Countries with Free College Tuition: College tuition and fees are steadily rising but there are countries with free college and online alternatives to make it possible to earn your degree without going into debt.
20 Countries with Free College Tuition
There are many countries around the world where students can study abroad for free or at a very low cost. All you have to do is know where to look.
Below is a list of countries that offer low-cost or free tuition, along with information on eligibility and current (low) university fees.
These countries have internationally renowned universities.
20 Countries with Free College Tuition
According to WorldPopulationReview.com, 22 countries currently provide free college to their citizens.
Some even offer free college to international students with a few conditions, such as the language of instruction or mandatory military service in exchange for the education.
Here, we present you with the top 20 countries with free college tuition. Our list is purely a product of extensive research and data collected by our correspondents. Kindly study the list below:
1. Germany
Legendary breweries, extensive train systems, Alpine scenery, Bavarian lakes, and world-class universities can all be found in Germany.
The fact that college is completely free here is perhaps its most enticing feature for American students. While there may be some small administration fees and student visa costs, tuition is free.
Domestic and international students can both earn a free undergraduate degree in Germany.
The state of Baden-Württemberg is the sole exception to this rule, charging tuition fees to non-EU citizens. Nonetheless, these fees are still quite low.
Before enrolling in a university in Germany, students must select a major. As a result, you’re essentially applying for admission to a specific program rather than the school as a whole.
2. Norway
Norway offers majestic fjords, a tranquil coastline, the northern lights, and unique cities, as well as a reputation for world-class higher education.
The government waives tuition fees for students attending public universities in Norway, and this applies to international students as well.
Although they teach many degree programs in English, some universities, such as the University of Oslo, require fluency in Norwegian.
While international students may be concerned about Norway’s high cost of living, the government subsidizes student housing.
The majority of Norwegian universities also provide housing for international students.
3. Iceland
International students make up about 5% of Iceland’s 18,000 college students. With its rich history and supernatural lore, the small island country attracts students from all over the world.
It’s also famous for its stunning scenery, which includes green meadows, hot springs, geothermal lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, and even volcanoes.
Tuition is not charged at Iceland’s public universities, but registration and administration fees are. Students interested in sustainable energy and marine fields flock to the country.
Despite the fact that nearly all Icelanders speak English, whether classes are taught in English depends on the university and program. Many schools are willing to accept international and exchange students.
4. Austria
Students from the EU and EEA countries can attend college in Austria for free. Other international students must pay a relatively low annual fee of €1,500 (approximately $1,700).
Austria’s central location in Europe facilitates continental exploration. It is also one of the world’s most peaceful countries.
Austria, in addition to being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, and the waltz, offers delicious apple strudel and schnitzel, as well as plenty of outdoor recreation and fairytale villages.
The majority of university programs in Austria are taught in German, with a few taught in English.
5. France
Fresh pastries, a scenic coast, world-class art and museums, and chic fashion await you if you choose to study in France.
While international students’ tuition in France is not free, it is significantly less than that of US colleges and universities.
Non-EU students will pay €2,770 per year at the License level (equivalent to a bachelor’s degree) — roughly $3,000 per year.
Because France is such a popular destination for international students, many universities offer English-language courses to accommodate students from all over the world.
6. Denmark
Denmark, like its European counterparts, has free college: students from anywhere in the EU/EEA and Switzerland can take advantage of this benefit.
International students on the other hand, pay anywhere from 6,000 to 16,000 euros per year, making tuition expensive in comparison to other countries.
Denmark, despite being a smaller country, has a high standard of living, and many people appreciate the English options available in addition to the many different types of subjects to study.
The University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the Technical University of Denmark are among the best universities in Denmark.
7. Finland
College in Finland is free for students from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, college is free.
International undergraduate students pursuing degrees in English, on the other hand, will pay a minimum of 1,500 EUR per year (approximately $1,663 per year), though many universities charge far more depending on the degree level and program of study.
However, doctoral students, regardless of country of origin, as well as those studying in Finnish or Swedish, continue to pay no tuition.
The government also intends to provide scholarships and financial aid to international students with outstanding academic records.
8. Poland
Tuition fees are not charged to EU/EEA students studying full-time at state Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Poland.
Other international students pay around 2,000 euros per year on average.
One reason Poland is becoming a popular destination for international students is the low cost of living, which is estimated at 350-550 euros per month, a fraction of what you might pay in other European countries.
Poland has 118 HEIs and over 800 English-language programs.
9. Greece
In Greece, public higher education institutions provide free college tuition to first-cycle (bachelor’s degree) students from EU/EEA member countries.
Non-EU students pay an average of 1,500 euros per year in tuition, which includes course textbooks.
Furthermore, the monthly cost of living is estimated to be between 450 and 700 euros.
There is one disadvantage: unlike the other countries on this list, Greece requires applicants to be fluent in Greek in order to enroll in its universities.
Students without a language certificate will be unable to enroll.
10. Hungary
Hungary, one of Europe’s top tourist destinations, is also becoming a popular study destination for international students.
Although Hungary does not provide free college tuition, tuition fees are significantly lower than in other parts of Europe and the United States.
Tuition fees for a bachelor’s degree can range from 600 euros to 4,000 euros per semester, depending on the institution and program.
Furthermore, the cost of living in Hungary is very low, with an estimated monthly cost of $300 USD.
Universities in Hungary, with a focus on internationalization, offer a wide range of programs in English, as well as French, German, and Russian.
11. Slovenia
Slovenia, located in Central Europe, provides free college tuition to EU citizens as well as citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and the Republics of Macedonia and Serbia.
At the bachelor’s degree level, other students pay between 2,000 and 5,000 euros per year.
