Best Countries for International Students in Southeast Asia (Under $2,000/month, 2026)

Thailand ranks #1 for international students in Southeast Asia with a budget of under $2,000/month, scoring 85/100 on a persona-weighted composite of the metrics that matter most for this lifestyle.

3 countries ranked

Country rankings

#1🇹🇭

Thailand

Score: 85/100
Visa Accessibility
78
Cost of Living
68
Language Requirement
80
View Thailand guideThailand vs Vietnam
#2🇻🇳

Vietnam

Score: 81/100
Visa Accessibility
44
Cost of Living
78
Language Requirement
100
View Vietnam guideThailand vs Vietnam
#3🇸🇬

Singapore

Score: 66/100
Visa Accessibility
78
Cost of Living
20
Language Requirement
100
View Singapore guideSingapore vs Thailand

How we rank

Countries ranked by weighted composite score factoring visa accessibility, cost of living, salary potential, expat satisfaction, language requirements, and path to residency. Weights vary by persona.

Other budgets

International Students in Southeast Asia ($2,000-$4,000/month)International Students in Southeast Asia ($4,000+/month)

International Students in other regions

EuropeLatin AmericaEast AsiaMiddle East & AfricaOceania

Frequently Asked Questions

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