An engineering degree can promise you three things: employment prospects, financial goals and social recognition. Upon graduation, engineers have the highest average starting pay with a median annual wage of USD $93,000. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the engineering field is projected to grow with over 146,000 new jobs over the next decade.
Despite all the benefits a degree in engineering will reap, it is without a doubt one of the most expensive courses to study. College Tuition Compare shares that the average undergraduate tuition fees in top institutions cost an estimated $13,072 for state residents and $44,742 for out-of-state students in the 2019/2020 academic year.
These costs add up tremendously if you are an international student planning to study engineering abroad. Looking for cheapest countries to gain a degree in engineering? Consider your options below:
Germany
Germany is home to some of the biggest automobile brands such as Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes Benz. Source: David Hecker/AFP
Not only is Germany known to have low living costs, they are also known for their affordable engineering degrees. That’s right. All public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees at the undergraduate and PhD level, making it among the world’s cheapest countries for international students.
The average tuition fees for international students are 200 to 700 euros ($197.88 to $692.58 at the time of writing) per academic year. The country is also generous with their scholarships, with examples including the DAAD Scholarship and Humboldt Research Fellowship.
Some of Germany’s top universities include Technische Universitat Munchen, Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie, and RWTH Aachen. Read here for other top German engineering universities.
New Zealand
New Zealand is home to world-renowned engineering colleges and universities such as the University of Auckland and University of Canterbury. Learn in a practical teaching environment while getting an internationally recognised degree in engineering here.
Top engineering courses include mechanical engineering, software engineering, civil engineering, aeronautical engineering, electrical engineering and chemical engineering.
More than that, there is a growing demand for engineers in the country. New Zealand is in chronic need of engineers to match the growing economy, meaning there could be more job opportunities for international students to fill. This makes it the perfect choice for international students looking to relocate overseas.
Depending on your chosen university, the average tuition fees costs from 10700 to 28000 New Zealand dollars ($6255.22 to $16368.80).
Canada
Compared to the UK, Australia or the US, Canada has a lower cost of living and cheaper tuition fees. It’s no different even if you’re pursuing a more expensive degree such as engineering.
Here, students will get the best of both worlds – a quality education at an affordable cost. Some of the cheaper colleges and universities for international students to consider include University of Alberta, Waterloo University and University of British Columbia.
Canadian universities are known to include research components in their degree programmes, allowing students the opportunity to participate in exciting projects. Read this article for more reasons why Canada is right for you.
Times Higher Education has ranked these universities as the top universities to pursue a degree in engineering.
China
China has become an international hub for those interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), specifically. Source: Wang Zhao/AFP
Considered the fastest growing economy and the world’s largest education system, China boasts many ambitious and technical engineering courses. With plenty of new economic development as well as upcoming engineering projects, students will be exposed to an array of experiences in multiple sectors and disciplines.
China has become an international hub for those interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), specifically. Those who choose to pursue an engineering degree in China will go on to have promising careers all around the world.
The average tuition fee costs between $2000 to $4000 annually. It’s best to check with the individual universities for the full cost of a degree in engineering.
