Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for International Students 2025

Planning to study abroad requires thorough financial preparation. International students must consider some of the most affordable countries for studying abroad in 2025 to manage both tuition and living expenses effectively. Although countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia are renowned worldwide for their high-ranking universities according to QS and other ranking bodies, some nations such as Poland, Norway, Taiwan, and Korea are recognised for their affordable yet quality education. In this article, we discuss the top 10 most affordable countries in the world for international students, including expected tuition fees and living expenses. Students should note that these countries are recognised as the cheapest countries for study abroad, as numerous universities and locations offer affordable study for international students. These cheap countries for higher education offer high-quality education, top notch research facilities, and career opportunities for international students with affordable tuition fees.

This Story also Contains

1. Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students 2025: Overview
2. Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad: In Detail
3. Cheapest Countries to Study MBA for Indian Students 2025
4. Cheapest Country to Study MBBS for International Students 2025

Along with lower tuition costs in universities in the cheapest country to study for Indian students, there are plenty of study abroad scholarships to manage the students’ living expenses while studying in the country. However, they must also consider that several areas in these cheap countries to study may have higher university fees. Since living expenses are a significant factor in selecting the cheapest country to study in, we have included the relevant living costs. For a detailed guide on the world’s most popular countries for study abroad 2025, please read further.

Also Read: Top 5 Countries With Cheaper Master''s Degrees than India

Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students 2025: Overview

Indian students dream of studying abroad, but high tuition fees and expensive living costs often restrict them from doing so. There are many affordable countries where Indian students can study abroad in 2025, offering high-quality higher education with lower tuition costs, reasonable living expenses, and numerous scholarship opportunities. We have mentioned the list of 10 affordable countries for Indian students to study abroad in 2025 in the table below. It also includes the average cost of living and tuition fees in such countries for reference.

Affordable Countries For Study: Country-Wise Studying & Living Cost 2025

Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad: In Detail

Here, we will be discussing the list of the top 10 most affordable countries in the world for Indian students seeking to study abroad in 2025.

Norway

• About: Norway is internally popular for its high-quality lifestyle and natural beauty. Norway public universities offer free education to all international students. However, private universities are not completely free and international students need to pay the necessary fees to continue their studies. Hence, Norway is known as one of the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students in 2025.
• Are Universities in Norway Cheap? While a few programmes in Norway public universities require a minimum fee that is comparatively lower than most of the Indian universities. In comparison to other study abroad countries, Norway is very cheap for study abroad in 2025.
• Cost of Living in Norway: Additionally, the cost of living in Norway is around NOK 139,680 per year, which is approximately Rs. 10 lakhs in Indian rupees. Students can easily budget for the living expenses in Norway due to affordable university fees and living costs.
• Cheapest Universities in Norway: Some affordable universities in Norway for Indian students include Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University of Bergen, BI Norwegian Business School, The Arctic University of Norway, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, and University of Nordland.

Mexico

• About: Mexico is among the top nations for the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students in 2025. Mexico has been listed among the top 150 QS Best Student Cities 2025. Mexico is renowned for its cheap universities for Indian students offering world-class education at low tuition fees.
• Cost of living in Mexico: The exact living expenses in the country might vary from one student to another, but they range from around USD 6,450 to USD 9,250 per month on average.
• Cost of study in Mexico: The tuition fees in Mexico vary, with private universities charging more than the public ones. Hence, the public universities in Mexico make it one of the cheapest countries to study abroad for international students. The average cost of study in Mexico is around USD 6,300 per year for international undergraduate students.
• Cheapest Universities in Mexico for Indian students: Some of the affordable universities in Mexico without low tuition includes National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM), Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA), Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL), University of Guadalajara (UDG), and many more.

Germany

• About: Study in Germany offers a perfect mix of quality education, cost of living, and scholarships for international students. Most of the top universities in Germany are public research universities and hold their positions in the top 100 universities of the world as per the QS World University Ranking 2025. The majority of public universities in Germany have no tuition fees for international students. Hence, Germany is quite popular as one of the best cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students in 2025.
• Top Universities in Germany at Low cost: Let us now discuss the top free public universities in Germany for international students in the table below. It is crucial to understand that although there is no tuition fee in public universities in Germany, each university charges a semester fee of EUR 100-350 approximately.
• Cost of Living in Germany: The average cost of living in Germany ranges from around EUR 10,200 per year. Students can manage their living expenses by working part-time jobs or by applying for German scholarships. We have mentioned the average cost of living in Germany for Indian students in the table below

Top Universities in Germany 2025

Cost of Living in Germany for International Students

France

• About: The study in France is listed among the top 10 cheapest countries to study abroad in 2025. It hubs some of the best and cheapest universities which are highly ranked according to QS WUR 2025. Although, some might think France as one of the expensive countries, tuition fees at the French universities are quite affordbale for international students.
• Cost of study in France: The tuition fees at top public universities in France is comparatively very low than most of the popular countries like the US or UK. Tuition fees in France are the same for domestic and international students. The cost of studying bachelor’s (licence) programmes ranges from around EUR 170 per year. Whereas, the fees range around EUR 243 for most master’s programmes, and EUR 380 for doctoral programmes.
• Cost of Living in France: On average, the living expenses in France are about EUR 2500 per month. There are many scholarships in France for Indian students with monthly stipends and tuition fee coverage.
• Cheapest Universities in France For Indian students: Now that we have discussed how France is among the top cheapest countries in the world to study abroad in 2025, let us now check some of the affordable universities in France for Indian students through the table below. It also includes the QS WUR 2025 and average annual tuition fees.

