Studying abroad offers less expensive alternatives to U.S. colleges. The experience also enables students to immerse themselves in a different culture and learn a new language. Admissions is also likely easier, and students often finish in less time than their U.S. counterparts. In today’s world, employers place tremendous value on international experience and those who can bring new and global perspectives. Getting an education abroad is not only cheaper than in the U.S., it can also often more valuable.

Less Expensive

From 1985 to 2022, the cost of a U.S. college education rose by 500%, and the situation is only worsening. The average in-state public university tuition in the U.S. for a bachelor’s degree is $9,410. Out-of-state tuition averages $23,890 at a public university, and $32,410 for a private university.

In Europe, the average cost of all the English-taught bachelor’s programs is $7,390 per year. If you compare with an out-of-state public U.S. program, going to school in Europe will save you almost $66,000. Obviously, the savings is even more compared to a private university. Add travel, documentation and other miscellaneous charges, and going abroad is still far less expensive. Go outside of Europe, and costs are even less.

There are at least 44 schools across Europe where Americans can earn their bachelor’s degree for free, according to Jennifer Viemont, the founder of an advising service called Beyond The States.

The average international tuition for a master’s degree is $9,050 per year and the average duration is 1.76 years. Total cost works out to $15,928, vs over tuition of over $30,000 per year in the U.S. Getting a master’s in Europe is almost one-fourth the cost at a public U.S. university. There are definitely hurdles to then return to the U.S. and enter the job market, but many companies see tremendous value in hires with international experience.

Have you noticed an uptick in the number of students at your child’s high school applying and matriculating at McGill? That’s a no-brainer, as it costs about $14,000 vs. up to over 2x that amount at a U.S. university. McGill is a top-rated university, with classes obviously taught in English.

Plethora of English-Taught Programs and Degrees

There are more than 500 European colleges and universities offering more than 3,200 bachelor’s programs in English. There are also over 8,000 different master’s programs, all of which are taught entirely in English.

Many American students don’t speak a foreign language proficiently enough to study at a college that teaches in it, but that doesn’t matter. Even in European countries, there are full-degree programs taught in English. These countries are very welcoming to international students, particularly to Americans who want to study there.

International Experience

Students who studied abroad stand out from the crowd when seeking jobs after college. Leaving one’s home country and comfort zone to make a fresh start in a new place builds skills, confidence and independence that will be carried through life.

People with experience living abroad bring a unique set of experiences and skills needed to persevere. They are likely to have varied ideas about how to solve problems, work better with people from different backgrounds, and confidence. According to The Erasmus Impact Study, internationally mobile students are half as likely to experience long-term unemployment compared with those who have not studied or worked abroad. Five years after graduation, their unemployment rate is 23% lower vs. someone who has not studied abroad.

Easier Admission Process

The college admissions process in the U.S. has become dauting and stressful race to the bottom. A growing number of students compete for a relatively fixed number of spots at liberal arts colleges. Students have often been convinced by parents and guidance counselors that their successful entry to a great school rests not just on having great grades and standardized test scores, but on also playing a varsity sport or playing a musical instrument.

Many smart kids don’t do well on standardized tests. This doesn’t limit them as much wen looking at colleges outside the U.S. Many universities in Europe, for example, do not require standardized tests. Some countries see entry into universities as a right rather than a privilege. Admission standards simply are not as stringent. Also consider that many students in Europe do not go to college, or they go to vocational schools. The demand for a college education simply is not as high as it is in the U.S. And because Europeans pay almost nothing to go to school public universities, revenue from U.S. matriculants is viewed very positively.

Earn Degree Faster

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, an average of just 58 percent of U.S. students who started college in the fall of 2012 had earned any degree at all six years later. In contrast, many bachelor’s degree programs in Europe are completed between three or three-and-a-half-years, because there are fewer general education classes required. Many master’s degree programs are just one year. Finishing a degree faster is a double benefit for students who avoid taking on more debt and begin earning a living sooner.

Learn a Foreign Language

While a foreign language isn’t necessary to start or even complete college in Europe, students have a great opportunity to learn a language while they’re there. Many colleges in Europe offer free language courses for international students. And of course, you can practice through daily interactions in town with native speakers and with other students.

Travel While Studying

Travel opportunities abound when attending college in Europe. For example, Lille, a city in northern France with multiple universities, is close to major cities such as Brussels, London, and Paris via high-speed rail. Air travel, especially with the rise of affordable airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Transavia, can be comparable in price to rail travel, so many more destinations open up for short-term travel.