Studying in US for Students
Among countries that welcome international students, the United States of America (USA) ranks first. Many international students choose to study in the USA because of its reputation for providing high-quality education, innovative curricula, welcoming multicultural community and the numerous career opportunities it offers.
The benefits of studying in the USA do not end here, but we can paint a picture of why you should do so.
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Universities’ Rankings
The higher education system in the USA is well recognised around the world, with many internationally ranked universities. Check out the recent THE University Rankings for the USA institutions.
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Flexible Education System
American universities and colleges provide a wide range of courses and programs. You have the flexibility to choose both the content and structure of the course. In the first two years of college, you can explore a variety of subjects before committing to a major, allowing you to study what you truly desire
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Campus Life
If you're thinking of studying in the USA, campus life can be a great way to improve your social and academic life. It is your choice whether or not to reside on campus. However, universities in the US offer a wide range of academic, cultural and athletic activities.
Studying in USA can be expensive but planning your budget smartly can help you get a hold on your finances effectively. Check out our comprehensive guide about the cost of study, tuition fees, living expenses and the most affordable universities in USA, to help you plan well for your new life in USA!
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How much does it cost to study in US?
Universities in America are majorly divided into two categories - Public/State and Private. The education cost at a public/state university is comparatively lesser than that of a private institution. Your expenditure on tuition fee depends on the type of qualification and university or school you opt for. To cover tuition fees, you will need approx. $10,000 to $55,000 a year (indicative).
Sr No School Indicative tuition fees (USD) 1. English language studies $700 to $2,000 a month 2. Community colleges $6,000 to $20,000 per year 3. Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree $20,000 to $40,000 per year 4. Graduate Programs $20,000 to $45,000 per year (An MBA degree can cost significantly more, as can professional programs such as law, medicine, dentistry, some design programs, etc.) 5. Doctoral Degree $28,000 to $55,000 per year (Most doctoral degrees are 100% funded through research/teaching assistantships, research aid and bursaries.) *Please note that all figures are indicative
Source: Most commonly, humanities, education and arts courses are cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at postgraduate level, the tuition fees are typically higher, and the costs vary depending on the program. As with most other countries, MBA programs are often the most expensive. The average cost for these programs is around $60,000 (indicative)
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What is the cheapest university in US for students?
If you’re asking this question, then you should know that the answer depends on many factors, such as your preferred field of study, type of program or qualification, the university and its location. However, some universities offer lower tuition fees than others.
These are the top 5 most affordable USn universities for students:University name State Undergraduate Annual Tuition Fees
for International StudentsKey Programs 1 Arizona State University
(Lake Havasu campus)Arizona $12,200 Business
Health Sciences
Social Sciences2 Eastern Michigan University Michigan $13,000 Business
Education
Health Sciences3 Wichita State University Kansas $15,000 Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Business4 University of New Orleans New Orleans $15,200 Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Visual & Performing Arts5 California State University Fresno California $16,100 Health Sciences
Architecture & Urban Planning
Engineering & Computer Science6 California State University Northridge California $16,500 Engineering & Computer Science
Film & Television
Business7 California State University Long Beach California $16,500 Engineering & Computer Science
Social Sciences
Visual & Performing Arts8 Cleveland State University Ohio $16,800 Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Social Sciences9 University of Wyoming Wyoming $18,000 Visual & Performing Arts
Engineering & Computer Science
Business10 Indiana State University Indiana $20,150 Health Sciences
Business
Engineering Technology11 University of North Texas Texas $21,125 Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Visual & Performing Arts12 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin $21,200 Health Sciences
Business
Engineering & Computer Science13 Kent State University Ohio $21,400 Health Sciences
Business
Engineering & Computer Science
Visual & Performing Arts14 Florida International University Florida $23,300 Hospitality & Tourism Management
Engineering & Computer Science
Business15 University of New Mexico New Mexico $24,000 Architecture & Urban Planning
Visual & Performing Arts
Health Sciences
Social Sciences
If you’re asking this question, then you should know that the answer depends on many factors, such as your preferred field of study, type of program or qualification, the university and its location. However, some universities offer lower tuition fees than others.
