Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad (and What “Cheap” Really Means)
“Cheapest” depends on more than one number. Living cost is the part you pay every month; tuition, visa proof-of-funds and how long you can work afterwards all change the real total. The table below ranks destinations by indicative monthly living cost straight from the Meridian dataset — read it alongside the trade-offs that follow.
Ranked by monthly living cost
| # | Country | Monthly living cost | Monthly living cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | €150–400/mo | €150–400 |
| 2 | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | €200–500/mo | €200–500 |
| 3 | 🇪🇬 Egypt | €250–600/mo | €250–600 |
| 4 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | €250–600/mo | €250–600 |
| 5 | 🇵🇭 Philippines | €250–600/mo | €250–600 |
| 6 | 🇸🇳 Senegal | €250–500/mo | €250–500 |
| 7 | 🇦🇷 Argentina | €300–700/mo | €300–700 |
| 8 | 🇮🇳 India | €300–800/mo | €300–800 |
| 9 | 🇯🇴 Jordan | €300–700/mo | €300–700 |
| 10 | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | €300–700/mo | €300–700 |
| 11 | 🇲🇦 Morocco | €300–600/mo | €300–600 |
| 12 | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | €300–700/mo | €300–700 |
See all 56 countries on Compare →
Sources: Frankfurter/ECB (USD/EUR), BD Immigration Authority, PK Immigration Authority, UK FCDO Travel Advice (GOV.UK), EG Immigration Authority, ID Immigration Authority, PH Immigration Authority, Ministère de l'Intérieur du Sénégal, U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory + UK FCDO Travel Advice (GOV.UK), Dirección Nacional de Migraciones, IN Immigration Authority, API fallback (no Gemini), JO Immigration Authority, KZ Immigration Authority, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères du Maroc, State Migration Service of Ukraine.
Figures are indicative estimates from the Meridian dataset — not official guidance. Always confirm current requirements on the official source before you decide.
Living cost is only half the story
A destination with a low monthly living cost can still be expensive once tuition and up-front visa funds are added — and a pricier city can be cheaper overall if its tuition is low. Rank by the total for your specific programme and city, not by living cost alone.
Use the ranked figures as a shortlist tool, then open each country page to see its full metrics and the sources behind them.
Frequently asked questions
Which country is cheapest to study abroad?
On indicative monthly living cost, Bangladesh ranks lowest among the pilot destinations. Remember that tuition and visa proof-of-funds can change the real total, so the cheapest to live in is not always the cheapest overall.