Modern Ukraine, which is trying to embark on the path of reforms and European integration, has faced an acute problem that calls into question the equality of opportunities for all citizens – the cost of education. More and more Ukrainians are forced to face the fact that high-quality education is becoming a privilege for the chosen ones, and not a basic right for everyone. The high price of higher education, the additional costs of textbooks and dormitories, as well as the low availability of public funding create insurmountable barriers for many talented young people. How did it happen that education, which was supposed to be a path to a better life, turns into an unattainable dream?
How affordable is education for the middle class in Ukraine
It is worth noting that the cost of higher education depends on the educational institution and the chosen profession. The higher its rating and the more in demand this or that specialty is, the higher the price of education will be. This means contract training, because very few places are allocated for budget training. The number of public places in universities is limited, and the competition for them is very high. According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, in 2023, only about 50,000 budgetary places for bachelor’s degrees were allocated for the entire country, while the number of school graduates exceeds 200,000.
In 2024, the professions related to the production of audiovisual products, systems analysis and computer technologies became the most expensive. After comparing the prices for these professions for a year, we will get the following top:
- Audiovisual art and production – UAH 46,412;
- System analysis – UAH 42,209;
- International law – UAH 39,134;
- Software engineering – UAH 37,848;
- Informatics – UAH 36,942;
- Health care – UAH 36,063.
The average tuition fee for a bachelor’s degree in state universities of Ukraine ranges from UAH 20,000 to UAH 50,000 per year ($270-$1,080). Private universities generally set exorbitant prices, which can reach 100,000 hryvnias per year ($2,700). In addition, according to the educational portal Education.ua, tuition fees in higher education institutions tend to increase every year. Thus, compared to 2023 (11.8%), this indicator increased by 0.2% this year. For example, at the National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” the annual cost of undergraduate education is about 40,000 hryvnias (about 1,100 US dollars), and at Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University – from 25,000 to 45,000 hryvnias (from 700 to 1,250 dollars USA) depending on the specialty.
In addition to the cost of tuition, students and their families face additional costs that can add significantly to the financial burden. These costs include:
Purchase of textbooks, which can cost from 2,000 to 5,000 hryvnias per year (from 55 to 140 USD).
The average cost of living in a student dormitory in large cities, such as Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, is from 1,000 to 3,000 hryvnias per month (from 27 to 82 USD). Private housing will cost even more – from 5,000 to 10,000 hryvnias per month (from 140 to 275 USD).
The cost of public transport is also worth considering, especially for students studying in large cities. A monthly pass costs about 400-500 hryvnias (11-14 US dollars).
According to the Unified State Electronic Database, the number of graduates who submitted applications for admission to bachelor’s and master’s degrees this year decreased by 30% compared to last year and amounted to 201,000 applicants. It is likely that the incomes of citizens in conditions of unemployment and instability do not allow them to count on the ability to pay for their education, which has led to a decrease in the number of people willing to obtain higher education. At the same time, some applicants take into account the impossibility of leaving the country at the age of 18, and therefore try to get an education abroad.
How much does education abroad cost?
According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, let’s compare the cost of studying at the world’s top universities:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology – $60,816;
- Harvard University – $59,750;
- Chicago University – $57,642;
- Imperial College London – $45,000;
- Oxford University – $39,500;
- Stanford University – $31,860;
- Cambridge University – $16,670;
- ETN Zurich – $1,600.
As you can see, the tuition fees compared to our universities are incredibly high. But abroad, the income of citizens is higher, and there is also a system of various grants, scholarship and credit programs, sponsorship of the training of talented people, although it is worth noting that it is very difficult to get them. So, to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, taking into account the costs of housing ($12,38 thousand), the purchase of study materials ($880), payment of various student clubs and organizations, as well as the cost of food and personal needs, it will be necessary to spend approximately $82, 73 thousand
Harvard University is a visiting card of the USA, known throughout the world as a university for the elite. But despite the high cost of tuition, the university offers advantageous financial planning that takes into account the needs of families with any income, making it affordable for 70% of applicants.
