Cost of Studying in the USA vs Average Salary After Graduation (2026 Data)

Key Summary

• The USA offers world-class education and the highest global salaries, especially in STEM, business, and healthcare—making it a top choice for Indian students seeking strong career outcomes.

• Costs are high (Master’s: $90,000–$140,000; UG: $180,000–$280,000+), and living expenses vary sharply by city—but strong starting salaries ($75,000–$120,000+) lead to excellent ROI.

• Most STEM Master’s graduates recover their full study cost within 1–1.5 years, while UG students take about 3–4 years depending on the city, job market, and salary.

Studying in the United States remains one of the most popular choices for international students, offering world-class education, unmatched research opportunities, and access to some of the highest-paying global careers. However, the U.S. is also known for its relatively high education costs, making it essential for students and parents to understand the full financial picture before planning their academic journey.

This guide provides a clear, data-backed comparison of the Cost of studying in the USA vs the Average Salary After Graduation (2026) across major U.S. cities. From tuition fees and living expenses to salary trends, ROI, and payback period, this analysis helps you evaluate whether studying in the U.S. is a financially sound decision.

5 Advantages of Studying in the USA in Terms of Employment Scenario

Here are the key employment-related advantages of studying in the USA:

Highest Global Demand for STEM & Tech Talent

The U.S. continues to lead the world in technology, engineering, data sciences, and innovation-driven industries. As of 2026:

• The U.S. tech sector is projected to add 1–1.5 million new jobs, driven by AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, renewable energy tech, and robotics.
• STEM graduates from U.S. universities have direct pathways into high-paying roles such as Software Developer, Data Scientist, AI Engineer, Cloud Architect, Biomedical Engineer, and more.
• Major tech giants—Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Tesla, Intel, NVIDIA actively recruit international students from campus career fairs.

Why it benefits Indian students:
Indian students traditionally excel in technical fields and find abundant opportunities in STEM-related domains. With the U.S. offering some of the highest-paying tech roles globally, Indian STEM graduates enjoy strong job security and faster career progression.

Higher Starting Salaries Compared to Most Countries

The U.S. offers significantly higher salaries than most study-abroad destinations. Its competitive job market, strong industry demand, and high-value roles ensure excellent financial returns.

Typical starting salaries in 2026:

• STEM Master’s graduates: $80,000 – $120,000/year
• Business & Management graduates: $70,000 – $110,000/year
• Healthcare professionals (nursing, biotech, pharma): $75,000 – $130,000/year
• Data Science & Analytics roles: $90,000 – $125,000/year

These salary ranges are much higher than those in countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, or Australia.

How this helps Indian students:
Higher income means faster loan repayment, quicker ROI, and greater financial independence. Many Indian students recover their full study investment within 1–3 years of working in the U.S.

Access to Major Global Job Hubs

Studying in the U.S. gives students proximity to the world’s leading innovation centres and economic powerhouses. Each region offers specialised career tracks:

• Silicon Valley (California):
  Global headquarters of tech and AI—Google, Meta, Apple, Oracle, Intel. Ideal for CS, AI, ML, robotics, and IT roles.
• New York City:
  Global financial capital like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Deloitte, and KPMG. Great for finance, consulting, fintech, and business students.
• Boston (Massachusetts):
  Hub for biotechnology, medical research, and pharmaceuticals, MIT, Harvard ecosystem. Perfect for biotech, healthcare, and pharma roles.
• Seattle (Washington):
  Home to Amazon, Microsoft, and many cloud-based companies, a top destination for software and cloud computing.
• Texas (Austin, Dallas, Houston):
  Fast-growing tech, engineering, manufacturing, and energy sectors, lower cost of living, + strong job creation.
  

Why it matters:
Being in these cities helps students secure internships, industry networking, research collaborations, and full-time roles faster.

Strong Internship, Co-op & On-Campus Recruitment Ecosystem

U.S. universities maintain strong relationships with employers, offering structured career development support:

• Career fairs & networking events:
  Students meet recruiters from Fortune 500 companies directly on campus.
• Internships & co-ops:
  Mandatory or optional internships help students earn U.S. work experience while studying.
• RA/TA positions:
  Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships provide a salary or tuition waivers while offering valuable real-world exposure.
• Dedicated career services centers:
  Resume building, mock interviews, LinkedIn profile optimization, employer meetups, and job portal access.

