Posted by The cost of Living in the United States for Students could be pretty expensive, although it has some of the best bachelor’s and master’s programs in the world. You must have a solid plan for paying for these expenses if you are determined to study abroad in the US.
Discover high costs, funding options, and money-saving advice you’ll need to consider if you want to pursue a degree at an American university or college by continuing to read.
Average Cost of Living in the US for Students
Below is the average cost of living in the US for students
1. The cost of living in the US
Due to the size of the US, living expenses vary widely across the nation. Living in urban areas (in or near a large city) generally costs more than living in smaller towns or the suburbs. We have included some estimates for the nation’s central regions to help you better understand the typical living expenses associated with studying in the United States.
Locations in the Midwest typically have lower living costs than those in the East and North East, while the opposite is generally true. The following variables can significantly affect living expenses:
- Accommodation on-campus or renting apartments outside the campus
- Traveling by public transportation or by car
- meal plans, personal grocery shopping, eating out
- Amounts spent on entertainment
- personal spending patterns, and whether or not you have a part-time job are all factors to consider.
2. Food Cost
The cost of groceries for one person per month ranges from $400 to $600. This depends on your eating preferences and whether meals are provided as part of your university housing. Shop at some of the most affordable supermarkets, such as Walmart, Target, Costco, and Trader Joe’s.
If you choose to live in a residence hall, you can choose one of the on-campus meal plans, which would cost you about USD 250 per month.
Examples of prices in eatries/restaurants
Restaurants in Bowling Green have reasonable prices; a pizza runs about $7, and a cappuccino costs about $4.50.
A lunch costs about 12 USD in Chicago, while a beer at a bar costs about 6 USD.
San Francisco offers meals at international and American restaurants for about USD 15.
3. Accommodation costs
The US lodging price can vary almost as much as the cost of living. One-bedroom flats in more rural places can start at 600 USD, while the average unit can cost up to 3,000 USD or more (1-bedroom apartment in Boston).
In America, renting off-campus housing could be less expensive than on-campus housing—450 USD/month for shared quarters. But remember that you might need to commute daily and that the university is far away.
The average cost of room and board at universities is:
At public four-year institutions, tuition is $9,800; at private four-year universities, it is $11,100.
Read Also: How to Get Permanent Residency in the USA for International Students
Utilities that are associated with accommodation
You should read the contract carefully before signing it because the price might include something other than the utilities. The following are some of the most typical utility prices you will encounter:
- Electricity costs between 50 and 100 dollars per month, depending on the size of your apartment, and if you have electric heating, the total cost could reach 150 dollars per month.
- Heating costs between 50 and 100 dollars per month.
- Internet costs between 45 and 50 dollars per month.
- A phone subscription costs 50 dollars per month
- Water, sewer, and trash cost between 50 and 75 dollars per three months.
4. The United States transportation system
A monthly transit pass costs between $45 and $100. Some universities have discounts for students, but not all. For instance, a student metro pass in Cincinnati costs 53 USD per semester. A monthly pass for the city’s transit costs 44 USD.
Flying to and from your native nation will probably cost the most in terms of transportation. Be cautious when including airline tickets in the entire budget because this can significantly affect your plans.
Consider including vacations to well-known tourist locations and weekend breaks within the US. Depending on your location and destination, you may spend up to USD 500 for every journey.
Additional expenses Books and other study aids cost between $400 and $1,000 every academic year.
Consider creating a yearly budget for unforeseen or additional personal needs. A good starting point is $2000. You can also utilize a free tool like the Student Budget Calculator to keep track of your finances.
5. American Medical Costs
Medical expenses in the USA include health insurance, which is more expensive than in India. However, it is almost possible to find medicine in the USA with a prescription. Thus, health insurance is a requirement for students who intend to relocate to the USA.
6. Personal Expenses in the USA
Health, fitness, daily necessities, food, and personal hygiene products are all included in personal expenses in the USA.
Financial assistance for international students studying in the US
Most colleges provide financial aid to international students, usually focused on merit rather than need. Graduate studies make it simpler to obtain scholarships. Engineering, physical sciences, and biological sciences are among the study areas that typically receive more extensive funding.
All US institutions must list tuition and a financial assistance calculator on their websites. You can access this and other helpful materials on the official government website. Look for student loans, assistantships, grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. Along with your institution’s application, fill out a financial aid application.
Check out the Studyportals Scholarship if you need assistance paying for your studies abroad.
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Tips for Cutting Costs in the USA
Due to the high cost of living in the USA, first-time immigrants must have strong money management abilities. Here are some guidelines for identifying needless spending in the USA:
- Scholarships: Indian students studying in the USA may apply for merit-based scholarships offered by their educational institutions. This gets rid of the most considerable expense for international students.
- Stipend: Some colleges give students stipends just for attending their institutions. However, research scholars and graduate students are the primary recipients of this offer.
- Internships: Students may apply for internships their college offers during the summer or winter in which they would be required to work for the college and get compensation as necessary.
- Flights: If not urgent, booking flight tickets in the off-season, when they may be purchased at steep discounts, is a straightforward method to save money.
- Sales: Purchasing items during sales is one alternative if you need to reduce your spending. You can also get discounts on articles using credit cards, debit cards, online payment tools, etc.