Cost of Studying in USA for Indian Students in 2024

The United States of America attracts a massive number of international students every year from all over the world owing to its finest higher education system acclaimed by the whole world. It is home to the highest number of top-rated universities recognized worldwide for their excellence and unique programs, enticing a huge number of international students. Owing to the enormous demand for higher education globally, there are many aspiring international students looking for the cost of studying in the USA.

Tuition fee is the key component of the cost of education in the USA and universities here are divided into private and public/state institutions. The education costs at public/state universities are comparatively lower than at private educational institutions. Expenses on tuition fees will depend on the qualification type and the university/school that one would choose. The university fees in the USA for international students will require roughly $25,000-$55,000 every year.

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Higher Education System in the USA

The education system in the USA for higher studies provides a lot of diversity for international students. With more than 4,500 universities in the country, the education system in the USA offers the below-mentioned degrees.

Bachelor’s degree

The undergraduate degree in the USA is a full-time program for a duration of four years. 

Associate degree

Offered to students who want to undertake a diploma degree at the undergraduate level. The community colleges offer an associate degree for a duration of two years.

Master’s degree

Universities in the USA offer a graduate degree for a duration of two to three academic years. 

Doctorate degree

A university in the USA offers a doctorate degree for five to eight years. 

Country Wise Cost of Studying Resources

• Cost of Studying in Canada
• Cost of Studying in Ireland
• Cost to Study in Germany
• Cost of Study in Australia
• Cost of Studying in UK
• Cost of Studying in London
• Cost of Studying Engineering in USA

Types of Higher Education Institutions in the USA

Types of institutions	Key features
Community College	Specializes in offering associate degrees or certificates for two years
Institute of Technology	For students wanting to pursue a short-term program in science and technology
Private College or University	Run by private organizations
State College or University	Education is financed by the local or state government

Read More: Top Countries with Best Education System

Cost of Studying in the USA for Indian Students

The total expense a student has to incur on the tuition fees totally depends on the type of study program, qualification and the institution they select. The fees for the courses in humanities, education, and arts are much less compared to the subjects like medicine, engineering, and business management.

Study program	Average tuition fee per year
Undergraduate	$8,000 – $40,000
Associate	$3,800
Postgraduate	$10,000 – $60,000
Doctoral	$28,000 to $55,000

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Cost of Studying at Top Universities in the USA

University	QS World University Rankings 2023	Average Annual Tuition Fees
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1	$50,000 – $55,000
Stanford University	3	$25,000 – $55,000
Harvard University	5	$25,000 – $51,000
California Institute of Technology	6	$44,000 – $57,000
University of Chicago	10	$55,000 – $59,000
University of Pennsylvania	13	$60,000 – $62,000
Princeton University	16	$56,000 – $58,000
Yale University	18	$58,000 – $60,000
Cornell University	20	$56,000 – $60,000
Columbia University	22	$58,000 – $78,000

Course-wise Cost of Education in the USA 

The cost of studying in the USA for Indian students differs according to the course they have chosen. The universities in the USA offer a wide variety of options. Here’s a quick look at the top courses in the USA.

• Business and Management
• Engineering and Technology
• Law
• Liberal Arts
• Marine Biology and Life Sciences
• Maths & Computer Science
• Medicine
• Social Sciences

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Top Courses in the USA and Tuition Fees

Top courses	Duration	Average annual tuition fees
BSc Nursing (BSN)	4  years	$45,000/ year
MBBS (BS+MD+Residency)	8-10 years	$40,000/ year
LLM	1 year	$60,000/ year
MA Applied Economics	2 years	$35,000/  year
MBA	2 years	$70,000/ year
MPH	1 to 2 years	$50,000/ year
MSc Computer Science	1 to 2 years	$50,000/ year
MSc Data Science	1 to 2 years	$70,000/ year

Cost of Living in the USA 

In addition to the cost of education in the USA, the cost of living forms a major constituent of the expenses a student has to incur to study in the country. The cost of living in the USA depends on the lifestyle of a student and if anyone is tight on budget, they can opt for student accommodation. 

Expenses Incurred to Study in the USA

Expense	Average cost per year
Rent for housing including utilities	$21,710
Dormitory housing	$7,588 – $11,914
Food	$8,500
Books and Supplies	$13,800
Transportation	$2,180
Miscellaneous	$1,000

Pre-arrival Costs in the USA

The USA education cost for Indian students also includes one-time pre-arrival expenses they have to pay. These costs include the expenses incurred on application fees, English proficiency tests, standardized tests, student visas, and so on.

Costs Incurred Before Arriving in the USA

Expense	Cost
IELTS exam fee	₹15,750
TOEFL exam fee	$190
University application fees	$50
Student visa	$160
GRE exam fees	$213
GMAT exam fees	$275

Post-arrival Costs in the USA

Unlike the pre-arrival cost that has to be incurred one time, post-arrival costs are the expenses a student has to bear during the course of study.

Costs Incurred After Arriving in the USA

Expense	Cost Per Year
Tuition Fee	Bachelors – $8,000 – $40,000 Masters – $10,000 – $60,000
Health Insurance	$1,000 – $1,500
Living Expenses	$20,000 – $22,000

Best Student Cities in the USA

The cost of studying in the USA for international students depends on the city they are living in. With more than 50 states having world-famous universities, each city in the USA offers excellent opportunities in terms of education and industry. 

Cost of Living in the Best Student Cities in the USA

City	Average cost of living
New York	$21,000/ year
San Francisco	$20,000/ year
Los Angeles	$20,000/ year
Boston	$22,000/ year
Chicago	$20,000/ year

Scholarships to Study in the USA

A student can reduce the burden of US university fees for international students to an extent if they receive a scholarship on the basis of their merit or excellence. It might be offered by the government of the country, private organizations, or the university. 

Top Scholarships in the USA for International Students

Name of the scholarship	Benefits
Fulbright Foreign Student Program	Applicable for international students enrolled in graduate programs. Covers the cost of health insurance, airfare, tuition fee, and accommodation.
United World Colleges International Youth Scholarships	Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the USA can receive partial or full fee waivers under this scholarship.
Rotary Peace Fellowships	Students opting for Certificate Program or Masters’ Degree related to peace and conflict resolution are eligible to apply for this scholarship. It covers the cost of studying, internship and field-study expenses, transportation, and accommodation.
PEO International Peace Scholarship For Women	Female students enrolled in graduate programs can get benefits of $12,500 per year under this program.
Clark Global Scholarship Program	Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree and in need of financial help can get benefits of $15,000-$25,000.
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships	Both undergraduate and postgraduate students are eligible for this scholarship which offers benefits of $12,000-$25,000.

Know More for Study in USA:

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How to study in USA without IELTS	Why USA for Masters	Eligibility for MS in USA for Indian students
MBA in USA Without Work Experience	MBA in USA for Indian Students	Masters Courses in USA
Jobs after MS in Computer Science in USA	STEM Courses in USA	Cost of MS in USA

Study Abroad with upGrad 

Do you want to pursue a degree in the USA? upGrad Abroad offers you a host of courses and universities to choose from. You get to study by saving one-fifth cost and receive a 4X Return on Investment (ROI). In the first year, you get to study online at a partner university in India, followed by on-campus study at a university of your choice in the next year. 

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