Costs and funding
The advertised monthly rate is only part of the truth. This report shows in numbers how the costs of a distance learning degree break down over its duration and how many people use funding.
A median of €2,207 per semester
That is what a distance learning semester costs across all programmes. But the range is wide, from the almost free offer to several thousand euros.
In short: A distance learning semester costs a median of €2,207. Some programmes are under €500, the most expensive around €9,000 per semester.
From under €500 to €9,000 per semester
Most programmes fall between €1,000 and €3,500 per semester. Median and extremes at a glance.
In short: Half of distance learning programmes cost less than €2,207 per semester, the other half more. Most commonly the fee is between €1,000 and €3,500.
Study cost per semester in distance learning
Cost per semester (6 months), median and extremes.
Data as a table
| Category | Cost per semester |
|---|---|
| Cheapest programmes | under €500 |
| Median | 2,207 € |
| Common range up to | 3,500 € |
| Most expensive programmes | 9,000 € |
What the total cost is made up of
On top of the monthly rate come items that the first offer often leaves out. The table sorts them by scale and avoidability.
| Cost item | When due | Scale | Avoidable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee / monthly rate | Monthly over the entire duration | High, the largest item | No, but comparable |
| Extension semester | When the standard period is exceeded | Medium to high | Yes, with good planning |
| Examination and retake fees | Per exam or as a flat rate | Low to medium | Partly |
| On-site sessions (travel, hotel) | For mandatory on-site attendance | Depends on location and number of dates | Partly |
| Graduation fee | One-off at the end of the programme | Low, one-off | Rarely |
A guide, not a price list. Not every provider charges every item, some bundle exams and extension into the monthly rate. Ask about it in writing before you sign, so that the total cost holds no surprises.
Who helps carry the cost
All three DACH countries have funding pots. Whether you can use them depends on your situation and programme.
Germany
Aufstiegs-BAföG (advancement grant) for advancement-oriented qualifications, an AZAV education voucher for job seekers, scholarships and the tax deductibility of continuing education and second-degree costs.
Austria
Bildungskarenz (educational leave) with a continuing-education allowance, funding from the federal states as well as from the Chamber of Labour and the Chamber of Commerce, plus the tax deductibility of education and training costs.
Switzerland
Federal contributions to higher vocational education after a completed federal examination, plus cantonal scholarships and loans as well as, often, an employer contribution.
The information on this page is general in nature and is meant as orientation. It does not replace an official credit transfer or recognition decision by the relevant university and is not legal advice. The universities and the responsible bodies decide: the ZAB in Germany, the BMBWF in Austria and the SBFI in Switzerland. Always check your specific case directly with the university before you enrol.
Pairs well with the costs
Time commitment
Why a longer programme gets more expensive and how much time it realistically takes.
To the reportStudy and work
How distance learners finance their studies and who contributes.
To the reportDistance learning in numbers
How big the market is and which subjects lead the field.
To the reportFurther reading
Background on funding and provider prices.
Frequently asked questions about the costs
Roughly what does a distance learning degree cost?
The median is €2,207 per semester (HRK Hochschulkompass), the range runs from under €500 to around €9,000. More important than the monthly rate is the total over the whole standard period of study plus extra costs such as examination and extension fees.
Why is the monthly rate not everything?
The monthly rate is the largest but not the only item. There are often costs for extension semesters, exam retakes, travel to on-site sessions and a graduation fee. Only the sum of all items shows what a distance learning degree really costs.
How many people use funding?
No reliable nationwide figure exists on this, so we do not quote an invented number. The direction is clear: anyone doing an eligible advancement training can use Aufstiegs-BAföG; for academic distance learning programmes, employer contributions, scholarships and tax deductibility apply more often.
Can I deduct the distance learning degree from my taxes?
Often yes. Costs for professional continuing education or a second degree can usually be claimed in Germany and Austria as work-related expenses or special expenses. Whether and how much is deductible depends on your situation. Clarify the details with a tax advisor or the tax office.
Sources, method and download
Where the numbers come from, how they are compiled and how you may reuse them with a source reference.
How these numbers are compiled
The cost figures are based on the CHE analysis of the HRK Hochschulkompass, which reports the median and range of semester costs across all distance study programmes. Concrete euro amounts vary by provider and degree, which is why we show the median and range instead of a single number. Where no robust nationwide figure exists for the funding rate, we state the direction instead of a made-up rate.
Sources: CHE (Marc Hüsch): Trend zum Fernstudium, Beiträge zur Hochschulforschung 2/2024 · HRK Hochschulkompass, study programmes (CHE analysis 2024) · German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Aufstiegs-BAföG (AFBG)
Last updated: 02.07.2026. The figures are updated as soon as the sources publish new data.
What will your distance learning degree really cost?
Which funding applies in your case and how the costs can be lowered is best clarified in a personal conversation. At Studienflüsterer the initial consultation is free and non-binding.