Comparative of Cost and Return in International and Bilingual Education Programs in a Developing Country

Background/purpose. This study investigates the costs and returns of education in Thailand, comparing the International and Bilingual Education Programs. It examines the financial implications of these educational choices, aiming to determine the economic viability of each program. The findings offer insights to guide parents and policymakers in making informed choices.

Materials/methods. Data were collected from 1,230 participants, including 794 from the International Education Program and 436 from the Bilingual Education Program, using a structured questionnaire. The analysis employed cost-benefit principles, focusing on metrics such as net present value (NPV), benefit-cost ratio (B/C ratio), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period.

Results. The International Education Program incurs higher costs (4,883,078 THB per student) than the Bilingual Education Program (1,634,480 THB per student). Despite the higher costs, graduates from the International Education Program achieve a higher cumulative income of 76,961,952.97 THB, with an NPV of 10,326,880.71 THB, a B/C ratio of 3.11, an IRR of 16.39%, and a payback period of 8 years. In comparison, the Bilingual Education Program offers a cumulative income of 48,101,220.61 THB, with an NPV of 7,871,744 THB, a B/C ratio of 5.82, an IRR of 25.30%, and a shorter payback period of 5 years.

Conclusion. Both programs are economically viable investments. The International Education Program yields higher lifetime income, while the Bilingual Education Program offers greater cost efficiency and faster returns. These findings underline the significance of aligning educational investments with long-term economic goals and individual affordability.

Keywords: Cost and return, cost-benefit principles, international program, education investment

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