Why pay heavy tuition fees at home when you can study in some of the best cities in Europe for free?
Statistics show that in 2024/25 the average tuition fees at an in-state public college were $11,011 and a whopping $43,505 at private colleges — these costs have risen steadily in recent years and there’s little evidence this trend will stop.
Big tuition fees are one of the reasons why US students are choosing to jump across the pond to Europe, a continent famous for its culture and history and increasingly known for its free degrees.
With that in mind, here’s a list of eight countries where American students can study for free in Europe…
1. Germany
One of Europe’s economic strongholds, Germany is known for being friendly and welcoming to international visitors. Not only has the country got some of the best and cheapest student cities in the world, but the high level of English spoken in the country makes it a great choice for US students.
Germany is the fourth most popular country in the world for international students, and that’s because its public universities have completely done away with tuition fees for students of any nationality. Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt are some of the top destinations in Germany for international students from the US.
Believing education to be a right rather than a privilege, Germany is leading the way in making a university degree possible for all. In January 2025, more than 9,300 US students were fully enrolled at German universities. There are over 1,000 programs taught in English by German universities, meaning language need not be an issue in getting your degree.
Data from the German Academic Exchange Service shows that monthly living expenses for students in Germany are currently around $850. This includes rent, transport, food and entertainment. It’s worth noting that even though tuition is completely free at German public universities, there will be a small semester fee to support the student union and related activities. This ranges from $55-$280 each semester.
Humboldt University in Berlin and the Technical University of Munich are among the highly-ranked German universities that charge no tuition fees to American students.
Sold on Germany? Start your study abroad journey today by checking out our wide range of student housing in Germany.
2. France
Paris is well-known as one of the best student cities in the world and continues to top polls year after year. Outside of the capital, though, there are the historical cities of Lyon or Toulouse to consider if you want to mix university life with a touch of the ancient. Montpellier, an hour’s drive from the Mediterranean beach, is the other major student city in France – a quarter of its residents are enrolled at a university!
If you are an American who would like to study in France then we have très bien news – it will be much cheaper than at home! University tuition fees for non-EU citizens at public institutions incur a fee of €2,850 per year for an undergraduate degree and €3,879 for a master’s. Be aware, though, that these costs do not apply to the grandes école universities in France, which will charge much higher fees.
As well as boasting several of the world’s best universities, France is known for its internationally acclaimed specialist business schools such as ESCP Europe, ESSEC Business School, HEC Paris, and INSEAD.
To enroll as a student in France you must submit an application to the school that you wish to attend including passport details, plus proof of your grades. American students will need a visa to study in France which is applied for through the CEF procedure run by CampusFrance.
Under French law, you need to show evidence that you have enough funds to cover your expenses while studying within the country, and if your course is going to be taught in French you must also prove proficiency in the language.
Have your sights set on France? Be sure to check out our huge range of student housing in France!
3. Iceland
The real-life land of ice and fire is a fantastic choice for US students who want to save money on their tuition fees. Where else can you balance your study with sitting in a natural hot spring and staring at the northern lights?
Amazingly, all public colleges in Iceland are free for American students. International students make up 5% of all students in the country. The University of Iceland, located in the capital Reykjavik, is one of the largest in Iceland and does not charge any tuition fees. There is, however, an annual registration fee of approximately $520 for American students.
Applicants must have an equivalent level of education to the Icelandic matriculation examination. In general, courses are taught in the Icelandic language but there are a few postgraduate programs provided in English by the University of Iceland, Reykjavík University, and the University of Akureyri.
Students are advised that they will need around $1,650 per month to cover their accommodation and living expenses in Iceland. Americans studying in Iceland for longer than three months will also need to apply for a residence permit once they have secured a place at a university.
4. Finland
Finland once waived tuition fees to US students for all undergraduate degrees, but Americans are now subject to the same fees as locals in this area. However, you can still take advantage of tuition-free PhD programs, which are open to all students regardless of nationality.
US students can apply to Finnish universities online, either directly to the university or via the centralized admissions service University Admissions Finland (UAF). It’s necessary to obtain a residence permit before entering Finland to study, as well as having access to enough funds to cover expenses for a year.
Helsinki on Finland’s south coast is by far the largest urban area in the country. The city is home to the University of Helsinki and Aalto University, the top two colleges in Finland. It’s a great place to enjoy the renowned high quality of life, technological advancements, and extreme seasons of this Nordic gem.
5. Sweden
Like Finland, many Swedish universities provide free PhD tuition to American citizens, and even better, most of the programs are taught in English. PhD positions in Sweden are usually offered as paid positions by universities or external funding bodies, so you not only study for free but earn a salary, too. Alternatively, a range of scholarship options are available for American students.
As of February 2025, the fee for US students to apply to study in Sweden is around $80. You’ll also need at least $1,000 per month to cover living expenses. Americans can apply via Sweden’s centralized university admissions application portal, Universityadmissions.se. A residence permit is also required before you enter the country.
Sweden is home to several world-leading universities. Research university Uppsala is the oldest having been founded in 1477. It ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe and it is quite prominent internationally, too. Lund University, based in Lund, and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, located in Stockholm, are in the world’s top 100 colleges.
Like the sound of Sweden? We offer a great selection of student housing in Sweden!
6. Slovenia
An underrated corner of Europe tucked between Italy and Croatia, compact Slovenia provides the best of the mountains and the beach with excellent travel opportunities to neighboring countries.
Slovenia has a highly-rated education system considered one of the best in the EU. The University of Ljubljana, in the city of the same name, is considered Slovenia’s main university and is one of the largest colleges in the world. It was Slovenia’s only university until the University of Maribor opened in 1975. Undoubtedly, Ljubljana is one of the prettiest European cities to attend university.
While American students will still need to pay tuition fees in Slovenia, these are typically a lot lower than in the US. For instance, a bachelor’s degree at a public institution can incur a cost as low as $2,000 per year. The same is true for a master’s and a PhD.
Another reason to consider Slovenia is that student accommodation is cheap. Private housing starts from $500 per month while a university dormitory is under $400. A coffee is $1.50 and a meal in a moderately-priced restaurant is not more than $15.
7. Czech Republic
US Students who speak Czech or are willing to learn are able to study abroad for free in the Czech Republic at any public university. Students who wish to study in English can also study fairly cheaply, starting from around $1,000 per year.
Public universities often charge a small registration fee of just over $20. The application system is also straightforward and can usually be completed online, simply requiring proof of secondary school education.
With the architecturally stunning city of Prague, the historic castles of Brno, and the unexplored former industrial stronghold of Ostrava to discover, the Czech Republic has a lot to offer American students.
There are over 70 universities to choose from, including Czech Technical University and Charles University, two of the top-ranked centers in emerging Europe. Living costs are far more affordable in the Czech Republic than in most of Western Europe, at around $500-750 a month.
Affordable study awaits!
Low or even free tuition and added the benefits of seeing new parts of the world — what more encouragement do you need to kickstart your study abroad journey? The only question that remains is where will you choose!
Once you’ve selected your study abroad destination, you’ll need to find a place to live. Student.com is the largest student accommodation provider in the world and we list student housing all over Europe. Start exploring with us today!
