Report Highlights. American universities are the most expensive in the world; U.S. public education costs more per college student than any other country except Luxembourg.
- The cost to students for an American bachelor’s degree is more than anywhere else in the world; the average public university charged undergraduates $9,596 for tuition alone in 2022-23.
- Lithuania has the most expensive public master’s programs worldwide, charging an average tuition of $13,234* for 2022-23.
- U.S. master’s programs are the 2nd most expensive worldwide; public universities charged students $12,956 in 2022-23 tuition.
- Among the 2-in-3 U.S. college students who have some form of debt at graduation, 78.8% owe federal student loan debt.
- 58.8% of surveyed** countries charge international students more than nationals for master’s degree programs.
*Except where otherwise noted, this report converts local currency to equivalent American dollars (USD) based on purchasing power.
**The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has 38 member countries and eight (8) that are candidates for membership.
Related reports include Average Cost of College & Tuition | Financial Aid Statistics | How Do People Pay for College?
Average Cost of College in Australia
Student loan debt is common among college graduates in Australia, likely because the cost of education is among the world’s highest.
- College students in Australia pay $5,108 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program.
- For a master’s program, Australian college students pay an average of $9,496 per year.
- To attend independent or private universities, Australians pay an average annual tuition of $10,978 for bachelor’s programs and $16,057 for master’s.
- International students pay $22,359 a year to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a public institution in Australia; private institutions charge $8,580 to international students.
- Students in Australia graduate with an average debt of $19,820.
- 82% of college students in Australia graduate with student loan debt.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Australia’s government spends $24,837 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, the Australian government spends $17,094 per full-time student.
- Australia’s government spent the equivalent of 6.1% of its GDP on education in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Brazil
Under the Program for Partner Undergraduate Students (PEC-G) students from African, Latin American, or Caribbean countries can enter Brazilian universities with a certificate of proficiency in Portuguese.
- Brazil’s government spends $13,569 per full-time equivalent student on public postsecondary education.
- As a share of total government expenditure, Brazil’s postsecondary education spending totals 2.4%.
- Excluding academic research funding, Brazil’s government spends 2.1%of its budget on education.
- Brazil spent the equivalent of 6.0% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Canada
Student loan debt among college graduates is common and the cost of college is relatively high compared to other developed countries.
- College students in Canada pay $5,590 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program.
- For a master’s program, Canadian college students pay an average of $9,564 per year.
- International students pay $30,697 per year to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a public institution in Canada; master’s programs cost $20,876 per year.
- Students in Canada graduate with an average debt of $17,874.
- 62% of college students in Canada graduate with student loan debt.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Canada’s government spends $24,406 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- For bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral or equivalent programs, Canada’s government spends $27,596 per full-time student.
- Canada spent the equivalent of 5.2% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Croatia
College costs in Croatia are relatively low, and government funding makes a public education inexpensive for families.
- College students in Croatia pay $1,660 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program.
- For a master’s program, Croatian college students pay an average of $1,657 per year.
- Croatia’s government spends $8,598 per full-time equivalent student on public postsecondary education and $752 per student on private postsecondary education.
- Croatian households spend $1,573 per full-time equivalent student on public postsecondary education.
- The Croatian government pays for 76% of public postsecondary education costs and 11% of private postsecondary costs.
- Croatian households cover 14% of public college costs and 78% of private education costs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Croatia’s government spends 2.1%of its budget on education.
- Croatia spent the equivalent of 5.5% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Denmark
As in all Scandinavian countries, nationals and permanent residents pay no college tuition. Students from Switzerland, EU and EEA† countries also do not pay tuition to attend college in Denmark though other fees may apply.
- College students in Denmark pay $0.00 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program; master’s programs are also $0.00.
- Students in Denmark graduate with an average debt of $16,998.
- 46% of college students in Denmark graduate with student loan debt.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Denmark’s government spends $26,781 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Denmark’s government spends $12,245 per full-time student.
