Everybody dreams of studying abroad, particularly in the US. This is because US universities have world-renowned education and excellent support facilities. Their high academic standards and flexible choice of courses attract students from all around the globe. Do you want to know how much it costs to study in the USA? Let\’s get to it.
Study in the USA Cost for International Students
Although it can get expensive to study in the USA without any financial assistance, one can use the available sources of funding to make studying in American universities affordable. The living costs for most Indian students vary from $6,000 to $20,000 a year. This is when the students would reside in shared apartments, live outside the campus, and live modestly. The location that the student decides to stay in will determine the cost of living in the USA as an international student. The living costs are pretty high in states like Washington, California, and the areas around New York.
1. Tuition Fees
The fees depend on the course and university you choose to study in the USA. . One can choose to study in the low fee public universities in the US. The average college fee ranges between $5,000 to $50,000. The fee is higher for specific courses like MBA, Medical, Law, etc.
Many international students opt for stem courses like engineering, mathematics, etc. These courses include practical training and 2 years of stay back. If you want to do a Ph.D. in the USA, it will cost you between $28,000 and $40,000.
2. Cost of Undergraduate Course in the USA
Many international students go to the USA for their undergraduate studies. The undergraduate programs for international students cost about $26,290 for four years. Remember that this cost may fluctuate depending on various factors.
3. Cost of Pursuing Masters in the USA
A Master\’s Degree in the USA has an average tuition fee between $20,000 and $35,000. The fees can vary based on the course and university.
4. MBBS in the USA
Studying MBBS after the 12th is like a dream come true for medical students all around the globe. Many international students apply for MBBS degrees in the USA, given the quality of education offered. The cost to study medicine in the USA can vary from $37,556 to $62,000. Today, in-state US medical students spend an average of $37,556 to attend public school, while out-of-state residents pay an average of $62,000. Private medical schools cost an average of $60,000 annually.
5. Scholarships
International students can avail themselves of scholarships for graduate and undergraduate courses in the USA. A scholarship for MBBS in the USA can be secured from the following institutions-
- Harvard Medical School Scholarship at Harvard University
- Stanford Institutional Aid at Stanford University
- Vagelos Scholarship at Columbia University
- AHIMA Foundation Merit Scholarship at AHIMA Foundation
- AMTIE Student Scholarship at American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- Total Cost of Studying in the US
The overall cost of studying in the US depends on a lot of factors like:
- Course- How much does it cost to study the bachelor/master/Ph.D./post-doc program you chose?
- University- How much does each credit cost in the universities you are taking admission in?
- Location of university- The cost of living in the USA varies a lot with the location of your stay in different cities in the US
- Financial aid- Do you have any scholarship/financial aid for your study in the USA?
- Lifestyle- The way you spend and live in the country will determine your expenses.
- Your performance- Get a TA/RA/GA job and a decent internship in the summer for CPT, and things get easier financially.
6. Exchange rate of INR vs. USD
One also needs to consider expenses other than the ones mentioned above like student visa cost, accommodation, health coverage, and travel when estimating the cost of studying in the US. Let us look at them briefly.
7. Cost of Student Visa
There are two fees related to F1 student visa for the USA. If you are from outside the US, US$160 is paid as a student visa fee. Then there is the SEVIS fee which currently costs $350.
8. Accommodation Expenses in the USA
Students can choose from three kinds of available accommodation options: on-campus, off-campus, and host family accommodation. The off-campus accommodation cost is much less than the university\’s on-campus accommodation.
9. Transportation in the USA
Transportation is not a big issue for students who live on or near campus. Students commonly use the public transport system, either buses, cabs or trains, and it doesn\’t cost much. It is even better to get monthly passes for travelling to college and back as these can be fairly cheap.
Also, there are vehicle rental facilities available. Students can even use carpools to move from one place to another.
10. Miscellaneous Expenses
America is full of options and attractions to spend away money, making studying in the USA a bit expensive for international students. So, one has to spend thoughtfully. Then, one needs to pay the additional cost of health insurance. But one can spend less and save money by not dining outside at expensive restaurants, using pool cars or public transport for traveling, and going to the libraries to borrow books.
Conclusion
If you want to graduate from a prestigious US university or do any other post-graduate program, you need to be aware of the cost of studying in the aboard for Indian students. We have talked about it in the blog in a simple way. For more help, you can reach out to us on Immivoyage.