Studying in Argentina vs. South Africa
Argentina and South Africa are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €643 in Argentina and €588 in South Africa.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Argentina
Cheaper monthly living
South Africa
Lower visa proof of funds
Argentina
Side-by-side comparison
Argentina
South Africa
Currency
USD ($)
ZAR (R)
Public tuition (annual)
$0
≈ €0 / yr
R50,000
≈ €2,500 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
$6,000
≈ €5,520 / yr
R100,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
$699 / mo
≈ €643 / mo
R11,750 / mo
≈ €588 / mo
Visa proof of funds
$4,800
Proof of means for residencia estudiantil (≈ USD 400/month)
R120,000
Proof of funds for the Section 11(1)(b) study visa (varies by case)
Cities tracked
Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, Rosario
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.