Students hiking to the top of the citidel in Napflion, Greece

---

Related Articles

• Study abroad 101: What is study abroad?

• Study abroad 101: How do I find a study abroad program?

• Study abroad 101: How do I pay for it?

• Study abroad 101: How do I find scholarships for study abroad?

• Study abroad 101: Is long or short-term right for me?
• Study abroad 101: How do I get credit for studying abroad?

The biggest concern for most students who are thinking about studying abroad is the cost – which is typically much higher than regular tuition back home. But, how much does it really cost? Here are a few things to consider when thinking about the cost of study abroad.
The cheapest long-term programs will generally be those offered by your own school (typically roughly the same price as your normal tuition) and these will always be covered by your financial aid package. The second-cheapest option is through a state school where you are eligible for in-state tuition. But, ask at your registrar’s office whether there are any additional costs for transferring credit and make sure that your school will grant you credit for the classes you take! The most expensive option is usually anything organized by a private, for-profit company and many schools will not even grant credit for these trips!
Short-term programs vary more based on the region and type of program than because of who is hosting it. For study-tours in Western Europe, for example, expect to pay around $1000/week for tuition and room (Latin America tends to be a bit more affordable and Asia and Africa a bit more expensive). For language-learning you can expect to pay that price or more if you go through an American program but, for the more thrifty and resourceful student, it may be possible to spend half that by enrolling directly in a local program. Again, if you choose to register directly through a foreign school, check with your university to make sure that the credits will transfer.

Volunteering and working abroad can range from paid to free to very expensive. The general rule is that if you are getting credit for it is will be expensive. If you are considering working or volunteering abroad think about whether it is worth it going through a credit-granting program: would it make more sense to take an extra class when you get home instead of paying thousands of dollars for something you can do for free?

When looking at the price-tag on a potential study abroad program, check to see whether it includes housing and/or meals. If it doesn’t it may seem cheap, but check the prices in the area and you may be disappointed. Study abroad programs almost never include airfare in the cost of their trip and since they have a non-flexible start date, it’s easy to price your airfare before you apply. The downside of the fixed date is that airlines vary their prices based on the time of year and day of the week, so you may be paying a bit more than you would if your program started a day later.

The trick to figuring out how much you should be paying is to look at multiple programs and compare their costs. Once you know how much it's going to cost, check out my financial planning tips for student travelers to find out how to plan manage your money before, during and after your trip!