South KoreavsVietnam
Live 2026 data · Tuition, rent, visa, salaries, PR pathways & more
South Korea
59
GoScore
Budget/mo
$1,100
Salary/mo
$2,400
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
South Korea wins for students (GoScore 59 vs 46). A 2-year master's costs $15,080 in Vietnam - 63% less than South Korea, saving $25,720.
South Korea wins for working professionals (GoScore 54 vs 35). Professionals in South Korea retain $1,025/month after expenses - $1,182/month more than in Vietnam.
South Korea is stronger for permanent residence (GoScore 60 vs 48).
South Korea vs Vietnam: Complete Cost & Immigration Analysis 2026
Total Cost of a 2-Year Master's Degree
Total cost of attendance in South Korea - tuition ($14,400) plus living ($26,400) - is $40,800. In Vietnam: $15,080 ($5,000 tuition + $10,080 living).Vietnam is 63% cheaper, saving $25,720 over the degree.
Can Students Cover Rent With Part-Time Work?
In South Korea, 20 hrs/week at $8/hr earns $632/month - covering 113% of outside-city rent. In Vietnam, the same hours earn $224/month - covering 70% of rent.
Real Monthly Savings After Living Expenses
After rent, groceries, transport, and utilities, a professional in South Korea retains $1,025/month from $2,400. In Vietnam: $0/month from $520. Over 5 years the gap compounds to $70,920. Tech salaries: $3,850/mo (South Korea) vs $1,100/mo (Vietnam).
Permanent Residency Timeline
South Korea: PR pathway ~5 years. Vietnam: no clearly defined pathway. Post-study work visas: 24 months (South Korea) and 0 months (Vietnam). Student visa fee: $60 vs $25.
IELTS Score Required
Minimum IELTS band: 6.0 (South Korea) 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 | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Study GoScore | 59 | 46 |
| Work GoScore | 54 | 35 |
| Settle GoScore | 60 | 48 |
| Public university tuition / yr | $7,200 | $2,500 |
| Monthly student budget | $1,100 | $420 |
| Avg net salary / month | $2,400 | $520 |
| Rent 1-bed (city centre) | $920/mo | $520/mo |
| Post-study work visa | 24 months | 0 months |
| PR pathway | 5 years | 0 years |
| Safety index | 80 / 100 | 61 / 100 |
Fascinating Facts: South Korea & Vietnam
Understanding a country beyond spreadsheets - unique facts about each destination that shape the experience of living and working there.
🇰🇷 South Korea
- 1.
South Korea has the world's fastest average internet speed at 245 Mbps - 3× faster than the global average.
Source: Speedtest Global Index 2024
- 2.
Korean companies Samsung, LG, Hyundai, SK, and POSCO collectively employ more engineers globally than the total tech workforce of France.
- 3.
South Korea's K-chip Act (2023) offers tax credits up to 25% for semiconductor R&D - creating Asia's second-largest semiconductor talent demand after Taiwan.
Source: MOTIE Korea 2023
- 4.
Seoul's Gangnam district has the world's highest concentration of plastic surgery clinics per square kilometre - a unique driver of medical tourism and healthcare careers.
- 5.
The TOPIK Korean language certification (N2 or above) significantly increases work permit eligibility and salary levels for foreign professionals.
Source: NIIED 2023
🇻🇳 Vietnam
- 1.
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
- 2.
Ho Chi Minh City ranks in Asia's top 10 startup ecosystems, with particular strength in fintech and e-commerce.
Source: Startup Genome 2024
- 3.
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
- 4.
Vietnam's coast stretches 3,260 km - making tourism, hospitality management, and marine engineering uniquely important industries.
Popular Comparisons
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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.