Is it expensive to go to folk high school in Norway?
Amalie — Fellow and student on the line Music says this:
Yes, the total for a year at folk high school might look big, but it is as much as you get back for that. First of all, it will be cheaper than a student would pay. We get four meals a day, with good and varied food. We can take as much food as we want for all meals, plus access to coffee and tea throughout the day! Secondly, there are not many other places where you get as many opportunities as at folk high school. The money also goes to activities and trips for which you will get so much in return, both professionally and socially! A year at folk high school is so much more than the money, because you will learn so much about yourself and others, and create so many great memories!
How much does it cost to go to folk high school?
The different lines varies a little in price. It is due to the fact that they have different study tours and different content. The lines at our school cost between 138,000, - to 168,000, - crowns for school year 2026-2027. This price includes food and housing, teaching and study tour, community trips, electives (with the exception of some) and extracurricular activities. So you get a journey along with class and extracurricular activities included in the price. Plus a bunch of great friends, experiences and memories that you want to take with you — all for free!
Support from the loan box and payment
From loan box you get up to 151.690, - NOK in basic loans as of today to attend folk high school, and 40% of the loan can be a scholarship. It covers the school space on some of the lines with us for the 2026-27 school year, while other lines cost a little more. The variation in price depends mostly on which study tours the lines have.
Most people who are about to start studying spend the summer working and saving a little extra. Although the tuition covers most of it, you may want to do it if you are going to folk high school as well. Whether you need a little extra for tuition or feel like having a little more for snacks or clothes. The payment of tuition fees is set up in a payment schedule with a due date on the 15th of each month.
Compared to being a student
If you compare a year of public university with studying and living in a dormitory, and paying all the regular expenses, food, bus passes and amusements, folk high school is actually cheaper. In general, as a student, you can expect to spend somewhere between 13,500, - and 15,600, - kroner per month in Norway (studentum.no). Based on an average, the monthly cost of food and drink is between 3000 and 4000 kr for an adult. Prices for food are still rising. Clothes and shoes are about 1000 kr. In addition, transportation to and from school and rent comes. A studio varies quite a bit in price, both in terms of location and standard. But in the largest cities, the average is NOK 6,900 — 7,700 per month. Then maybe electricity and internet will come in addition, probably a minimum of $500. A monthly pass in Oslo costs just over 400 kronor. Textbooks and materials range between 4,000 to 8,000 a year.
If we figure you pay this for 11 months as a student, you could be up in 186,000, - NOK as a student. Well above the base loan. And then costs for tuition, school books, telephone, free time and fun are not included. At folk high school can you find yourself a line on 130,000, - and still have money to spare from the base loan. And then you've covered food, house, tuition, leisure and tons of great experiences.
The personal value
And that's not all that is natural to measure in terms of monetary value. The way the folk college is set up gives students the opportunity to grow tremendously as human beings. You get to try out a little different things, release character pressure, become more confident in yourself and gain lots of social experience that you can take with you further.
And finally, we include this quote from Katrina Munns, who has been a student and fellow with us. Here she says a little bit about what it's like to walk The Peak:
I didn't have to be here for many weeks before The Top became synonymous with home. For what is home? A place where you can experience belonging and security without equal. Where you can be exactly who you are, with all the weird, childish, weird and wonderful things we all have in us. And you really can do that here! I've made friends for life and some of my best experiences in folk college. Here it is so safe to push your limits, and I discovered that I both dare and achieve more than I ever imagined. I really don't think there's anywhere else you get the opportunity to unfold in the way you can here. You have so many opportunities to experience new and exciting things, and this year you can finally do what you want! I am eternally grateful that I chose to come to the top!
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