Estimated Cost

The Academic Year in Freiburg program is very competitively priced. Program cost information and an estimate of total cost are available on this page and on the UW-Madison program website.

Students from University of Michigan, Michigan State University and University of Iowa are directed to their study abroad offices for questions regarding program cost and estimated additional expenses. The total cost for students from AYF partner universities is usually comprised of the AYF program fee plus additional home university fees. Since each AYF partner university handles financial matters separately, your home university study abroad office will have the most accurate information regarding costs and billing procedures.

Non-Consortium and UW-Madison students please contact the Office of International Academic Programs at the UW-Madison for additional information.

Program cost information includes program fees, as well as out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Once accepted, students will receive a cost sheet that includes confirmed program fees and additional out-of-pocket expenses.

Program Cost Academic Year in Freiburg
(Confirmed Program Fee – 2023-24)

IAP Program Fees

UW Students – Wisconsin Residents $10,800
Big Ten Academic Alliance SPA $10,800
MN Reciprocity $12,800
UW Students – Non-Residents $16,800
Non-Consortium Students $17,450

The UW Program Fee is a fixed cost including academic expenses, administrative costs, mandatory health insurance, orientation, special language classes, local excursions and program field trips during the orientation period, residence permit, German liability insurance, and Regiokarte for local train travel for September only.

Big Ten Academic Alliance SPA students: IAP bills the Wisconsin Resident Fee to your home institution study abroad office. Your home institution may charge additional fees.  All fees are paid to your home institution.

Students attending a Big Ten university affialiated with the Big Ten Academic Alliance SPA network may be able to participate in AYF at a reduced fee. Students from Big Ten schools are asked to consult their study abroad office about possible Academic Year in Freiburg participation a the reduced rate and home university fees. UW-Madison program advisor Andy Quackenbush will be happy to assist with any open questions. This may apply to you, if you study at

  • University of Illinois
  • Indiana University
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Northwestern University
  • Ohio State University
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Purdue University
  • or Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Students from the University of Minnesota enjoy reciprocity.

Non-Consortium Students refers to fees for students who are not a Wisconsin Resident or a degree seeking student at one of the following universities within the AYF Consortium: UW-Madison, University of Iowa, Michigan State University, and Michigan University.

Estimated Additional Expenses

The following are estimated expenses to help plan and prepare for the program. These amounts are subject to change depending on international economic factors and past participant reports. Student expenditures in-country depend greatly on personal spending habits, post-or during-program travel, and available funds.

Additional Academic Fee $250
Airfare $1,500
Books and Supplies $800
Housing $5,000
Local Transportation $800
Meals $4,000
Personal/Miscellaneous $4,500
Total Estimated Additional Expenses $16,850

Airfare is an estimate based on a round-trip fare Chicago-Frankfurt-Chicago plus train travel between Frankfurt-Freiburg.

Housing estimate is based on maximum housing cost for the most recently built efficiency apartments; dorm rooms can be significantly less. For additional details, please refer to the Housing Guide and Cost Information posted on the Guides & Information page of this website.

Additional academic fee estimate is for the optional AYF Internship fee which is 200 Euros.  Students pay this fee on-site directly to AYF.

Personal miscellaneous estimates include daily living expenses, spending money, reasonable travel, and pre-departure costs.

Note: All additional costs such as quarantine, additional housing, or additional travel incurred (e.g., due to pandemic-related regulations) that are not specifically included in the IAP Program Fee are the student’s responsibility.

Total Cost of Attendance
(includes IAP program fee plus total estimated additional expenses) 

UW Students – Wisconsin Residents $27,650
MN Reciprocity $29,650
UW Students – Non-Residents $33,650
Non-Consortium Students  $34,300

The Academic Year in Freiburg and International Academic Programs (IAP) reserve the right to adjust the fees and expenses at any time. During the course of Program operations, actual figures may vary.