The United States of America is a major destination for international students. The country boasts of a high academic standard and has students from across the world flocking in large numbers to pursue their higher education and obtain a recognized degree.
Studying in the USA for International Students is a dream come true. The best thing about such a move is the fact that you get to live in a country that has a rich history and culture, which is also very advanced when it comes to modern technology. They are lots of benefits to studying in the USA and some of them include:
- You will be able to learn about different cultures and traditions that different countries follow. This will help you understand people’s behaviour better and make you more tolerant towards them.
- You will have access to higher education facilities, which include colleges and universities. This will allow you to improve your skills and get an internationally recognised educational degree.
Although there is no question about the quality of education, one aspect that is particularly concerning is the cost of studying in the USA for International students.
Note that the cost of studying in the USA is very high and that’s why it frequently ranks among the top five most expensive study abroad locations.
We will provide you with a thorough overview of the cost of studying in the USA for international students in this post to help you budget and manage your finances. You can additionally check out the Cheapest Universities in the USA for International Students.
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Cost of Studying in the USA for International Students
Educational cost varies from college to college and it is based on the type of college and course you want to study in the USA. However, the average tuition fee required without any financial assistance is relatively high, there are still numerous sources of funding available to international students which can make studying in US universities affordable.
Tuition Fees at Public Universities
As stated above, the tuition fees vary among universities and the selected course the student intends to study. However, the average annual cost of college tuition ranges from USD 5,000 to 50,000, and it may be higher for some programs like MBA, law, and others.
Average tuition costs for two-year studies at public colleges are USD 3520, USD 9650 (for in-state students), and USD 24930 for four-year courses (out of state).
Tuition Fees at Other Type of Institutions
The average cost of attending college depends on the type of school (public or private) and the degree program chosen. As we have already said, even at public colleges, the average can increase significantly if the length of the course increases. For a four-year course, for instance, private non-profit institutions may charge USD 33,480.
When compared to fields like medical, engineering, and business management, the costs of courses in the humanities, education, and the arts are far lower.
| Study Program | Average Tuition Annually |
| Undergraduate | $8,000 – $40,000 |
| Associate | $3,800 |
| Postgraduate | $10,000 – $60,000 |
| Doctoral | $28,000 to $55,000 |
Tuition Fees at Top Ranked Universities in the USA
NAME OF University |
QS World University Rankings |
Average Tuition Fees YEARLY |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 | $50,000 – $55,000 |
| Stanford University | 3 | $25,000 – $55,000 |
| Harvard University | 5 | $25,000 – $51,000 |
| California Institute of Technology | 6 | $44,000 – $57,000 |
| University of Chicago | 10 | $55,000 – $59,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 13 | $60,000 – $62,000 |
| Princeton University | 16 | $56,000 – $58,000 |
| Yale University | 18 | $58,000 – $60,000 |
| Cornell University | 20 | $56,000 – $60,000 |
| Columbia University | 22 | $58,000 – $78,000 |
Affordable Universities in the USA
They are various affordable universities in the USA for international students, but let’s take a look at some of the popular ones and their tuition fees.
| Affordable University | Average Tuition Fees Annually |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | 13000 USD/year |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | 9000 USD/year |
| Texas A&M University | 9000 USD/year |
| Arizona State University | 13000 USD/year |
| Illinois University of Technology | 31000 USD/year |
Tuition Fees for Top Courses in the USA
| Top courses | Duration | Average tuition fees yearly |
| BSc Nursing (BSN) | 4 years | $45,000/ year |
| MBBS (BS+MD+Residency) | 8-10 years | $40,000/ year |
| LLM | 1 year | $60,000/ year |
| MA Applied Economics | 2 years | $35,000/ year |
| MBA | 2 years | $70,000/ year |
| MPH | 1 to 2 years | $50,000/ year |
| MSc Computer Science | 1 to 2 years | $50,000/ year |
| MSc Data Science | 1 to 2 years | $70,000/ year |
Student’s cost of living in the USA
Living costs make up a significant portion of the overall cost of studying in the USA from abroad. International students’ living expenses in the US are influenced by where they choose to live. For instance, the cost of living may be relatively high in states like Washington, California, and the regions around New York. A student typically spends between $10,000 and $12,000 a year on living expenses. However, a student’s residence location has a complete impact on this sum. A student who chooses to live in a big metropolis would have to pay more than one who chooses a dorm or a place in the suburbs.
Average Monthly Expense
| Accommodation | $400 |
| Food and Groceries | $100 – $200 |
| Transport | $40 -$100. |
| Entertainment | $100-$250 |
The average cost of living in the USA is between $700 and $1,000 per month or between $10,000 and $12,000 per year. The fees cover everything from accommodation to room and board to transportation to textbooks and other extras. Let’s look at how the fees are divided up:
- An annual expense of $5000–$7000 is incurred for accommodation.
- Rental costs for off-campus housing range from $300 to $400 per month.
- Food is estimated to cost about $2500 a year.
- Depending on where you go in the USA, travel expenses can cost anywhere from $300 to $700.
- Costs for textbooks and study materials range from $500 to $1,000 each year.
- About $2000 will be spent on other expenses each year.
Note that these prices are only a rough guess that may change depending on several variables.
Cost of Student Visa
For the F1 student visa for the United States, there are two fees, which are:
- Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee), which presently costs $160
- and SEVIS fee, which is currently $350
How can you calculate your own cost of studying in the USA?
Individual students can now more easily estimate the cost of attending college in the US thanks to recent improvements in the system. Today, it is legally compulsory for all US institutions to have financial aid and fee calculator on their websites. This tool enables prospective students to get a general sense of how much their planned course of study will cost and what financial aid they could be eligible for. The government’s College Affordability and Transparency Center, which also lists the US universities with the highest and lowest tuition fees and net costs, can be used to access these “net price calculators.” You can additionally check out the Scholarships in the United States for International Students.