Cheapest Universities in France

Taiwan

• About: Taiwan is another of the cheapest countries to study abroad in 2025. The country is densely populated and attracts about 1 lakh international students every year. Taiwan consists of some top universities in the world with low tuition making it one of the cheap countries to study abroad.
• Cost of Studying in Taiwan: It is the most affordable country as the top university in Taiwan i.e., National Taiwan University requires a fee of just USD 3000 per year. On average, the university's tuition fees for undergraduates start at TW 100,920 per year for liberal arts programmes, up to TW 124,200 in Taiwan. On average, the international student requires about 1600 USD per year to study in Taiwan. Let us check some of the cheap universities in Taiwan for Indian students with their tuition fees for Indian students through the table below.
• Scholarships to study in Taiwan: There are plenty of government and university-based scholarships available for international students. making Taiwan among the cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students in 2025. These are often competitive and students must be eligible in terms of requirements such as academic merit international citizenship, etc. Some of the popular scholarships in Taiwan for international students include MOFA Taiwan Scholarship, National Taiwan University Scholarships, Taiwan ICDF scholarship, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Scholarships, etc.

Best and Cheapest Universities in Taiwan

Argentina

• About: Argentina in South America is one of the cheapest countries to study abroad in 2025. The country offers courses in the English language, making it very convenient to study for international students. Argentina is a viable option for Indian students to study abroad at low cost due to its low tuition costs, free public universities, and reasonable living expenses.
• Cost of study in Argentina: The public universities in Argentina do not charge any tuition fees. On the other side, the private university fees in this country are cheaper than most of the popular international countries. On average the tuition fees required to study at the private universities in Argentina can cost around USD 5,100 per year. Students will need around USD 5,000 per month to manage their living expenses in the country.
• Cheap Universities in Argentina for Indian students: Let us now check the top universities in Argentina with low tuition fees that make it one of the most cost-effective study destinations in the table below. We have also included the QS WUR 2025 and average tuition fees per year.

Best and Cheapest Universities in Argentina

Malaysia

• About: Malaysia is one of the popular study abroad destinations, welcoming more than 2 lakh international students every year. The country is the cheapest country to study abroad for Indian students in 2025. Many international universities have opened their branches in this country. Most of the courses are available in English language benefiting the international students to study here.
• Cost of study in Malaysia: On average, the cost of study in Malaysia ranges from USD 4000 to 16,000 per year for international students. Also, it costs around USD 800 per month to manage living expenses in Malaysia. The city of Kuala Lumpur is ranked as the 2nd best student city by QS ranking in terms of affordability.
• Cheap Universities in Malaysia: Here are the top universities in Malaysia with affordable tuition fees that make it one of the cheapest study abroad destinations in the table below. We have also included the QS WUR 2025 and average tuition fees per year.

Best and Cheapest Universities in Malaysia

Poland

• About: Poland is considered the cheapest countries to study abroad in Europe in 2025. The country is located in Central Europe and is the neighbouring country of Germany. There are many English-taught programmes available, costing around EUR 2,000-3000 per year. The capital city, Warsaw, was ranked within the top 20 cities for affordability in the latest QS Best Student Cities index, and 53rd overall.
• Cost of study in Poland: Many Poland universities are ranked among the top universities in the world with lower tuition fees. The average cost of studying in Poland is approximately EUR 2000 to 4000 per year. Additionally, students need approximately EUR 7700 per year to manage their living expenses in the country.
• Top Affordable Universities in Poland: In the table below, we have included the best universities in Poland with cheap tuition fees that make it one of the affordable study abroad destinations for Indian students. We have also included the QS WUR 2025 and average tuition fees per year.

Top Universities in Poland

South Africa

• About: Along with other attractiveness, it is also one of the cheapest countries to study abroad in 2025. The English language is widely spoken in South Africa, enabling an advantage for international students.
• Cost of Study in South Africa: South Africa has of a good number of top universities in the world that provide higher education at lower rates. The average cost of studying in South Africa for Indian students is around USD 6,000 per year. Additionally, students need around R 120,000 per year to cover their living costs.
• Top Affordable Universities in South Africa: Let us now check the top universities in South Africa with low tuition fees that make it one of the most cost-effective study destinations in the table below. We have also included the QS WUR 2025 and average tuition fees per year.

Top Universities in South Africa

Italy

• About: Italy is the other cheapest European countries to study abroad in 2025. The country’s cuisine, magnificent countryside and beautiful mountain ranges make it a fascinating destination for those seeking foreign education.
• Cost of study in Italy: The tuition fees at top public universities in Italy range from EUR 900 to 4,000 per year. Whereas, the cost of studying in private universities in Italy ranges from EUR 6,000 to 20,000 per year. On average, it costs around 1,100 per month for living expenses in Italy. Accommodation for Indian students can cost around 300 to 400 per month in Italy.
• Top Cheap Universities in Italy: Here are the top universities in Italy with affordable tuition fees that make it one of the cheapest study abroad destinations in the table below. We have also included the QS WUR 2025 and average tuition fees per year.

Cheapest Universities in Italy

Cheapest Countries to Study MBA for Indian Students 2025

MBA is one of the top chosen courses for our Indian students to study abroad. MBA study abroad is very expensive for Indian students. However, many top study abroad universities offer high quality education with low tuition fees. Here is a list of the cheapest countries to study MBA abroad for international students:

• Canada

• China

• Germany

• France

• Ireland

• Singapore

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• Norway

Cheapest Country to Study MBBS for International Students 2025

The cost of MBBS in India is very high. Therefore, many students opt to study MBBS abroad at affordable prices. The average cost of study MBBS in the cheapest study-abroad country is around Rs. 30 to 40 lakhs for the complete course duration. Here is the list of countries abroad with the cheapest MBBS fees:

• China

• Georgia

• Kyrgyzstan

• Kazakhstan

• Bangladesh

• Philippines