- Denmark spent the equivalent of 6.4% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
†The EU (European Union) and the EEA (European Economic Area) collaborate closely on higher education initiatives that facilitate student mobility. Member states and countries establish their own systems and policies. The Erasmus+ program is the European Union’s education, scholarship, and training program for students at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
Average Cost of College in Finland
While Finnish college students pay no tuition, student loans are available to cover the cost of living.
- College students in Finland pay $0.00 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program; master’s programs are also $0.00 per year.
- International students pay $12,084 a year to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a public institution in Finland; private institutions charge $8,056 to international students.
- Students in Finland use loans to pay living expenses and graduate with an average debt of $16,998.
- 64% of college students in Finland graduate with student loan debt.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Finland’s government spends $20,444 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Finland’s government spends $11,420 per full-time student.
- Finland spent the equivalent of 5.9% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in France
While the French government subsidizes public higher education for all, EU/EEA citizens usually receive more in subsidies than non-citizens (apart from a few specific groups, such as long-term residents and refugees).
- For EU/EAA citizens, tuition for the 2024-25 academic year is €175 (equivalent to 182.10 USD at the end of 2024) for a licence (bachelor’s) program; master’s students pay €250 (260.15 USD).
- For non-citizens, a smaller share of education costs are subsidized; tuition for 2024-25 is €2,850 (equivalent to 2,966 USD at the end of 2024) at the licence (bachelor) level and €3,879 (4,036 USD) at the master level.
- Private institutions in France generally charge between €6,000 and €18,000 (equivalent to 6,244 and 18,730 USD).
- The French government spent the equivalent of 5.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on education in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Germany
While Germany offers free tuition at its public universities to EU/EEA students, this does not include living costs or semester contributions (which cover administrative costs, student services, etc.).
- College students in Germany pay $156.70 for one year of fees in an average public bachelor’s program.
- To attend independent or private universities, Germans pay an average annual tuition of $5,509 for bachelor’s programs.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Germany’s government spends $21,963 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Germany’s government spends $12,395 per full-time student.
- Germany spent the equivalent of 4.7% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
- Semester contributions at public universities range from €100 to €400 (equivalent to 104.06 and 416.23 USD at the end of 2024).
- For those students coming from outside the EU, the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg charges tuition fees of €1,500 (1,561 USD).
- The average German student has €842 (876.17 USD) in monthly living expenses.
- German students pay an average of €410 (426.64 USD) in rent, representing 48.7% of monthly living costs.
Average Cost of College in Israel
Israel’s government spends more per full-time student on private institutions ($7,960) than on public universities ($1,911).
- College students in Israel pay $3,088 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program.
- For a master’s program, Israeli college students pay an average of $4,174 per year.
- To attend independent or private universities, Israelis pay an average annual tuition of $9,040 for bachelor’s programs and $10,368 for master’s.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Israel’s government spends $12,239 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Israel’s government spends $8,284 per full-time student.
- Israel spent the equivalent of 7.1% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Italy
Italian universities charge no additional tuition or fees to international students.
- College students in Italy pay $2,570 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program.
- For a master’s program, Italian college students pay an average of $2,864 per year.
- To attend independent or private universities, Italian students pay an average annual tuition of $6,463 for bachelor’s programs and $8,132 for master’s.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Italy’s government spends $13,717 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Italy’s government spends $9,356 per full-time student.
- Italy spent the equivalent of 4.3% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Japan
Student loans in Japan are available for tuition and fees as well as the cost of living.
- College students in Japan pay $5,645 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program.
- For a master’s program, Japanese college students pay an average of $5,647 per year.
- To attend independent or private universities, Japanese students pay an average annual tuition of $10,104 for bachelor’s programs and $8,808 for master’s.
- The average Japanese college student borrows $7,336 in one calendar year.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Japan’s government spends $20,518 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Japan’s government spends $22,050 per full-time student in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral or equivalent programs.
- Japan spent the equivalent of 3.4% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Korea
College in Korea is more expensive to families compared to other developed countries; government spending per full-time student is below average while household expenditure is higher.
- College students in Korea pay $5,171 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program.
