Schools
5
Lowest Tuition
$300
per year
Avg Acceptance Rate
26%
English Programs
Yes
Essentials for US Students
Visa / Permit
US students need a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS), which also serves as a residence permit for the first year. Apply through the French Embassy. Upon arrival, validate the visa online with OFII. The process takes 4–8 weeks.
Application Tip
France has a dual system: public universities (very affordable) and Grandes Écoles (prestigious but pricey). Sciences Po and Sorbonne have strong English-taught tracks. Most engineering Grandes Écoles teach primarily in French.
Tuition Overview
Public universities charge very low fees (~€2,770–€3,770/yr, ~$3,000–$4,200 USD for international students at many schools). Grandes Écoles like Sciences Po, HEC Paris, and ESSEC charge significantly more (~$15,000–$50,000/yr).
5 Schools in France
Sorbonne University
Paris
One of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities in the heart of Paris at almost no cost.
Ecole Polytechnique
Palaiseau
France's most elite engineering school, founded by Napoleon, producing world-class scientists and engineers.
Sciences Po Paris
Paris
France's most prestigious social science institution, alma mater of 3 French presidents and EU leaders.
HEC Paris
Jouy-en-Josas
Europe's top business school producing more billionaires than any other European institution.
ESSEC Business School
Cergy
One of France's top Grandes Écoles, world-renowned for luxury brand management and hospitality programs.
Scholarships to Explore
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program funds outstanding international students at French institutions. Sciences Po, HEC, and ESSEC offer their own institutional scholarships. The Fulbright France program is especially active.
- ✓Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
- ✓Erasmus+
- ✓Merit-based
- ✓French government grants
- ✓Emile Boutmy Scholarship
- ✓Merit-based grants
- ✓HEC Foundation Scholarship
- ✓HEC Paris Scholarship
- ✓ESSEC Scholarship
- ✓Foundation Scholarship
About Studying in France as a US Student
There are 5 universities in France featured in this directory, led by Sorbonne University (ranked #59 globally by QS). Tuition for international students starts at $300/yr, with an average acceptance rate of approximately 26% across all schools. English-medium programs are available, making France accessible without prior language training for many degrees.