Studying in Belgium vs. United States
Belgium and United States 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 €1,246 in Belgium and €2,706 in United States.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Belgium
Cheaper monthly living
Belgium
Lower visa proof of funds
Belgium
Side-by-side comparison
Belgium
United States
Currency
EUR (€)
USD ($)
Public tuition (annual)
€4,175
$32,000
≈ €29,440 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
€12,000
$58,000
≈ €53,360 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
€1,246 / mo
$2,941 / mo
≈ €2,706 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€9,108
Proof of means (≈ €759/month) for Type D student visa
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Cities tracked
Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp
New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.