China vs South Korea
Comprehensive side-by-side comparison for international students deciding between studying in China or South Korea. Compare tuition fees, living costs, visa policies, university rankings, and career outcomes.
Tuition Fees (Avg Range)
CNY 20,000 - CNY 60,000
KRW 3,000,000 - KRW 8,000,000
Monthly Living Cost
~€600/mo
~€1,000/mo
Average City Living Cost
~€5,180/mo
N/A
Post-Study Work Visa
1-Year Job Seeker Visa
6-month D-10 Job Seeker Visa
Part-Time Work Hours
Max 8 hours/week (40 hrs/mo) during semester in work-study; up to 16 hours/week during vacations. Requires PSB permit.
20 hours/week during semester (D-2 visa), unlimited during official university vacations. Requires immigration permit.
Minimum Wage
Set by province (e.g. Shanghai RMB 2,740 / month, approx. RMB 24 - 28 / hour)
KRW 10,320 / hour universal national statutory minimum wage
Average Starting Salary
CNY 264,000 / year
KRW 70,000,000 / year
Top Industries
E-Commerce, Manufacturing, AI, Renewable Energy
Semiconductors, Telecommunications, Entertainment
Climate Overview
Extremely diverse; ranges from subarctic in the north to tropical in the south.
Temperate with four distinct seasons; heavy rain in summer and cold, dry winters.
Safety Index
Moderate (Global Peace Index 2025 Rank: #98)
High (Global Peace Index 2025 Rank: #41)
Total Universities Listed
20 universities
20 universities
Scholarships Available
4 scholarships
3 scholarships