As one of the most diverse multicultural societies in the world, the United States has grown into a bustling, cosmopolitan country with a mixed population of many different cultures. The country is becoming the world’s largest economy and has invested its major resources in upgrading the skills of its workforce. Are you planning to study in the USA , but don’t know how much it will cost? In this blog, we will look at the cost of studying in the US for Indian students. Moreover, the blog also lists the cost of living in the US for students, ranging from tuition fees to living expenses, which you should be aware of before applying to a university in the country.
Tuition fees in the USA
To calculate the cost of studying in the US for Indian students, there are some important things to consider when considering moving to study abroad . These prerequisites include
- Tuition fees for your chosen course
- Living expenses
- Cost of food
- Travel expenses
- Other expenses such as books, entertainment, clothing, vacations, etc.
Below we have provided the average annual cost of completing a UG degree at various US universities:
| Community college | US$17,930 (INR 1,340,358) |
| Private university | US$52,500 (INR 3,924,640) |
| State University | US$41,950 (INR 3,135,974) |
Let’s now look at the average annual PG costs:
| Private university | US$41,000 (INR 3,064,957) |
| State University | US$25,000 (INR 1868876) |
To help cover these expenses and the cost of living in the US, international students also have the opportunity to work part-time for 20 hours per week, and scholarship students may also have the opportunity to apply for a research assistant position. This assistantship comes with a stipend that will complement your CV and also provide you with extra pocket money. Let’s take a look at the different factors you need to consider to get an idea of the cost of living, as well as the average tuition fees you should be willing to pay to help you sort it out.
Read also: MBA in the USA without GMAT
Cost of studying at a US university for international students
The cost of studying in the US for Indian students largely depends on the type of university you want to attend. So, if we compare the costs of attending a public university such as Georgia Tech or the University of California, the expected costs may be different compared to the costs of attending a private institution such as Harvard University or the University of California. Stanford University , you must be prepared to shell out a large amount of money. So, to find out the average cost of tuition at various universities, we have compiled a list of the highest fees at US universities for international students, according to data provided by US News.
| establishment | QS World University Rankings 2024 | Average Tuition Cost (Approximately) |
| Princeton University | #=17 | US$52,000 (INR 37.24,000) |
| Harvard University | #4 | US$52,000 (INR 37.24,000) |
| Columbia University | #23 | US$62,000 (INR 45,83,000) |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | #1 | US$54,000 (INR 38.67,000) |
| Yale | #16 | US$55,000 (INR 39.38,000) |
| Stanford University | #5 | US$54,000 (INR 38.67,000) |
| University of Chicago | #11 | US$60,000 (INR 42,96,000) |
| University of Pennsylvania | #12 | US$58,000 (INR 41,53,000) |
| Northwestern University | #=47 | US$57,000 (INR 40.81,000) |
Read also: 1-year advanced training courses in the USA
Cost depending on course type
The course you choose is an important criterion for determining the average cost of studying and living in the US. So, if you go for an MBA from Harvard Business School, then you will have to spend approximately US$74,000 (INR 53,00,000) on tuition as per the annual tuition fee published by Harvard Business School. But if you are opting for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an institution like Caltech, then you will have to spend approximately USD 45,000 (INR 32,27,000) on the basis of being an international student as per Caltech.
Cost depending on city of residence
One of the main factors affecting the cost of living in the US depends on the state or location in which you plan to study. If you are moving to cities like New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, Boston, Massachusetts, Washington, Oakland, then San Jose or San Diego will increase your cost of living. But at the same time, you can apply for scholarships or fellowships as per the respective universities or courses to qualify for financial assistance which will further help you balance your expenses.
Cost of a US student visa
US Student Visa Cost For international students who need to obtain an I-20 visa, they must pay a visa fee, which costs $350. The F1 visa applies to students studying a full-time course of study, such as an undergraduate or graduate degree, that involves more than 18 hours of study per week.
In addition, students will also have to pay a visa fee. This is in case your visa is approved. However, Indian students do not have to pay for this.
Cost of living in the USA for international students
Tuition is the biggest expense in the US, but on top of that, students also have to bear the cost of living in the US. All international students must cover expenses such as travel, accommodation, health insurance and other expenses such as books, leisure and telephone costs. Monthly expenses for international students can range from US$1,000 to US$4,000 [INR 73,500 – 2,93,500].
When it comes to calculating the cost of living in the US, if you are considering living on your own in a rented apartment in a place like Los Angeles, it could cost you around INR 1,50,000 per month. If you add other expenses like basic utilities, transport and food, then you will be spending an average of INR 4,10,000 every month, excluding school fees, if your current lifestyle costs you INR 1,10,000 per Delhi, NCR, according to NUMBEO.
The monthly cost of living in the US is around US$700–1000 (INR 52,328–74,755), which translates to US$10,000–12,000 (INR 747,550–897,060) per year. The price includes accommodation, meals in the room, travel, textbooks and other additional needs. Let’s look at the breakdown of the charges:
- Accommodation costs around US$5000–7000 (INR 373,775–523,285) per year.