Impact for Indian students:
These opportunities provide hands-on experience and make them job-ready even before graduation, significantly improving employability and salary outcomes.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Benefits

The U.S. offers one of the most flexible post-study work systems for international students:

• Every student gets 1 year of OPT (Optional Practical Training).
• STEM students get a 24-month extension, making it 3 years total.
• OPT allows graduates to work in their field of study without needing immediate employer sponsorship.
• OPT duration improves the chances of obtaining H-1B work visas later.

Why this matters for Indian students:
The 3-year window provides:

• Enough time to gain U.S. work experience
• Higher chances of entering a long-term visa route
• Better income, skills, and savings for the future

This makes studying in the U.S. one of the most secure and strategic choices for Indian students.

Also Read: Top Fashion Design Jobs in Spain: 2025-26

Cost of Studying in the USA for International Students (2026): Full Breakdown 

The cost of studying in the United States varies widely depending on the type of institution, program level, and course specialisation. Below is a detailed breakdown of the academic and mandatory expenses international students must consider when planning their education in the U.S. (excluding living costs such as housing, food, transport, etc.).

Tuition Fees in the USA Universities

Tuition is the largest part of the total study cost. These estimates reflect average fees charged to international students across public and private universities.

Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Programs

The average undergraduate tuition fees in the USA universities for international students range between USD 25,000-50,000 per year, depending on the university and course.

Type of University	Annual Tuition Range	4-Year Total Cost
Public Universities (State Universities)	$25,000 – $40,000	$100,000 – $160,000
Private Universities	$40,000 – $65,000	$160,000 – $260,000
Top-tier Universities	$55,000 – $75,000	$220,000 – $300,000

Postgraduate (Master’s) Programs

The average PG tuition fees in the USA universities for international students range between USD 30,000-60,000 per year, depending on the university and course.

Program Type	Typical Duration	Tuition Range
STEM MS (CS, IT, Data Science, Engineering, AI/ML)	1.5–2 years	$30,000 – $70,000 total
MBA Programs	2 years	$60,000 – $120,000 total
Non-STEM Master’s (Humanities, Education, Social Sciences)	1–2 years	$25,000 – $50,000 total
Elite Programs	1–2 years	$80,000 – $150,000 total

Mandatory Student Fees

These institutional fees are charged every semester or annually:

Common Mandatory Fees

Fee Type	Typical Cost Range per Year
Student Services Fee	$300 – $1,000
Technology Fee	$200 – $700
Library & Lab Fees	$300 – $1,200
Recreation & Campus Facility Fee	$200 – $600
Health & Wellness Fee	$300 – $1,000

Average combined yearly mandatory fees: $1,000 – $3,000

Health Insurance Charges

Health insurance is compulsory for all international students in the USA.

Level	Annual Cost
University-Sponsored Health Insurance	$1,800 – $3,500
External Private Insurance	$1,200 – $2,800

Most universities mandate their own insurance unless waived with proof of equivalent coverage.

Books, Course Materials & Supplies

Academic materials vary widely depending on the program.

Course Type	Annual Cost
Engineering, CS, STEM	$800 – $1,500
Business & Management	$900 – $1,200
Arts & Humanities	$500 – $900

Visa Application & SEVIS Fees

International students must pay specific U.S. government fees:

Fee Type	Cost
F-1 Student Visa Fee	$185
SEVIS I-901 Fee	$350
Total Mandatory Visa Costs	$535

Airfare & One-Time Setup Costs

These are usually incurred at the start of the academic journey.

Expense Type	Estimated Cost
One-way Flight to the U.S. (India to USA)	$700 – $1,500
Initial Setup (bedding, kitchen items, essentials)	$300 – $700
Laptop (if needed)	$800 – $1,500

Estimated one-time setup cost: $1,000 – $2,500

Also Read: How to Get Jobs Abroad? Tips, Visas & Opportunities for Students

Living Expenses in the USA for International Students (2026)

Living costs in the United States vary significantly depending on the city and region. Major metros like New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Los Angeles are among the most expensive, while cities in Texas, the Midwest, and the South are relatively affordable. Below is a detailed, category-wise cost breakdown for international students.

