Ranked from most to least affordable, with actual 2026 figures for rent, food, transport, and total monthly budget.
One of the most common reasons students hesitate to study abroad is cost. But here’s what most people don’t realise: in several of the most affordable study abroad destinations, your total monthly spend abroad (including rent, food, transport, and activities) can actually be lower than staying at home.
We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Below is a ranked breakdown of the cheapest study abroad destinations available through Beyond Abroad, with real 2026 cost figures for each. From €400 a month in Sri Lanka to €1,400 in Lisbon, there’s an affordable option for every budget and every type of student.
1. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is the cheapest study abroad destination in the entire Beyond Abroad network… and one of the most underrated! The cost of daily life is 60–70% lower than Western Europe, English is widely spoken, and the country offers extraordinary natural beauty, from tea-covered highlands to world-class beaches.
Beyond Abroad partners with SLIIT (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology), the country’s leading private university for tech, engineering, and business. For students looking to study abroad on a budget without compromising on academic quality, Sri Lanka is genuinely hard to beat.
Total monthly budget: ~€350–600 all-in
💡 A meal at a local restaurant costs around €2–4. Public transport is exceptionally cheap at €4–10 per month. Worth knowing: Sri Lanka has fully stabilised economically since the 2022 crisis, the LKR is steady against the EUR and USD, making this a genuinely secure destination in 2026.
2. Thailand
Thailand offers one of the best value-for-money propositions of any study abroad destination in Asia. Street food costs €1–3 per meal. A modern condo near campus runs €200–500 per month. Bangkok is the priciest of the Thai cities in our network, but even there, a student’s monthly budget is roughly half what you’d spend living comparably in Paris or London.
Beyond Abroad partners with four Thai universities: Siam University, Walailak University, Kasetsart University, and Prince of Songkla University, giving students a range of locations from Bangkok to the south. Studying abroad in Thailand on a budget is one of the most achievable options in the entire network.
Total monthly budget: ~€400–800 all-in
💡 Students in Bangkok use the BTS/MRT monthly pass plus occasional Grab rides. Street food is the single biggest money-saving habit: students who eat local live significantly more cheaply than those who rely on Western restaurants.
3. Bali, Indonesia
Bali is the most popular destination in the Beyond Abroad network, and once you see the cost of living, it’s not hard to understand why. Stunning nature, extraordinary culture, and a lifestyle that feels like a permanent holiday, at roughly 50–65% of the cost of a comparable lifestyle in Western Europe.
Beyond Abroad partners with three universities in Bali, each with a different profile. Warmadewa University is ranked the best private university in Bali. It’s the most affordable program on the island and consistently the top-rated destination among Beyond Abroad students. Udayana University is Bali’s largest public university, particularly recognized for research, cultural studies, and environmental programs. And Undiknas is a modern private university focused on business, management, and technology, one of the most digitally advanced universities in Indonesia. Whatever your field, there’s a Bali option that fits.
Total monthly budget: ~€500–900 all-in
4. Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the most underrated affordable study abroad destinations in the network. It’s a modern, English-friendly, multicultural country with excellent infrastructure and Southeast Asian prices. Kuala Lumpur is 60–70% cheaper than Singapore and London for a comparable lifestyle.
Beyond Abroad partners with Universiti Putra Malaysia (ranked #1 in Malaysia) and Universiti Kuala Lumpur. For students who want modern city life, high academic quality, and a low monthly cost of living abroad, Malaysia is a particularly smart choice.
Total monthly budget: ~€500–800 all-in
💡 Malaysia’s public transport in KL is excellent and cheap. The food scene is extraordinary at very low prices, hawker centres are the local equivalent of Bali’s warungs.
5. China
China is one of the most underrated study abroad destinations in the world, and Shanghai is the perfect entry point. One of the most dynamic cities on the planet, it combines ancient culture with cutting-edge innovation, and for students with an interest in business, economics, or global affairs, there is genuinely nowhere else like it.
Beyond Abroad partners with Shanghai University. The program focuses on Chinese language, culture, economics, and international trade, all taught in English. The program is one of the most affordable university options in the entire network.
Total monthly budget: ~€500–900 all-in
💡 Shanghai University offers on-campus dormitory accommodation, which significantly reduces rent costs and makes the lower end of the budget very achievable.
6. Latvia
Latvia is the most affordable European study abroad destination in the Beyond Abroad network, and one of the best-kept secrets on the continent. If you want a full European experience (Schengen access, EU infrastructure, UNESCO-listed architecture) without paying Western European prices, Riga is genuinely hard to beat.
Beyond Abroad partners with Riga Stradiņš University. For students who want cheap study abroad in Europe, Latvia offers real value: English-taught programs, a beautiful city, and a monthly budget well below what you’d spend in Paris or Amsterdam.
Total monthly budget: ~€600–900 all-in
💡 Latvia is an EU country with Schengen access, great for weekend travel across Europe. Riga’s UNESCO-listed old town is one of the most beautiful in the Baltics.
7. Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the most overlooked cheap study abroad destinations in Asia, and one of the best value options for students who want a dynamic, safe, and culturally rich experience. Taipei’s night markets are legendary and incredibly cheap, the metro system is world-class, and the city is consistently ranked among the safest in Asia.
Beyond Abroad partners with Shih Chien University in Taipei. For students considering affordable study abroad in Asia, Taiwan deserves more attention than it typically gets.
Total monthly budget: ~€600–1,000 all-in
💡 Taiwan is extremely student-friendly and very safe. Night markets keep food costs very low: students who eat at markets regularly land at the lower end of the monthly budget range.
8. South Korea
South Korea is more expensive than Southeast Asian destinations but still very affordable compared to Western Europe, especially if you eat Korean food rather than Western meals. The cost of living in Seoul for students who eat local is significantly lower than most people expect.
Beyond Abroad partners with four Korean universities: Hanyang University, Dong-A University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and Konkuk University. Studying abroad in South Korea on a budget is very achievable: the key is eating local.
Total monthly budget: ~€700–1,200 all-in
💡 Korean food is very affordable: a bowl of bibimbap or a kimbap roll costs €3–5. Students who also cook occasionally using ingredients from local markets bring costs down further still.
The bottom line
Studying abroad doesn’t have to be expensive. In the most affordable destinations (Sri Lanka, Bali, and Thailand) your total semester cost including tuition and living can be lower than a semester at home in many Western European countries. Even South Korea and Taiwan, which sit higher on this list, remain significantly cheaper than studying in the UK, the Netherlands, or Scandinavia.
The key is choosing the right destination for your budget, and knowing what the real numbers look like before you commit. The figures above are based on real 2026 data so you can plan with confidence.
Ready to find your affordable study abroad destination? Explore all programmes and costs at Beyond Abroad.