Cost of Living in USA for International Students
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The USA is a popular study destination among international students because of its flexible education system, vibrant campus life, academic excellence, cultural diversity, and availability of numerous job opportunities. Along with so many plus points, studying in the US for international students is expensive and so are the living costs. The estimated cost of living in the USA for international students is around USD 10,000 to USD 25,000 per year, which averages around USD 1,000 to USD 2,000 per month.
The living expenses in USA include your accommodation costs, room, and board, food, travel, textbooks, weather-appropriate clothing, and entertainment expenses as well. There are also personal and miscellaneous expenses which are covered within the costs of living in the USA. This article aims to throw light on the various aspects of living costs in the USA keeping international students in focus and their choice of types of USA universities of study.
Estimated Cost of Living in the USA 2024
The table given below specifies the estimated student cost of living in the USA that is based on different expenses.
| Expenses in USA |
Average Yearly / Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Books and study material |
USD 900 - USD 2,000 per year |
| Travel |
USD 300 - USD 700 per year |
| Accommodation |
USD 9,800 - USD 11,100 per year |
| Electricity |
USD 100 - USD 150 per month |
| Food |
On campus: USD 250 per month Off-campus: USD 400 - USD 600 per month |
| Phone subscription |
USD 50 per month |
| Home Internet |
USD 45 - USD 50 per month |
| Health Insurance |
USD 700 - USD 1,100 per year |
| Clothes |
USD 500 per year |
| Water, Trash and Sewer |
USD 50 - USD 75 per month |
Note: These amounts will differ from state to state within the US. On average, the cost of Indian food in the USA is around USD 350 - USD 400 for one person.
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Average Cost of Living in the USA for One Person
The table given below is based on the data of College Board, Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2021. Undergraduate students can gauge the average tuition and other annual costs based on different types of sectors:
| Sector |
Tuition and Fees |
Room and Board |
|---|---|---|
| Public Two-Year In-District |
USD 3,800 |
USD 9,330 |
| Public Four-Year In-State |
USD 10,740 |
USD 11,950 |
| Public Four-Year Out-of-State |
USD 27,560 |
USD 11,950 |
| Private Non-profit Four-Year |
USD 38,070 |
USD 13,620 |
Living Expenses in the USA for the Different States
The living cost in the USA for Indian students depends on the areas in which they decide to stay. For instance, if students are living in big cities like New York, Boston, or San Francisco, then the cost of living in the USA for students shall be much higher than the sub-urban cities like Seattle, Texas, New Orleans, and others. Let us check the average cost of living in the USA for urban and sub-urban states for international students.
| Big Cities in the USA |
Average monthly expenses in the USA |
|---|---|
| New York |
USD 3,300 |
| California |
USD 4,000 |
| Boston |
USD 3,316 |
| San Francisco |
USD 4,000 |
| Suburban Cities of USA |
Average monthly expenses in USA |
| Atlanta |
USD 2,200 |
| New Orleans |
USD 2,000 |
| Philadelphia |
USD 1,300 |
| Seattle |
USD 2,500 |
| Texas |
USD 2,000 |
| Illinois |
USD 1,470 |
Students aiming to study in any of the above-given cities of the USA will have to bear the consequent costs of living as well. The cost of living in the USA for Indian students will additionally be calculated with the course they've opted for. Those pursuing an undergrad course in the USA will have to bear more living costs in the USA whereas bearing expenditures to land in USA for master's will vary with each university, but costs will be lower in comparison to undergraduate courses.
Read More: Most Expensive Cities in The World for Study Abroad
Housing Accommodation Costs in USA
| Housing Accommodation Options in USA |
Average monthly / yearly cost |
|---|---|
| On-campus stay |
Private colleges: USD 1,100 yearly Public colleges: USD 9,800 yearly |
| Off-campus stay |
Sharing: USD 450 per month One-bedroom apartment in rural states: USD 500 per month One-bedroom apartment in urban states: USD 3,500 per month |
Additional Living Expenses in the USA
Students should be able to meet the following costs when they are studying in the US. Costs may increase by about 6 to 9% per year due to inflation and external factors. As per the report “College Tuition Inflation Rate” by EducationData.Org, the annual inflation rate in the US (in higher education) stood at 8%. It is advised to keep USD 2,000 for additional living expenses in the USA. The additional living expenses in the USA can include the following things:
- Travel expenses between India and US during vacation time
- Large purchases, such as PC, furniture, or even a rental car etc.
