Comparison

Which destination for your studies?

Analyze, compare budgets and find the country that fits your resources.

Estimated minimum budget by country

Here we analyze the overall budget (study fees + average annual cost of living on site).

Moderate budget (Europe)

France and Belgium

Europe offers a heavily subsidized public university system. It is often the most accessible option for families looking for recognized programs at a controlled cost.

  • University fees: €2,902 (bachelor's) or €3,950 (master's) / year in France (public universities, 2026-2027, plus €105 CVEC); €1,194 / year in Belgium for a Cameroonian student (2026-2027, exempt from the €4,175 additional contribution).
  • Average cost of living: about €800 to €1,500 / month in France and €800 to €1,300 / month in Belgium, depending on the city (indicative).
  • Consular financial proof: €10,530 / year for France (€877.50 / month since 1 August 2026, as a guide) or €12,744 / year (€1,062 / month in 2026-2027) for Belgium, blocked or guaranteed.
High budget (North America)

Canada and the United States

North America offers real career prospects, but requires a significant financial investment from the first year of study.

  • University fees: about CAD 15,000 to CAD 50,000 / year in Canada, $10,000 to $65,000 / year in the United States (indicative).
  • Average cost of living: about CAD 23,000 to CAD 30,000 / year in Canada, $15,000 to $25,000 / year in the United States (indicative).
  • Consular financial proof: in Canada, at least CAD 23,448 per year outside Quebec (CAD 24,617 in Quebec) in addition to tuition; in the United States, the total first-year cost shown on the I-20 form.

Sources: France, CESEDA art. R. 422-2 (Decree No. 2026-526), Campus France and etudiant.gouv.fr (CVEC); Belgium, Immigration Office (Belgian Official Gazette of 16 February 2026) and ARES Circular No. 2026-001; Canada, IRCC, Quebec Ministry of Immigration (MIFI) and Statistics Canada; United States, ICE, Department of State and College Board; euro conversions at the ECB rate of 16 October 2026, consulted on 19 October 2026. Indicative amounts, to be checked before any application.

Multi-criteria orientation grid

Use this grid to match your profile against the realities of each country.

Country Language of study Admission difficulty Visa difficulty Minimum overall budget Career prospects
France French (DELF/TCF) Medium (Campus France) Medium (guarantor check) At least €13,432 / year for a bachelor's degree (€10,530 in resources + €2,902 in fees) or €14,480 for a master's degree (€10,530 + €3,950) Favorable ("job search" residence permit, 1 year)
Belgium French (DELF/TCF) High (diploma equivalence required) Medium (formal guarantor) At least €13,938 / year for a Cameroonian student (€12,744 in resources + €1,194 in fees, without the €4,175 contribution) Medium (job-search year)
Canada French or English Medium (based on academic record) Very high (strict review of funds and study plan) About €24,000 to €50,000 / year (indicative) Very favorable (PGWP up to 3 years)
United States English (IELTS/TOEFL) High (admission tests) High (consular interview) About €22,000 to €80,000 / year (indicative) Good (1-year OPT, up to 3 years in STEM fields)

Sources: France, CESEDA art. R. 422-2 (Decree No. 2026-526), Campus France and etudiant.gouv.fr (CVEC); Belgium, Immigration Office (Belgian Official Gazette of 16 February 2026) and ARES Circular No. 2026-001; Canada, IRCC, Quebec Ministry of Immigration (MIFI) and Statistics Canada; United States, ICE, Department of State and College Board; euro conversions at the ECB rate of 16 October 2026, consulted on 19 October 2026. Indicative amounts, to be checked before any application.

Student budget guide

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