In Ukraine, the 2024 admissions campaign started on July 1, and a wide selection of higher education institutions offering many specialties opened up to applicants. But the main question arises – will there be enough funds to pay for future knowledge? The price of education in higher education institutions has always not been cheap, but in wartime conditions and, in general, it may become unsustainable. Let’s try to find out what and how much it costs on the knowledge market of Ukraine.
As evidenced by the data of the educational portal Education.ua, the annual price of education in higher education institutions is increasing every year. Thus, in 2022, the year of study at the university amounted to UAH 20,532. In 2023, this amount increased by 14.4% and amounted to UAH 23,491. The same trend should be maintained in 2024 and, according to preliminary estimates, will amount to UAH 25,840. Thus, by data The State Statistics Service observes the following dynamics of growth in education prices:
- in 2022, the indicator increased by 7.2%;
- in 2023, this indicator was already 11.8%;
- in 2024 (according to forecasts) 12%.
It is worth noting that the increase in prices depends on the educational institution and the chosen profession. The higher the rating of the educational institution and the greater the demand for this or that specialty, the higher the price of education will be.
According to the results of the annual rating Center for international projects “Euroeducation”, the top leaders among higher educational institutions included: Igor Sikorskyi Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI), Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Vasyl Karazin Kharkiv National University and Sumy State University .
In the ranking of specialties based on the results of submitted applications in 2023, the leading positions are occupied by “Computer science” (30.1 thousand), Philology (27.6 thousand) and Law (25.9 thousand). The fourth and fifth places were occupied by “Psychology” (24.6 thousand) and “Management” (24.3 thousand), respectively. It is worth noting that the state itself aims to raise the rating of science specialties such as chemistry, biology and physics this year. In 2024, an increase in state orders for doctors, military personnel, border guards, specialists in transport and construction, and light industry is expected.
Let’s compare the price of a bachelor’s degree in the top universities.
- Kyiv National University named after Taras Shevchenko
To study in the specialty “Law” you have to pay UAH 264,000 for 4 years of study. Obtaining an education in the specialty “Management” costs 216 thousand UAH, and in the specialties “Computer technologies”, “Philology” and “Psychology” – 213 thousand UAH.
- Ihor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute
Studies in the specialties “Philology” and “Law” cost 199.6 thousand UAH, “Computer technologies” and “Management” will cost 175.5 and 175.6 thousand UAH. “Psychology” costs less, only 155.6 thousand UAH for 4 years of study
- Lviv Polytechnic National University
Education in the field of computer science will cost applicants 184.8 thousand UAH, while “Philology”, “Law” and “Psychology” cost 159.6 thousand UAH, 152 thousand UAH and 147.2 thousand UAH, respectively. “Management” – UAH 127.2 thousand.
- Kharkiv National University named after V. Karazin
At this university, 4 years of studies in the specialties “Law”, “Psychology”, “Management” and “Computer Science” cost UAH 124,000. The most expensive is “Philology”, which costs UAH 132,000
- Sumy State University
The cheapest of all will be studies in the specialty “Psychology” in the amount of UAH 166,000. Studies in the specialties “Philology” and “Law” cost 194,200 UAH and 194,000 UAH. And the most expensive in this university is the acquisition of knowledge in the specialty “Management” and “Computer technologies” – 176,000 UAH and 200,000 UAH
The most expensive in terms of price this year will be the capital’s higher education institutions. For example, studies in the specialty “Computer Science” at Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University will be UAH 213,000. But the cheapest for the same specialty will be studies at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University – UAH 124,000. Comparing prices for top specialties it can be seen that “Computer Science”, “Philology” and “Law” remain the most expensive in all universities. In all higher educational institutions, the cost of education is divided equally over four years, with the exception of KNU. Shevchenko and Sumy State University, where tuition increases every year.
When comparing the years 2023 and 2024, there is a significant increase in the cost of education. For example, studies in the “Law” specialty have become more expensive by UAH 37,000 at KNU named after Shevchenko.
At the same time, the state promises applicants support in the form of grants if they successfully pass the national multi-subject test. The amount of such a grant will be UAH 15,000-50,000. In order to receive UAH 15,000, you need to score 300 points in two NMT subjects. And you can count on the amount of UAH 50,000 if you get at least 195 points for two subjects of the test. According to Education.ua, UAH 15,000 can provide 58% of the average cost of a year of education. This amount could cover most of the cost in case of admission to specialties that are less popular among applicants. But UAH 50,000 is enough for the entire cost of most popular specialties.
It is obvious that only applicants who passed the NMT with a high score can receive such a significant amount of the grant. According to UTSOYAO, in 2023 there were 415 such applicants. Since 69,511 future bachelors entered the budget last year, it would be only 1% of those who would be able to use the grant system. The state plans to provide financial support to 60% of applicants in 2024. “In the current conditions of the economic state of the country, it is important for us that a larger number of citizens receive state support for obtaining an education.”, – noted Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykhailo Vynnytskyi.
Also, as an alternative, you can consider the correspondence form of education, which, compared to full-time, is more accessible in current realities. For example, in KhNU named after Karazina part-time study in the specialty “Philology” per year will be UAH 13,000 cheaper than full-time. But it is worth noting that not all specialties can be mastered in absentia, such as, for example, “Medicine”. In addition, it is worth taking into account certain restrictions that the state imposes on the form of financing educational institutions. In 2024, applicants will not be able to study in the “Law” and “International Law” specialties by correspondence.
It is interesting to know whether the cost of education will pay off for the student after graduation. Taking into account the average salary and the condition that the graduate will remain working in the city where he studied, we can come to the conclusion how many months are needed to return the spent funds. Yes, it is necessary to study for the longest time in the “Law” and “Psychology” specialties at KNU named after Shevchenko (12 months) because of the high cost of education and low wages. At the same time, in KhNU named after Karazin’s calculations indicate that for the specialty “Law” you need to work for only 9 months, since the salary in this profession is quite high. At least you need to work in the specialty “Psychology” (only 3 months). However, all these data are relative and depend on many factors, such as the city in which the graduate will work, the demand in the labor market and the situation in the country, which is currently, unfortunately, very unstable.
