This post was written especially for College Essay Guy by Independent Educational Consultants:
A note from the authors: The content of this article won’t help every applicant: every situation is sensitive and unique, and education is continuously changing. However, we want to be transparent that our goals are to give you context, steps, and tools for further research so you can be empowered in your next decisions.
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Can you study a full Bachelor’s degree—in English— for less than 10,000 USD total per year? You bet! With an open mind and increased awareness, you can find colleges and universities around the world that:
Have a total cost of attendance below 10,000 USD/year: that includes tuition, fees, living costs (housing and meals), transportation, and more (check out “How Much Does it ACTUALLY Cost to go to College? A Guide for International Students” for more insight). Remember that there are scholarships available to get the total cost down to even less.
Give generous scholarships to cut down the total cost of attendance to 10,000 USD /year.
Before you look at the list of schools and suggestions below, we strongly recommend reading this article to gain a better idea of what you’re looking for in a college: How to Develop a Great University List When Applying Outside the U.S..
But we know you’re eager to see your options. So, let’s get started!
5 Countries that offer higher education that typically costs less than 10,000 USD/year
A little disclaimer: this list is by no means comprehensive! The universities listed here are also focused exclusively on English-language programs. Remember that you will need to demonstrate your English language proficiency through your schooling, citizenship, or an exam such as TOEFL, IELTS or DuoLingo, depending on the university’s policy.
If you speak another language, we recommend you consider affordable options with instruction in that language as well. For example, if you speak German, German public universities, with free tuition for both domestic and international students, are a phenomenal option!
There is also the option to learn a foreign language in order to take advantage of low living costs, such as spending a year in Ukraine learning Ukranian in order to then apply to complete a degree in Ukranian, or fully paid incentives to learn a language such as Korean and Japanese to then complete an undergraduate degree.
It’s also important to note that each country’s educational system may vary in important ways from your own. For example, you may have certain ideas about the advantages of a private university over a public university, when those same ideas may no longer hold in another country. While public schools are underfunded in some countries, in others they are prioritized and outdo private schools in both quality of education and access to opportunities.
Instead, focus on finding an accredited university that not only fits your budget but also supports students coming from abroad. We recommend that you check if there is a designated office for international students to help with your transition, offering services such as extracurriculars, medical support, and intramural sports.
With an open mind and a little research, you’ll be able to find lots of affordable study options around the globe.
Are you ready? Here is a list of 5 countries with colleges that, on average, cost less than 10,000 USD total per year.
1. Bulgaria
Bulgaria is one of the least expensive countries in Europe! It has a handful of public and private universities offering programs in English and is known for its programs in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Engineering.
Many universities are located in Sofia, the capital and largest city in Bulgaria. Sofia is an international city known for the friendliness of the people and a high percentage of the population speaks English. Living costs average around 625 USD/month. And since it’s an EU member state, your diploma will be recognized all throughout the EU without having to sit additional exams!
Highlighted Universities:
American University of Bulgaria: Students pay USD 7,250 on average for tuition, on-campus housing and meals are USD 2,090/year. Even better, this past year, a quarter of students received full scholarships and 74% received some sort of financial support. For a U.S. education and degree while living in the EU, this is a great deal. Listen in on this conversation with AUBG for more details.
New Bulgarian University: New Bulgaria University is a modern, private university; English-language programs include Philosophy, Business Economics, Anthropology, Politics & Society, and Psychology. Tuition is USD 3,650/year.
Sofia University: Sofia University offers a number of English-language programs, including Nuclear and Particle Physics, Accounting, African Studies, and Philosophy. Tuition varies depending on the discipline but ranges from USD 2,200 to USD 7,700/year. Note, though, that Bulgarian courses may be obligatory for first and second-year international students. Check out more about applying as an international student here.
Technical University of Sofia English-language programs include Mechatronic Systems, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, and Industrial Engineering. The annual tuition is USD 3,567.
A note on applying
Both public and private universities have their own applications. Please check out their websites for entry requirements. Depending on the program, you’ll likely have to demonstrate English proficiency and may have to sit an admissions exam. Compared to other countries in the EU, though, Bulgaria generally has less rigorous entry requirements. For a more general overview of what could be required, check out studyinbulgaria.com. This link about scholarships in Bulgaria also provides good insight.