High-Cost Cities (NYC, San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles)

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (USD)	Annual Cost (USD)
Accommodation (Shared/Student Housing)	$1,200 – $2,000	$14,400 – $24,000
Food & Groceries	$350 – $600	$4,200 – $7,200
Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Internet)	$120 – $220	$1,440 – $2,640
Transportation	$90 – $150	$1,080 – $1,800
Personal Expenses	$200 – $400	$2,400 – $4,800
Study Materials	$50 – $100	$600 – $1,200
Total Living Cost (High-Cost Cities)	$2,000 – $3,400	$24,000 – $40,800

Mid-Range Cities (Chicago, Seattle, San Diego, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, DC)

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (USD)	Annual Cost (USD)
Accommodation	$900 – $1,500	$10,800 – $18,000
Food & Groceries	$300 – $500	$3,600 – $6,000
Utilities	$100 – $180	$1,200 – $2,160
Transportation	$70 – $120	$840 – $1,440
Personal Expenses	$150 – $300	$1,800 – $3,600
Study Materials	$50 – $90	$600 – $1,080
Total Living Cost	$1,600 – $2,600	$19,200 – $31,200

Affordable Cities (Texas, Midwest, South): Austin, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Detroit, Columbus

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (USD)	Annual Cost (USD)
Accommodation	$600 – $1,000	$7,200 – $12,000
Food & Groceries	$250 – $400	$3,000 – $4,800
Utilities	$80 – $150	$960 – $1,800
Transportation	$60 – $100	$720 – $1,200
Personal Expenses	$120 – $250	$1,440 – $3,000
Study Materials	$40 – $80	$480 – $960
Total Living Cost	$1,100 – $1,900	$13,200 – $22,800

Average Salary After Graduation in the USA (2026 Data)

Understanding post-graduation earnings is essential for evaluating the return on investment (ROI) when studying in the United States. Salaries in the U.S. vary widely based on degree level, subject/major, city of employment, and type of employer. Below is a systematic, data-backed breakdown using the latest available labour market trends, NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics), and university-reported outcomes.

Median Starting Salary (Overall – 2026 Estimates)

According to recent NACE and BLS data projections for 2026:

• Median starting salary for U.S. graduates: $60,000 – $68,000 per year
• STEM graduates: typically $75,000 – $90,000 per year
• Business & Management graduates: $65,000 – $85,000 per year
• Healthcare and Medical-related fields show some of the highest entry salaries, often $80,000 – $105,000, depending on specialisation.

Note: These figures represent median/average starting salaries, actual salaries may be higher in major tech/finance hubs or lower in smaller cities.

Starting Salary by Subject Group (2026 Estimates)

Here is the subject-wise starting salary breakdown for U.S. graduates:

Subject / Discipline	Typical Starting Salary (Annual)
Computer Science & IT	$85,000 – $110,000
Engineering (All Fields)	$75,000 – $100,000
Data Science / AI / Analytics	$90,000 – $120,000
Business & Finance	$65,000 – $90,000
Healthcare / Nursing / Medicine (Entry roles)	$80,000 – $105,000
Natural & Life Sciences	$55,000 – $75,000
Social Sciences / Psychology	$45,000 – $60,000
Education / Humanities	$40,000 – $55,000
Arts / Media / Creative Fields	$38,000 – $55,000

Regional Differences in Salary (Based on U.S. Job Market Conditions)

Location is a major factor in salary levels due to the cost of living and industry concentration.

Region / City Category	Typical Starting Salary
Silicon Valley / Bay Area	$100,000 – $130,000
New York City	$85,000 – $120,000
Seattle / Washington State	$90,000 – $120,000
Boston (MA)	$80,000 – $110,000
Texas (Austin, Dallas, Houston)	$70,000 – $100,000
Chicago / Midwest Major Cities	$60,000 – $85,000
South (Georgia, Florida, Carolinas)	$55,000 – $75,000
Smaller towns / low-cost regions	$45,000 – $60,000

Salary Insights Based on Degree Type in the USA

Below is the table showcasing the salary insights based on the degree type in the USA.

Degree Level	Typical Starting Salary (2026)
Bachelor’s (UG)	$55,000 – $75,000
Master’s (MS – STEM)	$80,000 – $120,000
MBA	$90,000 – $140,000
PhD (Industry roles)	$100,000 – $150,000

Key Takeaways for ROI & Career Planning

• U.S. median graduate starting salary: $60,000–$68,000
• STEM, Business, and Healthcare fields yield the strongest earnings and fastest ROI.
• Tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Seattle, and NYC offer salary premiums (often 20–40% higher).
• Degree level matters: Master’s and MBA significantly boost earning potential.
• Work experience, internships, and networking strongly influence starting pay.
• International students under OPT and STEM OPT can leverage 1–3 years of post-study work experience to increase salary and ROI.

