How much does it cost to study in the US? A guide for UK students

A university education doesn’t come cheap – particularly not in the US. That’s because it costs a lot of money for universities to deliver highly specialised tuition to individuals across one or more disciplines over several years, and International Students’ fees are always considerably more than those of Domestic Students. These costs are naturally passed onto you in the form of tuition fees as the recipient of that education, but it doesn’t end there.  As a student you’ll also incur living expenses for accommodation and subsistence, as well as travel costs and incidental expenses you might not have considered. This guide is here to make your potential outlay as a UK student in the US as clear as possible so you don’t get any nasty surprises after you’ve embarked on your studies.

Overview of costs

Tuition fees (public vs. private universities)

Tuition fees are likely to be your largest outlay, particularly as an international student as you’ll most likely be charged a higher amount than domestic students, but this amount can vary dramatically between universities. In the US, public universities can be a fraction of the cost of private universities, so it does literally pay to choose wisely, but you must also consider where you’d be happiest and not just choose somewhere on the basis of lower fees. You can expect to pay around $10,000 per year in fees at a public university and $40,000 per year at private universities, such as the Ivy League.

Room and board

As with tuition fees, accommodation costs can vary wildly depending on the type and quality of accommodation, its location, and whether it is privately owned or owned by the university. Do some research into what is on offer and budget accordingly. As a guideline, the cost of university-owned accommodation can range from approximately $5,300 to $11,700 per year for a room including utility bills, while a one-bedroom apartment could cost anywhere from $6,000 per year in a rural location to $40,000 and beyond in a major city. Equally important, but less easy to plan for, is how much you’re likely to spend on meals. It’s always better to over-estimate this than under-estimate it, so you’re not unpleasantly surprised or fall short when you least expect it. On average, a campus meal plan costs around $570 per month, but remember you might not always want to eat on campus, so set aside some of your budget for this contingency.

Textbooks and supplies

It’s usually the responsibility of students to purchase their own materials and resources, which can cost up to around $1,200 per year, but there are ways to save money here. Libraries will be well-stocked, but are unlikely to have enough copies of a particular book for every student who needs one. If you can’t get your books online (they’re usually cheaper or even free), then see if former students are selling their old copies. Alternatively, clubbing together with other students to buy copies of books to share can be a helpful way to save money.

Personal and miscellaneous expenses

Make a list of what you’ve spent in a given month just living your life, and you’ll find yourself surprised by costs you hadn’t even considered. Everything from toiletries and birthday presents to takeaway coffee and drinks with friends represents a cost, so ensure you factor these and more into your budget, and plan for rainy days by having a reserve fund in case you need to draw on it. This is entirely determined by you, but expect to spend roughly $500 per month in this area.

Travel and health insurance

Travel to and from the US, as well as within it, can be expensive. It’s understandable to want to make the most of your time there by exploring other parts of your state or the country you’re in by travelling around, so it’s a good idea to think about how many trips home you’re likely to make per year and where you plan to go within the country. Most importantly, you will require health insurance for even the most basic medical attention, so shop around providers to get comprehensive cover. It’s better to over-estimate your needs here than to under-estimate them! International students can be expected to spend an average of $300 per month on medical insurance.

Total to around how much per year

Once you’ve considered all of the above, try to add up what your likely approximate educational and living costs will be. This will never be exact, but the more effort you put in now to determining them, the less likely it is that you’ll be shocked when you arrive. Taking the estimates above, an international student in the US could spend between $24,140 and $54,270 per year on studying and living, but remember this is only an approximate guide, and you’ll be able to determine more exactly what you’re likely to spend overall. That said, as a rule it’s better to over-budget than under-budget as it’s always better to be pleasantly surprised than unpleasantly surprised by these things!

Hidden and additional costs

Visa application fees

As an international student, you will need to have an academic visa before you can travel to the US to study. These cost $200 or less, so it isn’t going to be your largest expense, but it still represents a cost you need to take into account.

Entrance exams (SAT/ACT costs)

If your universities require you to sit SAT or ACT exams, remember that the companies that run these exams charge a fee to take them. This fee is usually between £65 and £100, and will be incurred before you ever get there, so it needs to be included when summing up the cost of attending a US university.

Application fees

Many US universities charge an application fee, which can range from $40 to $150, depending on the institution and programme. While each university’s individual fee may not seem much, it all adds up if you’re applying to several colleges at once. Make sure you know how much each university’s fee is and how much you’re going to have to spend in total to apply that year.

Exchange rates and banking considerations

Being an international student, it’s unlikely you’ll have a US bank account or regularly transact (or think!) in dollars. This means you’ll be subject to fluctuating exchange rates and be required to pay using one currency for products and services in another. Think how best to do this and explore options with your bank (and others) so you don’t lose out when it comes to paying for what you need.

All this talk of cost may seem pessimistic, but you should think of it as a worthwhile investment in your future. To illustrate this, A-List has looked into the Return on Investment for the eight Ivy League schools to show you what your outlay could get you in terms of graduate salary. This is never guaranteed, of course, and depends on a number of factors, but this should give you some idea of what previous graduates have gone on to do and earn: Return on investment of Ivy League universities.

Scholarships and financial aid

Types of financial aid (need-based, merit-based)

When looking to fund your university fees and living costs, there are various types of assistance available in the form of scholarships and grants from academic institutions. Some are ‘need-based’ and will cover exactly what you need to live and study, but no more, provided you can prove you’re financially eligible for them, and others are merit-based and need-blind, so will make an award of a given amount based on your academic credentials, irrespective of your need. Take a look at our guide on financial aid and scholarships for international students for further insights.

Athletic scholarships

If you plan to make sport a large part of your US academic life, then applying through a sports scholarship might be right for you. These can be very generous and cover fees, living costs, and more. The university will naturally want to see both past sporting prowess and excellent sporting potential. It’s normal to offer a sports scholarship for one or more defined sports, so make sure they align with your interests before applying. If you need expert help, A-List offers support on athletic recruitment.

Practical tips for managing costs

Budgeting effectively

Understanding your income and expenditure is key to maintaining a happy and enjoyable existence at university, wherever you plan to study. Know what you have available to spend, and ensure you prioritise your expenditure according to your needs, followed by your wants (not the other way around!).

Finding part-time jobs on campus

Many students take on part-time work to supplement their income while studying, and there are countless opportunities on and off campus to do this. Whether it’s in the hospitality sector, private tutoring in person or online, or in retail, there will be many employers looking for friendly, helpful, and reliable staff who can spare some time per week away from their studies. Just ensure your university allows this, as some may have a policy against it.

Choosing affordable housing and meal plans

It goes without saying that you should keep in mind your budget when looking for housing and going shopping, as you don’t want to have to compensate in some areas later for over-spending in others earlier. This extends to day-to-day considerations also, like making meal plans and going out. Just be conscious of how far the budget needs to stretch.

How A-List Education can help

If all of this sounds daunting, don’t fret! Our friendly and knowledgeable team at A-List is happy to help. With specialist advice coming in the form of a Private Consultation, you can be sure of receiving authoritative guidance from industry experts who offer, amongst much else:

• Expert university advising to identify best-fit universities;
• Comprehensive support through the application process (essays, recommendations, standardised testing);
• Assistance with scholarship searches and applications.