Everyone fantasizes about strolling down charming cobblestone streets in chic clothes with a fresh croissant in your hand, but do you know what nobody likes to fantasize about? The bill for all of this mushy-gushy stuff. It’s fun to dream about Paris study abroad, but when it comes down to paying for this, it definitely puts a damper on it!
*Just picture it* — the view from your new home in Paris.
Before you lose hope on the study abroad in Paris experience, it’s worth exploring some of the least expensive program options so you really know if you can afford it instead of your preconceived notions telling you you can’t. Yes, it does cost a pretty penny to enroll in a Paris study abroad program, but it probably doesn’t cost quite as much as you thought. We’ll explore everything from the University of Paris summer programs to a full academic year to help you decide. The city of love isn’t just reserved for the rich lovers of the world—pick one of the below cheap study abroad programs in Paris!
How much does it typically cost to study abroad in Paris?
Generally speaking, studying abroad in Paris will cost however much you want it to cost. If you have a $3,000 budget then you’ll probably be looking at a few week language program, versus if you have a $30,000 budget then you’ll most likely be considering a full year abroad in Paris. That’s not to say you have to limit yourself based on budget...there are scholarships that can help offset a more expensive route!
Afterall, Paris is not a place topping any list of the “cheapest destinations in the world.” It is an inherently, and relatively, expensive study abroad location. No matter how inexpensive you try to make your study abroad in Paris experience, there will always be items that you have to pay something for. These include but aren’t limited to: tuition, housing, food, transportation to/from Paris, transportation around Paris, and probably a student visa and health insurance. If you work hard to keep your other costs low, affording these items shouldn’t be a stretch!
Empty your storage now because your study abroad in Paris experience will require TONS of photos!
Keep in mind as you’re comparing Paris study abroad program costs what you’ll actually be paying for. The all-encompassing average study abroad program cost is currently around $18,000/semester or $36,000/year. This is definitely a hefty investment, but consider what you’re getting for that money. If you’re coming from the U.S. for instance, where can you find a top-ranked school that includes tuition, room and board, health insurance, on-site support, volunteer opportunities, clubs and extracurriculars, and all kinds of cultural activities and full excursions for under $36,000? Most college campuses in the U.S. don’t even provide tissues for students, forget all of this! In the end, the investment is 100% worth it. If you have your sights set under the Eiffel Tower, do everything you can to make it happen—scholarships, fundraising, a part time job, whatever it takes. Your future self will thank you.
We have done our best to outline a few of the (relatively) more affordable study abroad programs in Paris that are never in short supply of on-site support, cultural immersion, or high quality learning opportunities. Read further to find even more tips on how to lessen the costs of your overall international studies in Paris.
9 Paris study abroad programs that don’t cost a fortune
Don’t let your preconceived notions about exorbitant program fees scare you away. Despite France’s reputation of being a high-society country, us plebeians can survive here, too! Check out some of the below programs to kick off your search for a reasonably-priced program and get ready for that study abroad in Paris experience!
1. Center for Study Abroad—Budget Study Abroad
As if the name of this provider didn’t give it away, CSA—Budget Study Abroad is the clear winner of the cheap study abroad programs in Paris. Starting at only $895 for two weeks of French classes, you can’t beat this option. All students and adults of all French levels are welcome to study here, you can start any Monday, and there are three locations throughout the city that you can study in. Housing options are available for $300/week or you can arrange your own if you prefer!
- When? Weekly, summer, semester, year
- Estimated program cost: Starting at ~$900/2 weeks or ~$1,600/month
- More info: Read CSA reviews
2. ELI Abroad
Why settle for just a semester abroad when you can also do an internship abroad, too?! ELI Abroad is unique in that their participants study in Paris for five weeks becoming intensively trained for French professional life, and then become an intern in their area of choice for the rest of the semester! The semester culminates in a final research project guided by an IFE research advisor. Housing is not included in the program fees but start at €2,000/semester, and as you could guess, students enrolling in this program must have strong French language skills.
- When? Semester
- Estimated program cost: Starting at ~$8,500/semester
- More info: Read ELI Abroad reviews
3. CEA Study Abroad
Like the above program, CEA Study Abroad also offers internships abroad! Come study at either the Paris-Sorbonne University, the Catholic University of Paris, the ESSCA École de Management, the CEA Paris Center, or do a hybrid learning program. While you’re here, be sure to explore CEA Internships Abroad Paris to round-out your experiences abroad! CEA participants in Paris can take classes in English or French and the program fees include tuition, housing, wellness activities, volunteer opportunities, and cultural activities and excursions.
- When? Short term, summer, semester, year
- Estimated program cost: Starting at ~$5,000/summer or ~$13,800/semester
- More info: Read CEA Study Abroad reviews
4. Academic Programs International (API Study Abroad)
API is a top study abroad provider with multiple options in Paris! Pick between studying at the Cours de Civilisation Françaises de la Sorbonne (CCFS), Institut Catholique de Paris, Paris School of Business, Parsons Paris – The New School, or the Université Paris, or sign up for a combo program like summer in Paris to Florence or Paris to Barcelona! All options come with housing (including meals and laundry), health insurance, cultural activities, international excursions, volunteer opportunities, and tutoring.
