Cheapest countries for Indian students interested in computer science

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17 Nov 2022

Computer science courses are all the rage right now. In the US, overall employment for computer and information technology is expected to grow by 15% in the next 10 years, creating about 682,800 new jobs. When taking into account the need to replace workers who leave their posts permanently, around 418,500 jobs are projected to open each year.

This is apparent not only in the US but across the world, as well. In India, employment in the profession is expected to grow by 13% over the next decade. Those who are qualified in computer science courses can earn up to US$131,490 in their jobs — well above average among high-skilled positions in India.

Despite this, 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.

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.

Most affordable online computer science degrees in the US

The online learning market is expected to grow by 20.5% by 2030. The rise of COVID-19 increased the number of online degrees available. This growth has changed the higher education landscape. 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, there are a number of universities offering affordable online computer science degrees.

It was found that Ford Hays State University offers the most affordable online computer science degree 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 College offers the second-most affordable online computer science degree, the BS in Computer Science. Each credit costs US$479, and students must take 120 credits to graduate.

Lamar University’s BS in Computer Science follows close behind. The four-year programme requires students to take 121 credits, each costing US$578.35.

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

Eastern New Mexico University: US$297.75
Central Methodist University: US$270
Eastern Oregon University: US$286.40
University of Arkansas Grantham: US$305
Southern New Hampshire University: US$330
Colorado Technical University: US$340
Florida International University: US$235.57

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

Six cheapest countries for computer science courses:

Germany is known for affordable higher education as well as delicious pretzels. Source: Anne-Christine Poujoulat / 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 US16.21 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.

Norway is full of scenic views to be explored, especially the Northern Lights. Source: Olivier Morin / AFP

Norway

Known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, Norway is famous for stunning landscapes and lush natural sights.

However, that isn’t the reason many international students, especially Indian students, are leaving their homes for Norway.

The main reason for its popularity is that many public universities in Norway do not charge any tuition fees. Free education is available to all international students, including Indian students.

The country may be small, but it is home to many universities, nine of which are ranked the best, according to International Rankings. Studying in Norway opens the door to great job opportunities. As one of the most sought-after degrees at the moment, many universities in Norway are equipped with computer science programmes.

Among them is the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) which ranked number one in the country for computer science. As the tuition fees at NTNU are free, students need only pay for living expenses.

Taiwan

Located in East Asia is one of the most affordable countries for international students. The average cost of education in Taiwan is estimated at US$4,050 per year.

Aside from its affordability, Taiwan has many world-class universities to offer. Coming in at 19th place in the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings Taiwan, the country has caught the eye of many international students. 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.

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 RM 57,000 to RM79,000 (US$12,197.55 to US$16,905.38).

According to US News, 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$320) monthly for accommodation, food, and transportation.

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.

Cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Grenoble, Montpellier, and Nice are among the most popular.

Many choose to study in The City of Light because most private universities in France charge no more than EUR16,000 (US$17,398.16) per year for tuition fees.

According to US News, Universite Paris Saclay, Sorbonne Universite, and Universite Grenoble Alpes (UGA) are among the best universities for computer science in France.

Here are some scholarships that can make your education more accessible and help you achieve your dreams: