Meridean Overseas
Updated On 16 December 2022 & Read Time 6 minutes
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The USA is the top study-abroad destination and the first preference of many international students. Due to its academic excellence, flexible education system, cultural diversity, unique curriculum, vibrant campus life and abundant job opportunities, many international students wish to study in USA. Although in the year 2020-21, there was a 13% drop in the number of Indian students going to study in USA. If we talk about the cost of living in USA, it is slightly expensive compared to all the other popular study-abroad destinations worldwide. Currently, the September intake in USA is open. For students planning to enrol in the fall or summer intake in USA, here is all the information on the cost of living in USA.
Table of Contents
The USA tops the list of most preferred study-abroad destinations. Every year, it hosts many international students at many different study levels. Some reasons why you should consider to study in USA are mentioned below.
Excellent support system for international students
Flexible education system
Vibrant campus life
Cultural diversity
Multicultural study environment
World-class resources
Veteran faculties
Academic excellence
American institutes are some of the top-notch educational institutes in the world. Every year many students enrol in these top universities in USA to get quality education. Along with academic excellence and good resources, these universities also provide excellent job opportunities upon completing the desired program in the country. Some of the top universities in USA are listed below.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Stanford University
Harvard University
California Institute of Technology
The University of Chicago
The University of Pennsylvania
Princeton University
Yale University
Cornell University
Columbia University
Johns Hopkins University
The University of Michigan
The University of California Berkeley
Northwestern University
New York University
Carnegie Mellon University
The University of Texas at Austin
Pace University
University of the Pacific
Colorado State University
Embark and excel in your study abroad journey with our expert team!
The monthly living cost in USA is approximately $700-$1000. This amounts to an average cost of living in USA to be $10,000-$12,000 annually. Room and board, textbooks, travel and accommodation are some of the extra expenses in the country. The average cost of living in USA for international students is shown in the below table.
Cost of Living in USA for International Students |
|
Expenses |
Annual/Monthly Cost |
Accommodation |
$5000-$7000 per year |
Rent |
$300 and $400 monthly |
Food |
$2500 monthly |
Textbooks |
$300 to $700 |
Electricity |
$100 - $150 per month |
Health Insurance |
$700 - $1,100 per year |
Phone Subscription |
$50 per month |
Home Internet |
$45 - $50 per month |
Clothes |
$500 per year |
Investors fund the private universities in the USA whereas, the state government funds the public universities in the USA. The cost of studying in USA at public universities costs less then the private ones. The average annual cost of public universities in the USA for a master’s level program is $25,000 and for private universities is $41,000. These costs can vary every year. The table below lists some private and public universities and their average annual tuition fees, affecting the cost of living in USA.
Private Universities Vs Public Universities |
||
University Name |
Private/Public |
Annual Tuition Fees |
Yale University |
Private |
$32,220 |
Stanford University |
Private |
$38,793 |
Harvard University |
Private |
$30,000 |
University of California Berkeley |
Public |
$24,405 |
Columbia University |
Private |
$20,565 |
Cornell University |
Private |
$19,000 |
Brown University |
Private |
$24,000 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Private |
$21,510 |
University of Michigan |
Public |
$16,000 |
Princeton University |
Private |
$32,924 |
For Indian students, the cost of living in USA highly depends on the areas chosen to live in. If you’re living in big cities like Boston, San Francisco and New York, the average cost of living in USA will be much higher than in suburban cities like Texas, New Orleans, Seattle and many more.
The following table lists urban and suburban cities in the USA and the average cost of living there.
Cost of Living in Different States in USA |
||
City |
Urban/Suburban |
Average monthly living cost in USA |
San Francisco |
Urban |
$3,000 |
Boston |
Urban |
$3,000 |
Atlanta |
Suburban |
$2,000 |
Illinois |
Suburban |
$1,470 |
Texas |
Suburban |
$2,000 |
Seattle |
Suburban |
$2,500 |
California |
Urban |
$4,000 |
New York |
Urban |
$3,300 |
New Orleans |
Suburban |
$2,000 |
Philadelphia |
Suburban |
$1,300 |
Some of the most affordable cities to live in USA with a low cost of living for international students are:
San Diego
Baltimore
Atlanta
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Dallas
By taking these crucial actions, the cost of living in USA for Indian students can be reduced. Let's reduce the size of your personal and study bills.
First, compare the cost of living in USA based on the state and university.
When students convert their money using a bank, additional fees may occasionally be deducted. Choose providers of money exchange that are transparent.
Students can lower their cost of living in USA by making simple cuts like turning off unnecessary electric appliances, taking the bus or train, cooking their meals, etc.
Another choice that helps lower the cost of living in USA for Indian students is part-time employment. A student can thus work in the mornings, evenings, or weekends.
USA offers some of the best student support scholarships to international and domestic students. Scholarships are a good way to reduce the expenses in the country and help with the cost of living in USA. Some scholarships to study in USA for Indian students are mentioned below.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Rotary Peace Fellowships
United World Colleges International Youth Scholarships
Clark Global Scholarship Program
PEO International Peace Scholarship For Women
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
Moreover, students who wish to study in USA may contact our expert counsellors at any branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance you need for admission and visa. For more information or any queries, contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.
Contact MOEC Experts for Study Abroad Guidance!