The cost of studying in USA for Indian students includes tuition fees, accommodation fees, student visa charges & cost for transportation, entrance tests, etc.
The cost of studying in USA for Indian students can prove to be an expensive affair given that the United States of America is one of the best countries to migrate to for higher education. Studying undergraduate programs in the US costs around 20,000-40,000 USD per year, while pursuing MS programs in the country costs around 20,000-45,000 yearly.
Institutions in the USA have some of the highest prestige associated with them, with some dating back to more than 300 years from their conception. These institutions have also been responsible for producing some of the best minds in the world. Keeping these points in mind, it's no surprise that with the high quality and standards of education comes the high cost of studying in the USA.
Some of the most popular programs that students pursue in the USA are those of business management, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), medicine and law programs. The average cost of MBA in the USA is between USD 130,000 and USD 170,000 a year at the top universities in the USA, while the average cost of MS in the USA is between USD 35,000 and USD 80,000 a year. The average cost of studying medicine in the USA amounts to between USD 50,000 and USD 65,000 a year, while the average cost of studying law in the USA amounts to between USD 35,000 and USD 45,000 a year.
No doubt, the cost to study in the USA can prove to be an expensive affair, but the right planning and budgeting can help students achieve their dreams of studying in one of the world's most advanced and accomplished countries. This article will provide an overview of the cost of studying in USA for Indian students.
The cost of studying in USA for Indian students are detailed in the table below:
| Particulars | Average Cost (in USD) |
| US Student Visa | 160 - 200 |
| Tuition Fees | 35,000 (per year) |
| Accommodation Costs | 6,000 - 14,000 (per year) |
| Living Expenses | 10,000 - 25,000 (per year) |
Tuition Fees
The first expense that students will have to consider is the cost of tuition associated with their preferred program and university. It constitutes a major part of the cost of studying in USA for Indian students. The quality of education in the USA is high, so the fees for various programs, especially professional degrees at prestigious universities like Harvard, Stanford or Yale, will be exceptionally high. Programs in humanities, arts and education are cheaper than programs in engineering, medicine and business.
Tuition fees for postgraduate programs are comparatively higher than for most other degrees, and MBA programs in the USA are the most expensive. On average, a student would have to spend USD 35,000 a year on tuition fees alone. The table below shows the tuition fees for the common programs offered by universities in the USA:
| Qualification | Tuition Fees |
| English Studies | USD 700 to USD 2,000 (monthly) |
| Associate Degrees | USD 6,000 to USD 20,000 (yearly) |
| Undergraduate Degrees | USD 20,000 to USD 40,000 (yearly) |
| Postgraduate Degrees | USD 20,000 to USD 45,000 (yearly) |
| Doctoral Degrees | USD 28,000 to USD 55,000 (yearly) |
Cost of Studying Bachelor's Programs in the USA
A full-fledged course in an American university is usually four years and consists of both online and in-person modules. Moreover, there are a few community colleges that offer a two-year undergraduate program, but most students prefer the four-year course.
It is possible to enroll in full-time UG course in universities with this two-year degree. If you want to apply to universities in the USA, you should start the process at least six to twelve months before the course begins. Below you will find domain-wise average costs of UG level programs in the USA:
|
Programs |
Average Annual Fees (in USD) |
|
Engineering (UG Level) |
$15164 - $51196 |
|
Arts (UG Level) |
$32712 - $39672 |
|
Medicine Courses (UG Level) |
$39150 - $64494 |
|
Nursing Courses (UG Level) |
$17211 - $55540 |
|
Dentistry (UG Level) |
$11442 - $77612 |
|
Law (UG Level) |
$25945 - $68112 |
|
Associate Courses (UG Level) |
$7627 - $35819 |
Cost of Studying Master's Programs in the USA
There are more than 1700 universities in the USA that offer a variety of postgraduate courses for every student's interest. Students can apply to universities across the USA with great flexibility, but they should be aware of which institutions they choose.
