As an international student looking to study in the USA, you may not find it easy to work out the cost of tuition fees. While the American education system is known for its quality, it can be complex. For that reason, we're here to simplify it. We’ve looked through the data and created an overview of US tuition fees, aiming to give you an idea of what you may pay for your course.
What do tuition fees cover?
Tuition fees in the USA are not set by local or national government. Instead, they are decided by universities. This means that what they cover can vary. However, you can usually expect the minimum to be:
- Lectures, seminars and tutorials
- Access to university resources (e.g. libraries and computer rooms)
- Access to course-related facilities and equipment (e.g. laboratories and studios)
Tuition fees do not cover student supplies (e.g. textbooks or stationery) or living expenses (e.g. rent, travel or bills). For more information about these, read our article on the cost of living in the USA.
Understanding tuition fees
When calculating the price of tuition fees in the USA, there are several things you’ll want to keep in mind. Costs can vary widely.
Academic institution
Tuition fees vary significantly between institutions. Often, those that are highest in league tables such as the QS World University Rankings will charge more for their courses.
Public vs private institutions
Public (state-owned) universities usually offer cheaper tuition fees in the USA than private ones.
If you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider applying to a community college. Here you will typically study for an associate degree, rather than a bachelor's qualification. Associate degrees are less expensive, and can sometimes be used as the first half of a bachelor’s.
Geographic location
Tuition fees in West Coast states tend to be less expensive than those in East Coast ones. The cost in inland states is often even cheaper.
Out-of-state fees
Students who are not from the state in which a university is based are often charged higher fees than ones who are. These are commonly called out-of-state fees, and apply to American students as well as international ones.
Type of qualification
Often, tuition fees for postgraduate degrees are more costly per year than fees for undergraduate degrees. However, this can vary.
Subject studied
Particularly at undergraduate level, many US universities do not charge different fees for different subjects. However, where they do, science degrees often cost more than arts or humanities degrees. Of these, medical and veterinary science courses tend to be the most expensive.
Course length
In general, the longer your course takes, the more expensive it will be overall. Undergraduate degrees in the USA are typically four years long.
Method of learning
Some courses are offered with a distance learning option that may be considerably cheaper than traditional methods of study.
At postgraduate level, research-based courses will be cheaper than those which are taught.
Years abroad
If your course offers a year abroad, the tuition fees for that year may be different to other years.
How much are undergraduate tuition fees in the USA?
Undergraduate tuition fees for international students at US universities can be anywhere between USD 9,000 and USD 70,000 per year.
The range is big, and the figures are complicated. To make things even more confusing, different universities may opt to charge by course credits, semester, quarter or year, making it feel almost impossible to compare.
However, you needn't worry. In this article, we've looked at the numbers across the country to create a rough guide to your options.
How much are undergraduate tuition fees at different US universities?
As stated above, undergraduate tuition fees for international students at US universities vary widely.
Some of the most expensive fees are charged by the most highly rated and highly selective institutions. These include those which are part of elite groups such as the Ivy League. For example, fees at the East Coast's Yale University are USD 69,900 per year for all of its courses. On the West Coast, the prestigious California Institute of Technology charges USD 65,622 per year.
However, even among top universities, there are less costly options. Other institutions ranked inside the USA's top 100 such as Ohio State University (USD 45,526 per year) and University of Wisconsin–Madison (USD 44,210) are comparatively cheap.
Nonetheless, these are not the least expensive universities in the USA for international students. Lower fees can be found at a large number of institutions, with some of the cheapest including Minot State University (USD 9,194 per year) and Western Carolina University (USD 11,138). While these may not be the most well known universities, they do offer you the chance to earn a degree while keeping your costs to a minimum.
One important thing to note about US university fees, however, is that the figures stated can be significantly higher than those you will be expected to pay. Many universities and states offer financial aid to their students which can substantially lower tuition costs. As this support differs widely, it is wise to look into that which you may be able to receive at the universities in which you are interested.
How much are undergraduate tuition fees for different courses in the USA?
The subject you choose to study can have an effect on what tuition fees you pay as an international student in the USA. However, in many cases, it will not.
A large proportion of US universities charge the same fees for all of their undergraduate courses. For instance, if you study mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, you will be charged the same as if you study economics: USD 63,204. Similarly, you could pursue a health sciences degree at New York's Stony Brook University for USD 31,050, or a business management one for the same price.
Of course, while this is a common practice, it is not one adopted by all universities. The best way to be sure of what those you are interested in will charge is to go to them directly. Detailed fee information can usually be found via university websites, prospectuses or contact addresses.
How much are postgraduate tuition fees in the USA?
International postgraduate tuition fees at US universities vary widely. The cheapest courses can cost around USD 9,000 per year, with the most expensive costing more than USD 100,000.
As at undergraduate level, you can expect to pay the highest fees at the most highly rated universities. However, unlike at undergraduate level, postgraduate fees often vary depending on the subject you are studying.
For example, studying a master's in civil engineering at the University of Michigan will cost you USD 32,425. By comparison, a master's in law will cost USD 48,946.
Differences can also be seen at less famous institutions. A master's in accounting at North Carolina State University comes with a tuition fee of USD 48,664. The equivalent fee for computer science is USD 42,512, while for communications it is USD 34,032.
Ultimately, the easiest way to be sure of how much you will pay in tuition fees at postgraduate level in the USA is to look for the specific details of the courses in which you are interested. Just as at undergraduate level, this information can be found through university websites, prospectuses and contact addresses.
How do I pay my tuition fees in the USA?
Tuition fees in the US are paid directly to your university. Different institutions have different payment structures, so you may be able to pay annually, by semester, or by quarter. Check the requirements of your chosen university before you apply.
Will I have to pay any other fees?
This is a strong possibility. Many US universities place other charges on students in addition to tuition fees. These may go towards the cost of things such as student services, unions or course admininstration. The level of such charges varies, so it is important to check them with your prospective university.
Of course, to make things easier, many universities offer scholarships and funding opportunities to international students. You could explore these and the Fulbright Program, which can make studying in the USA fully funded.
Now that you know more about tuition fees, why not learn how to apply to study in the USA? You could also read more about the American higher education system, or look for courses with our simple search tool.
Disclaimer: While we’ve done all we can to ensure the accuracy of the information in this article, it should only be used as a guideline. Costs vary and can change at any time, so be sure to verify fee structures with any university you are interested in attending.
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