Cost of Study in USA for Indian Students

So you have plans to study in USA! Do you know how much funds you require to accomplish your dream as an international student? Read the blog to get the answer.

Both in terms of tuition costs and living expenses, the USA is pretty expensive. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a thorough analysis of the money required to Study in USA before deciding to do so. Let’s discuss the cost of studying in the USA in more detail.

There are two main components that make up the cost of study in USA. The first is tuition, which is the amount charged by your university to allow you to complete the chosen course. The second category is living expenses, which are the costs of staying and surviving in the country.

Tuition Fee

The cost of going to a University in the United States varies from university to university. As a result, the tuition fee you will need to pay is determined by the university you enroll in. There are two types of Universities to Study in USA – public and private. Though the facilities may be a bit less, public institutions are more affordable and are an ideal option for students on a tight budget. Private universities, on the other hand, charge more but may offer better facilities and quality of education. The tuition fee to study in USA generally ranges from USD 8,000 to USD 55,000 per year, depending on the university and course you opt for.

Living Expenses

The cost of living in the United States for overseas students ranges from $10,000 to $18,000 per year, with a monthly average spending between $1,000 and $1,500. Your living expenses are made up of a variety of expenses, including the cost of housing, food, clothing, transportation, stationery, entertainment, personal care, and so forth. Let’s talk about each factor separately.

1. Accommodation

You will need a place to live as soon as you arrive in the United States. International students have the option of living on or off campus. Since it is more economical than off-campus housing, students on a small budget should choose to reside on campus. Living on-campus is also beneficial from several other perspectives including security, convenience, time and transportation cost saving, and so on. When it comes to off-campus housing, rent differs from region to region. For instance, off-campus housing in a big city like New York and Los Angeles will be more costly than living in a suburb. By sharing the apartment or room with others, students can decrease the expense of off-campus housing. The approximate monthly rent for 1 BHK for a few US states in given in below table 

2. Food 

Your food costs in the USA will be the next primary expense after rent. The cost may vary depending on individual preferences, but the average annual requirement for students to manage their food costs is USD $25,00. Food costs can rise dramatically if the student wants to eat out frequently. However, for overseas students, cooking for themselves is a cost-effective choice. Also, the students who live on campus can find budget-friendly meal plans offered by their universities or colleges. 

3. Transport

The next expenditure relates to your method of travel. Expect to spend USD 1000 per year on average  if you choose public transport for traveling. Using a private vehicle can increase this cost and is only suitable for students with a sufficient amount of extra cash on hand. If you are living on campus, within a walking distance from classes, the transportation cost can be saved up to a great extent. 

4. Books and Stationery 

Books and stationery are necessary expenses in the life of a student. If you study in USA, you should budget between USD 800 and USD 1000 per year on books and stationery. Saving money on books and stationery can be huge if you study using used books, prefer to study online, or utilize books from the college library.

5. Personal needs

Personal needs like clothing, shoes, doctors, medicines, entertainment, phone bills etc. cannot be neglected no matter where we are. If you are in USA, these personal needs may require more money to get fulfilled. Though the money you spend on personal needs may differ from person to person, on an average, you are expected to spend around USD 3000 on personal needs. 

How to Deal With the High Costs of Study in USA

Since USA is the most expensive study abroad destination for international students, not all students who wish to study there are able to do so. Certainly, the high cost of study in USA is a cause of concern for overseas students on a tight budget; however, there are ways to lower this cost, some of which are detailed above. Aside from that, students may work part-time (if their USA student visa and university allows them) and apply for scholarships available to overseas students studying in the United States to relieve their financial stress to a level down. 

Endnote

Students from around the world prefer to study in USA because of its academic brilliance, cultural diversity, abundance of career prospects, flexible educational system, and upscale lifestyle. The goal of studying in the USA is not achieved by everyone, though. Some fail to gain a USA Student Visa and for others, the high amount required to study in USA becomes a problem. So, it is imperative to have an approximate idea of the average cost of studying in USA in advance. It’s true that studying in the US costs a lot of money, but if you carefully plan your budget, you can reduce the expense of being there as an international student.