USA · CHAPTER 7
The real costof studying in the USA.
Tuition ranges from about $25,000 a year at public universities (out-of-state rates) to $60,000+ at private ones. Living costs run roughly $1,200–2,500 a month depending on city. Add mandatory health insurance, the $350 SEVIS fee and the $185 visa fee.
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Tuition ranges
| Type | Typical international tuition / year |
|---|---|
| Community college | $8,000–15,000 |
| Public university | $25,000–45,000 |
| Private university | $40,000–65,000+ |
| MBA (top) | $70,000–85,000+ |
Monthly living costs
| Expense | Smaller cities | New York, Bay Area, Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (shared) | $500–900 | $1,200–2,000 |
| Food | $300–450 | $400–600 |
| Transport | $50–100 | $80–130 |
| Personal | $150–250 | $200–300 |
| Health insurance | $150–300 | $200–350 |
Fees before you travel
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| SEVIS I-901 | $350 |
| Visa application (MRV) | $185 |
| Visa integrity fee | $250 (legislated in 2025; collection depends on implementation) |
| Enrolment deposit | Set by university |
IN DEPTH · TAP A TOPIC TO OPEN
Typical yearly cost
| Item | Public university | Private university |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (master's) | $20,000–45,000 | $40,000–70,000 |
| Rent | $8,000–18,000 | $10,000–24,000 |
| Health insurance | $1,500–4,000 | $2,000–5,000 |
| Food and essentials | $4,000–6,000 | $4,000–7,000 |
| Books, laptop, phone | $1,000–2,000 | $1,000–2,000 |
In rupees
At roughly ₹85–90 to the dollar (check the current rate), a two-year master's at a public university with no funding typically costs ₹50–80 lakh in total, and ₹80 lakh–1.2 crore at a private university in a big city. Assistantships and on-campus jobs can reduce this significantly.
QUICK ANSWERS
Your questions, answered.
Almost all universities require it. You either buy the university plan or show comparable private insurance to get a waiver.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Keep going: the pages that help next.
Each card says what you will find there. Looking for something else? See every page on the site.
USA GUIDE
Scholarships & assistantships
Fulbright-Nehru, university merit awards, teaching and research assistantships and private scholarships for Indian students in the USA.
USA GUIDE
Proof of funds & loans
Financial documents for the I-20 and F-1 interview, liquid funds, sponsor affidavits, education loans from India and TCS rules.
USA GUIDE
Housing & student life
On-campus dorms, graduate housing and off-campus shared apartments in the USA: costs, leases, deposits and roommate tips.
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Study abroad guide
Search every study-abroad answer by topic, plus a budget planner for your city.
FROM INDIA
Sending money abroad
Pay foreign university fees from India: LRS limit of USD 250,000, TCS from April 2026 (nil on loans, 2% above ₹10 lakh), Form A2, forex cards and TCS refunds.
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Compare countries
Compare countries on fees, living costs, visa rules and post-study work, in one table.
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