- Medical expenses not covered by health insurance, e.g. dental care, eye care, cosmetic treatments
- Additional summer expenses - room and board, grocery costs for the summer months you stay on in the US when classes are not being held
- Additional expenses such as off-campus transportation
- Entertainment, social outings, weekend trips
Applicants must ensure that they cover the hidden charges also and can manage their expenses based on their spending capacities in the USA.
Also Read:
Cost of Living in USA for Students FAQs
Q. What is the average cost of living in USA for international students?
A. The monthly expenses in USA for international students will be around $1,000 to $1,500. However expenses are usually miscellaneous and depends upon the applicants on a case by case basis. Some may need more expenditure to live in USA while the others may manage in bare minimum also. Thus, applicants must plan ahead of travelling to USA for higher education and also while calculating the costs of studying and living in USA.
Q. Which states in the US that have the highest monthly cost of living for Indian students?
A. New York, California, Maryland, New Jersey, etc are some of the states in the US that have the highest monthly expenses in USA. These are metropolitan cities and have higher costs of living in USA on the whole. Some cost analysis is given in the table below:
| US Cities | Living Costs (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| New York | USD 11,000 - USD 12,000 |
| California | USD 4,000 - USD 5,000 |
| Maryland | USD 9,000 - USD 10,000 |
| New jersey | USD 11,000 - USD 12,000 |
The costs are subject to change and applicants are suggested to check for the costs before they proceed for admission to USA.
Q. Is the housing and accommodation living cost in USA for international students expensive?
A. The housing and accommodation living cost in USA for international students is $9,800-$11,000 per year for an on-campus stay and $3,500 per month for an off-campus stay. Thus, yes, for those who are staying off-campus may have to bear additional and extra costs but those living on-campus will have to pay one time yearly fee which includes all major amenties and expenses are more or less included. Thus, if getting an option for on-campus, international students must take it up.
Q. Is it expensive to live in the US?
A. Yes, the US is one of the most expensive countries to live for international students. However, to reduce the cost of living, students can do part-time jobs. The cost of living in the US will also depend on the state where a student lives. Living in USA is expensive but again depends person to person. Thus, applicants must keep an upper calculation in rouded figure so that if they have to spend extra they are prepared for it.
Q. Which are the most affordable universities in the US to study for international students?
A. Some of the most affordable universities in the US for international students as per U.S. News & World Report are:
- Brigham Young University – Provo
- Nicholls State University
- South Dakota State University
Q. How much does it cost to live in the US as a foreign student?
A. To give an estimat, the cost of living in the USA for international students varies around USD 10,000 to USD 25,000 per year, which averages around USD 1,000 to USD 2,000 per month. These costs may vary based on the US state of study as well.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: Is Texas Wesleyan hard to get into?
As per the US News and World Report, Texas Wesleyan University acceptance rate is 58%. This shows that the university's admission process is relatively selective. Therefore, some students may find it harder to get into the university. Also, international students are advised to check the minimum eligibility for their courses before applying. Please note that the data on the acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.
Q: Can I get into Oregon State with a 3.5 GPA?
International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:
| Program | Minimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
| Graduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
Read about the Grading System in the USA
Q: How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: What is the decent score required on the ACT test to get a good university in the USA?
The definition of a good ACT score varies from university to country. However, to get into the top 100 universities, you must aim for a score higher than 31 on the ACT.
Q: Can the ACT test taken outside of the USA?
Yes, considering the different goals of its test takers, ACT Inc. conducts the ACT test in the popular cities of as many countries as it can.
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
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Hello. Kindly elaborate your question. In case if you are looking for part-time work in the US, please refer to this article: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/10-popular-part-time-campus-jobs-for-students-in-the-us-articlepage-54
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Please refer to this list of college from this link: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/usa/ms-colleges-dc
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