Program Fees (Tuition)
The program fee covers the core expenses of participating in a summer program abroad. Often called a tuition fee, the program fee includes accommodations, meals, staff support, activities, and more depending on the specific provider.
Not all programs and providers are equal; some may offer close to all-inclusive packages, while others might leave out certain costs that can add up quickly, such as transportation during the program or extra add-on fees.
What’s Included in a Summer Program Abroad Program Fee?
The summer abroad program fee includes things like:
- accommodations
- meals
- staff (program leaders, local staff, etc.)
- activity fees
- on the ground transportation
Things often not included in a summer abroad program fee:
- airfare to the destination
- visa or passport fees
- international medical or travel insurance
- optional personal expenses (souvenirs, extra snacks, etc.)
What you see is not always what you get, and the total cost of a summer program abroad entirely depends on the provider. Some providers don’t include things like inter-program flights and others might charge an additional $25-$200 application fee. When comparing program prices, make sure to watch out for common additional costs and know what to ask to get the complete information you need.
Common Additional Costs on Summer Abroad Programs and What to Ask
» Need help understanding summer program costs? Talk with our expert travel advisors now.
Airfare
Airfare for summer programs abroad break down to two types, group airfare and self-managed airfare.
The cost of airfare is the biggest source of additional expense to consider when budgeting for a summer program abroad and is not included in a program’s fee or tuition. Which option you decide depends on your specific needs and the availability from the program provider.
Group airfare is a flight that is fully managed by the program provider, from booking to baggage pickup in the destination country. Staff meet students at the airport check-in and students travel to their destination with other program participants and a dedicated chaperone. These flights originate in gateway airports like LAX (Los Angeles) and JFK (New York City). Group airfare is best for those seeking extra peace of mind and the opportunity to connect with fellow travelers before leaving the country.
Self-managed airfare is when each traveler individually books and manages their flights to and from the final destination, typically within an arrival time window specified by the provider. Often providers will offer booking assistance or guidance, while others might charge additional fees when you select a self-managed flight. Self-managed airfare is best for high school travelers who might not have easy access to a gateway airport or are connecting with the program from another country.
Students preparing to check-in for their flights to Rustic Programs around the world.
How Much Do Group Flights Cost?
Group flights can cost between $1,000 to $3,000+ depending on the destination and specific provider. They are more expensive than self-managed airfare since the cost includes complete booking management and in-person staff like flight chaperones. Program providers also have to pay a higher base airfare fee when booking blocks of tickets for the entire group.
How Much Does Self-Managed Airfare Cost?
Self-managed airfare costs between $275 and $2,000+ for a flight abroad. The cost depends on the time you book, your origin and destination and the specific airline you use. Flight costs are wildly unpredictable. One year I was able to book a round trip ticket from South Korea to Los Angeles for under $600. This year, that same flight cost me over $1600.
That being said, it is still useful to know a general idea of the average flight cost to each country. Here is a look at the average costs of flights abroad from the west and east coast of the U.S.
**All airfare estimates are collected from Google Flights using the median price of a typical two week trip in July based on the last 12 months of flight prices. Exact prices will vary.
These are some of the most useful resources when researching and booking flights for a trip abroad:
- StudentUniverse – Discounted flights and travel deals for students.
- Skyscanner – Compare flight prices across airlines and find cheap travel dates.
- STA Travel – Travel deals and discounts for students and young travelers.
- Google Flights – Track flight prices and explore destination options.
- Airfarewatchdog – Get alerts for cheap flights and student discounts.
- CheapOair – Find student flight deals with flexible payment options.
- Momondo – Search and compare flight prices to find great deals.
- Hopper – App that predicts the best time to book flights at the lowest prices.
Insurance (International Health Insurance & Travel Insurance)
Travel insurance that includes health coverage abroad and trip cancellation ranges between 4% to 14% of the pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost. A high school student can expect to pay $200 to $500 for a summer program abroad. These are the factors that affect how much travel insurance costs:
- type and coverage
- age
- destination
- duration
- total trip cost
Every credible provider for high school summer programs abroad requires at least emergency medical insurance, which can be included in the program fee. Additional travel insurance or trip cancellation insurance is often recommended, but not required.
Additional Costs: Passport, Visa and Vaccinations
Before jumping on the plane and heading off on your adventure, there are few additional costs for a summer program abroad: passports, visas and vaccinations. They might not be the most exciting, but they are essential.
