Live 2026 data · Tuition, rent, visa, salaries, PR pathways & more
Netherlands
56
GoScore
Budget/mo
$1,526
Salary/mo
$3,052
Vietnam
46
GoScore
Budget/mo
$420
Salary/mo
$520
AI insights unavailable
Study Abroad GoScore Ranking
GoScore 0-100 · Weights: affordability, PR pathway, safety, career & quality of life
Key Comparison Metrics
Public university tuition / year
Monthly student budget
Part-time wage / hour
Student visa fee
Post-study work visa
IELTS band required
Safety index
Quick Verdict — 2026
Netherlands wins for students (GoScore 56 vs 46). A 2-year master's costs $15,080 in Vietnam — 74% less than Netherlands, saving $43,344.
Netherlands wins for working professionals (GoScore 63 vs 35). Professionals in Netherlands retain $523/month after expenses — $680/month more than in Vietnam.
Netherlands is stronger for permanent residence (GoScore 68 vs 48).
Total cost of attendance in Netherlands — tuition ($21,800) plus living ($36,624) — is $58,424. In Vietnam: $15,080 ($5,000 tuition + $10,080 living).Vietnam is 74% cheaper, saving $43,344 over the degree.
In Netherlands, 20 hrs/week at $14/hr earns $1,124/month — covering 86% of outside-city rent. In Vietnam, the same hours earn $224/month — covering 70% of rent.
After rent, groceries, transport, and utilities, a professional in Netherlands retains $523/month from $3,052. In Vietnam: $0/month from $520. Over 5 years the gap compounds to $40,800. Tech salaries: $5,995/mo (Netherlands) vs $1,100/mo (Vietnam).
Netherlands: PR pathway ~5 years. Vietnam: no clearly defined pathway. Post-study work visas: 12 months (Netherlands) and 0 months (Vietnam). Student visa fee: $191 vs $25.
Minimum IELTS band: 6.0 (Netherlands) and 5.5 (Vietnam). Vietnam has a lower threshold — beneficial for applicants close to their target band. Take a free IELTS mock test on mockDe to benchmark your exact skill-level gaps before applying.
| Metric | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Study GoScore | 56 | 46 |
| Work GoScore | 63 | 35 |
| Settle GoScore | 68 | 48 |
| Public university tuition / yr | $10,900 | $2,500 |
| Monthly student budget | $1,526 | $420 |
| Avg net salary / month | $3,052 | $520 |
| Rent 1-bed (city centre) | $1,853/mo | $520/mo |
| Post-study work visa | 12 months | 0 months |
| PR pathway | 5 years | 0 years |
| Safety index | 70 / 100 | 61 / 100 |
Understanding a country beyond spreadsheets — unique facts about each destination that shape the experience of living and working there.
🇳🇱 Netherlands
The Netherlands ranks 1st in Europe for English proficiency among non-native speakers — every professional under 45 is effectively bilingual.
Source: EF EPI 2023
Over 2,300 English-taught degree programmes are available at Dutch universities — the highest number in continental Europe.
Source: Nuffic 2024
Dutch university fees are capped at €2,209/year for EU students and €6,000–20,000/year for non-EU students — substantially lower than UK equivalents.
Source: DUO Netherlands 2024
The Netherlands has the world's highest bike usage rate — 23 million bicycles for 17 million people — with cycle lanes in every city, making transport near-free for students.
Amsterdam hosts over 1,000 multinational headquarters including ASML, Booking.com, and Heineken — creating a dense professional network for graduates.
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Vietnam's economy grew at 7.1% in 2023 — the fastest in Southeast Asia — driven by electronics manufacturing (Samsung, Intel, LG all produce here).
Source: World Bank 2024
Ho Chi Minh City ranks in Asia's top 10 startup ecosystems, with particular strength in fintech and e-commerce.
Source: Startup Genome 2024
Vietnam produced 1.2 million university graduates per year in STEM fields as of 2023 — the fastest-growing STEM talent pipeline in Southeast Asia.
Source: MOET Vietnam 2023
Vietnam's coast stretches 3,260 km — making tourism, hospitality management, and marine engineering uniquely important industries.
Popular Comparisons
Ready to take the next step?
You'll need IELTS to study in any of these countries. Take a free full-length mock test to know exactly where you stand.
Data Sources
Editorial
Compiled by mockDe Editorial Team
Verified by IELTS-certified advisors with study-abroad counselling experience.
Freshness
Data reflects 2026 benchmarks.
Last reviewed June 2026.
AI verdict cached permanently; regenerated on data change.
All figures in USD. AI insights by Gemini Pro. Values are indicative — verify official sources before making relocation decisions.