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Cost of Studying in the U.S. for International Students

If you are an international student who has decided to do your post-secondary education in the U.S., congratulations! Studying abroad comes with many benefits that go beyond just getting an education. You get a chance to experience a different culture, learn how to navigate living in a new country, and become more attractive to employers who value life and world experience. However, the cost of studying in the U.S. for international students is not to be taken lightly. 

While you should not let the cost of studying in the U.S. limit you or hold you back, you need to be aware of how much it will cost you to travel to and live in the U.S. while studying there. Most importantly, you must understand that many expenses go above and beyond your tuition. With this in mind, here are the factors that go into the cost of studying in the U.S. for international students.

International Student Tuition Cost

Since tuition is the first thing many people think about when considering the cost of going to university, let’s cover this first. For international students in the U.S., the cost total of attendance is high – much higher than it is for domestic students. Generally, attending school in the U.S will cost between US$10,000 and US$55,000 per year. However, the actual cost will depend on where you study and the type of program you enroll in. With this in mind, here is a breakdown of the costs:

• Community college – between US$6,000 and US$20,000 per year
• Bachelor’s degree – between US$20,000 and US$40,000 per year
• Master’s degree – between US$20,000 and US$45,000 per year
• Doctoral degree – between US$28,000 and US$55,000 per year

Remember that the cost of a master’s degree in the U.S. for international students will depend on what you are studying. An MBA can be more expensive than a master’s degree in another discipline. In addition, if you are studying in a professional degree program, such as medicine, law, or engineering, you may face much higher tuition than you would if you were studying education or humanities.

It is also essential to keep in mind that the cost varies between schools. Some community colleges and universities are less expensive than others for a comparable program. This difference is affected by factors such as the school’s location and level of prestige.

Travel Costs

When considering the cost of studying in the U.S. for international students, you need to consider the cost of travel. After all, if you can’t get to the U.S. from your home country, nothing else matters. This means factoring in the cost of your:

• Plane ticket
• Other modes of travel once you reach the U.S.
• Travel insurance
• Passport
• Luggage

You will also need to have enough money available to travel home during the school year, or  at the very least, to travel home in the summer if you choose to –, or to travel home in the case of an emergency.

U.S. Student Visa Costs

You will need to apply for and be granted a U.S. student visa to study in the U.S. as an international student. While this is not terribly expensive, you should factor the cost into your overall costs. The cost of an international student visa in the U.S. depends on your visa type. The application fee is US$160. Then, the cost of the visa is as follows:

• F student visa – This is the visa you will need to study full-time at a post-secondary institution, and the application costs US$510.
• M student visa – This is the visa you will need for non-academic or vocational studies in the U.S., and it costs US$160.
• J student visa – This is the visa you will need if you are an exchange visitor in the U.S., and it costs US$160.

Textbooks and Miscellaneous Fees

In addition to the tuition you will have to pay each year, you will need to have money available to buy the textbooks and pay any additional fees you might owe throughout the school year. The average cost of books and fees is US$500 to US$1,000 per year. Again, this depends on the school you are going to and your program of study.

Cost of Student Housing and Accommodations

The next thing you need to consider is the cost of your accommodations while living in the U.S. There are several accommodation options to consider. You might want to live on campus to be fully immersed in the university or college experience. You might want to live off campus to immerse yourself in the local community. You may also opt for the most inexpensive accommodation possible to make the most of your finances.

With all of this in mind, here are the average costs of the various accommodation options:

• Campus housing – US$800 to US$900 per month
• Homestay (living with a host family) – US$600 to US$2,000 per month
• Rental – US$300 to US$3,000+ per month

These costs are a rough average. The cost of accommodations will depend on many factors, the most significant of which is your location. Some cities are more expensive to live in than others. The cost of renting an apartment will also depend on whether you are renting it on your own or you have roommates, and it may come furnished or unfurnished. If it is unfurnished, you will need to buy furniture, so you’ll need to factor that into your budget.

