🇫🇷 French cost guide
How much does it cost to learn French?
French is a Category I language for English speakers — one of the fastest to reach B2. Reaching B2 takes about 30 weeks (~7 months) of steady study, and the route you pick swings the price from $105 with Textbooks + apps (self-study) up to $3,640 with Private online class.
Easy for English speakers
easyWeeks to B2 (FSI)
30
Cheapest path to B2
$105
Priciest route
$3,640
French: cost of every learning method
Realistic 2025 prices in USD, sorted by total cost to reach B2 in French.
| Method | Category | Per month | Cost to B2 |
|---|---|---|---|
Busuu Premium Builds a base — won't reach B2 alone | App | $10 | $70 |
Duolingo Super Builds a base — won't reach B2 alone | App | $13 | $91 |
Babbel Builds a base — won't reach B2 alone | App | $14 | $98 |
Textbooks + apps (self-study)Best value | Self-study | $15 | $105 |
Rosetta Stone Builds a base — won't reach B2 alone | App | $16 | $112 |
Community college class | Class | $60 | $420 |
italki tutor (1-on-1) | Tutor | $130 | $910 |
Preply tutor (1-on-1) | Tutor | $145 | $1,015 |
Group online class (Berlitz-style) | Class | $300 | $2,100 |
University course | Class | $380 | $2,660 |
Immersion program abroad (2–4 wks) | Immersion | One-time | $3,200 |
Private online class | Class | $520 | $3,640 |
Cheapest realistic path to B2
Textbooks + apps (self-study)
$105 total over ~7 months — about $15/month.
Cheapest guided path (tutor / class)
Community college class
$420 total — speaking practice built in.
Try your own French budget
easy ~30 weeks to B2 (FSI)
About 7 mo to reach B2 at this pace.
Cost to learn French
Cheapest realistic path to B2: $105 · Textbooks + apps (self-study)
| Method | Per month | 7-mo plan | To B2 |
|---|---|---|---|
Busuu PremiumApp Great for basics — won't reach B2 alone | $10 | $70 | $70 |
Duolingo SuperApp Great for basics — won't reach B2 alone | $13 | $91 | $91 |
BabbelApp Great for basics — won't reach B2 alone | $14 | $98 | $98 |
Textbooks + apps (self-study)Self-studyBest value | $15 | $105 | $105 |
Rosetta StoneApp Great for basics — won't reach B2 alone | $16 | $112 | $112 |
Community college classClass | $60 | $420 | $420 |
italki tutor (1-on-1)Tutor | $130 | $910 | $910 |
Preply tutor (1-on-1)Tutor | $145 | $1,015 | $1,015 |
Group online class (Berlitz-style)Class | $300 | $2,100 | $2,100 |
University courseClass | $380 | $2,660 | $2,660 |
Immersion program abroad (2–4 wks)Immersion | One-time | $3,200 | $3,200 |
Private online classClass | $520 | $3,640 | $3,640 |
Estimates in USD, sorted by total cost to reach B2. Guided routes (tutors & classes) priced for part-time study.
What French lessons cost in U.S. cities
Typical private French tutoring rates by metro (2025–2026, in person unless noted). City premiums of 20–40% over the midrange are normal for NYC and LA.
| City | Private lesson rate |
|---|---|
| New York City | $60–$110/hr |
| Los Angeles | $50–$90/hr |
| Chicago | $45–$80/hr |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | $40–$70/hr |
| Orlando | $38–$65/hr |
| Atlanta | $40–$68/hr |
| Online (anywhere) | $25–$60/hr |
French cost FAQ
How much does it cost to learn French?+
Reaching B2 in French (Easy for English speakers, ~30 weeks of study) ranges from about $105 with Textbooks + apps (self-study) to $3,640 with the most expensive route. Most learners pay $420 or less with a guided option.
What is the cheapest way to learn French?+
The cheapest realistic path to B2 is Textbooks + apps (self-study) at roughly $105 over 7 months (about $15/month).
Can I learn French with just an app?+
Apps like Duolingo Super cost about $13/month and are great for building a base, but on their own they rarely take you past A2–B1. Pairing an app with a tutor or class is the most cost-effective way to reach B2 in French.
How long does it take to reach B2 in French?+
For an English speaker, the FSI estimates about 30 weeks (~7 months of steady study) to reach professional working proficiency in French, a easy language.
Is an immersion trip to learn French worth the cost?+
A 2–4 week immersion program costs around $3,200 and compresses months of progress into a few weeks. It's the fastest route but the priciest; most people combine it with a cheaper day-to-day method.
How much are French classes near me?+
Group French classes at community centers and alliances typically run $15–$35 per session, while private lessons range from $38–$70/hr in smaller metros like Orlando and Dallas up to $60–$110/hr in New York. Online tutors are the value pick at $25–$60/hr regardless of where you live.
How much do private French lessons cost per hour?+
In the U.S., private French tutoring averages $45–$75/hr in person. Big-city premiums are real: NYC and LA sit 20–40% above the national midrange. Weekly 1-hour lessons at $50/hr cost about $2,600/year — which is why hybrid plans (apps + a fortnightly tutor) reach B2 for a third of that.
Are French classes worth it vs just using apps?+
Apps build vocabulary cheaply ($105–$400/year) but struggle with speaking. Learners who add even a monthly 1-hour tutor session consistently rate their progress higher, because errors get corrected before they fossilize. A pragmatic split: app daily + tutor 2x/month (~$1,000/year) captures most of a $2,600/year all-tutor plan.