Cheapest countries for Indian students interested in computer science

IBM’s AI chief, Matthew Candy, might have stated that people may no longer need a computer science degree to work in the tech field, but that doesn’t mean you should be avoiding computer science courses like the plague.

Many experts believe AI will actually increase the need for computer science graduates. As Ahmed Awais, founder of Langbase — an AI developer platform – said, “Software development is here to stay. Humans will remain a big, most essential part of any software toolchain.”

In the US, overall employment in the computer and information technology field is projected to see about 356,700 openings each year. This is due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently.

It’s the same story across the world too.

Still, gaining an education in computer science can be difficult.

The Times of India reports that engineering colleges are already having to increase their existing intake in computer science, IT and related courses, stretching their limited resources to accommodate this demand. 

A 2019 report also found that graduate students in the US substantially outperformed their peers from China, Russia and India, including those from elite institutes in these countries.

In this, many Indian students are beginning to look abroad for a computer science education. The usual options are the US, UK and Canada — but computer science courses in these countries often come with high tuition fees, housing costs, and more. 

This doesn’t mean that there aren’t affordable options when it comes to pursuing computer science courses, though.

The best thing about some of these computer science courses is that you can take them online instead of attending physical classes. Source: AFP

Most affordable online computer science degrees in the US

The online learning market is expected to grow by 20.5% by 2030. In fact, the number of students enrolled in online degree programmes has increased by 3.9%, with more than seven million students taking at least one online course.

“The recent rise in the availability of online degrees has encouraged students to explore alternatives to traditionally expensive majors like computer science,” shares Imed Bouchrika, Chief Data Scientist at Research.com.

An online degree in computer science allows students to advance their skills in IT consulting, cybersecurity, and data science at their own pace and gives them the flexibility to design their study schedule to fit their work and personal commitments. 

“The challenge now is to find the programme that best fits their budget without compromising the quality of the education they get,” Bouchrika adds. 

Thankfully, several universities are offering affordable online computer science degrees.

Fort Hays State University offers one of the most affordable online computer science courses in the US. The four-year BS in Computer Science programme costs US$242.76 per credit, and students need 120 credits to graduate. 

Limestone University offers another affordable online computer science degree. The BS in Computer Science costs US$389 per credit, and students must take 120 credits to graduate.

Other affordable online computer science degrees in the US to check out include:

• Central Methodist University: US$275
• Eastern Oregon University: US$316
• University of Arkansas Grantham: US$305
• Southern New Hampshire University: US$330
• Colorado Technical University: US$340

Here are the countries you can consider for an affordable education in computer science:

The cheapest countries for computer science courses:

Germany is known for affordable higher education as well as delicious pretzels. Source: AFP

Germany 

When it comes to careers in computer science, Germany is one of the best countries to consider. At the moment, the sector makes up for nearly 7% of German economic output, opening up one million jobs in the country. The IT market itself is projected to grow by US$16.21 billion from 2021 to 2025. 

For Indian students, Germany is a promising higher education destination. Outside of being home to a number of world-class universities, there are opportunities to stay after your studies and take advantage of the growing tech industry. Work in Germany long enough and you could also stand a chance to gain permanent residency. 

The biggest factor, of course, is the affordable cost. Tuition costs in Germany are generally free for public universities, regardless if you are a citizen or an international student. 

Belgium 

Belgium is another affordable study destination for Indian students. Universities here are generally well-performing, with many offering forward-looking computer science courses. This includes Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, which is generally considered one of the top institutions in Belgium. 

The cost of living in Belgium is relatively affordable when compared to other countries offering computer science courses, as well. On average, rent is 10.99% lower than that in the US — making for a cheaper study experience for Indians. 

Taiwan was once the best in the region in all areas of computers and component technologies. Now, it’s slowly but surely earning back its rank. Source: AFP

Taiwan

Located in East Asia is one of the most affordable countries for international students. The cost of education in Taiwan can go as low as US$1,202 per year.

Aside from its affordability, Taiwan has many world-class universities to offer; four of its universities are in the top 350 of QS World University Rankings 2025. There is a sizable Indian student community here too. 

Several universities in Taiwan offer computer science programmes. Focusing on equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to become career-ready graduates, universities in Taiwan ensure that their facilities are state-of-the-art and constantly up-to-date. 

Among the many universities offering computer science programmes is the National Taiwan University (NTU), the country’s most prestigious.

During Thaipusam, thousands of Hindus come together to pray and perform religious ceremonies to commemorate the occasion at Batu Caves, Malaysia. Source: AFP

Malaysia

Situated in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is one of the cheapest countries for Indian students looking to study abroad.

As of 2023, over 3,330 Indian students were enrolled in Malaysian universities. The average cost of studying computer science in Malaysia is around RM57,000 to RM79,000 (US$13,274 to US$18,398).

According to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and Universiti Sains Malaysia are among the best universities for computer science in Malaysia.

There are also a number of scholarships available for Indian students. To ease your financial burden, apply for the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS), or the Khazanah Global Scholarship.

Aside from affordable education, Malaysia’s cost of living is much lower than other popular study-abroad destinations. An international student in Malaysia will need about RM1,500 (US$349) monthly for accommodation, food, and transportation.

If you get tired of staring at your screen all day from your computer science courses, go explore the gorgeous city of France for some inspiration. Source: AFP

France

France is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations in Europe for Indian students. It is renowned for its affordable universities, excellent standard of living, iconic landmarks, and delicious cuisine.

Around 8,000 to 10,000 Indian students are studying in France today, and this number is expected to hit 25,000 by 2025.

Many choose to study in The City of Light because most private universities in France charge no more than 16,000 euros (US$17487) per year for tuition fees.

According to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, and Sorbonne University are among the best universities for computer science in France. 

To make your education more accessible, apply for the French Excellence Charpak Scholarship, the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, or the Shikhar Thales Scholarship. 

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on October 14, 2024.