The University of Chicago is known for its alumni and faculty, including 29 Nobel Prize winners and former US President Barack Obama. Despite the high cost of tuition, the university offers its students financial aid that covers 100% of needs, as well as awards various merit scholarships.
In general, the system of higher education in the USA is one of the most expensive in the world. The cost of tuition at public universities ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 per year. Private universities can charge anywhere from $30,000 to $70,000 per year. However, most US institutions accept applicants according to the so-called “blind admission” scheme. It is understood that the student’s ability to pay for his studies is not considered, and the amount of the fee is set depending on the financial capabilities of the applicant’s family. After enrollment, universities offer various types of financial support to students whose parents’ income is below a certain threshold.
To study at the old Cambridge University, taking into account the costs of food, accommodation, transport, purchase of educational materials, you will need $ 23.4 thousand.
Overall, the average tuition fee for local and European students in the UK is around £9,250 per year (around $12,100). But the country’s government issues loans to applicants that can cover the cost of studying for 3 years. It is worth noting that those students who came to get an education from non-EU countries pay much more for education (approximately $30,000) and an additional $9,500 per year for college without taking into account additional costs for accommodation, food, etc. Such a high price of education in the United Kingdom is fully justified, because graduates of such institutions are the most competitive in the world labor market.
In EU countries, the cost of higher education varies significantly depending on the country. Most public universities in Germany are free or require a nominal fee, for example €100 – €500 per semester. In the Scandinavian countries, university education is free for local students. In France, studying at a public university for a bachelor’s degree will cost €170 – €380 per year. In the Netherlands, the tuition fee is approximately €2,200 per year. The cost of studying at public universities in Poland is approximately €2,000 and depends on many factors. For example, education in Polish will cost less than in English. In private universities, prices vary from €800 to €3,500 per year. The most expensive medical (€8,000 – €12,000), artistic (€6,000) and IT (€2,000-€5,000) specialties. Education for foreigners in Poland is possible both on a paid and free basis. Holders of the Polyak Card (KP) can expect to enter the budget and receive material and social assistance, as well as scholarships for achievements.
Some educational institutions in Asia have already reached the level of British educational institutions and offer study programs at a more attractive price compared to EU and US countries. Studying at the University of Hong Kong will cost $12,000 – $16,000. And at the National University of Singapore, if state funding is available, a student will pay twice as much less than the established cost of $21,000, but on the condition of temporary employment at a Singapore company.
If we compare the cost of education in Ukraine, EU countries, USA, Asia, we can conclude that Ukrainian higher education is much more affordable from a financial point of view. However, the income level of the middle class in Ukraine is much lower compared to the incomes of the citizens of the above-mentioned countries, which significantly complicates access to quality education.
Education is not just an investment in the future, but also the right of every citizen to a decent life. However, in Ukraine, quality education for the middle class has become a challenge that not everyone can overcome. High tuition costs, additional costs for living and learning materials, and limited government support create insurmountable barriers for many families. At the same time, it should be noted that the usual academic scholarship in Ukrainian universities is about 1,500-2,000 hryvnias per month (from 41 to 55 USD), which is insufficient to cover even living expenses.
One of the mechanisms that could ease the financial burden on middle-class families is state support and the creation of appropriate conditions under which education will be available to all. Expanding scholarship programs, increasing the number of budget places and supporting students from low-income families can be the steps that will allow every talented Ukrainian to get a decent education and contribute to the country’s development.
If the state cannot ensure the availability of education, we risk losing a whole generation of talent. Without the opportunity to study, young people will not be able to realize their potential, which will lead to deepening of social inequality, a decrease in economic development and an outflow of personnel abroad. Education is the foundation on which the future of the country is built. Let the dream of quality education not remain unattainable, but become a reality for everyone. Only then will we be able to build a fair and prosperous society where everyone will have equal opportunities for self-realization and success.
