Costs of Studying and Living in USA
It is essential that you calculate how much your US study costs will be – both tuition fees and living expenses. Use our guide to help you understand the costs of a US education. Also, it is a myth that American education is very expensive. The best part with USA is that it has a very wide range of choices in terms of your budget and funds available. Wesley’s counselors shall help you choose a University according to your budget and affordability. There are scholarships and bursaries available for tuition and many other financing options. Also, there are possibilities that you can pay your tuition fees semester wise.
- Estimated living expenses per year – $10,000-$16,000
- Living is more expensive on East and West coasts than in central states.
- Average tuition fees per year range from $15,000 to $25,000 (Private Institutions) and $10,000 to $20,000 (State Institutions)
- Course duration – undergraduate programs are 4 years and graduate programs from 1 year
- English Language costs are extra
- Dependent Costs: Spouses and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay require derivative F or M visas. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas. Spouses and dependents may not work in the United States on a derivative F or M visa. If seeking employment, the appropriate work visa will be required.
US Universities fall under two major categories: public (state supported), and private (independent) institutions. International students’ tuition expenses at state schools are based on nonresident costs, which are still usually less expensive than those of private universities. It’s important to note that the cost of a program in a US school does not necessarily affect its quality. A brief idea can be got from the following table:
| University Type | Average Tuition Fees (annual in U.S. Dollars) |
| Private Institutions (High Cost) | $ 25,000 |
| Private Institutions (Low Cost) | $ 15,000 |
| State Institutions (High Cost) | $ 20,000 |
| State Institutions (Low Cost) | $ 10,000 |
The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses. It can vary from as low as $ 5000 a year for state universities to as much as $ 30000 per annum for some private universities. For more specific details, please contact the universities.
Living Expenses
The approximate annual living expenses are about $10,000, which includes accommodation as well as other daily expenses. However, the expenses are different for different people depending on the lifestyles and this is just a rough idea. The main expenses can be split up as:
| Rent | $ 400 per month (you can live alone with that amount in a place like Auburn or share an apartment with 6 people in NY) |
| Groceries | $ 100 per month |
| Utilities | $ 100 per month |
| Phone | $ 100 per month |
| Sundry | $ 200 per month |
So, about $1000 per month is a good estimation. Most people can survive with $700-$1000 a month. The key here is to share apartments/houses so that you save on the utilities, fixed charge portion of phone and to some extent on groceries.
Part-time work in US
Students who enter the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work on campus for 20 hours a week and full time during holidays. Typical on-campus jobs include working in the university library, help desk or canteen.
After one year of study, you can apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for a special work permit to allow you to work off campus. Your international office on campus should be able to provide you with more information on the application procedure. If you are approved, you will still be limited to working 20 hours a week and full time during holidays.
Traveling to the US
Students need to keep baggage rules to the USA in mind while planning their travel. A student traveling from India to the USA is normally entitled to carry two pieces of baggage, each weighing not more than 23 kgs each. Apart from this, cabin luggage and a laptop are allowed, but rules vary from one airline to another. Some airlines also offer extra baggage capacity for students going abroad on an F-I visa. Students are advised to contact the airline directly to avoid excess baggage problems at the airport. It is also important to make a note of what items that are not allowed into the country. A number of items are now not allowed either on board or into the country. It is better to be aware of this before packing your suitcases.
North America – Living Cost Index
In the United States, New York (27) is the most expensive city followed by Los Angeles (55). Washington ranks 111. The least expensive City in the United States is Winston Salem (197). Mexico City (166) is the most expensive city in Mexico, while the cheapest is Monterrey (193). Vancouver (75) is the most expensive Canadian city followed by Toronto (76) and Montreal (98). Ottawa (136) is Canada’s least expensive city.
Explore USA:
