TOEFL & IELTS Exam Fees by Country: Complete 2026 Price Guide

If you're applying to universities abroad, you'll need a TOEFL or IELTS score. What you might not know is that the exam fee depends heavily on where you take it. The TOEFL iBT costs as little as $54 in Pakistan but up to $392 in Switzerland. IELTS follows a nearly identical pattern.

We compared TOEFL and IELTS exam fees across 40 countries to help you find the cheapest place to take the test.

TOEFL iBT Exam Fee by Country

The price gap is massive — a Swiss student pays 7x more than a Pakistani student for the exact same test. ETS (the company behind TOEFL) uses purchasing power-based pricing, intentionally making the test affordable in developing countries where $245 would be a month's salary.

IELTS Exam Fee by Country

IELTS and TOEFL pricing is remarkably similar in most countries — both organizations use comparable regional pricing strategies.

TOEFL vs IELTS: Price Comparison

In most countries, the two exams cost nearly the same. The differences are minimal:

The choice between TOEFL and IELTS should be based on which test format suits you better and which scores your target university accepts — not price.

Why Do Exam Fees Vary So Much?

1. Purchasing power pricing — Both ETS (TOEFL) and the British Council/IDP (IELTS) deliberately subsidize fees in lower-income countries. The goal is accessibility — they want qualified students everywhere to be able to afford the test.

2. Local operating costs — Running a test center in Zurich costs far more than in Karachi (rent, staff, security, equipment).

3. VAT and taxes — European countries add 19–27% VAT to the exam fee. Many Asian and African countries exempt educational services from tax.

4. Exchange rate effects — Fees are set in local currency and converted to USD. A weak Pakistani rupee makes the dollar-equivalent price look extremely low.

Money-Saving Tips

1. Take the test in a cheaper country if you're traveling — If you're near a border or planning a trip to Southeast Asia, scheduling your TOEFL there can save $100–$200.
2. Register early — Late registration fees add $40–$60.
3. Check for fee waivers — ETS offers TOEFL fee reduction vouchers for students with financial need.
4. Home edition — TOEFL iBT Home Edition is priced the same as the test center version but saves you travel costs.

Also Compare

• TOEFL exam fees in all countries
• IELTS exam fees in all countries
• TOEFL: India vs US
• TOEFL: Turkey vs Germany
• Cost of living comparison