This study is intended to improve analyses of the cost of education at both the national level and in international comparisons. Hitherto, international comparisons of educational costs have been hindered by the fact that governmental education budgets often include many noninstructional costs while excluding adult education costs and private costs of education not financed out of Ministry of Education funds. This study adjusts for such differences in order to present comparable data based on a standardized and comprehensive definition of the scope of education. Components of the cost estimates are presented in full detail by level of education, with a detailed description of the estimating procedures used. Most of the book consists of individual pilot studies of educational expenditures in France, Japan, and the United Kingdom, respectively. The French pilot study is written in French, while the Japanese and British studies are in English. The rest of the book, including the foreword, summary and conclusions, and methodological annex sections, are in both French and English. (Author/JG)