Cost of Studying in the USA for International Students

The cost of studying in the US is a major concern for international students. The studying cost in the US and the living cost in the US are major factors that determine whether the United States of America (USA) is a feasible destination for higher studies. The tuition fee for the USA varies according to the different universities, courses, and cities within a country. The average tuition fee is somewhere around  USD 50,000 annually for top colleges in the US. Also, the cost fluctuates while pursuing different courses.

For example, pursuing an MBA is costlier than pursuing an Arts degree. The average cost of pursuing an MBA can be around USD 70,000 while for an Arts degree, it can be around USD 35,000. Colleges in the US, which offer undergraduate programs that are for a longer duration, could cost students more than the usual one year of postgraduate study; however, the tuition fee is not to be taken as a yardstick for the quality of education being provided in the institution. Moreover, students who want to study in the US should remember that tuition fees for government-funded institutions are much lower than for private universities.

Cost of Studying in the US

The following data reveals the recent cost of studying in the US:

• According to the College Tuition Inflation Rate Report, published by EducationData, the annual inflation rate for higher education institutions in the US stood at 8%
• National Center for Education Statistics data reveals that the average fee for a 4-year program in a private non-profit academic institution was USD 41,540 for 2023-24
• For 2023-24, 1-year cost of an undergraduate program at Harvard University was USD 84,413. 

(Source: Trends in College Pricing 2023 by CollegeBoard)

Also read about: FAFSA for Indian Students

Cost of Popular Courses in the US

The top universities in the US are Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, and Stanford University. Most of the country's best colleges are in cities like Boston, New York, Cambridge, Old Saybrook, and New Haven. The more urbanized the place is, the costlier it will be to live.

Business Management, Computer Science, Finance and Accounting, Economics, and Communications/Media are popular courses that Indian students pursue in the US. The cost of studying in the US in a full-time course for the following courses per annum is as follows:

• MBA courses in the US cost INR 59.93 lakhs.
• The cost of studying for a full-time MS in the US is 16.2 Lakhs, and
• The cost of studying a full-time BE/ B. Tech course in the US is INR 47.08 lakhs.

(Source: Shiksha Study Abroad)

Average Cost of Living in the US

The expenses to studying in the USA can be broken down into living, food and studying expenses. The tuition fees for a particular country form one major chunk of the expenditure, the other is the living cost while in the country. It goes without saying that students who live in the city would be shelling out more money than students who choose to stay in the suburban part of the country. On average, a student spends approximately USD 15,000–USD 20,000 per year on living expenses while studying in the US. However, this amount entirely depends on the location where a student inhabits. If a student decides to reside in a metropolitan city, he would be spending more than a student who opts for a hostel or suburban accommodation.

Cost of Living in the US - the average cost of living in the USA generally includes the following expenses:

• • Accommodation
  • Room and board
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Textbooks
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Entertainment
  • Personal and miscellaneous expenses

Other expenses that are taken into consideration under living expenses include:

• Travel expenses between India and the country of choice during vacation time
• Large purchases, such as a PC, furniture, or even a rental car
• Medical expenses which are not covered by health insurance, e.g. dental care, eye care, cosmetic treatments
• Social outings
• Weekend trips
• Variable expenses.

Keeping these factors in mind, we have gathered an all-inclusive average living expenses index for students wanting to travel abroad. Students from India can expect to shell out around INR 8.85 Lakhs per annum to cover their living and meal expenses while studying in the US. Plus, student visa fees for USA from India applying for undergraduate courses in rupees is 13,056.

USA Education Loan

Many times, studying in the US could prove to be an expensive affair. The biggest challenge one always faces in studying in the USA is arranging for funds for studying in the US. Although, there are many financial aid opportunities available for students who want to study in the USA, along with scholarships and grants that can help you with funding your studies, getting financial aid is not as easy as it sounds. 

The cost of living and studying in a country like the USA can be exorbitant and not everyone can afford it. However, the aspiration to study abroad and make it big in life always drives you to overcome these hurdles. Arranging funds is one of the most crucial parts of the whole exercise. Various banks have understood this scenario and resolved the complexity of financing higher education by providing education loans for studying in the US.

There are several banks and financial institutions that are willing to provide education loans for study abroad a student’s education abroad. Education loans are a huge investment for any student and it is important to know the terms and conditions before applying. Some banks offer student loans at competitive rates and provide students with a range of benefits such as flexible repayment options and low-interest rates. Candidates would be required to adhere to their guidelines, to be successfully considered for a student loan for study abroad. Candidates looking to study in the US, with the help of an education loan, need to provide financial institutions and banks with documents and security against their loan amount.