Passports
First-time travelers abroad will need to get a passport before your summer program. A passport is required for all programs abroad, even those to Mexico and Canada.
For high school students under 16 years old a new passport costs $135, and for over 16 years old it costs $165. In the chance that your trip is coming up sooner than the regular six to eight weeks of processing time, it is possible to get a new passport in two weeks or less.
Visa
For a high school traveler abroad from the U.S. there are 108 countries that you can travel to completely visa-free. The other 90 countries require some form of tourist visa. The cost for a visa ranges from $10 to over $100 depending on the country. Here are the common countries for summer programs abroad for U.S. high school students that require a visa:
Visa requirements were accessed from the U.S. Travel.gov as of 08/15/2024. Always confirm the most up-to-date requirements before travel.
Vaccinations
When you travel abroad it is always advisable to have up-to-date vaccinations especially for diseases common in your destination country. Some countries require proof of vaccinations prior to being allowed entry to the country.
One of the most common vaccinations required when you travel abroad is the yellow fever vaccination. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required in over 60 countries worldwide depending on your originating location. The yellow fever vaccine can easily cost $200 and it is not covered by most insurances. Expect to pay $100 – $500 for vaccinations before a summer program abroad.
Here are the vaccinations the WHO recommends for travelers abroad:
Optional Personal Expenses
For summer programs abroad, it’s smart to budget an extra $50 to $200 per week for optional personal expenses like souvenirs, snacks, and any extra local outings. While program fees cover most essentials and activities, you’ll likely want some spending money for things like grabbing a coffee and picking up a few souvenirs.
How Much Does It Cost to Participate in a Summer Program Abroad?
It costs between $2,000 and $10,000 to participate in a summer program abroad as a high school student. We analyzed over 400 programs offered in 2024 and 2025 by the leading providers of programs for high school students. Let’s take a closer look at the average costs to get a better understanding of what program will be best for your budget and interests.
What is the Average Cost of Summer Programs Abroad?
The average cost of a summer program abroad is $281 per day + round trip airfare. The average cost varies greatly by the location (country and region), program type and duration of the program.
It shouldn’t be too surprising that summer programs located in the United States are some of the most expensive, with an average daily cost of $426. Factors like the cost of living, types of activities and accommodation all contribute to how much a program will cost.
Average Cost Based on Region
The country with the lowest average program fees is Africa. Summer programs abroad for high school students in Africa average $287 per day or $2,007 per week. Some of the best countries to travel to in Africa are Morocco, Tanzania and South Africa.
»Explore summer 2025 student travel programs in Africa.
On the flip side, the region with the highest daily costs is Oceania. Australia, Fiji and New Zealand are the most popular destinations for summer programs in Oceania. They might be beautiful countries, but programs don’t come cheaply. The average daily cost of programs in Oceania is $374 per day before airfare.
Average Cost Based on Country
What is the Cheapest Country for Summer Programs Abroad?
The cheapest country for summer programs abroad for high school students is Mexico which offers Spanish immersion courses and adventure programs. The average daily price of a summer program in Mexico is $200 per day while flights to most parts of Mexico trend under $500.
When including the average price of an international airline ticket from either Los Angeles or New York City, other affordable countries are Argentina and Spain.
Here are the top ten cheapest countries for a summer program abroad with summer round trip flights under $1,000:
Average Cost Based on Program Type
The most affordable program type is language immersion at $262 per day. Language immersion programs usually have longer durations and are more focused on study rather than activities. Combined with the fewer excursions and larger group sizes, a language immersion program is one of the most budget friendly program types.
The most expensive program types are adventure based programs with an average of $376 per day. Adventure travel programs include more activities like trekking, rafting, scuba diving and more, which all require higher safety standards and additional costs for professional instructors and gear.
Average Cost Based on Duration
Program Duration vs. Cost Per Day
The daily cost of a summer program abroad is more affordable the longer a trip. The average program fee for a trip under 14 days is $410 per day while trips 14 days and up average $317 per day. Longer trips have a higher upfront cost, but give the best bang for the buck.
Since the cost of airfare is often 50% or more of the actual program fee, it often works to opt for a longer trip. Many providers offer trip connections or extensions that can help you stitch together two or three destinations into the perfect travel package.
