The USA is a well-known place to study. There are many popular and well-ranked universities in the USA and its surrounding countries. Also, there are many scholarships provided by different federal and local governments to students who want to study in the USA. To sum up, studying in the USA is expensive but you can reduce costs if you know how to manage student accommodation in Irvine.

Studying in the USA does not always mean studying at a Flagship University like MIT or Harvard which is often priced for international students. You can choose many other universities which are within your budget but still well-known.

Universities in the USA

There are more than 5,300 colleges and universities in the USA. Picking one that is right for you can be difficult. Some of the well-known universities in the USA are the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of Central Missouri, Georgia Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, American University, Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, University of California, California State University Long Beach, University of California Irvine, University of Florida, and many more.

Every year, a list of Best Global Universities based on educational quality, global reputation, and research are released for the students to select the one that suits their interest and budget. As per the latest statistics, there are over 914095 international students studying in the USA.

How much does it cost to study in the USA?

It costs nearly $42,000 every year on average for undergraduate tuition and fees alone. However, on average undergraduates pay only $24,930 after receiving an average grant of $18,870 from the institution. In total, students spent about $35,470 annually for college – not including living expenses. Although tuition at public institutions is significantly less than private schools but still is very costly so you need more money if you want to study there. Also, remember that financial aid does not usually consist of loans

Once you plan to study in the USA, here are the things that you can break your bank:

Tuition fee:

The tuition fee is the price per year to study at a university. Every university has its own tuition rate which is different from other universities. Some universities charge more or less than 100k/ year while some universities charge 50k/year or even less than that. While it depends on many factors like location, teaching quality, etc., students who want to study in the USA should focus on getting information about the private and public universities. Private Universities usually have high tuition rates because they are more focused on profit.

If you want to study at a state university, you may also need to pay an additional fee called ‘out-of-state tuition’ when enrolling in your college or university. Most of them are paid when entering your first year and it can save you money if you stay for more than one semester/ year at least. Out-of-state tuitions cost more to the outstation student while residents pay a lesser amount.

If you need any study materials like books and stationery, it will cost you around $4,000 to $5,000 for each semester.

Student Accommodation:

Student accommodation is not always available for international students on campus. So, you can opt to live off-campus which costs an average of $500 per month depending on the place where you stay. But it’s good to check what kind of facilities off-campus residences provide because some places don’t provide Internet connection or heating source which are very important things that every student needs before moving into their new home. Off-campus accommodation includes studio apartments, rooms in shared apartments, rooms in college dorms, homes of family members/ homestay, or private rooms. These rooms offer bed, furniture, kitchen, bathroom, living room or common area, laundry, etc.

For instance, student accommodation Irvine, California is very expensive and an average cost can be around $16, 135 or more, plus the other living expenses. On-campus accommodation is also an excellent option which can cost around $5, 000 to 6, 000 per semester.

Food:

If you want to manage your cost, food is probably the first thing that comes to your mind. It’s cheaper if you eat at university cafeterias but most international students who come from third world countries prefer buying food outside because of hygiene issues. For instance, the cost of food in Irvine is an average of $3, 000 per semester. So it’s a better idea to cook by yourself or share the cost with your roommate.

Transportation:

Transportation expenses should not be forgotten because it costs an average of $1, 400/semester. It is better if you can use public transportation which is cheaper than using a car. If you don’t have a driving license yet, make sure to find time to learn how to drive as soon as possible because driving in the USA can save your money sometimes.

Utilities:

Every student has their own mobile phone, laptop, and internet connection which means they need to pay for these services every month. You must consider allocating some of your budget for utilities too. For instance, if you rent a place off-campus, don’t forget to ask your landlord about the monthly bills like electricity, gas, water, etc., because it might not be included in rent. The utility bill when you are staying in student accommodation Irvine, the utility bill can cost around $401 that includes electricity, gas, water, and internet charges.

Miscellaneous expenses:

Don’t forget to include miscellaneous expenses like eating out, health care, and personal hygiene supplies. For example, if you are living off-campus with your roommates, don’t forget to split extra bills like internet or electricity which can cut down your expenses.

If you are an international student, the tuition fee is probably the most important thing that you’ll be worrying about when it comes to studying in the USA because college tuitions here cost more than anywhere else in the world. So, while making your study plan for next year or semester try sticking between $10-15k/semester which will be enough for staying in the USA without putting too much strain on your budget.