Cost of Studying in USA for Indian Students 2025

Breakdown of Study Costs in the USA

Understanding the cost of studying in USA for Indian students helps them know about the various expenses they will incur during their time abroad. International students studying in the USA have to plan their finances appropriately, and knowledge of various study costs can help in creating effective financial plans.

Public vs Private Universities

Among the various factors, your cost of studying in USA is greatly influenced by the decision to attend a public or a private university.

• Public Universities:Are comparatively affordable to private institutions, especially for international students. For an undergraduate program, the average cost of studying in USA for Indian students is around INR 6.8 L to INR 30.07 L, and a postgraduate program can cost INR 8.5 L to INR 30.07 L
• Private Universities: Have higher average tuition for college, offering tailored study programs according to students' career goals. An undergraduate program in the private US universities can cost around INR 21.4 L to INR 42.9 L, and a postgraduate program can cost INR 18.90L to INR 47.26L. 

With the various university options, you can use our college finder tool, an AI-based algorithm that can help you finalise your college in the USA.

Living Expenses

Living expenses generally vary according to the location chosen and the lifestyle preferences of the student. Living in cities like New York or San Francisco can be extremely expensive, compared to the small towns and suburbs. The estimated living cost in USA for students is as follows:

• Rent: Accommodation costs are one of the biggest expenses for students. It depends on the type of housing and amenities booked. The average on-campus housing in the USA can cost you around INR 10L yearly. On the other hand, average off-campus housing can cost INR 14.3 L yearly.
• Food & Groceries: Cost estimates around INR 4 L yearly; however, this cost can vary depending on whether the food costs are included in housing costs.
• Transportation: As a student, public transport is the perfect option to travel across the city. The transportation costs may go around INR 74,000 to INR 2,46,000 annually.

Hidden Costs: Health Insurance, Books & Supplies

Apart from the major study costs, there are a few additional expenses that students have to plan accordingly. Here are relevant insights related to some hidden costs, part of the study expenses.

• Insurance Costs: In the USA, as an international student, you have to get a mandatory health insurance, which may cost you around INR 83,000 to INR 250,000 annually. The cost varies depending on the insurance provider and coverage level.
• Books and Supplies: May cost around INR 75,000 to INR 1,50,000, which includes textbooks, study materials and other cost supplies.

Now that you've got a general idea of the study costs and average tuition for college, let's look at the pre-arrival costs that students pay before heading to the USA.

Also Read: Best MBA Colleges in USA for Indian Students 2025

Pre-Arrival Costs

Studying in the USA is generally expensive, and students have to plan properly. During the planning phase, there are a few one-time expenses that students have to pay. These expenses add up to a significant amount, yet they are often ignored.

Here is the detailed explanation of some pre-arrival costs that you have to pay if you are planning to study in the USA.

Entrance Exams

While planning to study in USA, students need to take certain standardised entrance tests according to their course level. Additionally, Indian students also have to take an English proficiency test to showcase their command of the language.

• UG Program:Students need to take the SAT (fee INR 10,162) or the ACT (fee INR 16,040).
• PG Program: Students need to take the GRE (fee INR 22,000) or the GMAT (fee INR 23,091).
• English Language Proficiency:Through TOEFL (fee INR 16,900) or IELTS (fee INR 18,000).

Application Fees & Visa Costs

• Students applying for admission to US universitiesare required to pay an application fee ranging from INR 4,148 to INR 11,000. It is the non-refundable fee charged by universities to process the applications.
• A student visa is one of the primary requirements every applicant has to meet. The application fee for a F-1 student visa is INR 16,107 approx, which also includes the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee of INR 30,520 approx.

Flight Tickets & Initial Setup

Expenses for flight tickets and initial setup are mandatory expenses that help students kickstart their scholarly journey in the USA.

• Flight Tickets: One-way air tickets from India to the USA may cost around INR 28,102 to INR 69,495, approx. This price can vary depending on factors such as departure and destination city, time of the year and more.
• Initial Setup: Include expenses like accommodation deposit, buying daily essentials and more. It can cost you around INR 50,000 to 1,00,000, approx.

Every cost mentioned in this section is a mandatory expense that students need to pay when planning their higher studies abroad.

