Cost of Undergraduate Degree in USA for Indian Students

The USA is home to some of the most renowned universities in the world. The institutes here offer a wide array of 4000+ courses to choose from. One of the best things about studying in the US is that it offers you a plethora of options when it comes to employment, both in the country and around the world. Pursuing an undergraduate degree from here can surely brighten up your career. If you have made up your mind to study in the US, make sure that you are aware of the costs you will have to bear while studying there. Keep reading this blog to learn about the cost of an undergraduate degree in the USA for Indian students. 

Overview of Cost of Undergraduate Degree in USA

The USA is known to be one of the best choices among international students when it comes to pursuing undergraduate degrees. Let’s have a look at the average tuition fees of some of the top universities in the world: 

University	QS World University Rankings 2025	Average Tuition Fees
Harvard University	4	52,659
Stanford University	5	57,693
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	1	57,590
California Institute of Technology	15	58,479
Princeton University	17	57,410
Columbia University	23	65,524
Yale University	16	62,250

Pre-Arrival Expenses

Before you even set foot on American soil, there are several costs you’ll need to account for as part of your undergraduate journey:

1. Standardized Tests: Most US universities require international students to take English proficiency tests and aptitude tests. The costs for these are:

• IELTS: USD 245-255
• TOEFL: USD 190
• SAT: USD 104
• ACT: USD 85

2. Visa Application: The US student visa (F-1) application fee is USD 160.

3. SEVIS Fee: All international students must pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee of USD 350.

4. Airfare: One-way airfare from India to the US typically ranges from USD 500-USD 1000.

5. Insurance: Many universities require students to have health insurance. Initial coverage can cost USD 500-1,000.

6. Application Fees: Universities charge application fees ranging from USD 50- USD 200 per application.

These pre-arrival costs can add up to approximately USD 2,000- USD 3,000 or more, depending on how many universities you apply to and which tests you take.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees form the largest component of your education costs in the USA. The amount varies significantly based on several factors:

1. Type of Institution:

• Public Universities: USD 20,000- USD 35,000 per year
• Private Universities: USD 35,000-USD 60,000 per year

2. Reputation and Ranking: Top-ranked universities generally charge higher tuition fees.

3. Location: Universities in major cities or on the coasts tend to be more expensive.

4. Program of Study: Some majors, particularly in STEM fields, may have higher associated costs.

Here are the annual tuition fees for some top US universities:

University	Tuition (USD)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	57,590
Stanford University	57,693
Harvard University	52,659
California Institute of Technology	58,479
University of Chicago	61,179
University of Pennsylvania	56,212
Princeton University	57,410
Yale University	62,250
Cornell University	56,550
Columbia University	65,524

Living Expenses

In addition to tuition, you’ll need to budget for living expenses. These costs can vary widely depending on the location of your university and your lifestyle choices. Here we have listed the typical monthly expenses:

1. Accommodation: USD 150-USD 250

• On-campus housing is often mandatory for first-year students and can be more expensive than off-campus options.
• Off-campus housing costs vary greatly by location, with major cities being significantly more expensive.

2. Meals: USD 400:This can be higher if you frequently eat out or lower if you cook most meals at home.

3. Transportation: USD 100-300:Public transportation passes in most cities cost $75-150 per month. Costs increase if you own a car (insurance, parking, fuel).

4. Phone/Internet: USD 50-150

5. Electricity Bills: USD 100-120

6. Personal Expenses: USD 300-600:This includes entertainment, shopping, and miscellaneous expenses.

On average, you can expect to spend $800-1,500 per month on living expenses, translating from USD 10,000 to USD 18,000 annually.

Factors Influencing Costs of Undergraduate Degree in USA

Several factors can influence your total expenses:

1. Location: Cities like New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles have higher living costs, ranging from USD 1,500-4,000 per month. More affordable cities include San Diego, Atlanta, Dallas, and those in states like Michigan, Georgia, Missouri, and Arkansas, where living costs average USD 800-1,800 per month.

2. Type of University: Public universities are generally more affordable than private ones due to state funding.

3. Accommodation Choices: On-campus housing is often more expensive but can offer convenience and a more immersive college experience.

4. Lifestyle: Personal choices in food, entertainment, and travel can significantly impact your monthly expenses.

5. Program Duration: Some intensive programs might allow you to graduate in three years, potentially reducing overall cost.

Also Read: Cost of Studying in Canada

Factors Affecting Overall Cost of Undergraduate Courses in the US

The overall cost of undergraduate degrees in the USA depends on various factors. Be it the living expenses or the tuition fees, the overall expense of studying in the United States is determined by many elements. 

Let’s have a look at some of the most important factors that determine the overall cost of undergraduate degrees in the United States:

Lifestyle

The overall expense of pursuing an undergraduate degree in the USA depends on your lifestyle. Your monthly expenses is going to include groceries, accommodation, food, health insurance, transportation, and miscellaneous costs. 

So, your preference for entertainment, accommodation, shopping, food, etc is going to hugely affect your overall cost of studying. 

The table provided below shows the average personal expenses you expect to bear while studying in the US:

Public Transportation	$75-150 for a Monthly Pass
Groceries	$400 Per Month
Restaurants	$800 Per Month
Shopping and Entertainment	$100 Per Month
Miscellaneous Expenses	$2,000 Throughout the Year

Type of University 

The tuition fees of public universities and private universities in the United States vary significantly. Public universities receive funds from the state government, hence they charge much lower fees when compared to private universities. 

Have a look at the table provided below to check the average fees of public and private universities in the US: 

Public Universities	$20,000-35,000 Per Year
Private Universities	$35,000-60,000 Per Year.

Location

If you are considering pursuing an undergraduate degree in the US, then you should keep in mind that there are certain cities in this country where the living costs are much higher in comparison to others. 

Some of the cities with the highest expenses of living in this country are San Francisco, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago. On the other hand, some of the most affordable cities are Atlanta, San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, Michigan, Missouri, Arkansas, and Georgia. 

Take a look at the table below to see the average cost of living in the expensive and affordable cities in the US:

Expensive Cities in the US	$1,500-4,000 Per Month
Affordable Cities in the US	$800-1800 Per Month

Accommodation Cost 

Your living expense also depends on whether you choose on-campus accommodation or off-campus accommodation. Take a look at the table given below to know the average cost of on-campus accommodation and off-campus accommodation in the US: 

On-Campus Accommodation	$9,800 – $11,000 Per Year
Off-Campus Accommodation	$3,500 per month

Also Read: Cost of Living in France: Rent, Food, Expenses and More

FAQs

RELATED BLOGS

Cost of Living in the USA	Cost of Studying in USA
Cost of Living in California	Cost of Living in Irvine
Cost of Living in New York as a Student	Cost of PhD in USA

So, this was all about the cost of an undergraduate degree in USA for Indian Students. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you are planning to study abroad.