- Rent for off-campus housing is around $300-$400 per month.
- The cost of food is estimated to be around US$2,500 (INR 186,887) per year.
- US travel costs range from US$300 to US$700 (INR 22,426 – 52,328) depending on location.
- Textbooks and study materials cost around US$500-1000 (INR 37377-74755) per year.
- Other expenses will be around US$2,000 (INR 149,510) per year.
The cost of living in the US for international students tends to be high due to students from all over the world planning to continue their studies in the US. However, the cost also varies depending on the location chosen. For example, if the university is located in a city like New York, the cost of living for students is very high. Whereas, on the contrary, for universities located in suburban areas, be it Ohio or Indiana, the cost of living is significantly lower.
Read also: Popular admission programs in the USA
Accommodation
Next up when calculating the cost of living in the US for international students is accommodation. Most American universities offer on-campus housing to international students, which is a cheaper option. You can also live in an apartment near your college. Accommodation costs range from US$6,000 to US$12,000 [INR 4,40,000 to 8,80,000] per annum. International students may also choose options such as homestays or living with local guardians or relatives if they live close to campus to reduce costs.
Medical insurance
Health insurance is a vital expense that needs to be covered. Most universities provide health insurance plans to international students, while others expect students to seek out their own insurance plans. The average cost of health insurance for students is between US$1,500 and US$2,500 (INR 1,10,000 and INR 1,83,000) per year.
Transportation
International students rely on public transport to get around and travel, so the monthly cost of travel ranges from US$40 to US$100 (INR 3,000 to 7,500) depending on where you live and the distance traveled.
Other significant expenses
The cost of living for students in the US includes other expenses such as food, clothing, books, office supplies and other expenses that international students must cover. The cost of these items also varies depending on the person and city. The annual cost of these items can range from US$5,000 to US$6,000 (INR 3,66,638 to INR 4,40,000) or more.
Additional costs
Now the costs assessed above are the costs of running a general life. However, costs may increase due to certain additional costs, which include:
- Travel expenses from India to USA and vice versa during holidays.
- Shopping such as car rentals or other essentials.
- Medical expenses that are not covered by health insurance, such as dental exams, vision tests, and cosmetic procedures.
- Entertainment, social events, weekend trips
Student visa and application costs
International students must apply for a student visa after receiving their acceptance letter. Once you have been accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved college, you are required to register with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and pay the fees i.e. USD 350 (INR 25,664). International students must then apply for a student visa and pay a fee of US$160 (INR 11,732).
Cities with the highest and lowest living costs in the US
If a student plans to continue studying in the US, he/she should know the cities with the lowest living costs and the cities with significantly higher living costs. Below we have listed some US cities with an average cost of living:
- Michigan
- New Mexico
- Georgia
- Kanas
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
Now let’s look at some of the most expensive cities in the US:
- San Francisco, California
- New York, New York
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Washington
- Boston, Massachusetts
Tuition fees in the United States by course
US universities offer a wide range of academic opportunities. The course below is based on US tuition fees.
- Business and management
- Engineering and Technology
- Law
- humanities
- Marine Biology and Life Sciences
- Mathematics and computer science
- Medicine
- Social Sciences
Cost of living in the USA for international students by city
| City in USA | Average annual cost |
| Boston | 23 thousand US dollars |
| New York | 22 thousand US dollars |
| San Francisco | 21 thousand US dollars |
| Chicago | 21 thousand US dollars |
| Los Angeles | 20 thousand US dollars |
Calculate the cost of living in the US with Leverage Edu
A plan to obtain higher education abroad always comes with the thought of how much it will cost to study, as well as living expenses. You can easily check your program’s tuition fees and manage your finances, but calculating other expenses is not an easy task. So we’ve developed a one-of-a-kind cost of living calculator that will estimate your cost of living in the US and other countries. When calculating the cost of living, our calculator takes into account a wide range of parameters such as accommodation, transportation, food, as well as other essentials. It offers a variety of options and options for you to explore and calculate the estimated cost of living in your dream study destination!
Cost of Living Calculator
Average cost of living in the USA for one person
To give you a more complete and detailed idea, we have presented the cost of living in the US compared to the Indian capital Delhi. Take a look at all the big and small expenses from Numbeo .
Credits: NumbeoCredits: NumbeoCredits: Numbeo
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do US colleges offer student housing?
Yes, most American institutions provide on-campus housing options for their students. The cost of student housing in the US can range from $9,800 to $14,400.
How many days will it take to get admitted into the US?
Applications to US schools take six to eight weeks to process. Universities contact selected applicants to inform them of their selection and next steps in the admissions process.
Is USA expensive for Indian students?
The US can be an expensive country for international students to study in. However, world-class education and high-paying job opportunities offset the high cost of education.
So, it’s all about the cost of studying in the USA. Many Indian students dream of studying abroad because of the opportunities and career advancement they offer. Consider joining a free consultation with Leverage Edu if you are planning to study abroad .
