Understanding How Much Study Abroad Will Cost for You

To find the cost of your IES Abroad program:

• Navigate to your program on the IES Abroad website and click on “Cost” in the dropdown at the top of the page.
• Under the “Program Cost” section, you can find cost cards detailing the itemized costs for tuition, housing, health insurance, and the total Program Cost. If full fees are available, which include things like estimated transportation costs and supplemental tuition fees, clicking the "View All Fees" button will open a pop-up window that shows you line-by-line fees you might incur during your program.

• Click on the "View All Fees" button to access a table of the line-by-line costs. This table is a great tool to help you understand the required program costs, additional fees* incurred on the program, and other guidelines to help you create a budget for your program.  

*NOTE: Your school may charge an application fee or a study abroad fee in addition to the costs you will pay to IES Abroad. Many universities’ study abroad websites have cost breakdowns and budgeting tools, so be sure to check there, too!   

IES Abroad will bill either you or your school for your program's tuition, housing, and health insurance. These costs also include predeparture support from your IES Abroad Program Advisor, visa application assistance (if applicable), on-site health and safety support, course-related excursions, access to the IES Abroad alumni network, and more!

Great question! Look back at the "Where can I find the cost breakdown?" question above to see how to navigate to the cost-breakdown table on your program page. Once you're there, scroll down to the third section that says “Additional Estimated Expenses for Student Budgeting Purposes.” In this section, you'll find a list of expenses associated with your study abroad program that will not be billed to you directly by IES Abroad or your school. We’ve provided an estimate of what you can expect to pay for each category so you can budget accordingly.

For example, you’ll arrange and pay for your flight to your IES Abroad program independently. That way, you can search to find the best deal and flight pattern to your destination. You will also need to budget for meals during your program. Certain housing options include some meals while others do not, so we have outlined an estimated meal cost based on the different housing options. Additionally, you’ll want to have some funds available for on-site transportation (such as a metro pass), course materials, and personal expenses (like toiletries, sightseeing, etc). Also, keep in mind that if you select add-ons like premium housing selections, field trips, or a service like ACCeSS, these will factor into the final bill you see. And those costs will be clearly outlined in both the cost breakdown as well as in the selection form as you make these choices.

For more tips, you can check out our story, “7 Costs to Plan for in Your Study Abroad Budget” to hear from our staff who work with students across the U.S. and have a ton of expert knowledge to share.

By now, you won’t be surprised to hear that it depends on a few factors, such as your school’s policies and the type of scholarship(s) and aid you receive. Your school will have their own specific policies for whether they can transfer your existing scholarships and aid to your IES Abroad program. Be sure to discuss this with your campus study abroad office and financial aid team. If your school needs documentation from IES Abroad about our program costs, email your IES Abroad Program Advisor, and they will help you obtain that information.