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Reference: www.usastudyguide.com
Cost values listed are denominated in USD. Please convert them to your domestic currency.
Costs given below are rough estimates. Students should assume about a 5% increase per year for each cost due to inflation.
Tuition
Tuition will be the largest component of a student’s education cost. It will vary widely between different schools, so it is best for students to refer to the schools where they are planning to apply to get a realistic amount. As a very rough guideline, the cost for tuition can range from $5,000 to $25,000 per year. Public schools will typically charge lower tuition than private schools, and community colleges usually have the lowest tuition costs of all public schools.
Room and board
This is normally the second largest component of a student’s education cost. The cost for room and board can also vary widely between schools, so students should check with the schools where they are planning to apply to get the right estimate. A rough guideline is between $3,000 and $8,000. If students are considering living off campus and getting their own apartment, they will also need to calculate the cost of furnishing that apartment, paying their monthly utilities (such as electricity), and the cost of transportation to and from school. The most practical and economical choice for a first year international student is often to live on campus with a roommate. Students should note that residence halls will often close during the summer. A student who will not be returning to their home country during that time will have to find alternate housing.
Fees
In addition to tuition, most colleges and universities will also charge fees, such as student activity fees. These help to support student clubs and organizations on campus. They are usually relatively small, only a few hundred dollars per year.
Books and supplies
Students must pay for all their textbooks, as well as supplies such as notebooks, paper, pens, etc. Students can sometimes lower this cost by buying used books from the school’s bookstore. A good estimate for this cost is between $500 and $1,500.
Medical insurance
Because the cost of healthcare in the US is very high, many schools require international students to purchase medical insurance. It is a very good idea to buy insurance even if the school does not require it to protect oneself from extremely high medical bills should one become ill or have an accident. A comprehensive insurance policy (which covers doctor’s visits, medication, hospitalization, and surgery) will cost between $500 and $1,000 for one person.
Travel
Students should calculate how much it will cost them to travel between their school and their home country. Students will need to determine how many times during the length of their education they will go home and multiply that by the cost of airplane fare between the two locations.
Personal expenses
These expenses include clothing, entertainment, and telephone bills. This will vary depending on where a student will live and on their personal lifestyle; therefore, it is difficult to provide an estimate.
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