$per year
Annual Cost Breakdown — KAIST
Daejeon, South Korea · 3-year program · Normal lifestyle
Tuition$8,000
Housing & Living$10,200(~$850/mo)
Round-trip flights/yr$1,400
Annual total
$19,600
3-year program total
$60,000
incl. $1,200 one-time costs
Living costs based on 2025–26 student budgets in Daejeon, South Korea. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and housing choice.
How It Compares to a US Degree
KAIST
$60,000(Your estimate)
US Public University (3 yr)
$84,000(~$28,000/yr)
US Private University (3 yr)
$186,000(~$62,000/yr)
Estimated savings vs. US private university
$126,000
and $24,000 vs. a US public university