Study in USA

Understanding the difference in cost of studying in the US can help you decide where you want to go. Public colleges charge between $35,000 and $45,000, while private colleges charge from $50,000 to $75,000 annually. However, most colleges don’t have a standardised government fee system as it depends on the college and the course selected.

Cost of undergraduate degrees in the US

• Public university: $25,000-$35,000 per year

• Private college: $30,000-$45,000 per year

Sometimes even higher: $50,000-$55,000 per year

• Community colleges: $2,500-$3,000 per year

Community colleges usually provide award certificates and associate degrees. They do not offer a bachelor’s degree because community colleges offer two-year courses, whereas universities offer four-year undergraduate courses. However, you can use the associate’s degree to qualify for the first half of your bachelor’s degree and later apply for a master’s degree.

Cost of a postgraduate degree in the US

• Public university: $20,000-$35,000 per year

• Private college: $35,000-$50,000 per year

When it concerns studying in the US, getting a scholarship can prove significantly helpful for international students. It’s crucial to know that scholarships are competitive and take time for approval. You will find it easier to apply for a scholarship with professional help from Expert Education.

Students with good grades and who are athletically inclined are likely to get scholarships. Additionally, scholarships are available for art, dance and music.

There are multiple funding opportunities that you can make use of, to name a few:

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program

• QS Undergraduate Scholarship

• QS Leadership Scholarship

• QS Leadership Scholarship for Excellence

• Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award

• IEFA Non-Government Scholarship

The cost of living in the US can differ from location to location, and it’s vital to secure savings related to primary and daily needs. From emergencies to groceries, clothes, water, electricity, internet, books and study material, among other essentials, an international student must consider an approximate living cost of $10,000 to $12,000 per year in the US.

Although most colleges offer on-campus residence to international students, commonly called the ‘dorm room’ or dormitory. Students usually share a room with two to three other students with facilities like the internet, electricity, water, etc. The cost of campus accommodation ranges between $5000-$8000 per year.

Alternatives are non-campus residences, where the cost might be significantly higher. The usual charge ranges from $6,000 to $15,000 per year based on the location and apartment chosen.

When it comes to travelling, you can avail vehicle rental facilities, or public transport like cabs, trains, and buses. The cost of transportation can depend on where you are staying. However, to share an estimate, you would be spending approximately $30-$50 per month on a bus and train pass. For total transportation facilities, expect an average of $100-$300 per month depending on your budget, frequency and type of transport used.

Planning ahead of time and collecting all necessary information can help you succeed in getting admission to the university of your choice. American universities do not believe in a one-track academic focus. They want their students to go beyond the book, which is what they also expect from international students. It’s not just about what you’ll do once you’ve joined the university, but how you’ve performed academically and personally in the past few years.

Therefore, the applicant’s past academic record is checked over the last four years of their schooling, including extracurricular activities, leadership positions and personal characteristics.American colleges and universities include different types of applications. It depends upon the students’ preferences and which admission cycle they want to choose. Here are some of the application deadline processes that may differ between college and university.

• Early Decision – The early decision application deadline is about ten months before the commencement of a course. However, the deadline is usually set between the 1st and 15th of November. This timeframe helps improve the applicant’s chances of earning acceptance at some universities. You are required to halt all other applications once you get accepted at a specific college.

• Early Action – The early action deadline allows you to send in your college application early. However, unlike the early decision deadlines, it is not binding. You may apply to multiple colleges under early action application. Thus, you can expect an early response after you apply at the chosen college. Early action deadlines are generally set between the 1st and 15th of November.

• Common Application – The common application allows you to apply online to multiple colleges, more than 900 US universities, to be precise. The application process starts on 1st August with a deadline that ends in January, at least seven months before starting at the university. Sometimes, the deadline extends till March.

• Regular Application – The regular application process for admission is based on the deadlines set by the universities. The applicant can apply to multiple institutions within the timeframe set by the universities, acceptance of which is notified between 1st January and 1st March.

There are more application deadlines other than the above that also depend on the course you have selected and whether you are studying at a college or university. For instance, the deadline applications for some colleges may include early action deadlines, rolling admission deadlines and so on. Similarly, for an undergraduate degree, some universities will typically offer either early admission or a regular admission process. You can get in touch with our team to know more.

Also, when choosing the right institute for you, consider the following aspects that might influence your decision.

• Talk to the admissions representatives, college or university tour guides and faculty
• Reach out to a few existing university students to understand their experience
• Take a virtual campus tour, if possible
• If possible, attend a class or two and familiarise yourself with the teaching style
• Check the college activities and recent issues in the student newspaper

These are a few factors you can consider while selecting a university of your choice.

Another critical factor is that an international student must have student health insurance to gain admission to a US college or university. Depending on the institution and the health insurance package, you can expect to pay $30-$140 for health insurance per month. This package applies to students under 25 years of age.

Our team of experts can also help you decide while selecting an institute based on all these requirements and more.