Five of the most affordable places to study abroad include Mexico, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Germany, and Poland. So whether you want to head off to a tropical location, Europe, Latin America, or Asia, these are destinations that will give you a quality education you can afford.
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to have an adventure while working on getting a degree. Plus, there are certain countries where receiving your education can be less expensive than it would be at home. When considering where to study abroad, factor in the cost of tuition, along with the overall cost of living, to make an informed choice.
When it comes down to paying for rent, utilities, groceries, mobile plans, your student visa, and other everyday expenses, these are our top five affordable places to study abroad. If you want to avoid acquiring high student loan debt, consider attending one of the prestigious schools in one of the following locations.
1. Mexico
According to Travel + Leisure, Mexico ranks #1 on a list of the cheapest countries where you can study abroad. When it comes to day-to-day expenses, the country is known for its affordability. So even if you choose to attend one of the more expensive universities, you could still save money while exploring colonial churches and Mayan ruins, or any of the 31 UNESCO World Heritage Sites throughout the country.
Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, also known as The National Autonomous University of Mexico, is one of the top ranking universities in the country, and it can appeal to students who are interested in studying art and design. Other top schools include Tecnológico de Monterrey and Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN). The main language is Spanish, but you might find some courses in English as well.
2. Costa Rica
You could spend your university years in paradise by attending a school in Costa Rica, which is a country known for its laid-back, eco-friendly way of life. Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to spend loads of time exploring the natural world, including hiking up volcanoes, swimming in the ocean, and trekking through rainforests. And there’s always the chance you’ll see a wild sloth too. Plus, all students are able to embrace living la vida loca.
Some of the top ranking schools in Costa Rica include Universidad de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional Costa Rica, Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología – ULACIT, and Universidad Latina de Costa Rica. Spanish is the primary language, but you can choose from English elective courses if you study through API’s Language and Culture Program in San Jose at the Universidad Veritas.
Costa Rica is also known for being one of the most affordable study abroad destinations, offering a low cost of living, particularly when compared to other tropical destinations and countries like the United States. Students who do not plan on living on campus can take advantage of affordable rent, transportation, food, clothing, and entertainment.
3. Malaysia
Malaysia is becoming one of the most popular destinations for students who wish to study abroad affordably. According to The Guardian, tuition fees at Malaysian universities can be a quarter of the costs of tuition in the U.K. And in terms of cost of living, students can pay roughly half of what they would have to spend in the U.K. Students from other nations, such as the United States and Australia, can also benefit from going to school in Malaysia, as they will be able to spend less and avoid hefty student debt.
In Malaysia, you can find international branches for popular schools like Monash University of Melbourne, Australia, but when it comes to the nation’s most well known schools, many international students attend the University of Malaya in the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.
4. Germany
For students who wish to study in Europe, Germany is an ideal destination. This is also a great choice for those who wish to study the German language, the sciences, and business. You can even apply for a variety of internships there, as some of the largest businesses, including BMW, Volkswagen, and Hugo Boss, are headquartered throughout the nation and are dedicated to innovation.
Tuition at Germany’s universities is what attracts foreign students most. Top universities charge surprisingly low tuition rates, and some may not charge any tuition at all. Even students who are not from the E.U. may be able to go to school for free in Germany, but they will have to cover an administration fee each semester. One of the top schools in Germany is Freie Universität Berlin, which ranks well internationally and does not charge tuition for undergrad programmes.
5. Poland
Compared to other European nations, Polish residents have lower expenses, and universities charge fees that are below the average for European schools as well. You can expect that the cost of day-to-day expenses like food and entertainment will be affordable. Even Warsaw (the capital of Poland) provides international students with a comparably low cost of living and low tuition fees.
In terms of where to study, many students choose the University of Warsaw, which is the biggest university in the country and has a solid ranking amongst other schools on the international stage. Big cities like Warsaw and Krakow are typically more expensive than smaller towns, but the priciest city is Pulkowice, where you will find the University Jana Wyżykowskiego.
Learn more about how to save money while studying abroad.
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