 

Cost of Popular Courses in the US

The universities and colleges in the USA offer a wide range of courses and programs that allow students to pursue education in their desired study area. Here is the list of popular courses with their cost of studying in USA for Indian students in rupees.

Course Name	Cost (Per year)
Computer Science and Information Technology	INR 16 to INR 50 Lakhs
Engineering	INR 11.7 to INR 62.6 Lakhs
Data Science and Analytics	INR 20.67 to INR 87 Lakhs
Mathematics and Statistics	INR 10.6 to INR 76.5 Lakhs
Master of Business Administration (MBA)	INR 37.5 to INR 64 Lakhs
Business Analytics	INR 35 to INR 60 Lakhs
Finance and Accounting	INR 24.5 to INR 55.44 Lakhs
International Business	INR 27.5 to INR 85.75 Lakhs

For each popular course, the USA college fees for Indian students may vary depending on the University chosen by the student. Research carefully and pick the course that fits perfectly with your study goals. For an informed decision, you can use our course finder tool, an AI-based system that helps students discover and compare various courses.

Scholarships & Financial Aid for Indian Students

Given the higher cost of studying in USA for Indian Students, one thing that is extremely beneficial for students is the variety of scholarships and financial aid available to support their scholarly journey. It helps students offset tuition fees and other cost of studying in USA. The types of scholarships available for Indian students are:

1. Government-funded scholarships: Are offered by the USA government to support students for postgraduate studies in the country. This type is popular for offering students opportunities for Master's and Doctoral degrees in various study areas.

Scholarship Name	Who Qualifies?	Amount Reimbursed
Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship	· Indian students applying for master's or postgraduate study in USA. · Must have a minimum 3-year Bachelor's degree.	INR 70 L to 90 L Covers: · Full tuition · Living expenses · Airfare · Health insurance
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program	· Mid-career professionals in fields like public health, education, and law. · 5 years’ work experience is a mandatory requirement.	INR 28 L to 35 L Covers: · Full tuition · Living Stipend · Airfare

2. Privately sponsored scholarships: Simply provided by various private bodies and organisations to encourage Indian students to pursue their higher studies in the USA.

Scholarship Name	Who Qualifies?	Amount Reimbursed
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships	· Indian Individual with a first-class degree · Must showcase leadership potential	INR 83 L to 83.5 L Covers: · Full tuition · Living Expenses · Travel Costs
Tata Scholarship for Cornell University	· Indian students getting admission  to UG programs at Cornell University.	INR 83 L to 1 CR Covers: · Full tuition for 4 years · Financial need

3. College-specific sponsorships: There are colleges in the USA that offer merit-based and need-based scholarships. Colleges consider several factors before providing financial assistance.

Scholarship Name	Who Qualifies?	Amount Reimbursed
University of Chicago - Graduate Scholarships	· Indian students getting admission to Graduate programs at the University of Chicago.	INR 35L to 45L Covers: · Full or partial tuition · Stipends · Health Benefits
Stanford University Graduate Fellowships	· Indian students admitted to a graduate program at Stanford University. · Showcasing academic excellence and research potential is a mandatory requirement.	INR 70L to 1.20CR Covers: · Full tuition · Stipends for living expenses · Travel Reimbursements

These are just a few scholarships, and the list is wide. Students can check university portals and online platforms to learn more about the scholarships that can help them reduce the cost of studying in USA by providing the required financial assistance.

Smart Budgeting Tips for Indian Students

Being a student in an overseas country and managing a budget and finances is generally a tough task, given the various expenses. However, with smart budgeting, it is possible to manage monthly expenses.

Here is a detailed overview of some expert tips to help you make budget plans with proper planning. Develop a Comprehensive Budget:At the beginning of every month, create a detailed budget where you will categorise all the expenses and allocate funds as required in each case.

1. Start Prioritising Needs Over Wants: One of the most crucial tips for students is to realise the difference between needs and wants. Prioritising expenses that are needs (food and groceries) over wants (clubbing and dining out) can help save funds every month.

2. Use Student Discounts: In the USA, there are various areas where you can use your student ID card to leverage some discounts on bills. It can be a useful tip while purchasing items like monthly groceries.

