Education cost in Bangladesh for native and international students-2023
By: Mahmuda Afreen / Read more about us.
Having a literacy rate of 74.66%, the country ‘Bangladesh’ has been trying to provide a good percentage of interest in the education sector. Educational quality is marking up gradually and students from all across the world tend to come to join the education system of Bangladesh.
specifically, the literacy rate in Bangladesh according to UNESCO
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics estimated that, in recent years and in the upcoming time, the literacy rate of Bangladesh will rise higher. among all, the percentage of educated females will be higher than males. so, we can dream of a highly educated country in recent times.
I, a native student of Bangladesh, would very much like to enlighten the quality of the education and the expenses that one is to bear to get the course of a study done here.
The annual cost for a graduate is only around two or three hundred Doller at a public university which is around 30,000 BDT at most. On the contrary, the expenses are higher at a private university and can cost 4,00,000 BDT/ $20,0000 on average or more depending on the course/subject you choose and the rank of the varsity.
Today, I am about to give you all the inclusive information about the educational expenses in Bangladesh. There is a great chance of learning about the education system and the possibilities here. Let’s get started,
What are the educational stages in Bangladesh?
After the independence of Bangladesh, this country faced so many ups and downs. but because of the hardworking people of this country, the development was not slow. we can see that in the education rate of the people.
The Education Ministry of Bangladesh has made the education scheme through its five stages of educational career. The structure of this system is needed to be followed sequentially. one cannot just jump one or two-stage.
A student must pass the previous and existing stage to get promoted to the next one. The education started from the primary or kindergarten stage. Finally, post-graduation is considered to be the end of the standard education career for a student in this country.
The stages are categorized as,
- Primary Standard/ Kindergarten
- Secondary Standard
- Higher-Secondary standard
- Graduation
- Post-graduation
I am going to discuss the expenses of education respecting these stages and also elaborate on the cost following Government and Private authority-based educational institutions.
Education Expenses of a Primary Student in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a developed country facing so many disasters, man-made and natural. Starting from British rule, the liberation war, famine in 1974, massive floods, cyclones, and so on. Millions of people died and lose a billion’s worth of property.
The first stage for a native Bangladeshi student is the primary level starting with two institutional choices, Government Primary Schools and Kindergartens.
Government Primary Schools
Facing so much, the majority of the people lived below the poverty line. Eating a meal per day becomes hard for them in a time period so education seemed a luxury for them. that is the moment the government of Bangladesh launched free mandatory primary and mass education.
Recently there are 38033 government primary schools offering totally free education. moreover, the government also provides a 200 BDT or $2 stipend per student every month.
That means children from level 0 or age 4 to level 5/ Class 5 or age 10 will get free education in government primary schools.
One can always choose the private institutions for their child’s education paying a healthy tuition fee. it is true that the benefits children get here will be highly missing in the government schools.
Kindergartens Cost
Primary education is available in many private institutions since the number of students is way more than the government schools can board.
Kindergartens, known as KG Schools offer primary education per student at an annual cost of different ranges. It can be 10,000 or more than 12,0000 BDT or $110 more than $1198 or in-between. The cost will depend on the city and type of the school. some of them are affordable and some of them are quite expensive which is affordable to the only highly privileged family.
Nowadays, government primary schools are offering a great quality of education with their experienced and innovative teachers. So, people can trust these schools with the career of their children.
Secondary education cost
Along with the scheme of providing quality primary education, the government has considered secondary education too. they have put this stage of education on tuition fee free for the government high schools.
that means a student studying in the government secondary school will pay almost no tuition fee. they may only pay some sort of exam registration fee from 200 BDT to 400 BDT per semester (2 semesters a year).
a good thing about secondary education is the stipend government provides to female students. at the beginning of this century, the rate of female education dropped highly. one of the main reasons was poverty and early child marriage.
Considering the cruelty of the situation, the education ministry offered a stipend to the female student worth at least 6000 BDT or $60 every year. So that they can buy all the necessary things for their education.
Since the government school is not enough to provide education to all the students, there are many private secondary schools both affordable and expensive. Depending on many factors, those schools decide their tuition fees per month or per semester.
The tuition fees of the affordable schools will be from 600 BDT to 1100 BDT or $6 to $11 per month. Besides, the schools offering maximum facilities and highly experienced teachers will be from 3000 BDT to 10000 BDT $30 to $100 per month or even so much more than that.
Higher-secondary education cost
The initiative of the government offering freed education continued till the higher secondary which is the 11th and 12th class. Students Studying at a government college will not have to pay any tuition fees but only the exam registration fee like in secondary school.
to complete this two-year educational program and pass the higher secondary board exam, a student will need to pay 4000 BDT or $40 to $5500 or $55 to their college.
However, the higher secondary student spends at least $400/35,000 BDT annually including tuition fees in a standard private college. All three departments (Science, Commerce, Arts) have their importance for the higher educational career.