Although many of the English-language programs are related to business and tourism, they also include scientific fields such as physics, computer science, and mathematics.
The monthly cost of living in Slovenia is estimated to be 600 euros.
12. Czech Republic
Higher education at public and state institutions in the Czech Republic is free for all students who study in the Czech language.
Fees for studying another language range from 0 to 22,350 USD per year, depending on your institution and program.
The advantage of studying in the Czech Republic is that living expenses are relatively low, ranging from 350 to 750 USD per month.
As an added bonus, the country is centrally located in Europe, making it easy to travel to neighboring countries and locations.
13. Sweden
According to a 2015 OECD report, Sweden is one of the few countries with free college university systems.
Swedish colleges offer tuition-free education. This applies to both Swedish and international students.
When you get a PhD from a Swedish university, you are frequently charged for your studies.
Furthermore, international students may be granted scholarships by Swedish universities.
Among Sweden’s most well-known foreign student universities are Karolinska Institutet, Uppsala University, and Stockholm University.
14. Luxembourg
While not entirely free, Luxembourg provides nearly free college tuition.
You pay slightly more than $400 for the first two semesters and slightly more than $200 for each subsequent semester.
That’s a great deal for one of the best universities in the country. There are also classes in English, French, and German.
However, be prepared to pay a high living cost in Luxembourg.
15. Brazil
This is one of the countries where college is free. International students looking to study abroad for free should consider Brazil, the largest country in Latin America and the fifth largest in the world.
Domestic and international students can attend most public universities in Brazil for free and only pay registration fees.
The cost of private higher education institutions, on the other hand, is determined by the university and the degree program chosen by the student.
Before applying to any university in Brazil, students should take an exam to demonstrate their command of the Portuguese language.
Brazil is also regarded as a cost-effective destination for students, as food and transportation costs are lower than in neighboring countries.
16. Belgium
Although education is not entirely free in Belgium, there are universities with low tuition fees for international students.
Belgium is well-known throughout the world for its international politics as well as its chocolates.
Tuition in Belgium ranges between $400 and $2,000 per year.
International law, on the other hand, allows students to work 20 hours per week in order to meet their basic needs.
As a result, students will be able to shoulder these expenses. Furthermore, Belgium provides numerous university scholarships.
17. Panama
Panama is in Central America. It offers a free college education to international students as well as its citizens.
Cost of living can be relatively low in Panama, making it attractive.
However, you might do better if you learn Spanish for daily interactions.
18. India
International students in India typically pay tuition fees of no more than US$7,300 per year, though private university and graduate fees are typically higher.
Living costs in India are likely to be very appealing to most students – according to Numbeo, consumer prices are 163 percent lower than in the UK, while rental prices are up to 391 percent lower.
Overall, you should be able to live comfortably on $4,300 per year. It should be noted, however, that international students are not permitted to work in India while studying.
19. Argentina
While all Argentine students have free access to universities, international students should expect to pay a small, nominal fee to enroll in the country’s public universities.
In Argentina, private institutions can charge upwards of US$5,000 per year.
Buenos Aires is ranked 31st in the QS Best Student Cities 2019.
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20. Spain
EU students are not required to pay high education fees in Spain, whereas international students can study at public institutions for between €750 and €2,500 (US$830-2,760) per year.
Fees are charged per credit and can be higher at the graduate level. In Spain, you should budget between €10,800 and €13,200 (US$11,940 – 14,600) per year for living expenses.
Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia are all included in the QS Best Student Cities list, with Barcelona ranking 21st.
Reasons why College should be Free
Here are 5 reasons that support the case for a college free education:
1. Improves Society
When people are more educated, they can solve problems better. This means that society can progress at a faster rate.
Additionally, people with education can better understand the history of their society and its current economic conditions.
As such, they may be more inclined to participate in politics and improve their country.
Also, when more people have access to a college education, the number of employable people for high-skilled jobs increases.
This means that more people will join the workforce, which could help lessen the wealth gap between the upper, middle, and lower classes.
2. Widened Workforce
Along with technological progressions comes a shift in the workforce.
Most automated jobs are replacing low-skill workers. Automation is spreading quickly across positions that require repetition, like back-office tasks.
However, automation is not meant to replace the entire workforce.
Instead, the needs of most economies are shifting to require a more skilled workforce, with people who have good analytical skills and creative thinking abilities.
These skills are both taught and honed with a college education. If more people could attend college for free, then the workforce will expand.
3. A Boosted Economy
Most students graduate with a massive amount of debt. For example, in the U.S., the average student debt per person is $31,172.
When students graduate with debt, they will likely continue to add to their debt with interest.
As such, it can take many years before they manage to dig themselves out of debt that only seems to keep growing.
Furthermore, the fear of being in debt can cause students to avoid school entirely. But, if the debt wasn’t a reality, then the younger generation may feel more motivated to go to school in the first place.
4. Increase Equality
Since affordability is a major issue for so many people when it comes to attending college, the playing field has not always been equal.
A lot of the brightest minds in the world stem from low-income households, but that shouldn’t hold them back from continuing their education.
If there was an equal opportunity to attend school, then everyone would have the chance to go to school. Affordable education is a major step towards equality.
5. More Focus
When students are not worried about money, they can focus better on their studies.
Even when students have loans and financial aid, they may find themselves stuck worrying about how they will have to pay them back in the future.
This added stress can negatively impact their focus during the time when they are supposed to be learning.
Conclusion on Countries with Free College
There are several advantages to studying in countries with free college free or nearly free college tuition.
However, before you travel to the other side of the globe, you should carefully consider your own capabilities and priorities.
While attending school in another country may seem exciting, keep in mind that you may need to learn another language and navigate another culture.
This can be difficult, especially if you want to make the most of your education.
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