Parent-Child Study Abroad Costs in Cebu: Breakdown and Sample Estimate (1 Month)

Cebu is a popular destination for “parent-and-child study abroad,” chosen by many families from Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Wanting your child to be exposed to an English environment while still young, wanting to learn again alongside your child, and wanting to enjoy a resort atmosphere as well - Cebu study abroad is highly attractive because it can meet all of these needs.

However, when considering parent-and-child study abroad, the biggest question is **“How much will it cost?”** Including not only tuition and accommodation but also visas, living expenses and airfare, the total varies more widely than you might expect. It changes greatly depending in particular on whether you prioritize “an urban setting with good value for money” or “a resort setting with more comfort.”

In this article, we clearly explain **the cost breakdown and a model estimate for one adult and one child studying in Cebu for one month**. This will help anyone planning parent-and-child study abroad get a concrete idea of how much budget to prepare.

1. Tuition (Tuition + Registration Fee)

• Mainly one-on-one lessons and group classes.
• Special programs for children and parent-and-child set courses tend to be more expensive.
• **The registration fee is generally 100 to 150 USD**.
• **Textbooks and materials are charged separately (about 30 to 50 USD per month)** in many cases.

2. Accommodation (Dorm + Meals)

• Staying in a school dorm or a family room is the norm.
• **At almost all schools, meals (3 per day) are included in the package** and provided at no additional charge.
• Family rooms are more expensive than single or twin rooms, with **about 1,400 to 2,200 USD per month** as a guideline.
• Some schools offer menus that are easy for children to eat (for Japanese tastes, or with less spice), which is one reassuring point for parent-and-child study abroad.
• In some condominium-type rooms or rooms with kitchens, simple cooking is possible, but this remains only supplementary.

3. Local Costs (Living Expenses and Miscellaneous)

These are the everyday expenses needed apart from tuition and dorm fees. They vary greatly depending on how each family spends their time.

• Eating out or cafes: about 10 to 20 USD per outing for a parent and child
• Transportation such as taxis and Grab: about 2 to 5 USD per trip within the city
• Daily necessities and snacks for the child: about 50 to 100 USD per month

**For daily life alone, about 200 USD per month for two people (parent and child)** is a guideline.

However,

• If you join school trips or island hopping, **a single outing can cost about 400 USD for two people**, and if you go once or twice a month, total spending rises sharply.

In other words,

• **Budget-minded**: about 200 USD
• **Average**: 400 to 600 USD
• **Active type** (lots of sightseeing and resorts): over 1,000 USD

4. Visa and SSP (Special Study Permit)

For language study in the Philippines, you must obtain an SSP (Special Study Permit), a special permit for attending classes.

• **SSP fee**: 12,000 to 13,000 pesos (about 230 USD) per person
• For a parent and child, **about 460 USD** is needed.
• It is valid for 6 months, and it is required even for a one-month stay.

In addition, visa-related costs are added depending on the number of days you stay.

• **Stay of up to 30 days**: No visa extension needed (free entry on a tourist visa)
• **Stay of 31 days or more**: A tourist visa extension fee (about 4,000 to 4,500 pesos = 70 to 80 USD per person) is required
• **Stay of 2 months or more**: An ACR I-Card (alien registration card, about 50 USD per person) is added

For parent-and-child study abroad, **the SSP fee is charged per person**, so be sure to include it in your budget.

5. Airfare and Overseas Travel Insurance

Airfare

• Direct flights between Japan and Cebu operate from Narita and Kansai. From regional airports, routes via Manila or via Korea are common.
• Fares vary greatly by season. Off-season (rainy season, etc.): 400 to 500 USD round trip (about 800 to 1,000 USD for a parent and child) Peak season (summer holidays, spring holidays): 600 to 800 USD round trip (about 1,200 to 1,600 USD for a parent and child)
• Using an LCC (low-cost carrier) can keep costs down, but you also need to consider baggage fees and the risk of delays.

Overseas Travel Insurance

• Medical costs can easily be high in the Philippines, so insurance is a must.
• The guideline for premiums is **100 to 150 USD per person per month**.
• For a parent and child, **about 200 to 300 USD** is typical.
• Note that some schools may ask for proof of insurance coverage.

Below is an image of the total cost when a parent and child study in Cebu for one month. (*Based on average market rates as of 2025, set on the “slightly high” side.)

Key Points

• **Lowest range**: 3D ACADEMY (in the 5,000 USD range)
• **Middle range**: CPI and Genius (around 6,000 USD)
• **High range**: EV and Blue Ocean (6,700 USD to 7,300 USD)

As you can see, depending on the school's location and style, **the total for one month for a parent and child is about 5,000 to 7,000 USD (JPY 800,000 to 1,100,000)** as a guideline.

3D ACADEMY has a <Commuting Course> that lets you **commute without staying in the school dorm** by booking a hotel or condominium of your choice (including Airbnb). This makes possible **a self-catering lifestyle** and a stay customized to your own preferences for location and facilities.

