The high price of higher education: Ranking the 10 most expensive countries for students in 2025

Every year, millions of students eagerly look for opportunities to study abroad in pursuit of higher education, but it’s getting costlier to do so.

Terra Dotta’s Voice of the Students: Study Abroad 2024 revealed that 67% of their respondents said cost or finance prevented them from studying abroad, while almost half admitted they would need help even learning about financial aid opportunities.

It doesn’t help that some of the best universities are in some of the most expensive countries in the world.

Yet, thousands of students head abroad, remaining hopeful despite the odds.

Studying in the most expensive countries in the world: is it a good idea?

The short answer? It may just be well worth it.

Hear us out. You may wonder if it’s worth it to graduate with debt between US$10,000 and US$40,000, an amount that you could still be paying off in your 50s.

But many families believe so. If they’re not taking private loans, they’re digging into their savings and even their retirement funds to send their children to study in the most expensive countries in the world.

It’s not just the tuition fees, either. There’s also the cost of living, accommodation, and currency conversion rates to consider, which can be extra hard when your dollar is worth less.

Some of the benefits are obvious, like opening doors for better opportunities. International education organisation, IDP, reports that employers are inclined to hire globally competitive individuals with cross-cultural experiences to deal with fast growing international trends, markets and consumers.

Some parents send their children to countries they themselves have never been to, all for the sake of a better life.

Above all, it’s an investment, and it’s up to you to determine the return rate.

Feeling hopeful? Let’s look at some of the most expensive countries in the world, and perhaps make an informed decision to determine how to make the most of your money in the long run.

10 most expensive countries in the world

We’ve ranked them from the least to the most — just to help you out a little.

Norway

You may be surprised to see Norway on the list. After all, the country is known to have universities that offer tuition-free education to international students — surely that would rule it out, right?

But there’s good reason Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world to study and live in. The average cost of living in Norway is approximately 30% higher than in the US, which is — spoiler alert — by far the most expensive country in the world.

Major cities such as Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger are particularly expensive, with living costs substantially higher than many other European cities. Renting a furnished, one-bedroom apartment in the city can go between 15,000 to 20,000 kroner (about US$1,430 to US$1,907).

That doesn’t take into account the cost of living, either. For a single person or a couple living together, expect to pay another additional 15,000 kroner (about US$1,430) just for food, transport, and other necessities.

Switzerland 

Home to institutions that consistently rank in the top spots of the QS World University Rankings. Described as one of the most innovative countries in the world, according to the Global Innovation Index. A world-class healthcare system. These are some reasons why many international students choose to study in Switzerland.

For second place, it’s natural that tuition fee costs are not as high compared to other countries on the list. The average tuition fees for bachelor’s and master’s programmes cost between 400 and 3,700 euros annually (US$432 to US$4,000) at Swiss public universities. 

PhD degrees cost between 100 and 900 euros (US$108 to US$973) per year.

But as expected, living costs here are high, making it one of the most expensive countries for international students. 

International students should budget around 1,300 to 1,700 euros (US$1,419.10 to US$1,855.75) a month on average to cover expenses such as housing, food, transportation, supplies, and leisure activities, among other things. 

Singapore

If you think the best universities in the world are only based in the West, think again. The National University of Singapore is ranked eighth in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

But for a Southeast Asian country, it’s also one of the most expensive. According to NUS, living expenses for international students can go up to 6,000 Singaporean dollars (US$4,488).

On-campus accommodation at NUS for single/double occupancy costs between SG$2,800 to SG$5,500 (US$2,094 to US$4,114).

And then there are the tuition fees. The cost of a degree here varies according to your nationality or visa status. These categories are:

• Annual Subsidised Fees Payable by Singapore Citizens
• Annual Subsidised Fees Payable by Permanent Residents
• Annual Subsidised Fees Payable by International Students
• Annual Non-Subsidised Fees

The subsidised fees to study at a Singaporean public university cost an estimated SG$8,000 to SG$9,000 (US$5,989 to US$6,738) per year. However, for non-subsidised and international students, it costs up to SG$10,000 (US$7,487) or more.

Hong Kong 

Hong Kong has become a higher education powerhouse in the last few years, with five Hong Kong universities ranked in the Top 100 for QS World University Rankings 2025. 

On average, international students are expected to pay an estimated US$11,500 to US$34,000 a year. 

Considering the high standard of living in Hong Kong, living costs are equally as high. Students are expected to budget between US$650 to US$2,000 per semester for student dorms.

Other living costs – transport, food and leisure — are estimated to cost students an extra US$3,900 to US$6,500.

Pro tip: for students on a budget looking to go to Hong Kong, consider applying to scholarships such as the HKU Belt and Road Scholarship.

New Zealand 

From stunning natural beauty to its multicultural society and being the second safest country in the world in 2024, not many would think twice about studying here.

That is, until you see the full cost of studying and living here.

Depending on your programme choice, tuition fees range from 20,000 to 50,000 New Zealand dollars (US$11,475 to US$28,688) a year.

