Which country has the highest international school fees?

A new study by the International Schools Database has revealed that the cost of international education varies significantly across the globe. This extensive analysis, which examined international school fees in 82 cities across 53 countries, offers a crucial overview of the financial landscape for international families.

New York City stands out as the most expensive location for international schooling, with a median annual price soaring to $44,600 (£33,200). This figure highlights the premium associated with education in major global economic hubs. Conversely, Ipoh-Perak in Malaysia offers the most affordable option, with a median annual fee of just $2,725 (£2,030). This vast difference underscores the diverse economic realities and educational market conditions worldwide.

New York City stands out as the most expensive location for international schooling.

Globally, the United States, China, and Switzerland consistently rank as the priciest countries for international education. These nations often host highly developed international school sectors, catering to a significant expatriate population. In contrast, Africa emerges as the least expensive region overall, suggesting more accessible options for international education across the continent. Asia, however, presents a paradox, as it encompasses both some of the most expensive and most affordable cities.

Delving into regional specifics, Europe’s international school market shows considerable variation. Switzerland and the United Kingdom lead the continent as the most expensive countries, with median prices often exceeding $20,000 (£14,900) annually. Zurich, in particular, records the highest median price at $30,738 (£22,902) per year, underscoring its status as a high-cost educational destination.

Switzerland and the United Kingdom are the most expensive countries in Europe.

Interestingly, Spain offers some of Europe’s more budget-friendly international school options, with Tenerife noted as the cheapest at $4,903 (£3,652) per year. Most European countries included in the research typically report median prices ranging between $10,000 (£7,449) and $15,000 (£11,176) annually.

Unexpectedly, cities such as Riga in Latvia and Budapest in Hungary are also found among the top 10 most expensive European cities for international schooling, going against the trend of Western European dominance in high costs.

In the Middle East, Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman recorded the highest median price for international schools at $10,883 (£8,109). However, the region exhibits a relatively narrow range of median prices, with about $4,500 (£3,352) separating the highest and lowest median fees. Manama in Bahrain and Amman in Jordan offer the lowest median prices in the Middle East, both under $7,000 (£5,215) per year.

The Americas demonstrate a significant cost divide, with the United States being considerably more expensive than other countries in the region, including Canada.

The difference in median prices between North America and Latin America is stark.

The top four most expensive cities for international schools in the Americas are all located in the US: New York City ($44,600 or £33,231 median), San Francisco Bay Area ($33,450 or £24,923 median), Washington D.C. area ($25,915 or £19,309 median), and Chicago ($23,700 or £17,659 median).

Conversely, Latin American cities such as Lima, Panama City, and Monterrey show relatively consistent and lower international school costs, with median prices around $8,000-$9,000 (£5,961-£6,706) per year. The difference in median prices between North America and Latin America is stark, with the closest comparison (Toronto vs. Monterrey) still showing a more than 100 per cent increase.

Africa, while generally the least expensive region, also presents internal variations. Nairobi, Kenya, stands as the most expensive city in Africa, with a median price of $7,116 (£5,303). This is notably higher than the next most expensive city, Johannesburg ($5,657 or £4,217), and the least expensive, Cairo ($2,966 or £2,211). South Africa itself shows a considerable difference between its major cities, with Johannesburg being 30 per cent pricier than Cape Town. Mauritius, on the other hand, exhibits the lowest range of costs within Africa, with prices between $2,491 (£1,857) and $6,881 (£5,129).

This global and regional data illustrates the complex factors influencing international school fees, from economic prosperity and currency values to the demand for international curricula and the supply of high-quality educational institutions.

To explore the full findings and detailed data from this research, you can read the complete report on the International Schools Database website: The Cost of International Education Around the World in 2024.