A note on visas
As a non-EU student, you would be looking into a visa type D. To be able to obtain this visa you do need to demonstrate you have medical insurance, a plan for housing, and enough funds to pay for basic living expenses. Check in with the Bulgarian embassy in your country for specific requirements and the legal limits for working while studying.
2. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic (also called Czechia) offers high-quality higher education options in a country known for being both affordable and safe. Bachelor’s Degrees in English can be well under USD 5000/year (and last 3 years instead of 4!). And if you’re really committed, higher education at public and state institutions is free of charge for you if you study in Czech! Estimated USD 350-750/month for living costs, including meals, accommodation, public transport, and culture.
Highlighted Universities:
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague: CZU is one of the Top 10 Public Universities in the Czech Republic. Students can study ecology, natural resources, business, technology, informatics, and more on CZU’s green and modern university campus. In the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, students can take advantage of studies at the undergraduate and graduate levels that emphasize sustainability and responsibility. Tuition can be as low as about USD 400/year for a major such as Environmental Engineering, and there are wonderfully supportive opportunities to engage in research and exchanges abroad as the Faculty of Environmental Sciences is a member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences. At CZU, there are 2500 international students (15% of total student population) and supportive activities to help with your integration as an international student. Learn more about programs and student life in this interview.
Charles University in Prague: Over 20% of the students at Charles University are international students and Prague itself is a vibrant and international city. The university offers at least 10 English-language programs, among them Computer Science, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Tuition varies depending on the program but generally ranges between USD 2,400 and USD 6,500/year.
Prague City University (PCU): PCU is a small specialist university in the heart of Prague offering both British and Czech-accredited degrees. PCU enjoys a diverse and inclusive community of students and faculty, drawn from over 90 countries. All programmes are taught in English and available at Foundation, Professional Diploma, Bachelor’s and Master’s levels across four schools; the School of Art & Design, the School of Business, the School of Education and the School of Media & IT. Tuition ranges from USD 6,000 to USD 8,900/year.
Anglo-American University: An international university located in Prague with small classes and students from over 80 different countries. Anglo-American University offers a diverse array of programs in Business, Journalism, Law, the Social Sciences, and the Humanities. Tuition for a year is roughly USD 8,400.
Prague University of Economics and Business: If you’re looking for an affordable way to study Business or Econ, this is a great option! They offer four English-language Bachelor’s degrees: Business Administration, Economics, International and Diplomatic Studies, and International Business. Tuition is around USD 4,800/year.
Masaryk University: Masaryk has over 6,000 international students and Brno is a very student-friendly city. And it’s even more affordable than Prague! Masaryk’s English-language options include English Language and Literature, Business Management and Finance, and Economics and Public Policy. Tuition costs are between USD 2,400 and USD 4,200/year, depending on the faculty.
Czech Technical University in Prague: CTU has 20% international students and offers several programs taught in English, including Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Tuition is generally around USD 5,000/year. They offer scholarships for particular disciplines and for students from developing countries.
A note on applying:
As a general timeline, applications are usually due between February and April if you wish to start in the fall. For a general run-down on what the application process may be like for universities in the Czech Republic, check out this step-by-step guide. Remember, however, that each university will have its own deadlines and entry requirements. Some, for example, may require an entrance exam that you would need to take online or in person in the Czech Republic. Others may ask you for a certification (vysvědčení) from the Czech government, verifying that your international high school diploma is officially recognized. This process is called nostrifikace. Click here for more information on “nostrification.”
3. Italy
The Italian higher educational system prides its equitability for scholarships (with some of the lowest fees in Europe), high quality programs and institutions, and safety (aligned with the country’s goals for sustainable development, access to universal healthcare, and innovation during the pandemic) (Fondazione CRUI).
Italy has several options for continuing your higher education in English, with public universities maxing out at about 4800 USD/year in tuition. Shared rooms and apartments can help bring living costs to below USD 1000/month and there are great incentives for accommodation grants to cover your cost of housing. See pages 40-43 in the NACAC Guide to International University Admission for more details. You also want to keep in mind that for certain degrees, an entrance exam will be required, and most Italian universities will require an entrance exam such as the TOLC, an orientation and evaluation test to determine your aptitude and preparation.