A number of scholarship programs and community programs are also being offered by the government to students from all over the world. Below you will find domain-wise average costs of PG level programs in the USA:
|
Programs |
Average Annual Fees (in USD) |
|
Engineering (PG Level) |
$13100 - $56304 |
|
Arts (PG Level) |
$18272 - $93358 |
|
Doctoral Degree |
$0 - $55000 |
|
MBA |
$11584 - $18000 |
|
Healthcare Courses (PG Level) |
$12750 - $19620 |
|
Nursing Courses (PG Level) |
$11442 - $84700 |
|
Law (PG Level) |
$65509 - $16344 |
Costs of General Entrance Examinations in the US
International students planning to study in the USA must also take entrance exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc., to demonstrate their proficiency in English. A majority of universities in the United States require scores from standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. Having said that, each US university has its own requirements. It is possible that some schools may also ask you to submit your GRE/GMAT scores. The following table illustrates the costs associated with entrance examinations for the USA:
|
Type of Expense |
Cost in INR |
|
TOEFL Fees (One time) |
₹14500 |
|
GRE Fees |
₹14600 |
|
IELTS Fees |
₹14700 |
|
GMAT Fees |
₹18297.5 |
|
SAT or ACT Fees |
₹ 6200 - ₹ 7000 / ₹ 7700 |
USA Student Visa Cost
Before applying for the student visa, however, a student must receive an acceptance letter from the university that they applied to - they will receive a Form I-20 from the university’s international student office. The form will serve as a document that will record your information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
There are three types of student visas issued by the US government. The type of visa issued will depend on a student’s age and the type of studies they wish to pursue in the USA. The different types of visas issued by the US government are as follows:
| Type of Visa | Purpose | Visa Fee |
| F-1 Student Visa |
|
USD 160 |
| J Exchange Visa | For Exchange Programs (in highschool and university) | USD 160 |
| M Student Visa | Non-academic or vocational training | USD 160 |
Accommodation Costs
The most affordable options for international students in the USA are the on-campus accommodation facilities. However, students have to apply for on-campus accommodation separately and should be done ahead of time as these facilities are issued on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Students can also opt for off-campus accommodation, a shared apartment with other students, renting a homestay, or living with family. Rents vary from city to city, and students will have to do their due diligence if they plan on living in rented accommodation.
On average, students spend between USD 6,000 and USD 14,000 on accommodation costs in the USA.
State-Wise Cost of Living in the United States
The average cost of living in each state differs according to factors such as population, opportunities, amenities, etc. This table below shows the annual average cost of living for an off-campus 1bhk apartment for a year in different states of the USA:
|
The Southern Part of USA |
|
|
City |
Cost in Year (Yearly) |
|
Dallas (Texas) |
$ 10944 |
|
Houston (Texas) |
$ 9876 |
|
Northern Central |
|
|
Chicago |
$ 12276 |
|
Detroit |
$ 11004 |
|
West Coast |
|
|
Los Angeles |
$ 12876 |
|
San Francisco |
$ 14988 |
|
SanDiego |
$ 11856 |
|
East Coast |
|
|
Boston |
$ 14040 |
|
Miami |
$ 12828 |
|
Atlanta |
$ 12372 |
|
Philadelphia |
$ 12516 |
|
Washington DC |
$ 13440 |
|
Newyork City |
$ 16308 |
|
Central |
|
|
New Orleans |
$ 11676 |
|
Seatlle |
$ 14100 |
Living Expenses
Students need to account separately for living expenses in the USA. The cost of living varies from city to city, and students will have to note this while budgeting for living expenses. On average, students may spend between USD 10,000 and USD 25,000 on living expenses in the USA.
The table below shows the various items that account for living expenses for a student in the USA:
| Particulars | Expenses |
| Study material and stationary | USD 500 to USD 1,000 |
| Travel expenses | USD 500 to USD 1,200 |
| Food and beverages | USD 2,500 |
| Clothing expenses | USD 500 |
| Miscellaneous expenses | USD 500 |
Health Insurance
As part of getting a student visa in the USA, students need to get medically insured before moving to the USA. Many universities and institutions in the US offer comprehensive health insurance plans for international students. However, these health insurances are valid for the term periods of the courses and expire once they are done with their programs.
If institutions don't offer an insurance plan, students will have to make their arrangements for medical insurance. Health and support services are available in plenty to Indian students in the USA. On average, students spend between USD 1,500 and USD 2,500 a year on health insurance.
Transportation Costs
Students also have to account for the various expenses related to travel and transportation. For example, it’s safe to assume that a student traveling to the USA will not have a vehicle of their own for the first time. In addition, students in the USA will have to account for short-distance travel by using public transport services like buses, trains, and metro. Therefore, students should get monthly passes for public transport facilities while in the USA.
For long-distance travel, students can use long-distance bus services, air, and rail services. On average, a student’s transportation costs will amount to between USD 500 and USD 1,000 a month.
Taxation Costs
Many students take up employment alongside their studies in the USA. Students are generally allowed to work for upto 20 hours a week during their term period and full-time during vacations. The income tax brackets vary from state to state in the USA, and students also have to account for exchange rate variations.
Having a part-time job or seeking a scholarship can greatly reduce operational and living costs while studying in the USA. In addition, students can avail themselves of financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants. However, competition for these is high, and students must be exceptional to apply.
