Quick Read
- Average out-of-state public tuition is Rs.30.5 lakh ($31,880).
- Private nonprofit universities average Rs.43.1 lakh ($45,000) in tuition yearly.
- An engineering MS at Purdue costs Rs.48.7 lakh yearly.
- F-1 applicants pay Rs.17,703 MRV and Rs.33,492 SEVIS fees.
- During the term, on-campus jobs allow up to 20 hours weekly.
- India sent 3.63 lakh students to the US in 2024-25.
Cost of Studying in USA 2027: Quick Overview
The cost of studying in USA runs from about Rs.48.7 lakh a year at an average public university to Rs.62.7 lakh at a private one, based on the College Board’s 2025-26 averages.
These budgets include housing, food, books, transport, and personal costs, with every USD cost converted to rupees. International students pay at least the out-of-state rate, and some universities charge more (Purdue adds $3,310 a year).
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| University type | Average tuition and fees (2025-26) | Average total yearly budget |
|---|---|---|
| Public four-year (out-of-state rate) | Rs.30.51 lakh ($31,880) | Rs.48.73 lakh ($50,920) |
| Private nonprofit four-year | Rs.43.06 lakh ($45,000) | Rs.62.65 lakh ($65,470) |
My insight: Families often plan with the tuition figure alone and get a shock at the I-20 stage. Your university will ask you to show the full yearly budget, so plan with that number from day one.
Cost of Studying in USA at Public vs Private Universities
For 2026-27 undergraduate entry, Purdue (public) costs Rs.50.43 lakh a year all in, while MIT (private) lists Rs.88.76 lakh. That gap can shrink after aid: MIT says students on its need-based scholarship paid a median of $10,268 in 2024-25.
Here's how the cost of studying in USA compares to the two.
| University | Type | International tuition (2026-27) | Total cost of attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University, Indiana | Public | Rs.30.72 lakh ($32,104) | Rs.50.43 lakh ($52,698) |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Private | Rs.63.84 lakh ($66,720) | Rs.88.76 lakh ($92,760) |
Sources: Purdue: Undergraduate Tuition and Fees 2026-27 | MIT: Cost of Attendance 2026-27 | MIT aid page
Shortlisting on budget? Start with our list of affordable universities in the USA.
My insight: Don't rule out a private university because of its sticker price. Run its net price calculator first. For some families, the private option ends up cheaper than a public one with no aid.
Course-Wise Cost of Studying in USA
Your course changes the cost of studying in USA quite a bit. At Purdue, a year costs between Rs.48.73 lakh (MS) and Rs.59.53 lakh (MBA) all in, with engineering and business at the top end for bachelor's degrees.
Aviation adds flight labs on top of the base cost (the Private Pilot course alone is Rs.13.49 lakh), and medicine, which you study after a bachelor's, crosses Rs.1 crore a year at the median private school.
The table uses Purdue's official 2026-27 international rates and the national median for medicine.
| Course | Example program | Annual tuition | Annual cost of attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelors (general) | Purdue, standard undergraduate rate | Rs.30.72 lakh ($32,104) | Rs.50.43 lakh ($52,698) |
| BTech / BS Engineering, including aerospace | Purdue College of Engineering | Rs.34.60 lakh ($36,154) | Rs.54.30 lakh ($56,748) |
| BBA | Purdue Daniels School of Business | Rs.34.01 lakh ($35,540) | Rs.53.71 lakh ($56,134) |
| BSc Nursing (BSN) | Purdue School of Nursing | Rs.31.68 lakh ($33,102) | Rs.51.38 lakh ($53,696) |
| Aviation (flight training) | Purdue Polytechnic, plus flight lab fees | Rs.31.27 lakh ($32,676) | Rs.50.97 lakh ($53,270), before flight fees |
| Masters (MS in engineering or CS) | Purdue Graduate School | Rs.29.01 lakh ($30,318) | Rs.48.73 lakh ($50,922) |
| MBA | Purdue Daniels School of Business | Rs.39.82 lakh ($41,610) | Rs.59.53 lakh ($62,214) |
| Medicine (MD) | National median, private medical schools, 2025-26 | Rs.71.44 lakh ($74,661) | Rs.1.02 crore ($106,787) |
Sources: Purdue: Graduate Tuition and Fees 2026-27 | Northwestern University: AAMC medical school cost data 2025-26 | Purdue undergraduate fee page | Purdue Other Fees 2026-27
MS in US Cost in Indian Rupees
An MS at Purdue costs Rs.47.65 lakh to Rs.48.73 lakh a year, or about Rs.95 lakh to Rs.97 lakh over two years, covering tuition, housing, food, books, and personal costs. This MS in US costs in Indian rupees matters to a lot of families, since nearly half of the 3.63 lakh Indian students in the US are graduate students.
