Cost of Studying in USA

Did you know that the endowment fund of Harvard University is more than the economy of some countries? For many, studying in the USA is more than just a dream; for many, it is a stepping stone to a solid foundation that can support a strong and lucrative future. With its reputation for being a top study destination, students from all over the world spend over a hundred thousand dollars to fund their education in the USA. With the promise of a lucrative future across different sectors and industries, investing in a US degree is the right choice.

The large number of degree programmes at both private and public colleges and universities means the cost of studying in the USA will vary wildly. According to a Forbes report, 12 of the top 20 universities with the highest number of international students are public institutions, which often offer lower fees. Regardless of the school type, the financial commitment is substantial, and proper research is crucial.

This article will break down the true costs of a US education, primarily highlighting the tuition and administrative fees—which, on average, range from US $28,000 to $80,000 per year for undergraduate programmes and US $25,000 to $70,000 per year for graduate study—that international students must be prepared to cover to be able to study in USA. Let's check out the cost of studying in USA.

Cost of Studying in USA for International Students

The biggest determinant of any student planning to study abroad is their financial capacity to cover the costs of studying abroad. In fact, the ability to cover the costs of studying in USA and living in the country is also a parameter for the F-1 visa that international students must apply to.

The cost to study in USA will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to the type of institution (i.e. Public or Private), level of education (i.e. Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Diploma, Certificate, Advanced Diploma), the academic discipline, administrative costs, insurance, accommodation and lifestyle choices. However, if you are planning to study abroad, it is important to ensure you have a minimum of US $50,000 - $100,000 for every year of study that you will be studying abroad. While this number may seem extremely high, there are several scholarships and financial aid available to international students, and some that are even designed specifically for Indian students that can significantly bring down the total annual cost of studying in USA.

Cost of Studying in USA for International Students by Institution

University Tuition Fees in USA: The type of institution you choose to enrol at will be the first point of distinction in terms of the costs of studying in USA. Here is a brief breakdown of the costs:

• Public Universities: Public or state-funded institutions/colleges/universities are often comparatively inexpensive, ranging between US $25,000 - $45,000, on average, for undergraduate and graduate degree programmes.
• Private Universities: Privately-run or owned universities often charge higher tuition fees to international students, ranging between US $50,000 - $80,000, on average.

Cost of Studying in USA for International Students by Degree

The second factor that affects the total cost of studying abroad is the degree level at which the student wishes to study, i.e. Undergraduate or Graduate. As trends show, the total cost of studying an undergraduate programme in USA is usually higher compared to graduate programmes.

• Undergraduate Programmes: On average, international students are charged between US $28,000 - $45,000 per year in public universities and US $50,000 - $80,000 per year in private universities.
• Graduate Programmes: On average, international students are charged between US $25,000 - $40,000 per year of study in a public university. Meanwhile, in private universities, international students are charged between US $50,000 - $70,000 per year, on average.

Cost of Studying in USA for International Students by State

Another factor that often dictates the overall annual cost of studying in USA is the location of the university, i.e. state/city and the proximity of the university to city centres. For example, cities like New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston and many more are high-cost cities; meanwhile, certain Southern and Midwestern cities will be comparatively cheaper to live in.

It should be noted that the tuition fees for international students in USA at different locations will still be determined by the university. The city/town you live in will only affect the overall cost of living, such as accommodation and transportation, which will be significantly cheaper.

Cost of Studying in USA: Pre - Enrolment

From application fees to administrative fees, there are certain university charges that are associated with the costs to study in USA. These are costs that are usually not covered within the tuition fees of the universities, but students must cover to successfully enrol in a degree programme in the USA. Let’s check out some of these additional costs that students must cover as part of their student application in USA.

Universities & College Application Fees in USA

Among the costs to study in USA is the university application fee that individual universities charge applicants. This fee is charged uniformly to all applicants irrespective of their nationality, and all students are required to pay the student application fee in the USA at the time of submitting their application forms online. Universities in USA commonly charge between US $50 - $100, where a large percentage of universities charge between US $50 - $75. Meanwhile, a smaller percentage of universities charge up to US $100, or higher for some courses, as student application fees during admissions.

However, most universities in USA also offer the Fee Waiver option, where students can appeal their application fee and be exempted from paying the fee. Students displaying a financial need will be exempted from paying the application fee by the university, provided the students follow the steps and processes as defined by the university. For example, for certain courses, there is a “Common App” where students can find out and apply for the Fee Waiver. Meanwhile, if the app is unavailable, students can directly reach out to the university via email and request a Fee Waiver after explaining their individual circumstances.

It should be noted that many universities are removing the Student Application Fee from their admissions portal to encourage a diverse group of students to apply to their programmes.

Other Expenses to Study in USA for International Students

There are several expenses and costs that students must be capable of covering when studying in USA, which go beyond the tuition and university fees, and the accommodation fees. The living expenses in the USA are inevitable and students must be prepared to cover these costs. Moreover, it is advisable to keep a little extra as emergency fund to cover unforeseen costs and circumstances. Outlined in the table below are some of the costs associated with studying in USA.

Note: These costs mentioned above are an approximation and average of the overall costs international students incur during their year of studying abroad. The cost of study abroad exams and the flight tickets are also dependent on various factors.

Scholarships in USA for Indian Students

After reading up on the costs of studying and living in USA as an international student, choosing the USA as your destination for higher studies may seem a little daunting. However, universities across the country offer numerous scholarships and financial aid to all students. Universities offer both need-based and merit-based scholarships that cover a majority of the costs, thus reducing the overall cost of studying in USA. Here is a list of some of the popular scholarships in USA that you can apply for as an Indian student.

• Tata Scholarship for Cornell University
• Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
• Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
• Fulbright – Nehru Fellowships
• International Education Financial Aid
• AAUW International Fellowships
• Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship

The USA has been a top study destination for decades, with thousands of students from around the globe choosing to study the different academic disciplines and interdisciplinary degree programmes on offer. Moreover, the US has been a top study destination as a result of its reputation for making people’s dreams come true. However, if you choose to study in USA then you must make significant financial decisions to ensure you can cover the cost of studying at one of the world’s best study destinations. 

From planning the cost of travel, visa and university fees, and the accommodation and living expenses to acquiring scholarships and financial aid, several factors need to be considered when budgeting for your journey to study abroad. Connect with AECC counsellors to get expert advice and guidance in planning your finances for your higher studies in USA.