Cost of Living

International students’ total cost of studying in the U.S. includes the daily cost of living. This means your food, utilities, internet, and transportation costs. If you choose to live on campus, most (if not all) of these expenses will be included in your residence fees. In most cases, you can pay for a meal plan at your university, which will cost on average between US$150 and US$350 per month, depending on the school and the type of meal plan you get.

If you are living off campus and in a homestay situation, you will again have most of these living expenses included in your monthly rent. You may just pay basic rent and take responsibility for your own food costs, or you may pay more in rent and eat meals with your host family.

If you choose to rent an apartment on your own or with roommates off campus, you will be responsible for all your living expenses. You may find student rentals that include utilities (heat, electricity, water), and some even include internet and cable. If not, you will be responsible for paying for them on your own and your food. If you live with roommates, you will likely split your utility, internet, and cable costs.

Living off campus also means you may have transportation costs to consider. You can walk or bike to school if you live close to campus. If not, you will need to pay for public transportation. You will also need to pay for transportation when you get groceries or do other things in the city.

With the above in mind, here is the average cost of the various living expenses in the U.S.:

• Food – US$2,500 per year
• Electricity – US$50 to US$100 per month
• Heat – US$50 to US$100 per month
• Internet – US$45 to US$50 per month
• Water/sewer/garbage – US$50 to US$75 per month
• Transportation – US$20 to US$100+ per month

Again, these costs are average and vary depending on where you live. For example, you will pay more for a monthly bus pass in New York City than in Los Angeles or Chicago.

Health Insurance

As an international student in the U.S., you will need health insurance because medical care is expensive. You could face thousands of dollars in medical bills if you get sick or injured. Health insurance for international students will ensure you are covered and can rest assured you can get the care you need without having to choose between that and your education.

When you come into the country on a J visa, you will be required by law to get health insurance. If you come in on an F or M student visa, U.S. law does not require you to have health insurance, but your university or college might. Either way, you should have it for your own protection and peace of mind.

Many universities and colleges offer health insurance to their students. If you go this route, you are looking at an average cost of US$700 and US$1,000 per school year. The price will vary if you go with a private insurer, but averages between US$30 and US$140 per month.

Miscellaneous Costs

While we have covered the major costs of studying in the U.S., it is important to remember that there will be costs that come up that aren’t included here. You might want to mail home gifts to your family and friends. You might want to eat out, go to a movie every once in a while, do some sightseeing, or travel within the U.S. You might need to buy clothing or shoes while you are away (think: buying a winter coat and boots or season-appropriate clothing).

Whatever the case, it is wise to set aside at least US$2,000 for miscellaneous expenses. After all, you don’t want to miss out on opportunities because you can afford them, and you don’t want to go without the additional items you need to live comfortably.

Ways to Cover the Cost of Studying in the U.S. for International Students

With so many expenses associated with studying in the U.S., it is essential to consider how you will comfortably cover them all. Fortunately, there are options. These include:

• Savings – If you have money saved up, you can use this toward your expenses.
• Family help – You may have family who can help you pay for your education in the U.S.
• Grants and scholarships – There are grants and scholarships available to international students. Check with your university or college for more information.
• International student loans – There are several loan options for international students, including cosigner and no-cosigner loans.
• Work income – While studying in the U.S. on a student visa, you may be permitted to work to help cover the cost of living, depending on your visa status. If allowed, you can usually work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during the summer.

It Is Possible to Cover the Cost of Studying in the U.S. for International Students

While this might seem like a lot, it is possible to manage the costs of studying in the U.S.. The key is to plan, determine the specific costs associated with the school you are attending and the city where you are going to school, and then budget accordingly. With so many financing options available, there is a way to make it happen.

Always remember that your university is there to help. The international student office has numerous resources and can help you find financing and accommodations. This way, you can be sure you have what you need to pay for your international educational experience and make the most out of studying abroad.