Studying in South Korea vs. United States
South Korea 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 €714 in South Korea and €2,706 in United States.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
South Korea
Cheaper monthly living
South Korea
Lower visa proof of funds
South Korea
Side-by-side comparison
South Korea
United States
Currency
KRW (₩)
USD ($)
Public tuition (annual)
₩8,000,000
≈ €5,360 / yr
$32,000
≈ €29,440 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
₩12,000,000
≈ €8,040 / yr
$58,000
≈ €53,360 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
₩1,066,250 / mo
≈ €714 / mo
$2,941 / mo
≈ €2,706 / mo
Visa proof of funds
₩13,000,000
Bank balance proof (D-2 visa)
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Cities tracked
Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu
New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.