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Fees and costs for studying in the USA

How much does it cost to study abroad in the USA? 

The short answer is: it depends! In the USA, tuition, university student fees, housing and cost of living can vary greatly by location. Below is a broad overview to give you an idea of what you can expect to pay. 

A student hanging around New York near Pace

Explore costs at our US university partners 

Prices will vary depending on which university and study option you choose. 

US university degree tuition and fees 

Once you are accepted into a US degree program, you’ll be required to start making payments toward university tuition, fees and other costs. 

Undergraduate degrees 

From $11,324 per year 

Graduate degrees 

From $18,990 per year 

(Prices shown are international student base tuition rates per year for 2023–24 at our US partner universities. Prices may increase in future academic years.) 

US degree preparation tuition and fees 

The cost of your degree preparation programme depends on the level of study. 

Undergraduate pathways

From $13,000 per semester 

Graduate pathways

From $11,500 per semester 

(Prices shown are for the 2023–24 academic year. Prices may increase in future academic years.) 

Other costs to consider

Living expenses in the USA

It’s important to remember that costs extend beyond the classroom. You’ll also want to make sure you can afford to live comfortably while studying abroad. Here are some other costs to keep in mind…

  • To get your student visa, you must show proof that you have enough funding to pay for tuition, room and board, and living expenses for an entire academic year. 
  • This total amount will vary at each university. 

Find out more about life in the USA


US average prices for:
  • Cup of coffee | $2.70 (U.S. News) 

  • Meal

    Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | $15 (Numbeo) 

  • 5GB of mobile data | $16.65  

  • Weekly groceries | $80 (U.S. News) 

US student housing 

At our partner US universities, undergraduate students tend to live in a student dormitory during the first year of study. After your first year, you can choose to stay on campus or move off campus. 

US average accommodation prices for: 

On-campus shared room in a student residence at one of our partner universities 

From $6,550 per year 

Off-campus private 1-bedroom apartment 

From $14,880 per year (Numbeo) 

Meal plans and utilities

Meal plans are often mandatory for students living on campus, and the average cost at our US university partners is approximately $5,000 per academic year. This covers your meals and snacks at a variety of dining venues on campus. 

When you live in on-campus student housing, utility costs (electricity, water, internet, etc.) are included in your room rate. Depending on where you choose to live off-campus, utility costs will vary and are often a separate cost in addition to your monthly rent.   

Find out more about accommodation in the USA

US scholarships for international students 

We understand that studying abroad in the USA is a major investment. To make your educational journey more affordable, Kaplan and our university partners offer scholarships that can help cover tuition costs.