3. Book a Shared Housing: Consider booking a shared accommodation because living with peers can help you reduce your rent and other utility costs.

4. Look for a Part-Time Work Opportunity: Exploring part-time work opportunities can be one of the useful tips for students. However, student must keep in mind their visa restriction and academic commitments.

These budgeting tips can help reduce the cost of studying in USA for international students. It will allow them to access the funds as required and save a proportionate fund for future uses.

Post-Study ROI: Does the Investment Pay Off?

Studying abroad is often looked upon as a long-term investment that often pays well in the long term, and studying in the USA is no doubt an investment that will eventually outweigh the costs, considering the career prospects. Here are the detailed insights that will help you know the returns you will get after investing in your higher studies.

Average Starting Salaries by Degree

The average starting salaries for graduates vary according to the field of study. However, it is a general fact that students with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degrees are said to earn more.

Examples of starting salaries for various fields include:

• Software Engineer: INR 66.5 lakhs to INR 1 Cr per annum.
• Data Scientist: INR 73.5 L to INR 83.5 L per annum.
• MBA Graduates: INR 73 L to INR 1.70 Cr per annum.
• Civil/ Mechanical Engineers: INR 50L to 65L per annum.

Loan Repayment Strategies

Around 7 out of 10 Indian students rely on education loans to properly plan their higher studies in the USA. However, the repayment of the education loan is the main task. Here are some tips that might help you with the repayment of an educational loan.

1.Comprehend Your Loan Terms: Get familiar with your lender, interest rates, grace period and repayment schedule to repay the loan without any additional charges.

2. Explore Refinance: You can consider refinancing in the USA or India to get the benefits of better rates.

3. Additional Payments: Making payments more than the requirement can be beneficial to reduce the principal amount and the interest charged.

4. Part-Time Work: Along with studies, students can look for additional part-time job opportunities that will help repay the loan amount in lump sums.

5. Currency Exchange Tactic: Making payments when the INR is strong against USD can be useful for students to save money on conversion.

6. Employer Assistance: In the US, some employers offer repayment assistance; check with your employer to see if they can provide you with this support.

7. Tax Deductions: As per Section 80E in India, you can save up to INR 1.5 L of tax deduction on education loan interest.

These strategies can be of great help to Indian students and can help in reducing the stress of loan repayment.

Also Read: How to Prepare for Fall intake in USA 2025?

Final Thoughts: Is the USA Worth the Investment for You?

To sum up, studying in the USA is a rewarding and great learning experience. The world-class education system, availability of top faculty and strong career prospects make the USA highly appealing to Indian students. But when you look at the long list of costs and expenses, it might discourage you because they add up to a significant amount. No doubt, you can take help from the available scholarships & financial aids to ease your burden.  

For now, whether you are planning for your Bachelor’s degree or Master’s abroad, the USA is a perfect option. Consider the cost of studying in USA for international students with its long-term benefits to make an informed decision.

FAQs

Ques1. How much does it cost to study in the USA in Indian rupees?

Ans. The cost of studying in the USA varies according to the university and location chosen by the student. However, the estimated cost of studying can range from INR 20 to 60 lakhs per academic year.

Ques2. What is the minimum cost to study in the USA?

Ans. Studying in the USA is usually expensive; however, there are public universities that offer affordable education, which can be around INR 20 to 25 lakhs per academic year. This range includes tuition costs and living expenses.

Ques3. Can I study in USA under 20 lakhs?

Ans. Certainly, it is difficult but possible to study in the US under 20 lakhs. Students can explore various public universities and suburban areas for a low cost of living. Further, scholarships and financial aid from the college or other authorities can assist.

Ques4. Which US university gives 100% scholarship?

Ans. There are universities in the USA, including Harvard, Princeton and Yale, that offer 100% need-based scholarships to help students seeking financial help. These scholarships are offered according to the financial needs of the students.

Ques5. Is USA cheaper than the UK for Indian students?

Ans. In simple terms, studying in the USA is expensive for Indian students when compared to the UK. It is because of high living expenses. Additionally, the total study cost depends on the program and location chosen by the student.