Table of Contents
- Cost of study at top US universities
- Cost of study in US for popular courses
- Cost of living in the US
- Pre-admission costs to study in US
- Cost of a US student visa
- Top funding options to study in the US
- Frequently asked questions
By 2023, more than 2 Lakh Indian students study in the US, representing more than 20% of the total international students in the country. Studying in the US is a smart choice, given the quality of academics and life in general. Before you board your plane, it is important to check the cost of studying in the US to make a financial plan for your expenses.
The costs incurred to study in the US include academic and living expenses, and it is highly dependent on your financial planning. Here we shed light on the cost of study for an international student in the US to help you make better financial decisions.
Cost of study at top US universities
The cost of the study is different for each US university for multiple reasons, such as state or private ownership, location, etc. The following table presents the estimated cost of study for international students in top US universities:
| University | Cost of attendance for international students |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 83,000 – 85,000 USD |
| Harvard University | 92,000 – 95,000 USD |
| Stanford University | 105,000 – 108,000 USD |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 74,000 – 75,000 USD |
| University of Chicago | 85,000 – 89,000 USD |
| University of Pennsylvania | 85,000 – 88,000 USD |
| Cornell University | 85,000 – 88,000 USD |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 87,000 – 90,000 USD |
| Yale University | 85,000 – 87,000 USD |
| Princeton University | 76,000 – 78,000 USD |
Cost of study in the US for popular courses
One major factor influencing your cost of study in the US is your course. In general, the following are the fees for international students in the US for different courses:
| Course | Yearly fees for international students |
| Engineering | 75,000 USD onwards |
| MBA | 45,000 USD onwards |
| Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences | 35,000 USD onwards |
| Law | 38,000 USD onwards |
| Medicine | 92,000 USD onwards |
Cost of living in the US
The cost of living for an international student in the US varies depending on the region of your study. While cities like New York, Los Angeles, Washington, etc., are high-cost cities, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, etc., are comparatively affordable for international students.
See the table for details on how much will be your monthly average expense in the US:
| Category | Average yearly expense |
| Food | 7,000 USD |
| Accommodation | 17,000 – 21,000 USD |
| Travel | 1,200 – 2,000 USD |
| Internet | 500 – 600 USD |
| Grocery | 6,000 USD |
| Books & Stationaries | 800 – 2,000 USD |
| Utilities – water, gas, sewage | 900 – 1,200 USD |
| Entertainment | 2,000 – 3,000 USD |
| Total (approximate) | 40,000 USD |
Pre-admission costs to study in the US
The pre-admission costs for international students in the US include exam fees, airfare, visa charges, etc. The average Economy class airfare from New Delhi to New York ranges from INR 40,000 – 1,00,000, according to various flight operators.
Details of the fees for various entrance exams are given below:
| Entrance test | Fees in USD |
| IELTS | 195 USD (INR 16,250) |
| TOEFL | 203 USD (INR 16,900) |
| GRE | 270 USD (INR 22,550) |
| GMAT | 273 USD (INR 22,800) |
| PTE | 190 USD (INR 15,900) |
| Duolingo | 48 USD (INR 4,020) |
Cost of a US student visa
To obtain a US student visa, you have to go through multiple stages of application and pay the fees whenever required. The following are the important fees you need to pay to get a US student visa:
- SEVIS fee: 350 USD
- Visa application fee (DS-160): 185 USD
- Health insurance: 500 – 1,000 USD
- Application fee: 65 – 85 USD
Apart from these, you must show proof of funds which is your one-year living cost in the US, to get Form I-20. Form I-20 is a crucial document in your student visa application. The proof of funds is specified by the university according to your course of study.
Top funding options to study in the US
- Scholarships: Explore scholarship options provided by governments, NGOs, and other organizations. There are need-based and merit-based scholarships for international students. However, the competition for scholarships is usually tough as the number of applications is far higher compared to the limited number of scholarships.
- Education loans: Education loans help needy students to study abroad without the worry of financing. There are secured and unsecured education loans students can apply for, depending on their choice.
- University grants: US universities offer various grants to international students under different categories. To know your university grants, it is best to get in touch with the university concerned.
- Private student loans: In the US, international students can apply for private student loans from NGOs, financial institutions, etc. Some US universities provide information on private student loan applications for international students.
And that’s it – studying in the US can be affordable to anyone with the help of smart funding options listed above. In the globalized world, why stop yourself from studying in the US for better academic and professional exposure?
If you are new to the US admission process and US education system, familiarize yourself with a simple click – get in touch with us for guidance on US university admissions and education loan options to fund your studies.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a four-year undergraduate degree cost me in the US?
The cost of studying a four-year undergraduate degree can vary from 10,000 – 55,000 USD or more annually, depending on your personal expenses, university & course of study, etc.
What is the average tuition fee for MS in the US for Indian students?
The average cost of study for MS in the US for international students varies from 30,000 – 120,000 USD, according to your university & course of admission.
Is it mandatory to have the cost of study before applying for a US student visa?
Yes. You need to show proof of funds for the first academic year and obtain Form I-20, which is a mandatory document for the US student visa.
State or private universities, which is cheaper in the US?
If your concern is studying at a cheaper US university, you can apply to state universities. In general, state universities charge less than private universities in the US.
