Many students aspire to study in the USA for better career prospects. Gaining a degree and possibly getting a job in America enhances your position and standing in the market as a professional. You stand a better chance for future job interviews and international work experiences.

The country is home to a diverse population of people from across different parts of the world. This makes it conducive for those outside of the US looking to settle as they progress through studies and eventually establishing a career. With a dominant culture, living in America makes it all the more interesting as every state has amazing benefits to offer. From scenic landscapes to adventurous trips, star gazing in the desert, exploring forests, and mountain climbing, there’s so much more to experience. You can read more about the seven reasons why you should consider studying in the US. 

Therefore, if you’ve been researching American Universities in the US, we suggest you consider the expenses as a significant factor. The financial investment is significantly high and can get overwhelming when it comes to studying in the USA for international students. However, with the right planning and guidance, you would be able to manage your stay. In this blog, you will get a good idea of the costs involved for studying in the US, including accommodation, food, medical expenses, and so on.

The costs for studying in the USA for international students

As you journey through your study program in the US as an international student, your living expenses will depend on certain specific factors. This would include your lifestyle choices in general, location of stay, food and shopping expenses, social commitments, and your approach towards budget planning.

• The approximate cost of living in the USA ranges between an estimated $10,000 and $12,000 per year. You are likely to spend approximately $700-$1,000 every month.
• Your rent would be an unavoidable expense. Your accommodation costs can significantly greatly depend on the type of housing you choose. Living in a single apartment can run you a high cost, so an alternative choice would be to share an apartment with peers or living in the campus housing for students. Think wisely by considering all factors before choosing a study accommodation abroad. 
• Students in the US are likely to spend about an average of $13,000 on food, clothing, travel and transportation annually. However, these expenses depend on the personal choices you make and how you plan your budget for food. If you are on a strict budget, you commit to cooking from home and reduce your options of eating out. In that case, your food expenses may go down to $200 per month.
• When it comes to travelling, commuting expenses vary upon whether or not you own a vehicle. Most people above the age of 18 in the US are permitted to own a car. You may need to buy one too if your university is too far from your accommodation. At the same rate, this would mean incurring additional costs in terms of the car purchase, insurance and gas. These costs are likely to amount to $175. On the other hand, if you are staying at the university campus or if your university is located downtown, you will find public transport systems very useful and at a comparatively affordable cost. 
• Healthcare costs can be a significant factor in deciding your expenses entirely. Since health insurance is compulsory for international students who study in the USA, this expense becomes non-negotiable. That said, health insurance premium is most often integrated in the university tuition fee for international students. Therefore, it may not be a separate expense to worry about while applying for admissions.
• There will be miscellaneous expenses as well, such as cell phone costs. This may amount to around $20 per month. For high-speed internet connection, you may need to spend about $15 per month. Additional expenses include shopping, entertainment and eating outside. You must judge the extent of these expenses based on your pocket money and affinity to splurge.

Therefore, your total living expenses as an international student must not ideally exceed $600 a month. That said, most of the expenses listed above are left to your discretion.

Planning your expenses while you study in the USA

While working out the approximate costs that you would incur, here are a few ways to plan your expenses.

• Engage in part-time jobs to cover your expenses. Your part-time job may not cover your overall expenses but will provide respite to a certain extent. Working while studying can help you earn anywhere between $9 to $15 per hour. You can consider working on odd jobs and minimum wage jobs at restaurants and hotels.

• Most American universities in the US provide financial assistance to international students. This is done in the form of scholarships or grants. You can look for such options and avail them before moving to the US. 

If you are a student with an excellent academic background and have scored well in your studies, you stand a higher chance of successfully acquiring a scholarship. You may be partially or fully funded while also ensuring that you meet the necessary criteria by providing all information with supporting documents. Furthermore, you may contact our team of experts for necessary guidance to apply for the right kind of scholarship.

• You could try pursuing on-campus work opportunities that may be available at your university. Even assistant positions can earn you a higher pay within the range of $300-$700 per month depending on the number of hours you’ve worked.

• Make sure to plan your budget and estimated expenses before the start of every month. Planning well in advance will help you spend wisely and discourage any impulsive purchases.

• To wisely track your expenses, check all the payments you’ve made and costs incurred at the end of every month. This consistent habit of keeping a check on your expenses will help you identify the areas where money is overspent. You can make adjustments between money spent based on necessity and the need to splurge.

Considering your cost of living as an international student is one of the most vital responsibilities. Your dream to make it big in your career depends on how you spend your time abroad while you study in the USA.