Not all education abroad programs have to break the bank! Explore CSU’s more cost-effective education abroad opportunities for CSU students and how to understand program costs. Talk with an education abroad advisor and/or financial aid coordinator for education abroad about how to create a realistic budget.
Understanding CSU Cost of Attendance
To understand how much an education abroad program costs compared to how much it costs to live and learn as a CSU student in Fort Collins, students need to first understand their CSU Cost of Attendance.
Cost of attendance is the average cost of a full-time student during the 9-month academic year. These estimates include tuition and general fees, housing, food, transportation, other educational costs (personal/misc. expenses), books and supplies.
Comparing your CSU Cost of Attendance to an Education Abroad Program Cost
Below is an example of how CSU Cost of Attendance compares to a one semester on an education abroad program. Please note: Education abroad program costs vary by program and location. Work with your education abroad advisor and/or the education abroad financial aid coordinator for Education Abroad to breakdown the comparison for your chosen education abroad program(s).
Example Cost of Attendance Comparison
When exploring programs, students should consider their personal budget for airfare, local transportation, meals, cost of living, and other expenses which may not be included in the featured catalog price.
| Category | CSU Undergraduate, Colorado Resident, 2024-2025 Semester Estimates | University of Limerick, Ireland: Spring 2025 Semester Estimates |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $6686.50 | $8550.60 |
| Housing | $6268.50 | $3000.00 |
| Food | $2124.00 | $2000.00 |
| Transportation (airfare & local) | $774.00 | $1700.00 |
| Other Educational Costs (Insurance, Visa/Immigration, Passport/fees, Personal/Misc. Expenses) | $873.00 | $2870.00 |
| Books & Supplies | $600.00 | $600.00 |
| Total: | $17,327.00 | $18,720.60 |
Cost-Effective Programs with API
How API makes education abroad more affordable
Thanks to our partnership with Academic Programs International (API), select study abroad programs through API are now more financially accessible for in-state CSU students—some reduced by up to 41%. Students can also use code colostate25 to waive the API application fee when applying.
Learn more about API opportunities available to CSU students below.
COST-EFFECTIVE CSU SPONSORED EXCHANGE AND DIRECT ENROLL PROGRAMS
The direct relationship with our exchange and direct enroll partner universities allows CSU to keep the cost of exchange programs as close as possible to the total cost of attendance on campus in Fort Collins.
COST-EFFECTIVE AFFILIATED PROGRAMS
CSU partners with a number of excellent education abroad partner organizations that offer a wider range of programs in unique locations. Many of the programs offered through our partners have comparable costs to CSU in-state cost of attendance. If cost is your number one consideration for planning your education abroad, meet with an Education Abroad Advisor to learn more about program options that support your budget.
Ready to explore education abroad options?
Reach out to Education abroad for questions regarding affordable programs for CSU students: