The US education system is widely considered one of the best in the world. The long list of eminent professors and top-rated universities makes it a leading study destination for international students. Most of these American universities consistently get ranked among the in the world. They are also immensely popular among students because they can choose from numerous courses unavailable elsewhere.
However, there is a major hurdle that stands between the students and their dreams. America is not an affordable country, and studying at a premium university in the USA certainly needs a high investment. So, many students regularly surf the internet to know the cost of study abroad in USA. So, let’s look into how you can prepare yourself financially before moving to your most sought-after study destination –
Tuition Costs in the American Universities
The USA has a host of both private and public universities. The tuition costs differ greatly in the different types of universities. Since education fees are one of the main expenses that concern students, let’s check the costs associated with the different universities and courses.
Students migrating to the USA for higher education can look at an estimated expense of USD 25,000 to USA 45,000 each year for living and studying. Although this may seem like a lot to average households, there are also many ways to cut down these expenses and make them more affordable. So, when you spend time searching, “Is there a Duolingo coaching centre near me?”, look for active scholarship programs simultaneously.
Tuition Fees at Public Universities
As already said, tuition is one of the primary and highest expenses in the USA. The cost of studying in the USA varies on several variables, including the degree, courses, and university you have chosen.
Here, I have tried to explain the difference in expenses in the various American public universities as per your chosen degree –
| Course Level | Average Tuition Fees per Year |
| Bachelor Courses in the USA | 8000 – 35,000 USD per year |
| Master Courses in the USA | 10,000 – 35,000 USD per year |
Tuition Fees at Private Universities
Private universities in the USA are much costlier compared to public universities. However, according to the ex-students, and other reports, they are certainly worth the money. Moreover, there are no differences in the tuition fees between international and native students. Here is a tabular representation of how much expense you should be looking at if you choose to study in a private university in the USA –
| Course Level | Average Tuition Fees per Year |
| Bachelor Courses in the USA | 25000 – 50,000 USD per year |
| Master Courses in the USA | 22,000 – 55,000 USD per year |
These expenses have been calculated by averaging the expenses. Usually, it differs depending on the universities you are enrolling yourself. The courses and the degree programs also play a role in deciding the final expenses.
Cost of the International Students for Undergraduate Courses in the USA
For undergraduate students, the education cost is much lower. On average, a four-year undergraduate course will cost an international student approximately 30,000 USD. American colleges have a long list of undergraduate courses. However, some of the most popular courses among international students are –
- Bachelor of Sciences
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
Depending on the degree program, and the university, the tuition fees may differ.
Cost of Master’s Degree for International Students in the USA
Master’s degree courses in the US range between USD 20,000 to 35,000 per year. Like undergraduate courses, post-graduate students also get varied options of courses to choose from. According to the reports, the most picked Master’s courses are –
- Master in Data Science
- Master in Software Engineering
- Master in Computer Science
- Master’s in Business Management
There are also high demands for STEM courses, and post-graduate students often opt to take the 2 years stay back options to complete these programs after their Master’s.
Scholarship Programs You Should Know
The US government has many scholarship programs and schemes to facilitate more international students in their country. Most prime US universities also have their own scholarship programs. These universities give away these scholarships based on the student’s requirements, merit, sports, and extracurricular excellence.
However, bagging one of these scholarships isn’t easy. Students need to qualify after passing through stringent eligibility criteria. Moreover, these scholarships are also subject to availability. So, if you apply for one such scholarship at a later date, you may miss out on it even if you have the necessary grades.
Living Expenses in the US
The average cost of residing in the US ranges from USD 1500-2000 per month. This amount includes meals, lodging, transportation, leisure and other associated expenses. Although this is just an average amount, and can greatly differ depending on the place you are staying and on your lifestyle.
Here is a tabular infographic of how living expenses in the USA look like –
| Expenses | Average Yearly/Monthly Expenses |
| Books and Study Materials | USD 900 – 2000 per year |
| Travel | USD 300 – 700 per year |
| Accommodation | USD 9800 – 11,100 per year |
| Electricity | USD 100 – 150 per month |
| Food | USD 250 – 300 per month on campus, USD 400 – 600 per month off campus |
| Phone Subscription | USD 50 – 75 per month |
| Health Insurance | USD 700 – 1100 per year |
| Clothes | USD 500 – 600 per year |
| Home Internet | USD 45- 50 per month |
| Water, Utilities | USD 50 – 75 per month |
Wrapping Up:
There are quite a few expenses that are unavoidable while living in a foreign country, like books, internet, phone connections, water and utilities. However, there are many expenses that you can control. For example, you can use more public transport rather than Uber and Lyft while transporting. You can also choose to stay and eat on campus for the first year instead of renting a place of your own in a posh neighbourhood. Moreover, thoroughly check which states and areas are more affordable to stay in before deciding on the college. Check out all the information I have discussed above, and you will get enough clarity on how much expenses you are likely to incur if you move to the USA to study.
Author Bio:
Justin Krishna is a scholar and a visiting faculty in an American university. He is proficient in the US education system and offers SOP and LOR writing services to Indian students on behalf of Abroadvice.
