Key points:
- Of all the world regions included in our research, Asia had the broadest range of median prices for international schools. Median prices ranged from $2,725 in Ipoh-Perak (Malaysia) to $35,621 in Beijing (China) - a difference of almost $33k.
- There was a notable difference between China and the rest of the region; China was the only Asian nation where median prices for international schooling exceed $30k per year.
- Malaysia had the least expensive international school prices in Asia. Of the five least expensive locations in the region, four were in Malaysia.
- Large differences in median prices were found between different cities in the same countries - examples include Indonesia and Vietnam.
At the International Schools Database, we help local and expat parents choose the perfect international school for their children. Our database allows parents to find, research and compare international schools around the world. Naturally, this means that we gather and analyse a huge amount of information about international schools.
Starting in 2019, we began using this data to evaluate the prices of international schools across the globe. In this article, we share and analyze the prices of international schools in Asia updated to 2024.
Below, we have analysed price data from 25 cities in 13 Asian countries, in graph and table forms. While we have used all price data available to us as of Dec 31st 2024, there may be additional schools and prices not included in each city. This is because they do not make their price data available or because it is unknown to us. Links to additional research focusing on each world region individually and globally can be found at the bottom of this article and here can be found the results of the previous year 2023.
Prices of International Schools in Asia, Per Year
The graph below is known as a box plot graph. It shows a comprehensive view of the range of prices in each city, instead of just an average. A single average price may not necessarily represent the full picture of prices in each destination. Since there is a lot to unpack in this graph, we have also provided a little explanation on how to read the graph easily at the end of the article.
Highlights and takeaways from the research findings
Asia may not have been the most expensive region in the world for international schooling - that title went to the Americas, with Asia a close second - but it did have the broadest range of prices than anywhere else. This reflects both the size of the region and the various stages of economic development of its nations. Ipoh-Perak in Malaysia was the cheapest Asian location included in our research with a median cost of $2,725 per year. From there, the median cost of international schools climbed steadily all the way up to $35,621 per year in Beijing, China.
The range of international school costs in Asia was broad overall, but in different cities in the same country there were also major differences. For example, Vietnam was represented at both the top and bottom ends of the list. Hanoi had the sixth highest cost for international schools in Asia with a median price of $19,579, while Ho Chi Minh City ranked 14th out of 25 cities with a median price of $13,357 - a difference of just over 32%. Similarly, in Indonesia prices more than doubled between international schools in Bali and Jakarta, with median costs of $6,487 and $14,127 respectively.
China was the most expensive country in Asia for international school costs. The top four most expensive cities included in our research for the region were all Chinese - Beijing (median price $35,621 per year), Shanghai ($31,497), Shenzhen ($29,066), and Guangzhou ($25,620). However, the difference between China and the rest of Asia was stark. Only one other location - Singapore - had a median price above $20k per year ($21,107 to be exact). The next non-Chinese city on the list - Hanoi, Vietnam - had a median price of $19,579, which is more than 24% cheaper than the Chinese destinations included in our research.
Of the five least expensive cities in Asia, four were located in Malaysia. Ipoh-Perak and Kuala Lumpur had the lowest median prices of all Asian cities included in our research with median prices of $2,725 and $5,234 per year respectively. Johor Bahru ($5,939) and Penang ($6,144) made up the other two Malaysian cities at the lower end of the list.
You can find a breakdown of exact prices for each Asian city in the table below. But if Asia isn’t enough, we have also compiled price data for other regions and cities around the world; you can find links to this additional research at the bottom of this article. If you require any further information or have additional questions, don't hesitate to contact us at andrea@international-schools-database.com.
