Cost to Study in USA for International Students: Tuition & Living | IDP Vietnam

Studying in the US costs about 30,000 to 90,000 USD/year (about 700 million to 2 billion 2 Vietnamese Dong). This cost level is not fixed, depending on many factors such as the study program, scholarship level, living expenses, or living place of students and students.

You already know how much it costs to study in the US for 1 year, let's go into more detail! You can refer to the cost table by education level below:

You may be interested in: What do international students need to apply to study in the US?

It can be said that how much does it cost to study in the United States from the time of application to admission, families and students need to pay a lot of expenses such as application fees, air tickets, tuition fees, living expenses, travel fees, insurance,...

2.1. Visa fees and application documents

Before going to study in the US, you need to pay for the cost of the visa and application documents, specifically as follows:

• Application fee for each school: 50 - 100 USD

• Interview Fee: 185 USD

• SEVIS Fee: 350 USD

2.1.1. Visa Cost

The cost of applying for a visa to the US in the form of non-immigrant, which includes international students, is 185 USD (about 3,800,000 VND). This amount after being paid to the US embassy will not be refunded and cannot be transferred to another person. This is a fixed amount that any student needs to spend in the process of applying to study in the US.

See more related articles: 7 latest updated information about US student visas

2.1.2. Expenses for school registration dossiers

Another small expense that international students need to pay attention to is the cost of the study registration dossier. On average, you need to spend between $50 and $100 (1,200,000 - 2,300,000 VND), but there are also schools that will be free for your application. Regarding this admission application free policy, you can learn more about each school's announcement

2.1.4. SEVIS Costs

The SEVIS fee for students with I-20 forms is 350 USD (equivalent to 8 million VND). The SEVIS fee is valid from the time the payer receives the I-20 petition until they graduate or finish their school program. Traveling is not too big, but it is one of the costs you need to know when wondering how much money you need to study in the US!

2.2. Cost of air tickets

Are you wondering how much it costs to book a plane ticket to the United States to study abroad? On normal days, the price of a one-way plane ticket to the US for one person will fall around 650 USD to 1000 USD (equivalent to about 15 to 23 million VND).

Notes to maximize the cost of air tickets:

• You can book 2 to 3 months in advance of the flight date

• It is not recommended to book too early, because during the long waiting time, there will be unexpected events, leading to the relocation or cancellation of flight tickets.

• In the case of booking tickets early, you should buy an additional insurance package to facilitate the transfer or cancellation of flight tickets unexpectedly.

2.3. Insurance costs

When it comes to how much money you need to study in the US, you can't ignore the cost of insurance. In the US, there are many insurance levels for international students and students, ranging from mid-range to high-end. On average, you will need to spend about $2,000 per year on insurance costs.

Overall, this average level of coverage is quite reasonable and economical for international students, especially when compared to the amount you have to spend for each uninsured medical visit in the US. The sum of these individual times will likely make up a large portion of your annual expenses.

2.4. Tuition fees

In terms of how much money you need to study in the US, the tuition fee to study in the US is a significant expense when you study in the US. Depending on the level of study, program, and school you choose, the tuition fee for studying in the US will be different. Often, public schools in the U.S. charge much lower tuition fees than private schools.

From the table above, you can see that the bachelor's degree (with a 4-year program) has a tuition fee for 4 years of 48,000 - 200,000 USD. Not to mention the cost of buying study materials and books is in the range of 1,240 - 1,460 USD.

According to the 2018-2019 College Board report, the 2-year program of Community College has an average tuition fee of about 26,290 USD/year (equivalent to 615 million VND). This is much lower than the 4-year Bachelor's program, so you can refer to this program to reduce the cost of studying abroad. In addition, you can also try your hand at winning a scholarship to reduce the tuition fee for your study program.

Learn more:

• Tuition Fees to Study Abroad

• How to calculate the cost of living by country

2.5. Living expenses

How much money do I need to study in the USA? This is an indispensable expense when it comes to how much it costs to study in the US. When coming to the US, in addition to tuition fees, living expenses such as housing, food, and transportation,... are also a noteworthy thing and need to be planned in advance.

