Attending College in the U.S. vs. Abroad

The U.S. is home to some of the best colleges in the world — but that doesn’t mean you can’t look elsewhere. While many students plan to study abroad for a semester or a year in college, others look to spend all four years abroad. Why? Because going to school overseas offers an amazing opportunity to broaden your horizons and see more of the world.

Other countries’ colleges may have different teaching styles, program lengths, costs, and expectations. Programs are often more focused and less flexible, so you’ll want to be confident in your choice of major. You’ll also be navigating cultural differences and potential language barriers, which can impact your experiences in class and daily life.

Earning your degree abroad has countless benefits and makes for an exciting college experience. However, studying far from friends and family has its own challenges. Homesickness and culture shock are very real — but they’re nothing to fear. Adjusting to any new school takes time, whether 500 or 5,000 miles from the familiar.

If you’re considering attending college somewhere other than the U.S., check out these three reasons why some students enroll at a university in a different country.

Cheaper tuition

The U.S. has some of the highest college tuition rates globally. For instance, the average yearly tuition at a U.S. private school hovers at $37,000/year. Now let’s look at some other countries:

• Canada: $23,000/year
• United Kingdom: $12,400/year
• Norway: $11,000/year
• Chile: $5,000/year
• The Philippines: $2,500/year

A caveat! Private colleges in Australia and New Zealand cost nearly as much as those in the U.S., so cheaper tuition isn’t an across-the-board guarantee. 

While students will still need to budget for additional expenses such as visas, health insurance, travel, and living accommodations, the savings in tuition alone could easily offset these other costs. Additionally, many overseas undergraduate programs take just three years to complete, so you earn your degree sooner and save time and money, too!

Cultural and language immersion

During the 2022-23 school year, 280,716 U.S. students studied abroad — a 49% increase from the previous year. Many choose this route to strengthen their language skills. While you can benefit tons from spending a semester abroad, imagine how much you could learn over a few years! Beyond improving your language fluency, you’ll learn more about local cultures, traditions, and ways of living.

If you are considering college abroad, identify the primary teaching language. If you’re not yet fully comfortable speaking and learning in that second language, confirm your program is taught in English, at least for the first year. However, if the idea of pursuing your degree in your non-native language feels overwhelming or causes anxiety but you still want to attend school abroad, consider limiting your search to primarily English-speaking countries, like Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Post-graduation work opportunities

If you have your heart set on one day living in another country, attending college in that country can open you up to future opportunities. Some countries offer international students post-graduate work visas, enabling graduates to remain and work in the country. Take advantage of the college’s partnerships with local companies and organizations to land an internship during school and earn valuable real-world experience. Expanding your professional and social networks overseas is excellent for building connections and increasing your chances of success in the global job market.

Real talk time: You should be realistic about how attending college in another country will impact your life: communication across time zones, fewer visits home during the year, and a whole lot more navigating challenges on your own. But you’ll also have the chance to explore a new culture, travel to cool countries, and take charge of your future. And who knows, expanding your college search outside of the U.S. might be the key to finding the college of your dreams.

Want more tips and insights? Check out our full Guide to College Admissions here.