- When? Month, summer, semester, year
- Estimated program cost: Starting at ~$5,000/intensive month, ~$5,700/summer, ~$13,500/semester, ~$27,000/year
- More info: Read API reviews
5. IES Abroad
Why settle for just one study abroad location when you can have three? IES Abroad offers tons of options in Paris, but their most exciting program is their combo study abroad Paris summer program that also includes time in Madrid and Rome. Regardless of if you pick to stay in Paris or do a combo trip, IES program fees include tuition, housing, meals (depending on housing choice), visa support, cultural excursions and events, tutors, conversation clubs/language partners, service learning opportunities, and even internships!
- When? Summer, semester, year
- Estimated program cost: Starting at ~$7,000/summer or ~$18,000/semester
- More info: Read IES Abroad reviews
6. CIEE
CIEE is another top program provider with tons of Paris study abroad options. Their most popular one is CIEE Open Campus, where students have a choice of six tracks: Business; Communications, Journalism & New Media; Global & Community Health; International Relations & Political Science; Language, Literature & Culture; or Sustainability and Environmental Sciences. Most of the courses are taught in English but there are French-taught studies, too! Program fees include tuition, housing, health insurance, cultural activities, excursions, and a CIEE iNext travel card for travel perks. Most participants live in apartments or homestays, but CIEE also offers temporary homestays for apartment-dwellers where you can experience daily rituals of local Parisians!
- When? Summer, six weeks, semester, year
- Estimated program cost: Starting at ~$5,800/summer, ~$6,800/six weeks, ~$18,000/semester, or ~$33,000 year
- More info: Read CIEE reviews
7. SAI Programs
SAI really goes above and beyond when it comes to their Paris study abroad programs. Pick between the American University of Paris (AUP), Paris College of Art (PCA), Paris School of Business (PSB), or Paris American Academy (PAA) to study anything from international relations to TV and media production. Students also have opportunities to volunteer or intern in Paris, as well as enroll in the SAI Global Leadership Certificate program to further your global outlook and leadership mentality. Program fees include tuition, housing, health insurance, and cultural activities and excursions such as cooking classes, wine tasting, beach trips, and ballet performances.
- When? Summer, semester
- Estimated program cost: Starting at ~$13,300/semester
- More info: Read SAI reviews
8. International Studies Abroad (ISA)
Looking to study abroad in Paris but pretty rusty on your French? No problem! ISA offers fantastic Paris study abroad options at either the American Business School of Paris (ABSP), the Sorbonne—Cours de Civilization Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS), or the Catholic University of Paris. All classes except French language course are taught in English, so this is the perfect way to dip your toes in! Program costs include tuition, housing (apartment or homestay), most meals and usually laundry, cultural activities and excursions, health insurance, visa support, and tutoring. Past excursions have included Aix-En-Provence, Bordeaux, Bruges, Cassis, Ghent, Mont Saint Michel, Normandy, Saint Malo, The Loire Valley, and even Morocco!
- When? Month, summer, semester, year
- Estimated program cost: ~$5,000/intensive month or summer, ~$13,000/semester, or ~$27,000/year
- More info: Read ISA reviews
9. Academic Programs Abroad
Beyond just (just?) studying abroad in Paris, turn this into a University of Paris summer program, too, with a two month internship after your academic semester or year! Students have the choice to pursue an internship in their preferred industry thanks to APA’s partnership with Internships in Francophone Europe (IFE), so don’t stop at just classroom learning! Beyond this extension, students enrolling in APA’s program in Paris can pick between an apartment or homestay, partner up with a French student who is interested in a cultural exchange, join a sports team or club, take a French cooking class, become a teacher’s assistant in an English class in Paris, or volunteer for a French nonprofit. Don’t forget the free performing arts tickets you’ll receive every month and the Louvre Jeunes card that will give you free entry to the national museums (including the Louvre) as many times as you want!
- When? Semester, year
- Estimated program cost: Starting at ~$15,000/semester with no housing or ~$21,000/semester with housing
- More info: Read APA reviews
[Browse ALL Study Abroad Programs in Paris]
Study abroad in Paris next summer, semester, or year!
Don’t go broke during Paris study abroad. You’ll have enough on your plate! #croissants #macarons
Because France is one of the top study abroad destinations in the world, there are seriously unlimited ways to study abroad in Paris and not break the bank. Even if you’re just going for a few weeks to pick up some French and eat your weight in croissants, there are ways to go inexpensively so you can save that precious cash for your stomach.
Ultimately, the best way to keep your Paris study abroad experience as inexpensive as possible is to live within your means and don’t enroll in a program that’s outside of your budget. We know it’s tempting to #YOLO it and really live it up, but at the end of the day you’re the one calling the financial shots here. Always remember that it’s up to you to keep this experience budget-friendly, so study abroad in Paris smartly!
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