Can anyone share the cost of living in the US for a 4-year program, including tuition fees?
I would also appreciate details on the following:
• Cost of living + tuition in Australia
• Cost of living + tuition in Germany
• Cost of living + tuition in London.
You need to specify which part of the US and which university you’re looking at. For instance, one master’s program I looked at was $30k while the one I’m doing now costs $14k. There’s a huge difference.
@Samuel
I am applying to Caltech, UC Berkeley, Princeton, Cornell, and Rice. As a backup, I am applying to Purdue.
H.Greenspan said:
@Samuel
I am applying to Caltech, UC Berkeley, Princeton, Cornell, and Rice. As a backup, I am applying to Purdue.
If you’re from a lower income background, most of these universities (except for Berkeley, Purdue, Texas, and Illinois) offer financial aid that includes housing.
You can use the financial aid calculators on their websites to estimate the aid you’ll receive.
@Brighton
That’s great to know! But is it possible for international students to receive good financial aid?
H.Greenspan said:
@Brighton
That’s great to know! But is it possible for international students to receive good financial aid?
It depends on the university. Generally, the top ones like Caltech, Princeton, Cornell, and Rice provide full financial aid (getting admitted is the hard part). However, public universities like UC Berkeley, Texas, Illinois, and Purdue give little or no financial aid.
You need to research this on your own. If you can’t do that, you shouldn’t put yourself in a situation where unexpected costs may arise.
LearningFacilitator4 said:
You need to research this on your own. If you can’t do that, you shouldn’t put yourself in a situation where unexpected costs may arise.
I’ve tried connecting with agents and real students, but the numbers varied so much that I can’t figure out what’s correct.
@H.Greenspan
Unless you tell us the exact university, no one can answer this question for you because costs vary greatly. If you know the exact university, you can easily find the information on their website.
H.Greenspan said:
@Lilly
I’m considering Caltech, University of Texas, and University of Illinois.
Caltech is extremely competitive, and if an international student manages to get in, they may offer financial aid. Otherwise, it’s incredibly expensive, especially with California’s cost of living.
State schools often accept international students but charge them full tuition, so the cost can be high.
@H.Greenspan
This is America, where everything varies by university. State schools will typically cost around $45k per year, with an additional $15k for expenses. Expensive private universities start at $90k, and with added expenses, a 4-year degree could cost $250k at a state school or $440k at an expensive one.
@H.Greenspan
How did you go about researching the costs? Can you give me an example of your research methods?
LearningFacilitator4 said:
@H.Greenspan
How did you go about researching the costs? Can you give me an example of your research methods?
I reached out to about 20 students via LinkedIn, Instagram, and email. Some said it was too expensive, while others said it was manageable. Then, I contacted 10-15 agents, and they told me it was affordable for a middle-class family, but I later realized they were just trying to sell their services. I also searched city-wise for rent and food expenses, but I’m unsure how to adjust for inflation. After a month of research, I’m still confused. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
@H.Greenspan
Google ‘tuition cost for international students at X University’ and take the upper range from the official university website. They often provide breakdowns of costs, including housing, food, and transportation. For example, UCLA’s website shows $77,293/year. It’s all available on their site, so you can directly get the data and estimate your budget accordingly.
@H.Greenspan
The tuition and estimated total cost of attendance are listed on every university’s website. It’s surprising that you asked everyone except the actual universities.
KarenHarris said:
@H.Greenspan
The tuition and estimated total cost of attendance are listed on every university’s website. It’s surprising that you asked everyone except the actual universities.
I did check the university websites at first, but when I contacted students, I found out that there are additional hidden costs beyond tuition.
@H.Greenspan
Look up ‘total cost of attendance.’ It’s all there. You can easily find this information on the university’s site.
It’s impossible to give a general cost for living and tuition in the US as it varies greatly by region. For example, a program in Iowa will have a lower cost of living than one in California. Tuition is also different for public vs. private universities, and being an international student can increase the costs. The final cost will depend on your acceptance into a program, which is why it’s hard to give an estimate.
@Andrian
Thanks for the response! Can you provide an estimate for California, specifically Caltech, and the University of Illinois, assuming no financial aid?