This does not include living expenses, which can vary according to the location you choose to live in.

Thinking about trying out for government-funded scholarships? You’re out of luck — scholarships are restricted to New Zealand citizens or residents of the country. 

Japan 

Known for its cuisine, cherry blossoms in the springtime, and gorgeous scenery, Japan is a beautiful country with much to offer.

Though not the most affordable, the tuition fees in Japan are relatively cheaper compared to other popular destinations, especially if you know the language.

Annual tuition in Japan costs approximately 820,000 Japanese yen (US$5,622) for national universities, going up to 3,200,000 yen (US$21,927) for healthcare programmes in private institutions.

However, the cost of tuition and living expenses depends greatly on the city you choose to live in and the institution you enrol at. Take Tokyo, for example; monthly rent for a tiny, one-room apartment (20-40 square metres) usually starts from around 100,000 yen (US$684), while other cities and provinces cost between 50,000 to 70,000 yen (US$342 to US$479). 

However, if you are on a student budget and looking to save some money, Japan offers several scholarships for international students, so be sure to check those out.

Canada

The average cost of an undergraduate degree in Canada for an international student is around 36,100 Canadian dollars per year (US$26,809 at the time of writing).

Living expenses can go up to CA$5,000 to CA$20,000 annually for just one person. It’s no secret that it’s expensive to live here, and with the recent student visa changes and news of reducing immigration, it may seem discouraging.

Don’t give up just yet, though. Canada is still very welcoming to international students — and this includes allowing students to work up to 24 hours per week. 

The student minimum wage is US$14.60 per hour, which amounts to US$292 for 20 hours in a week. In a month, that could go up to US$1,168.

There are other ways you can study in Canada without breaking the bank:

1. Several universities in Canada offer students a free ride to university with fully funded scholarships. This includes Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships by the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia scholarships and York University Scholarships.
2. Apply to universities that offer application fee waivers, such as University of British Columbia or University of New Brunswick.

UK 

Studying here doesn’t come cheap. While there are a variety of undergraduate programmes to choose from, the tuition fees are notorious for being some of the highest in the world. 

The cost of tuition fees varies depending on the course chosen, but an international student in the UK can expect to pay between 10,000 to 38,000 pounds a year (US$13,029 to US$49,510).

The cost of studying in London is much higher. According to QS, the average tuition fee for international students is around 21,200 pounds (US$27,621). 

Living expenses are just as high. British Council predicts that international students should budget between 1,300 to 1,400 pounds (US$1,694 to US$1,824) a month in London and 900 to 1,300 pounds (US$1,172 to US$1,694) in other parts of the UK to cover the cost of accommodation, groceries and transport. 

But there is still hope. The country offers many scholarships for international students interested in studying in the UK.

Here are the most common scholarships and financial aid available:

• Scholarships awarded by the university 
• Scholarships awarded by private or global organisations (e.g. Chevening by the British Council)
• Scholarships awarded by national organisations 
• Student loans or bursaries granted by your country

Australia 

Home to tropical beaches, cute koalas and top universities, it is no surprise that thousands of international students choose to further their studies in Australia every year.

In fact, the Land Down Under is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations in the world, ranking among the top 10 countries for international students. 10 Australian universities rank within the top 100 for the QS World University Rankings 2025.

In 2024, there were 1,095,298 international student enrollments.

However, this isn’t the only area where it ranks highly. Australia has been recognised as one of the most expensive countries in the world for international students, as studying here doesn’t come cheap.

Tuition fees range from:

• Bachelor’s degree: 20,000 to 50,000 Australian dollars (US$12,631 to US$31,578) annually.
• Master’s degree: 22,000 to 54,000 Australian dollars (US$13,894 to US$34,104) annually, with the potential to go higher for specialised degrees like medicine or engineering.

These high tuition fees, combined with the rising cost of living, can be heavy on your pockets. The average annual cost of living for international students in Australia ranges between 30,000 and 36,000 Australian dollars (US$18,947 to US$22,736) depending on the city and lifestyle.

This includes accommodation, food, transport, and other expenses. Note that Sydney and Melbourne are generally more expensive than cities like Adelaide and Perth.

US 

From LA to New York, Chicago to New Orleans, American cities are packed with character.

Over at its great parks like Yosemite and trails like the Appalachian, you’ll find calm, beauty and more. Whether urban or rural, good US colleges and universities are seemingly everywhere. 

While it may boast high-ranking universities, the US is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world for international students. 

According to College Board, 2018/19 tuition fees at state colleges are an average of US$26,290 for out-of-state students. This compares to an average of US$35,830 at private non-profit colleges. 

As for accommodation fees, students spend US$9,330 to US$13,620 on average on room and board for the 2021-22 academic year, the same report finds.

But with President Donald Trump’s executive orders affecting education and immigration in the US as a whole, it might be a good idea to brush up on your visa knowledge, especially if you intend on getting a green card.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on April 4, 2025.