By Christopher Howard, Live in Costa Rica Blog – I wrote an article similar to this one a while ago. My son is a university student here in Costa Rica and I feel blessed. That is to say my wallet feels blessed. Why? Their affordability.
My son attends a private university, ULACIT, located in San José. I pay a whopping $3,000 a year for his tuition. He works for an American company and attends the university at night.
The University of Costa Rica which is the largest public university in Costa Rica charges its students less than $500 a year.
The bottom line: Retirees and other foreigners living in Costa Rica with University age children and grandchildren can save a lot of money on a college education here. While universities here aren’t as prestigious as those in the United States most degrees are recognized abroad so their graduates can can continue their advanced studies in many countries.
Just look at the cost of a university education in the United States and compare the cost with a quality education here. The top 10 schools there all have an average total cost of more than $55,000 per year. Total cost is defined as tuition, fees and room and board.
1. Sarah Lawrence College
Total Cost: $61,236
Tuition: $45,900
Room & Board: $14,312
Fees: $1,024
2. New York University
Total Cost: $59,837
Tuition: $40,878
Room & Board: $16,133
Fees: $2,826
3. Harvey Mudd College
Total Cost: $58,913
Tuition: $44,159
Room & Board: $14,471
Fees: $283
4. Columbia University
Total Cost: $58,742
Tuition: $45,028
Room & Board: $11,496
Fees: $2,218
5. Wesleyan University
Total Cost: $58,202
Tuition: $45,358
Room & Board: $12,574
Fees: $270
