. And remember: the most expensive option isn’t automatically the best, and the cheapest isn’t automatically the worst. ETH Zurich for €1,460/year is better than most universities that cost 50 times as much.

Next Steps

1. Do your own calculation: take this table, input your family’s income, and calculate the full 3–4 years with living costs and hidden expenses. How much can you realistically spend?
2. Apply broadly: submit applications to 2–3 countries simultaneously. The USA (top 15–20 with financial aid) + Europe (2–3 countries) is an optimal strategy. Consult with College Council.
3. Take language exams: IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+ is the minimum for most universities. Prepare with prepclass.io, and check out our IELTS guide or TOEFL guide.
4. Consider the SAT: if you’re applying to the USA or to European universities that accept the SAT. Practice on okiro.io.
5. Check high school diploma conversion: our guide explains how your high school leaving exam (like the Polish Matura) grades translate to international standards.
6. Plan your timeline: deadlines in the USA, UK, and Europe vary. Our application timeline will help you manage dates.

Read Also

• How much does it cost to study in the USA: a detailed guide – a detailed analysis of American costs.
• Scholarships for studying in the USA for Poles: how to get financial aid.
• Scholarships for studying in Europe – an overview of scholarship options in Europe.
• Study in the USA for free: a complete guide: how to study in America without paying.
• Study abroad: a comprehensive guide – a general overview of all options.

Good luck with your calculations, and remember that an investment in education is the only one that never loses value!