Cost of studying in United States (2026)
Total yearly cost
₹35–70L
All-in: tuition + rent + food + transport + insurance, in INR. Local currency: USD ($).
Cost breakdown
Monthly figures in local currency unless otherwise noted.
| Component | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | See per-course pages below for tier-by-discipline. | Varies by program and university. |
| Rent | $800–2,500/mo | Single occupancy, off-campus. |
| Food | $300–600 | Mix of home cooking + occasional eating out. |
| Transport | $50–150 | Student transit pass. |
| Health insurance | $1,500–3,000/yr | Mandatory; many universities bundle this. |
City-by-city rent comparator
Picking a tier-2 city instead of the capital can drop your yearly total by 20-40%.
| City | Rent | Food | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $1,800–2,500 | $500–600 | $120–150 |
| San Francisco | $2,000–3,000 | $450–550 | $80–120 |
| Austin | $1,000–1,600 | $300–400 | $50–80 |
Cost of United States masters programs by course
Each page shows tuition tier (P25-P75) for that discipline, computed from live university listings.
Cost of Computer Science & AI in United States
Top universities offering Computer Science, Software Engineering and AI/ML masters programs
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Cost of Data Science in United States
Best universities for Data Science, Analytics and Business Intelligence masters programs
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Cost of MBA & Business in United States
Top business schools and MBA programs for international students
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Cost of Engineering in United States
Top universities for Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Robotics engineering masters
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Cost of Cybersecurity in United States
Top universities offering Cybersecurity, Information Assurance and Digital Forensics
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Cost of Medicine & Healthcare in United States
Best universities for Medicine, Public Health, Nursing and Bio-tech masters
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Cost of Finance & Accounting in United States
Top universities for Finance, Accounting, FinTech and Investment masters
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Cost of Law & Policy in United States
Top universities for LLM, Public Policy and International Relations programs
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Cost of Arts & Humanities in United States
Top universities for Arts, Literature, Media and Communication programs
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Cost of Architecture & Design in United States
Top universities for Architecture, Urban Planning and Design programs
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the total cost of studying in United States per year?
- For an Indian student, the total all-in cost (tuition + rent + food + transport + health insurance) is approximately ₹35–70L. Rent typically ranges $800–2,500/mo, food $300–600, transport $50–150, and health insurance $1,500–3,000/yr.
- Can I work part-time in United States to offset costs?
- Yes. Most international students in United States can work part-time during the term and full-time during breaks under their student visa. Hourly wages and weekly hour caps vary — see the country guide on /studyabroad/usa for the exact policy.
- Are scholarships available for Indian students in United States?
- Yes — every major destination has both government scholarships (for United States, this includes country-specific awards) and university-level merit/need scholarships. Most cover 25-100% of tuition. See /scholarships for current openings.
- Are these cost ranges in INR or local currency?
- The headline yearly total (₹35–70L) is in INR for budgeting from India. The rent / food / transport / insurance ranges are in USD ($) — the local currency you'll spend in once you arrive.
Build a budget for United States
Talk to a NexStudy counselor about scholarship offsets, education loans and cost-saving city choices for United States.