Highlighted Universities:
Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia: Located on the Grand Canal of picturesque Venice, students have the opportunity to earn degrees taught in English, Italian and English/Italian at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD levels. Degrees are offered in Humanities, Economics, Sciences, and Foreign Languages. Students with citizenship in countries with low economic development have tuition reduced from 2500 USD/year to 840 USD/year to Ca’ Foscari’s undergraduate programs in Venice, Italy. You can definitely budget to live under USD 1000/month for the academic year in a shared apartment or in one of the student residences as Venice is a very student-friendly city to accommodate varying budgets. Check out photos and updates from Kristen’s visit here.
Politecnico di Torino: This is Italy’s oldest technical university, and “forms part of the alliance UNITE! (University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering), a project to create a trans-European campus, to introduce trans-European curricula, to promote scientific cooperation between the members and to strengthen knowledge transfer between the countries” (Wikipedia). Bachelor’s Degrees in English are offered in Engineering and Architecture. Tuition for international students is based on country of citizenship and ranges from 193 USD to 4,837 USD/year (check out this neat map about fees!).
Sapienza Università di Roma: This research university on the outskirts of Rome offers 16 Bachelor’s Degrees in English in medicine, engineering, and humanities (and 50+ programs in English at the Master’s level). Total tuition ranges from 600 USD to 1200 USD per year based on your citizenship/foreign income, and there are scholarships for accommodations and even internships amounting to 1095€/month.
A note on visas
While the low tuition rates and accommodation grants are tempting, non-EU citizens will still need to show proof of financial support (at least € 448,07 per month (539 USD/month) for the academic year, a total of 6356.49 USD per year).
What about focusing on an English-speaking country that borderlines the USD 10,000 mark and offers incentives for need- and merit-based aid to bring down the price point? There are 875 universities in India, giving you a range of options of research-based institutions, liberal arts curricula, and more. Focus on coursework, alumni success, and student support services for international students.
Highlighted Universities:
Ashoka University: Ashoka is a small liberal arts and sciences university with a growing international student population, currently representing 18 countries. Students will take Foundation Courses, Major Courses, Co-Curricular Courses, and credits for an elective, minor or concentration during their three years total of undergraduate study. Students can also opt to spend an additional year to further in-depth research. Tuition, housing and meals add up to USD 13,500 total/year, with need-based financial aid available to bring down the total cost.
Krea University. Krea is also a liberal arts and sciences university that focuses on building an interdisciplinary foundation before choosing one of their 13 majors in Humanities and Social Sciences, Sciences and/or Literature and the Arts. Tuition is USD 9,786/year and living expenses are estimated at USD 2,205/year, subject to revision every year as specified in their fee structure. There is need-/ merit-based aid to help bring down expenses in order to meet your educational aspirations, which can easily bring down the total cost of attendance to under USD 10,000/year.
5. Malaysia
This content was contributed by Kavita Chandran, University Counselor at UWC Changshu (and from Malaysia!)
Malaysia, known for its “Truly Asia” tagline, is well known as a popular tourist destination in Asia. A leader in industrial growth and political stability for decades, Malaysia is also one of the top study destinations for students seeking to obtain an internationally renowned education. It is strategically located, making it easy for domestic and international travel to other parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, and international students can easily mingle with domestic students of diverse backgrounds.
Most universities are located in the city center of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital. English is commonly used not only in education, but also in this multicultural country: in fact, it is possible to live in urban areas of Malaysia only knowing English. Malaysia hosts 100+ globally recognized public and private institutions, including foreign branches of reputable universities from the U.K, Australia, and Ireland - some have their own overseas branch or work in partnership with a Malaysian institution.
Annual tuition fees for undergraduate programs range from USD 4,000 to 6,000. Cost of living is also affordable in such a cosmopolitan city, with an estimated range of 400-600 USD per month to live really comfortably as a student.
This multicultural country gives a chance for international students to meet domestic students. Students have the option to study in English at the undergraduate and graduate levels both at private and public institutions. Malaysia is also a great and affordable place to pursue a medical degree: students can enroll right after finishing high school, and the degree is recognized in a lot of countries around the world.
The universities below are recommended from professional experience; they are institutions that are well known to best support international students and are reputable outside of the Asia region.
