Studying in United Kingdom vs. United States
United Kingdom 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 €1,836 in United Kingdom and €2,706 in United States.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
United Kingdom
Cheaper monthly living
United Kingdom
Lower visa proof of funds
United Kingdom
Side-by-side comparison
United Kingdom
United States
Currency
GBP (£)
USD ($)
Public tuition (annual)
£22,000
≈ €25,740 / yr
$32,000
≈ €29,440 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
£38,000
≈ €44,460 / yr
$58,000
≈ €53,360 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
£1,569 / mo
≈ €1,836 / mo
$2,941 / mo
≈ €2,706 / mo
Visa proof of funds
£12,006
UKVI maintenance (outside London)
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Varies by I-20 (school issues)
Cities tracked
London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham
New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.