2.5.1. Housing costs

When studying in the US, you can choose one of the following 3 popular types of housing: dormitory, homestay, and condominium. Price details of these 3 types of housing are in the following table:

According to information from the College Board, an international student studying for a 4-year Bachelor's program will have to pay an average of 11,950 USD (271 million VND) in the 2021-2022 academic year.

2.5.2. Meal expenses

The average cost of food for an international student is about 300 to 500 USD (7-12 million VND) per month. Many people choose to go to fast-food restaurant chains because of their convenience, speed, and affordable prices.

However, you can also go to the market and cook at home by yourself to ensure hygiene and nutrition, while also saving a lot of money on eating out and you can also calculate how much money you need to spend on studying in the United States!

2.5.3. Travel expenses

The average monthly fee that each international student needs to spend on travel is about 90 - 130 USD.

To save on travel costs:

• You should prioritize choosing the means of transportation, such as a bus, subway, or train to save costs.

• You can use your student privilege to buy weekly or monthly tickets for buses and subways.

• If your home is not too far from school, you can also buy yourself a bicycle to go to school, both combining exercise and avoiding traffic jams, but extremely economical.

2.5.4. Other living expenses

In addition, you also need to set aside an amount for other living expenses such as electricity, Internet, shopping, entertainment,....

From the information about tuition fees and living expenses above, we can roughly know that the cost of a year for a Bachelor of Study in the US is about 85,000 USD (about 2 billion). However, there are a few things you can do to save the most on each item.

Details you can learn more: Cost of living when studying in the US

Attending a university might be expensive, and with new-found independence, it’s easy not to know how to budget and develop an impulsive buying habit. Still, costs can be manageable if you plan ahead with some of these money-saving tips for students.

3.1. Apply for a Scholarship

One of the best ways to save money when studying in the US is to apply for scholarships. Some of the most common requirements for scholarships are Academic achievement, Language proficiency proof, Extracurricular activities, and a Statement of Purpose.

Besides an excellent record of your academic scores, you need to choose one university which is suitable for your abilities and even your financial background. From there, it will be easier for you to express your perspectives, highlight your future goals and ambitions as well as the reasons why you wish to study at this particular institution.

3.2. Avoid eating out frequently

It can be tempting to want to socialize with friends by eating out regularly, but eating at restaurants can be quite expensive, especially if you eat out often. Instead of eating out at bars or fast food restaurants, you can buy the groceries and cook your own meals at home, which is cheaper and healthier.

Consider your schedule as you plan, and select a mix of effortless recipes. Choose recipes that share ingredients so that you can buy in bulk to save cash.

3.3. Find a part-time job

According to the regulations for international students, students with an F1 Visa are only allowed to work part-time on campus. Keep in mind that there are hour restrictions (20 hours per week) so as not to jeopardize your student visa status. During breaks, students can work full-time for up to 40 hours a week.

Working is a great way to earn extra money and meet new friends. If you choose a job that is related to your study program, you can gain more experience and expand your network, which brings benefits for your future career.

3.4. Make the most of your student discount

Being a student means that you’ll enjoy lots of perks and exclusive discounts, so make sure to have your student ID with you at all times. While the amount might not seem big at first, it adds up to a substantial number by the end of the year.

You can make use of the discount when going to movie theaters, shopping centers, restaurants to insurance providers, and even tech companies such as Apple. For those who love traveling, you may find flight tickets at a cheaper price depending on seasonal discounts.

Planning your budget when studying in the US with IDP

Hopefully, these tips above will help you save your money during your study in the US. Studying abroad is considered expensive, but once you know how to plan your expenses, you will save a lot of money, and make the most of student support services and incentives for international students.

And if you want to have a specific estimate of your study abroad fees, check out IDP's Cost of Living Calculator here.

If you are still wondering about choosing a suitable university, requirements, or tuition fees, don't hesitate to pick up the phone and contact IDP for a free consultation. Besides, you can also participate in several events or seminars organized by IDP annually to have a face-to-face conversation with university representatives. You can discuss your study plans and campus life, list your concerns, or find different scholarships worth up to 100%.

Ready to book your flight? Contact IDP today!

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Study in USA