Cost of Living in USA for International Students 2025
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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 2025
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:
| Expense Head for Out-of-State Applicants |
Tuition Fees |
Housing & Accommodation Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Public Four-Year Institutions in USA |
USD 30,780 |
USD 13,310 |
| Private Non-profit Four-Year Institutions in USA |
USD 43,350 |
USD 15,250 |
The cost of studying in USA is an equally important factor when factoring in the cost of living expenses in USA.
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.
Check out: The Best STudent Cities in USA for Studying
Housing Accommodation Costs in USA
On-campus accommodations in USA will usually be affordable in comparison to the off campus accommodation, check out the difference below:
| 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 |
It is essential that applicants understand the living expenses in USA before applying to US universities. They must check out the on-campus accommodation options along with the off campus accommodation options and whichever is a more feasible option, they can consider that.
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.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
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: 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 are the requirements for admission into Purdue?
Purdue University application must have the following components:
Undergraduate Admissions
- The application itself
- Purdue-specific questions from the application
- Self-reported high-school grades
- Self-reported SAT or ACT scores (if applicable)
- Application fee
Steps to apply for Purdue University Undergraduate Courses
- First of all, complete and submit a Common application as per the Purdue University application deadlines
- Make sure that Purdue University receives all material required to complete the application
Graduate Admissions Steps
- Firstly, check Purdue University entry requirements
- Then, create an application account to start the application
- Choose the campus and course as per the preference
- Then, submit the results of the tests needed for the graduate program
- Prepare the additional documents based on the graduate program
- Lastly, pay the non-refundable application fee to submit the application. Purdue University graduate application fee is USD 75 for international applicants
Q: Which is better, UIC (University of Illinois Chicago) or NIU (Northern Illinois University)?
As per an unofficial source, the University of Illinois Chicago ranked at #80 among national universities which is better than the NIU ranking at #273 position. The UIC is also exceeding in terms of graduation rates and easier selection than NIU. However, the tuition cost is more affordable at Northern Illinois University as compared to UIC. Students can get more clarity from the comparison table given below:
Particulars | University of Illinois Chicago | Northern Illinois University |
|---|---|---|
US News National Rankings 2024 | #80 | #273 |
Acceptance Rate | 79% | 70% |
Graduation Rate | 40% | 33% |
Tuition Cost | UG: INR 22L-INR 49L PG: INR 13L-INR 37L | UG: INR 10L-INR 16.5L PG: INR 8L-INR 45L |
Student-faculty ratio | 17:1 | 14:1 |
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: What GPA do I need to get into Northwest Missouri state?
Northwest Missouri State University expects a cumulative GPA of 2 for UG programs and 3 for PG programs on a scale of 4. GPA is one of the top factors when considering students for university admissions. Along with GPA, the university expects a student to provide high school transcripts from previously attended university or school, standardized test scores, English language proficiency test scores, and more. In addition, students with relevant experience in the chosen field are preferred over the studious students.
Q: How much does it cost to attend the University of South Dakota?
The USD provides over 200 undergraduates and 80 master's programs in specializations such as Business Analytics, Business Administration, Accountancy, Computer Science, Mathematics, and more. The University of South Dakota tuition fees for international students range between INR 6L and INR 21L for graduates and around INR 10L for undergraduates. Students can check the table below for the tuition cost of the popular courses at the university:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
MBA/PGDM (4 courses) | INR 10 L - 12 L |
MS (10 courses) | INR 9 L - 18 L |
BSN (1 course) | INR 11 L |
MIM (3 courses) | INR 10 L - 12 L |
BSc (30 courses) | INR 11 L |
BBA (14 courses) | INR 11 L |
BA (18 courses) | INR 11 L |
BE / BTech (4 courses) | INR 11 L |
MA (19 courses) | INR 10 L - 21 L |
PG Certificate (10 courses) | INR 7 L |
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.
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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.