Wondering how much it costs to complete your MS from the US? We've summed up most of the factors here and you'll get a fair idea of the cost of MS in USA (unless, of course, you travel business class). We've divided the expenses for pursuing the best masters courses in the US based on where you'll be making them, i.e., expenses in India and expenses in the USA. Keep reading!
| Table of Contents |
Cost of Studying MS in USA for Indian Students
The average cost of pursuing an MS in the USA is approximately $50,000-55,000 per year, although it depends on two major factors:
- Tuition fees for MS in USA
- Living Expenses to study MS in USA
Therefore, it can be identified that the cost of doing MS in USA is an amalgamation of the living expenses and tuition fees for MS in USA.
Suggested: Top Reasons to Study MS in USA
Cost Breakdown of Studying MS in USA
Given below is the detailed version of how cost of MS in USA for Indian students look like, including costs incurred in India and costs incurred in USA:
|
Factors/Parameter |
Amount (in USD) |
Amount (in INR) |
|
205 |
15,200 |
|
|
170 |
12,600 |
|
|
Applications |
1,100 |
81,400 |
|
Counselling (optional) |
340 |
25,000 |
|
Other Expenses During Applications |
162 |
12,000 |
|
VISA Fee |
160 |
11,840 |
|
SEVIS Fee |
200 |
14,800 |
|
Airfares (one-way) |
675 |
50,000 |
|
Tuition Fee |
40,000 |
29,60,000 |
|
Living Expenses |
15,000 |
11,10,000 |
|
Total |
58,000 |
42,92,000 |
Suggested: Cost of Studying in USA for Indian Students
Note: The above table is derived based on numerous assumptions and actual costs may vary for different individuals. We've only summarised some important expenses to get an average cost of studying abroad with an emphasis on cost for MS in the US.
Cost of MS in USA While in India(Pre-Arrival)
Let us now move onto discovering the first aspect pertaining to the cost of doing MS in USA, which is the pre-arrival cost to study MS in USA:
1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Exam Fee
This is, usually, the first step towards the entire journey for your MS in the USA. This parameter is like the poker face - nobody knows whether it can make or break the chances; and hence, it has always been the most popular of all. You need to have a good GRE prep study plan. The cost of the exam is 205 USD.
Low scorers and a bunch of restless high scorers might retake the exam adding another 205 USD. (or INR 15,200).
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2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
While you MIGHT skip the GRE test for your applications to the States (some universities do take in applications without GRE), TOEFL is something that you can't skip. It is like a passport to the United States. The universities need to know your proficiency with the language and hence, it is a compulsory exam, if not at the time of applications, at least during the VISA interview. The cost of the exam is 170 USD (or INR 12,600).
3. Applying to US Universities
Fees for applying to each university vary from 50 USD (INR 3700) to 100 USD (INR 7400) with the former being the most common. However, applications are incomplete without sending your official test scores (GRE and TOEFL) through ETS, adding another 47 USD (GRE: 27 USD and TOEFL: 20 USD)
On average, students apply to 10 US universities and the total estimate comes out to be as follows:
Application Fee (60 USD) + Sending GRE and TOEFL scores (27 USD + 20 USD) = 107 USD. Let's be on the safer (read higher) side and assume 110 USD per university. So, applications to 10 universities will be a whopping 1100 USD (or INR 81,400)
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4. Other Expenses During Applications
Now, this list might be long and will drastically vary from every applicant. Still, the normal expenses in this category are as follows:
- a) Counselling: Applicants, rather lazy applicants, who feel that a counsellor can fit in their shoes and get them to Stanford or Berkeley shell out anything from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000. We've assumed the average at ₹25,000.
- b) Transcripts on the college letterhead (around 15 copies), Bank Statements (15), Affidavit (15) with the sponsor's name on it (15), and Dispatching them to the university (major expenditure of the lot). This, altogether, should not cost more than ₹12,000.
Suggested: How to Choose Your University in US for MS?
In some cases, students make multiple copies of the Letter of Recommendations (LoRs) and Statement of Purpose (SoP) and unnecessarily burn an extra 500 bucks or so. There may be other charges like late registration, reinstating cancelled scores, sectional reviews, rescheduling which ranges from (20 USD to 160 USD each). (appx INR 7400). To avoid these extra charges we suggest making a good GRE prep study plan and start applications early and well before the US university deadlines.
5. Visa
While the costs are just a notable factor, it's really important to know the entire F-1 Visa Procedure.
Once you receive your I20 (official document sent by the university which states your stay in the United States and the amount to be spent for the year), you need to pay up the VISA Fee which is 160 USD (INR 11,840) followed by the SEVIS fee which is 200 USD (INR 14,800).
When it comes to the visa interview Yocket Premium also gets the students stage-ready and prepared with mock interviews and basic questions asked in the interview. Premium enrolled aspirants have a 100% success rate in getting visas approved.
6. Flight Tickets
Single way airfares in Economy Class vary between $500-750 or ₹40,000-60,000 depending on your city, destination, and airline. Return airfares cost somewhere between $750-1050 or ₹60,000-90,000 and are a better deal if you're gonna miss family too much.
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Cost for MS in USA While in USA(Post-Arrival)
Students who plan to study in universities located in states/cities like California, New York City, Chicago, New Jersey, Washington, Florida, Boston have to keep in mind that owing to the popularity of the location, they might have to spend more for their average cost of MS in USA.
Moreover, if you plan to stay alone or with a single roommate in a nice furnished apartment, the expenses certainly will be higher. So find yourself a nice roommate before landing there.
Suggested: Best MS Courses in USA
Having said that, it is not only safe to share your apartment with a couple of students in a new place, but the fun factor is also what makes masters abroad all the more interesting.
The two primary expenses after reaching the states are MS fees in USA for Indian students and living expenses or the cost to study MS in USA.
1. Tuition Fee
This is a highly variable expense and differs from university to university and is also based on your course. It's also the biggest expense you'll be making. Please check the list of University Reviews for a complete list of universities with tuition fees and more details. On average, the tuition fee comes to be around USD 40,000 or INR 29,60,000 for a two-year MS program. Of course, you may get scholarships or other financial aid which can reduce these costs. You might also want to consider financing your tuition fee with an education loan.
Given below are the tuition fees for MS in USA for top universities:
|
University |
Tuition Fee for International Students (in USD) |
|
28,000-75,000 |
|
|
35,000-70,000 |
|
|
30,000-60,000 |
|
|
40,000-60,000 |
|
|
40,000-60,000 |
|
|
56,000-58,000 |
Suggested: Low Tuition Fee Universities for MS in US
2. Living Expenses
Well, there's no accurate way to estimate living expenses as factors in the total cost to study MS in USA. Some factors include:
- Location
- Apartment Size
- Number of Roommates and
- Proximity to the University
Other living expenses pertaining to MS in USA fees include books and supplies, transportation, meals, recreational expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses.
On average students tend to spend between 500 USD to 1100 USD per month which includes everything. If your course length is 2 years you'll end up spending around 15,000 USD (INR 11,10,000). Most of the students however never end up spending so much as assistantships and internships cover up a lot of these costs.
Suggested: How to Finance Your MS in USA?
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