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These are the top 5 most affordable US universities for students:
University name State Undergraduate Annual Tuition Fees
for International StudentsKey Programs 1 Arizona State University
(Lake Havasu campus)Arizona $12,200 Business
Health Sciences
Social Sciences2 Eastern Michigan University Michigan $13,000 Business
Education
Health Sciences3 Wichita State University Kansas $15,000 Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Business4 University of New Orleans New Orleans $15,200 Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Visual & Performing Arts5 California State University Fresno California $16,100 Health Sciences
Architecture & Urban Planning
Engineering & Computer Science6 California State University Northridge California $16,500 Engineering & Computer Science
Film & Television
Business7 California State University Long Beach California $16,500 Engineering & Computer Science
Social Sciences
Visual & Performing Arts8 Cleveland State University Ohio $16,800 Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Social Sciences9 University of Wyoming Wyoming $18,000 Visual & Performing Arts
Engineering & Computer Science
Business10 Indiana State University Indiana $20,150 Health Sciences
Business
Engineering Technology11 University of North Texas Texas $21,125 Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Visual & Performing Arts12 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin $21,200 Health Sciences
Business
Engineering & Computer Science13 Kent State University Ohio $21,400 Health Sciences
Business
Engineering & Computer Science
Visual & Performing Arts14 Florida International University Florida $23,300 Hospitality & Tourism Management
Engineering & Computer Science
Business15 University of New Mexico New Mexico $24,000 Architecture & Urban Planning
Visual & Performing Arts
Health Sciences
Social Sciences
Most universities in the US offer on-campus residence to international students. Living as a resident on-campus is a very affordable option, however you need to apply for it separately, and well ahead in time to secure a slot for yourself.
You can also opt for an off-campus accommodation wherein you can share apartments with other international students or live in a homestay with a local family. In such cases, you should be open to adjusting to a different lifestyle. Remember, the rentals vary from city to city.
The table below shows the average costs of most accommodation options in USA. The prices are only indicative, as the average costs vary widely from state to state. Your IDP Education counsellor can help choose the best accommodation option that fits your budget.
| Accommodation Type | Cost per week in US Dollar |
| Hostels and Guesthouses | $45 to $100 a night |
| Shared Rental | $470 to $3,600 per month |
| On campus | $800 to $900 each month |
| Homestay | $600-$3,000 per month |
| Rental | $450 per month |
The estimated cost of living in the USA for international students is around $10,000 to $18,000 per year, which averages around $1,000 to $1,500 per month.
This covers the cost of your accommodation, board, meals, transit, textbooks, appropriate attire for the weather and entertainment
Here are the top 10 universities in the USA along with their fee structure and their rankings:
| University | World University Ranking 2023 | US Ranking 2023 | Average fees for undergraduate programs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 2 | 1 | $76,963 | Please check the universities’ websites for postgraduate fees. |
| Stanford University | 3 | 2 | $74,029 | |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 5 | 3 | $79,850 | |
| California Institute of Technology | 6 | 4 | $86,886 | |
| Princeton University | 7 | 5 | $79,540 | |
| University of California, Berkeley | 8 | 6 | $43,794 + $5,510 (Estimated Personal Expenses) | |
| Yale University | 9 | 7 | $83,880 | |
| Columbia University | 11 | 8 | $85,352 + Travel | |
| The University of Chicago | 13 | 9 | $85,536.00 | |
| University of Pennsylvania | 14 | 10 | $63,452 |
Many scholarship programs in the UK are designed to equip international students with the skills to make a difference in their own country. Many of these scholarships are also offered for international students who want to undertake postgraduate study. Discover more about available scholarships in the United Kingdom.
| Degrees | Average annual salary |
|---|---|
| Health and Medical Preparatory (Pre-Med) | $165,000 |
| Petroleum Engineering | $156,000 |
| Zoology | $142,000 |
| Pharmacology | $136,000 |
| Economics | $133,000 |
| Applied Mathematics | $130,000 |
| Actuarial Science | $129,500 |
| Engineering and Industrial Management | $129,000 |
| Engineering Mechanics, Physics and Science | $129,000 |
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | $128,000 |
| Visa Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Student Visa |
For studying at a recognised American college or university or at an English language institute. The requirements are as follows:
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| J Exchange Visa | For participation in a high school or university exchange program. |
| M Student Visa | For non-academic, vocational or training studies in the USA. |