Studying in France vs. United States
France 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 €1,424 in France and €2,706 in United States.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
France
Cheaper monthly living
France
Lower visa proof of funds
France
Side-by-side comparison
France
United States
Currency
EUR (€)
USD ($)
Public tuition (annual)
€3,000
$32,000
≈ €29,440 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
€12,000
$58,000
≈ €53,360 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
€1,424 / mo
$2,941 / mo
≈ €2,706 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€7,380
Long-stay visa: €615/month proof
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Cities tracked
Paris, Lyon, Toulouse
New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.