Also Read: Top Countries to Settle Abroad for Students, Jobs & Lifestyle

ROI/Payback Analysis: Recovering Your Study Costs in the USA

Calculating the return on investment (ROI) is essential for international students planning to study in the USA. Since the US is one of the most expensive study-abroad destinations, understanding how quickly you can recover your educational investment through post-graduation earnings is crucial. This section provides a detailed ROI breakdown for major US cities using 2026 cost and salary estimates.

How to Calculate Payback Period?

The Payback Period measures how long it takes for your post-graduation salary to cover the total cost of your US education.

Payback Period (years) = Total Study Cost (Tuition + Living + Misc.) ÷ Net Annual Salary After Graduation

Notes

• Net annual salary is calculated using gross starting salary (for simplicity).
• Total study cost includes tuition, living expenses, visa fees, health insurance, travel, and miscellaneous charges.
• ROI varies based on city, subject, and university reputation.
• Salaries in the USA differ widely by sector, degree level, and location.

Total Study Cost by City

Below, we have provided a table consisting total study cost by US city.

City	Program	Tuition Fees	Living Costs (per year)	Visa + SEVIS	Travel + Misc.	Total Study Cost
New York	2-year Master’s	$60,000–$80,000	$24,000–$30,000/year	$510	$2,500	$111,000–$143,000
New York	4-year UG	$160,000–$220,000	$96,000–$120,000	$510	$4,000	$260,510–$344,510
California (LA/SF)	2-year Master’s	$55,000–$75,000	$22,000–$30,000/year	$510	$2,500	$104,000–$138,000
California (LA/SF)	4-year UG	$150,000–$210,000	$88,000–$120,000	$510	$4,000	$242,510–$334,510
Boston	2-year Master’s	$60,000–$78,000	$20,000–$28,000/year	$510	$2,000	$102,510–$134,510
Boston	4-year UG	$155,000–$215,000	$80,000–$112,000	$510	$4,000	$239,510–$331,510
Chicago	2-year Master’s	$50,000–$70,000	$18,000–$24,000/year	$510	$2,000	$90,510–$120,510
Chicago	4-year UG	$140,000–$190,000	$72,000–$96,000	$510	$4,000	$216,510–$290,510
Texas (Austin/Houston)	2-year Master’s	$40,000–$60,000	$16,000–$23,000/year	$510	$1,800	$74,310–$107,310
Texas (Austin/Houston)	4-year UG	$120,000–$180,000	$64,000–$92,000	$510	$3,000	$187,510–$275,510

Key Notes

• The USA remains the most expensive study destination globally.
• Tuition for top universities (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT) can exceed $55,000–$65,000 per year.
• Cities like Texas and Chicago provide more cost-effective education with strong ROI.
• Living expenses vary heavily; New York and California are the costliest.

Payback Period by Program and City

Below are estimated payback periods using average STEM graduate starting salary data (the most common for international students).

City	Program	Avg Starting Salary	Total Study Cost	Payback Period
New York	2-year Master’s (STEM)	$90,000	$130,000	~1.4 years
New York	4-year UG (STEM)	$82,000	$300,000	~3.6 years
California (LA/SF)	2-year Master’s (STEM)	$95,000	$125,000	~1.3 years
California (LA/SF)	4-year UG (STEM)	$90,000	$290,000	~3.2 years
Boston	2-year Master’s (STEM)	$88,000	$120,000	~1.36 years
Boston	4-year UG (STEM)	$83,000	$285,000	~3.4 years
Chicago	2-year Master’s (STEM)	$85,000	$105,000	~1.23 years
Chicago	4-year UG (STEM)	$80,000	$250,000	~3.1 years
Texas (Austin/Houston)	2-year Master’s (STEM)	$82,000	$90,000	~1.1 years
Texas (Austin/Houston)	4-year UG (STEM)	$78,000	$220,000	~2.8 years

Key Insight

• STEM salaries in the US are high enough that Master’s graduates often recover their investment within 1–1.5 years.
• Undergraduate programs take longer (3–4 years) due to the higher total cost.
• Texas and Chicago offer the fastest ROI due to lower expenses combined with strong salary prospects.

FAQs

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Now that you understand the complete cost breakdown, salary expectations, and ROI of studying in the USA, you’re better equipped to plan your academic and career journey for 2026. Still unsure which university, program, or city offers the best value? The experts at Leverage Edu can help you navigate the entire process, from budgeting and admissions to visa support, so you can confidently pursue your goals in the United States.

Call 1800 57 2000 today to get your free 30-minute counselling session and take the first step toward studying in the USA with clarity and confidence!