A top-ranked college costs a student about 3,00,000 BDT or around $3,000 to complete the higher secondary stage. Well-known colleges are participating in the talent-making project costing students an affordable amount.
Some institutions are run by non-profitable organizations meaning students need no money to spend for their educational purpose even if it is private. however, that student will have to be talented to prove their worth.
Graduation and Post Graduation in Public VS Private
Graduation is maybe the most debated stage of education here. I have seen both the parents and the students giving much more effort and importance to graduation. This time is crucial because this period decides the whole future of a student.
Like the other stage of education in the government institution, graduation and post-graduation in public universities are free. Students will only have to pay a nominal fee for enrollment and registration for the exams.
however, education in private universities is at least 900% to 1900% higher than the public universities. Depending on the university and department, the tuition fee will be 300000 BDT or $3000 to more than 800000 BDT or $8000.
Graduation from any public university would cost only around $150 to $250 annually is around 12,000-20,000 BDT. On the other hand, a private university would cost around 12,00,000-22,00,000 /$16,000-$25,000 on average.
Regarding the type of institution, the graduation cost is much lower than in the USA and other EU countries. Sometimes it is considered to be cheaper than our neighbor countries yet serves with quality. There is a table below that will introduce you to the estimated cost in private universities a graduate student is to bear annually.
| University | Graduation cost (average) |
| World University of Bangladesh | 4,45,000 BDT/$4,800 |
| European University | 2,30,000 BDT/$2,500 |
| Green University | 3,07,000 BDT/$3,300 |
| City University Bangladesh | 4,05,000 BDT/$4,400 |
| State University of Bangladesh | 2,30,000 BDT/$2,500 |
Mostly the graduation cost depends on the tuition fees listed by the varsities. Consequently, a top-ranked university would cost you some extra comparing a standard one.
Compared to other developed countries or our neighbor countries graduation in any particular subject or department costs at least 20-35% less. Of course, the quality of education here is unquestionable.
Beneath, there is the table I have included regarding cost on a particular subject. I guess this way you can learn about the cost of graduation in a short but detailed manner.
| Subject/Department | Cost (average) |
| BSc in CSE | =>4,50,000 BDT/$5,000 |
| BSc in Textile | =>3,20,000 BDT/$3,500 |
| BBA | =>3,60,000 BDT/$3,900 |
| BA | =>2,30,000 BDT/$2,500 |
| LLB | =>2,70,000 BDT/$2,900 |
Value of Post-graduation
Post-graduation takes only a couple of years and the cost is unbelievably cheaper than in any other country. There are renowned teachers and personalities in the country you would get the chance to work with and do your post-graduation.
Considering the subject/course, your post-graduation can cost you starting with a $1,000 price tag for a 1 or 2-year course and can cost you up to $3,000 at most.
Though, students around the world love to choose Bangladesh as their graduation destination on top of post-graduation. MBA is the most desired subject for the students looking for a post-graduation certificate and it costs precisely more than others.
| Post-graduation | Estimated cost (annual) | Post-graduation | Estimated cost (annual) |
| Bangladesh | $1000-$3000 | USA | $20,000-$45,000 |
The unbelievable yet brief history of the cost of a Ph.D. in both the USA and Bangladesh is surprising. Thus, many are getting interested to take their Ph.D. in Bangladesh and joining here.
Ph.D. in Bangladesh
To be honest the Ph.D. field in Bangladesh is not a resourceful area for both national and international students. Only, a few universities such as DU and BUET offer Ph.D. in some specific department.
though the cost of this degree is completely free and the students will be granted scholarships from the government, students mostly prefer to do this from foreign universities. one of the main reasons is a less resourceful lab.
Professional education cost
Technical institutions are ensuring the country’s efficient manpower by educating them in a particular subject of interest and making them an expert.
There are also government and private institutes for providing this type of education for the students. A four-year course in a technical college would cost around 80,000 BDT or $1,000 with subsidiary expenses in a government-administered college. A private technical college would cost somewhere around 250,000 -3,00,000 BDT/$2,500-$3,000 till the completion.
Medical and Engineering
A favorite choice of selection for any native and foreign student is either Medical or the Engineering sector in Bangladesh. Students from India, Pakistan, Palestine, Kenna, Nigeria, and many other countries came to Bangladesh to Study MBBS or engineering.
Both the government medical college and engineering universities are free for both native and international students. Normally, public medical students only have to get admitted and buy study materials which is not much.
Usually, students pick an interest in a medical career to study in Bangladesh. And the reason behind this is that the expenses of medical education are considerably cheaper than in most other countries.
The 5 years MBBS course with internship cost in private medical college is around 2,200,000-4,500,000 BDT ($25,000-$50,000) utmost. Whereas in the USA it cost more than $100,000 and sometimes it surpasses $300,000 expenditure!