- For a master’s program, Korean college students pay an average of $6,680 per year.
- To attend independent or private universities, Korean students pay an average annual tuition of $9,279 for bachelor’s programs and $12,523 for master’s.
- The average Korean college student borrows $5,153 in one calendar year.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Korea’s government spends $13,573 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Korea’s government spends $10,552 per full-time student.
- Korea spent the equivalent of 4.7% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Norway
While public postsecondary education in Norway is tuition-free, student loans are available for living expenses and private tuition costs.
- College students in Norway pay $0.00 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program; master’s programs are also $0.00 per year.
- To attend independent or private universities, Norwegian college students pay an average annual tuition of $5,538 for bachelor’s programs.
- Norwegians use student loans to pay tuition and living expenses; those who borrow graduate with an average debt of $31 747.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Norway’s government spends $26,299 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Norway’s government spends $16,607 per full-time student.
- Norway spent the equivalent of 5.9% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Spain
Spain’s government covers most (82.0%) public postsecondary education costs.
- College students in Spain pay $1,708 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program.
- For a master’s program, Spanish college students pay an average of $2,447 per year.
- To attend independent or private universities, Spanish students pay an average annual tuition of $12,693 for bachelor’s programs and $13,930 for master’s.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Spain’s government spends $15,654 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Spain’s government spends $11,683 per full-time student.
- Spain spent the equivalent of 4.6% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Sweden
Tuition in Sweden is free to EU/EEA citizens, and Sweden’s government spends more on postsecondary education than most other developed countries.
- College students in Sweden pay $0.00 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program; master’s programs are also $0.00 per year.
- In one year, Swedish college students borrow $7,568 to pay for living expenses.
- 72% of Swedish college graduates have student loan debt.
- For every full-time equivalent student, Sweden’s government spends $27,765 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, Sweden’s government spends $13,697 per full-time student.
- Sweden spent the equivalent of 7.2% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in Switzerland
In one year, the Swiss government spends $33,126 per full-time equivalent student on public postsecondary institutions and $11,389 on private institutions.
- College students in Switzerland pay $1,427 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program; master’s programs also cost $1,427 per year.
- International students pay $3,261 a year to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a public institution in Switzerland; master’s programs cost $3,159.
- In one year, Swiss college students borrow $5,946.
- Switzerland spent the equivalent of 5.2% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Average Cost of College in the United Kingdom
The U.K. includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales; England, Scotland, and Wales collectively make up Great Britain.
- College students in England pay $13,135 for one year of tuition in an average public bachelor’s program.
- Students in the U.K. graduate with an average debt of $58,571.
- 94% of college students in the U.K. graduate with student loan debt.
- For every full-time equivalent student, the U.K. government spends $33,574 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, the U.K. government spends $27,234 per full-time student.
- The U.K. spent the equivalent of 5.5% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
- As of 2024-25, undergraduate tuition fees for home students (U.K. nationals) are capped at £9,250 per year (equivalent to $11,606 in USD as of the end of 2024).
Average Cost of College in the United States
Relative to other developed countries, U.S. college costs are high. For more information, see our report on the Average Cost of College.
- To attend independent or private universities, American students pay an average annual tuition of $34,041 for bachelor’s programs and $28,017 for master’s.
- American college students borrow $4,600 per full-time equivalent student in one calendar year.
- The average U.S. college student graduates with an average debt of $26,500.
- 66% of college students in the U.S. graduate with some form of debt.
- For every full-time equivalent student, the U.S. government spends $36,274 on postsecondary education, including research and development programs.
- Excluding academic research funding, the U.S. government spends $31,610 per full-time student.
- The U.K. spent the equivalent of 6.1% of its GDP on all education programs in 2020.
Sources
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Campus France
- U.S. Treasury Department, Fiscal Data: Currency Exchange Rates Converter
- Germany Academic Exchange Service, Costs of Education and Living
- U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook: Education Expenditures
- UK Parliament, House of Commons Library
- University of Sao Paulo International Cooperation Office, PEC-G