The thought of studying in the USA is an exciting one. You will learn in a world-class education system while living in one of the world's most desired destinations. However, if there is one part of this that worries many potential students, it is the cost. If you can relate to that, don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place to understand what you will need financially.
In this article, we explore the cost of living in the USA for international students, so that you can budget well for your time abroad.
What will I need to pay for?
If this will be your first time living away from home, it’s quite normal to wonder what costs you should be budgeting for. Depending on your lifestyle, they can vary, but some things are usually unavoidable. These include:
- Accommodation
- Food and everyday essentials
- Travel and transport
- Entertainment
- Connectivity (internet, mobile phone, etc.)
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are certainly something you’ll need to budget for, but we won’t go into much detail on them here. Instead, read our article on tuition fees in the USA for a more detailed overview.
Generally, you can expect to pay between the following per year:
- USD 9,000 to USD 70,000 at the undergraduate level
- USD 9,000 to USD 100,000 at the postgraduate level
We know that these ranges are very large. As such, you will want to look closely at the fees charged for any course that you find interesting.
Cost difference between regions
America is a vast country, and just like anywhere else, you’ll find that certain regions are more expensive than others. Additionally, rural areas and smaller towns will be cheaper than cities.
You may already be aware of the high living costs in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. But did you know that southern states typically offer cheaper living, with the bonus of a warm climate? If you live inland, rather than in the more populated coastal areas, you could also be looking at a significantly cheaper way of life.
Of course, even within a city, prices will vary depending on location. You can't rule anything out until you’ve done deeper research into a place. This article should serve as only a general guide.
Accommodation
Life as a student in the USA is very heavily focused on campus. In fact, living on campus is considered a key part of university culture in the country. Although you can choose to live off-campus, you would often be in the minority, particularly at the undergraduate level.
University residence
You may already have an idea of American university living from TV and films. Just like in the movies, dorm rooms in the USA are often shared with another student, though many universities also offer single rooms at a higher cost.
Some campuses even provide themed living communities, including fraternities and sororities, where students live together in larger houses.
On-campus housing is usually offered on a nine-month lease, covering the full academic year, rather than the 12-month leases common in private rentals.
The cost of living on campus varies widely depending on the university, room type and whether a meal plan is included. According to EducationData.org, on average, room and board cost about USD 12,986 per year (around USD 250 per week). To give you an idea of the range:
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), a single room in an undergraduate hall with meals costs about USD 375 per week.
At the University of Colorado Boulder, standard room-and-meal packages average around USD 575 per week.
At Michigan State University (MSU), standard residence hall rooms cost approximately USD 268 per week.
Smaller colleges, such as Ithaca College, can be more affordable, at around USD 115 per week.
In general, you will pay less if you share a room and more if you choose a private option. Accommodation costs are also lower if you opt out of a meal plan, though cooking for yourself may not always be convenient.
Finally, don’t forget to check whether your scholarship or financial aid covers housing, as some packages include room and board, potentially saving you thousands of dollars each year.
Private off-campus rentals
While many students in the US live on campus, renting privately off-campus is also a popular choice, especially among postgraduate or more independent students who want more flexibility. In some areas, off-campus living can even be more affordable than university housing, depending on the type of accommodation and location.
Sharing a house or apartment with other students is the most cost-effective option. Some students even share a bedroom, much like a dorm arrangement, to save more money. On the other hand, renting a private apartment or studio alone is generally much more expensive.
Estimated monthly rent
- Shared accommodation: Renting a room in a shared apartment or house typically costs between USD 500 and USD 1,500 per month, depending on the region and amenities. For instance, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the average rent is approximately USD 769, while in Atlanta, Georgia, it's about USD 949.
- Private units: Renting a private studio or one-bedroom apartment generally ranges from USD 1,200 to over USD 3,000 per month, with higher costs in major metropolitan areas. For example, in Boston, Massachusetts, the average rent is around USD 1,323.
(Source: SpareRoom)
Utilities
Most private rentals do not include utilities. Water may sometimes be included, but electricity, gas and internet are typically separate. For a standard 915-square-foot apartment, utilities average around USD 210 per month, usually split between tenants.
Food
If your accommodation isn’t catered, you will need to shop and cook for yourself. This isn’t always easy to do on a budget, but you will soon get the hang of it. In addition, you may want to think about the cost of restaurants. Dining out is a fantastic way to socialise and experience local culture.
The cost of food in the US varies substantially between towns, cities and states. Large cities tend to be more expensive than small towns and suburban areas.
According to the IDP Study Abroad Living Costs Calculator, if you are relatively frugal, a budget of USD 167 should be enough to cover your food expenses each month in Arlington, Texas, including the cost of dining out once a week.
However, if you choose to study in New York City, you will need to budget around USD 230 per month for groceries and dining out weekly.
Transport
Living on campus, you may find your need for public transport to be minimal. Regardless, you will generally find buses and (where available) the subway to be the cheapest and most convenient mode of travel in the USA.
A single trip on the bus or subway in the States costs an average of USD 2.50. Depending on where you are based, it can range from USD 1 to USD 4 (source: Numbeo).
Most cities offer travel card options to make it cheaper to take regular journeys. Some have pay-as-you-go style cards (which deduct credit from the overall balance) that allow you to string short journeys together as part of one trip. For example, a short bus ride can be immediately followed by a journey on the subway.
Of course, cabs are also an option, but these are expensive, and rarely the best choice for students.
As a student, you may also be entitled to some travel discounts, so do check what is available locally. For example, in New York, a Student MetroCard will get you much cheaper travel.
Entertainment
Part of the university experience is enjoying time with friends and perhaps picking up some new hobbies or skills. If that sounds good to you, remember to do a bit of research in advance. You will find plenty of places that offer student discounts.
If you are looking for free entertainment, there will be plenty. Some parks are well-known for offering regular free exercise classes, for example. And while not all museums and galleries are free in the USA, you’ll find many that are. New York’s Museum of Modern Art even reserves specific times for free entry.
Some average costs for entertainment include:
- Pint of local beer: USD 6
- Cinema ticket: USD 14.75
- Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: USD 75.81
When eating out, you will also need to budget for tipping your waiter: around 15 to 20 per cent is customary. And remember, the legal drinking age in the USA is 21, higher than in many countries.
Connectivity
Keeping in touch with family and friends is especially important for international students living far from home. So, you’ll definitely want to budget for internet and phone expenses.
If you live on campus, your internet will usually be covered in the cost of your rent. Off-campus, however, the average household pays around USD 72 per month. Of course, this will be divided between you and your housemates, so your bill will be much lower.
For a SIM-only plan with calls and 10GB data to make contacting home easy, you will pay an average of USD 60 per month, depending on your provider.
Miscellaneous and hidden costs
You will always want to have room in your budget for other costs, both expected and unexpected. Likely examples include clothes, bed linen and household cleaning items.
There will also be costs associated with your course. While you should be able to access most of your reading materials online or in the university library, you may still need to pay for textbooks, stationery and course equipment.
It is also worth considering the costs associated with your arrival and wellbeing. Visas and student health insurance are not cheap.
With that said, try not to get too stressed over the endless details of your budget. Once you have a broad picture, things will start to make more sense.
If you’re worried about not being able to afford things, most visas allow you to get a part-time job on campus. This can help ease your financial situation.
We hope that this has cleared up some of your questions about the cost of living in the USA for international students. If so, you could begin searching for your ideal course in the country with our simple search tool.
Disclaimer: All figures in this article are indicative and correct at the time of writing. Since the economy can be subject to rapid, unexpected changes at any time, we always recommend that you do your research before booking any travel.
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