Studying in Germany vs. United States
Germany 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 €1,439 in Germany and €2,706 in United States.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Germany
Cheaper monthly living
Germany
Lower visa proof of funds
Germany
Side-by-side comparison
Germany
United States
Currency
EUR (€)
USD ($)
Public tuition (annual)
€0
$32,000
≈ €29,440 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
€20,000
$58,000
≈ €53,360 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
€1,439 / mo
$2,941 / mo
≈ €2,706 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€11,904
Sperrkonto (annual)
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Cities tracked
Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Leipzig
New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.