Study: Malaysia Has World’s Cheapest International Schools Fees, Median Fee as Low as RM12.4k/Year

A recent study on the cost of international education around the globe yielded some interesting results relating to Malaysia, whereby it was revealed that our country is among the nations with the cheapest international school fees in the world.

Conducted by the International School Database, a website which helps expatriate parents locate top-quality international schools around the globe, the study analysed the worldwide price data from 75 cities in 49 countries as of 31 December 2023.

3 Malaysian cities listed in the top 5 for the cheapest international school fees

For illustration purposes

In the study, 3 Malaysian cities were listed as among 3 of the 5 cheapest in Asia in terms of international school fees, namely Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.

Specifically, Johor Bahru was listed as the 4th cheapest in Asia and 11th cheapest globally out of 49 countries, with a median fee of USD6,273 or RM29,561 per year.

For illustration purposes

The 3rd cheapest in Asia and 6th globally is Kuala Lumpur with a median fee of USD5,161 or RM24,320 per year.

Meanwhile, the world’s and Asia’s cheapest in the 49-country rankings is Ipoh with a median fee of USD2,648 or RM12,478 per year.

For illustration purposes

The USA and China are the most expensive countries for international education

Globally, the study found that the USA and China are the most expensive countries for international education, with 6 cities in the top 10 between them.

The top 5 most expensive cities for international education are as below:

1. New York City – USD45,950 per year
2. Beijing – USD36,799 per year
3. Shanghai – USD33,777 per year
4. San Francisco Bay Area – USD31,880 per year
5. Zurich – USD30,701 per year

International Schools Database clarified that to calculate the prices of international schools, it used the whole price of a full term for one 6-year-old child, excluding once-off costs such as enrolment fees, application fees, etc and not including free schools.

Furthermore, only cities with 7 or more international schools, and with prices publicly available representing at least 25% of the schools in the city, were used in the study.

For illustration purposes

So, what do you guys think of Malaysian cities’ placement in the rankings? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Also read: M’sian Teacher Shares Creative Answers from His Students on What They Wanna Be When They’re Adults