All 15 countries, cheapest first
Every destination ranked by what a year really costs, in one currency.
| Country | Tuition | A year, all in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Japan | ¥535,800 per year, national unis |
$9,700 – $13,000 |
| 2 South Korea | ₩4M–₩8M per year |
$9,000 – $15,000 |
| 3 Italy | €200–€4,000 per year |
$9,600 – $18,000 |
| 4 Germany | €0 in most states |
$13,500 – $14,000 |
| 5 France | €2,902–€3,950 per year |
$14,000 – $20,500 |
| 6 Sweden | SEK 80k–300k per year |
$18,000 – $42,000 |
| 7 Netherlands | €9k–€20k per year |
$22,000 – $38,500 |
| 8 New Zealand | NZD 20k–45k per year |
$22,500 – $39,000 |
| 9 Switzerland | CHF 1.6k–4.4k per year |
$27,000 – $37,500 |
| 10 Singapore | SGD 18k–40k per year |
$23,500 – $45,000 |
| 11 Canada | CAD 24k–42k per year |
$27,500 – $43,500 |
| 12 Ireland | €10k–€30k per year |
$24,500 – $50,500 |
| 13 Australia | AUD 25k–45k per year |
$35,000 – $52,500 |
| 14 UK | £15k–£30k per year |
$35,500 – $59,500 |
| 15 USA | $30k–$50k per year |
$42,000 – $70,000 |
Ordered by the middle of each range. Converted at rates from 15 Oct 2026 (cache), refreshed daily.
Questions about what it costs
What are the tuition fees for international students?
From €0 at German public universities to $50,000 a year at a US private one. Between those: France under €4,000, Japan ¥535,800 at national universities, Switzerland under CHF 5,000, and the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA all in five figures.
Each country page carries the verified figure with a link to the source.
Which are the cheapest universities for international students?
Public ones, almost always — their fees are regulated where private fees are not. In Italy they scale to family income and can fall to €200 a year. In Germany public universities charge no tuition at all outside Baden-Württemberg.
Cheapest by fee is rarely cheapest overall. A lower-ranked university in a smaller city usually beats a famous one in a capital, once rent is counted.
Is there free tuition for international students in Germany?
Yes, at public universities in almost every state. You pay a semester contribution of €150–€350, which usually includes a public transport pass. The exception is Baden-Württemberg, which charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester — so Heidelberg and KIT do cost money where Munich and Berlin do not.