Highlighted Universities:
Universiti Malaya: Located in Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Malaya is a public research university and Malaysia’s oldest and highest ranked university. Notable alumni include three Malaysian prime ministers! It offers a wide variety of Bachelor’s degrees, ranging from Dentistry to Education to Economics and Administration. Universiti Malaya offers a multicultural and multinational learning environment with over 27,000 students (14,000 of whom are undergraduates) who hail from over 80 countries.
Universiti Sains Malaysia: USM is a public research institution in Penang, Malaysia with extensive English-language offerings in the Sciences, Arts, Engineering, and Health Sciences. USM was chosen by the Malaysian Minister of Higher Education to implement the Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX) and is leading initiatives to integrate sustainable development into the educational system in Malaysia.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia: UKM, also known as the National University of Malaysia, is a public university located in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, south of Kuala Lumpur. UKM is a highly ranked university and has roughly 17,000 students. They offer a number of programs for international students, including programs in the Faculties of Law, Education, Information Science and Technology, and Medicine. They have particularly strong programs in the fields of education, politics, engineering, law and mathematics.
Sunway University: A relatively young, private university based in Sunway City. Undergraduate programs range from Business Studies to Computer Science to Digital Film Production and generally last three years. Sunway has a special partnership with Lancaster University and graduates of many of their degrees also receive a degree from Lancaster University. The university has an international atmosphere with 2,000 international students from over 80 countries and even offers a few scholarships particularly for international students.
Xiamen University Malaysia: A branch of the Chinese university, Xiamen University offers all of its courses in English, with the exception of Chinese Language and Chinese Medicine. Programs include Engineering, Arts, Sciences, and Management, among others. Tuition is around USD 5,800/year and some merit scholarships are available. Accommodation on-campus is available to students for around USD 80 - USD 90/month for a twin room.
Swinburne University Malaysia: A branch of the Australian university and a great, cost-effective way to get an Australian degree. Swinburne University’s Sarawak campus has 4,000 students from over 40 countries and prides itself on its diverse and vibrant community. The university offers Bachelor’s degrees in Business, Engineering, Design, Science and Computing and students have the option to spend a semester at their Melbourne campus. Tuition costs range from USD 7,600 to USD 10,200/year and there are a number of diverse scholarships available.
A reminder as you continue your research: countries and cities with high cost of living, but low tuition fees
You might be tempted by low tuition fees in several locations around the globe, but research how much it will actually cost to live in that city. For example, you might find attractive tuition prices for colleges in Switzerland that keep you within the <10K budget, but it’s recommended to budget 2000 USD/month to meet your living expenses. There are wonderful programs in Barcelona, but remember to budget about 1000 USD/month on average just in accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses. In Sweden, you would also need to budget about 1000 USD/month to cover food, accommodation, local travel, phone/internet, and other personal expenses.
While you look into ways to make your education affordable, consider the high cost of living (notably, housing, and meals) of certain cities and countries that can make it very challenging to live off of 1000 USD/month. Here’s the scoop about The 25 Most Expensive Countries to Live in, Ranked to use as a guideline in your research.
Even if you went home for the holidays and had everything paid for your stay while at home, you would still need around 9,000 USD for a nine-month academic school year—plus enough money to cover your flights home.
So, in these circumstances, ask yourself: will you have enough money to cover your tuition and your living expenses, especially if you're spending about 10,000 USD per year just on living expenses?
If you're very attached to a particular country or city with a cost of living outside your budget, have a concrete plan for how you might cover these expenses. Can you find a very affordable homestay? Can you find scholarships that will lower your tuition cost so you can focus just on your living expenses?
Remember that you need to be able to support yourself outside of your home country in the event you’re not given an accommodation grant and also possibly for visa purposes (see above in notes about Italy), not just take into account low tuition costs.
Next steps
Wow—that was a lot of information.
We know. And it will take a lot of time to evaluate the quantity of options you have. So here are a few action steps for you to keep you on track:
Have some fun and watch a few videos about the countries that piqued your interest. The “Study in ___ Country” links are a great place to start. Then:
Check with EducationUSA in each country you are interested in
Check in your home country + other country's Ministry of Education website to see about country-specific scholarships. Many countries have cross-reciprocal opportunities.
Read, if you haven’t already:
Are you still wondering if it’s realistic to get a full scholarship to a U.S. school as an international (“nonresident alien”) student? You’re going to want to read this article.
Bookmark The Almost to Full-Ride Scholarship List for International Students for even more options.
Additional CEG Resources for International Students