Suited to People Like This

• Families who want to **cook for themselves and manage groceries** in a room with a kitchen
• Those with strollers and lots of luggage who want to choose a **spacious room** or a property with a washer-dryer
• Those who want the freedom to choose a **convenient location** near the school (around IT Park)

Costs and Points to Note

• **Accommodation**: Airbnb/hotel rent + cleaning and utilities + deposit, etc.
• **Meals**: The school does not provide meals, so **eating out or cooking is a full additional cost**
• **Commuting**: 0 USD if within walking distance; if using Grab, etc., expect about **50 to 150 USD per month**
• **Security**: Condominiums with guards and a reception desk are reassuring. Also check the route for returning home at night
• **Daily routine**: Check in advance the distance to supermarkets (Landers, supermarkets inside Ayala Mall, etc.), the **cookware and refrigerator capacity** in the kitchen, and laundry facilities
• **School procedures**: Even with the Commuting Course, the **SSP (about 12,000 to 13,000 pesos per person)** is required. Follow the school's instructions for attendance and curfew rules when commuting to and from school

Rough Comparison with Dorm Stay (Parent and Child, 1 Month)

• **Dorm**: 3 meals included / no commuting -> Less hassle and easy to grasp the budget
• **Commuting**: Roomy, flexible rooms / optimize meals by cooking -> Higher satisfaction with daily life, but **you need to manage food, rent and transportation costs**

Summary

For parent-and-child study abroad in Cebu, the school you choose changes depending on the balance of learning environment, living environment and cost.

• **If you want to enjoy a beach resort and a holiday feel -> Genius English** With the sea right in front of you, an outstanding location, you can enjoy study and a resort experience at the same time.
• **If cost performance is your top priority -> overwhelmingly 3D ACADEMY** With an urban campus offering convenient daily life, it is the option where the total cost is easiest to keep down among parent-and-child programs.
• **If you want to spend your time safely and freely -> CPI** You can live with peace of mind on a spacious campus, and the environment is well suited to children's learning.
• **If you want both educational standards and comfort -> EV Academy** With the latest facilities and high-standard lessons, it is ideal for families who prioritize satisfaction.
• **If you want both resort and English -> Blue Ocean Academy** In an open seaside environment, you can enjoy resort life while you study.

Guideline for Total Budget

• **Lowest line (3D)**: around 5,000 USD (about JPY 800,000)
• **Middle line (CPI and Genius)**: around 6,000 USD (about JPY 950,000)
• **High line (EV and Blue Ocean)**: around 7,000 USD (about JPY 1,100,000)

With parent-and-child study abroad, it is important to think not only about “cost” but also about **what kind of stay you want**. Whether you value a resort experience, seek good value for money, or prioritize the quality of education.

If you choose a school that matches your family's wishes, you can have **the best Cebu study abroad experience as a parent and child**.

For two people (1 parent + 1 child), **about 5,000 to 7,300 USD** is the guideline. The lowest range is the urban 3D ACADEMY (about 5,100 to 5,500 USD), the middle is CPI and Genius (about 5,900 to 6,700 USD), and the high range is EV and Blue Ocean (about 6,600 to 7,300 USD).

• Tuition (tuition + registration fee) *textbooks and materials are separate
• Accommodation (dorm + 3 meals a day)
• SSP and visa-related costs
• Airfare and overseas travel insurance
• Local living expenses (eating out, transportation, shopping, sightseeing, etc.)

**100 to 150 USD** is typical (varies by school).

In many cases they are not included, so expect **an additional 30 to 50 USD per month**.

At almost all schools, **3 meals a day are included**. There is basically no official plan that assumes self-catering (even with a kitchen, it is only for supplementary use).

For daily life alone, **around 200 USD per month for two people (parent and child)** is the guideline. With sightseeing and activities, it can exceed **1,000 USD**.

It depends on the content, but in some cases a single outing comes to **around 400 USD for two people (parent and child)**. The total rises significantly depending on how many times you go.

It is required. The fee is **12,000 to 13,000 pesos (about 230 USD) per person**. For two people (parent and child), expect **about 460 USD**.

No extension is needed for a stay of up to 30 days. For 31 days or more, an extension fee of **about 4,000 to 4,500 pesos (70 to 80 USD) per person** is incurred. For 2 months or more, the **ACR I-Card (about 50 USD per person)** is added.

It varies by season. Off-season is **400 to 500 USD round trip per person** and peak season is **600 to 800 USD per person** as a guideline. For two people (parent and child), **about 800 to 1,600 USD**.

Coverage is recommended (some schools may ask for a certificate). The guideline is **100 to 150 USD per person per month**, or **200 to 300 USD** for a parent and child.

Tuition is often priced in USD, so the total changes with exchange rates. Considering the time lag between the estimate and payment, it is reassuring to allow a **margin of +5 to 10%**.

USD pricing is the norm. International remittance, credit cards and, at some schools, payment in Japanese yen differ by school. Be sure to check the fees and rates.

Tuition and SSP are added for each person taking lessons. Changing the room type also increases accommodation costs. Even for **a companion only**, a facility usage fee may be charged.

Prices rise and there is a risk of being fully booked during summer and spring holidays. We recommend booking **2 to 3 months or more in advance** and arranging flights early.

• Textbooks and materials (separate)
• Airport transfer (paid at some schools)
• Excess laundry charges, excess electricity charges, and deposit settlement
• Weekend activity fees and tips

The registration fee is generally non-refundable. Cancellations just before the start have a lower refund rate. Be sure to check the **terms and deadlines** (school, dorm, airfare, insurance) in advance.

For cost performance, **3D ACADEMY** is the guideline, and for enjoying a beach resort, **Genius English**. EV and Blue Ocean are high-standard options, and CPI is a large, safety-focused option within the city.