I have included the cost of the MBBS course from some renowned medical colleges in Bangladesh alongside some US medical college expenses. take a look at the table for a clearer idea.
| Medical College Institute (USA) | Course cost | Medical College Institute (BD) | Course cost |
| University of California | $1,70,000 | Dhaka National Medical College | $48,000 |
| Duke University | $2,48,000 | Community-Based Medical College | $45,000 |
| Columbia University | $73,800 | North Bengal Medical College | $35,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University | $2,14,000 | Bangladesh Medical College | $45,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania | $2,40,000 | Central Medical College | $39,000 |
You can get an idea about the cost of both the USA and Bangladesh medical courses. Bangladesh is offering the MBBS program at a much less amount of cost.
Engineering certification would take a 4-year course that is about to cost you around 8,00,000-14,00,000 BDT which is around 9,000 USD-15,000 USD.
Comparing other western and developed countries, both the medical and the engineering education expenses are much lower yet the quality of the education is acceptable to all.
Education cost in Madrasah (Islamic institutions)
Madrasahs are Islamic educational institutions. Since Bangladesh is a Muslim country it offers a Madrasah-based education system all over the nation.
Here, you will find some prominent Islamic institutions. To learn and study, students from other countries of the world choose to be here. In this particular education system, it cost only a little to continue the study both for the native and foreign students.
The average expense of the Madrasah education system is likely to cost annually around 80,000 BDT/$850 only with all the facilities (including accommodation, food, and security).
Night schooling for the laborer and helpless
Both the government and some organizations are hosting night schools for the helpless and laborers of the country. Some of them offer completely free-of-cost education. Some also offer a single meal/dinner for the learners/students additionally.
Therefore, night schools are providing cost-free education to helpless people. Trust and organizations are running such schools and institutions as a part of their social well-fair. End of the day, the poor people get to learn the basics of whoever wishes to learn.
Living costs for students
Living costs for native students
The usual scenario explains that the expenses of living greatly depend on where the student stays. Living with their parents, students need barely any expenses except for the study materials and educational costs.
Though, students getting a chance to an institute far from home have to stay in hostels or rented rooms or apartments. Here, a student should spend around $520 annually for standard living. Though, students manage to live on a cheaper budget than that.
Expenses to bear by international students
International students require a bit finer living spot and they board abroad intending to complete their professional study life in a better and considerably cheaper way.
An international student would cost around 10,000 BDT-12,000 BDT/ $110-$130 with rent and food costs per month. Staying in an apartment may cost some extra. But you can have top of your living here only spending around 16,000/18,000 BDT or $200 per month.
But, there are cheaper ways to stay for the course, like, hostels and mess. The overall expenses of living will lessen at a rate of a minimum of 30% of the standard expenses. The table below will elaborate on the basic expenses for a student (native/foreign).
| Subject | Cost per person (average) |
| Accommodation | 3500 BDT/$38 |
| Food | 3000 BDT/$32 |
| Health | 1000 BDT/$11 |
| Electricity | 200 BDT/$2.0 |
| Others | 500 BDT/$5.50 |
How efficient is education in Bangladesh?
In Bangladesh, you get some well informative famous teachers. They always bear the chance to help you with any difficulties.
The system will push you towards success and that success is probably the reason for your making an educational career in this country. Teachers are kind and helpful toward every student.
Comparing the expenses to the quality of education, Bangladesh surely provides better quality education to students coming from other countries. A well-ranked medical college or university is always there to ensure a better quality educational career.
The living cost of Bangladesh here is also cheaper with a low budget and tuition fees are also fixed considering the student’s perspective.
Is it secure for international students to study in Bangladesh?
The government has taken so many initiatives to provide a better environment for foreign students and to ensure better educational quality for them.
Talking about security, students coming for higher educational certificates get the chance of having every possible facility with a security system provided by the authorities. And the people here also tend to help the foreigner and are hospital to them.
Maintaining better hygienic accommodations and a supply of good food within budget make foreign students choose Bangladesh as their educational destination.
But the law of eligibility for a student to stay in Bangladesh is defined by the Ministry of Home Affairs. A student cannot be permitted to stay with the visa expired. One has to pay for overstaying without a visa permit. The fine starts from 200 BDT or around $3 a day to BDT 30,000 or around $320 for 3 months at most, settled by the ministry.
Educational Cost Analysis
So, what do you think? Is it worth taking your educational career here in Bangladesh?
I believe ‘Yes’. The expenses here for educational purposes are more affordable for students outside of the country comparing their own. They get proper accommodation and better living at half of the cost they would spend. Moreover, the quality of education is praised by many countries and the sector is developing and evolving day by day.
Nature and weather are also in favor of most outsiders. Therefore, there is a minimum possibility of getting sick out of the environment.
Thus, Bangladesh could be a perfect choice for foreign students willing to achieve their certification of education from outside of their own country; I greatly encourage them to come and join the education system of Bangladesh.