| Purdue MS track | Per year | Two-year total |
|---|---|---|
| Regular MS | Rs.47.65 lakh ($49,798) | Rs.95.30 lakh ($99,596) |
| Engineering or computer science MS | Rs.48.73 lakh ($50,922) | Rs.97.45 lakh ($101,844) |
Source: Purdue graduate fee page
Want to compare more universities? See our MS cost in USA guide for eligibility and tuition fees.
My insight: Check whether your MS is one year or two before you compare. A one-year program with higher tuition can still cost less overall than a cheaper two-year one.
Living, Visa, and Other Costs of Studying in USA
Tuition is only one part of the cost of studying in USA. The three tables below cover yearly living costs, one-time fees before you fly, and scholarships that bring the total down.
1. Cost of Living in USA for Students
Living on campus adds about Rs.18.2 lakh a year at a public university and Rs.19.6 lakh at a private one, based on College Board allowances; your city and lifestyle can move the figure either way. Health insurance usually comes on top, and MIT, for example, enrolls every student in its plan unless they have full coverage elsewhere.
| Yearly expense | Public four-year | Private nonprofit |
|---|---|---|
| Housing and food | Rs.13.30 lakh ($13,900) | Rs.15.23 lakh ($15,920) |
| Books and supplies | Rs.1.27 lakh ($1,330) | Rs.1.28 lakh ($1,340) |
| Transportation | Rs.1.32 lakh ($1,380) | Rs.1.14 lakh ($1,190) |
| Other personal expenses | Rs.2.33 lakh ($2,430) | Rs.1.93 lakh ($2,020) |
Sources: College Board Trends report | MIT cost of attendance page
For a city-wise breakdown of costs and other expenses, read our guide to the cost of living in USA.
2. One-Time Costs to Study in USA
Before your first semester bill, expect to pay about Rs.75,000 in visa fees, plus application fees and a deposit to your university, and most of it can't be refunded. The $250 Visa Integrity Fee became law in July 2025 and is charged only when your visa is issued. Some consulates have started collecting it, so check with yours.
| One-time cost | USD cost | INR |
|---|---|---|
| SEVIS I-901 fee (F-1) | $350 | Rs.33,492 |
| Visa application (MRV) fee | $185 | Rs.17,703 |
| Visa Integrity Fee, on issuance | $250 | Rs.23,922 |
| Purdue application fee (UG / graduate) | $60 / $75 | Rs.5,741 / Rs.7,177 |
| Purdue admission deposit (UG / graduate) | $500 / $1,000 | Rs.47,845 / Rs.95,690 |
Sources: ICE: I-901 SEVIS Fee | US Department of State: Visa Fees | Boston University ISSO: Visa Integrity Fee | Purdue Other Fees 2026-27
Before your interview, read our guide to the bank balance required for a US student visa.
3. Scholarships Available for Indian Students
Full scholarships are rare, but these three routes can cut the bill sharply. Each is confirmed on an official page.
| Scholarship | Offered by | What it covers | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships | USIEF | Tuition and fees, living costs, return airfare, and J-1 visa support | Indian professionals with at least three years of work experience |
| MIT need-based aid | MIT | 100% of demonstrated need for all undergraduates, domestic and international | Admitted MIT undergraduates who apply for aid |
| Graduate assistantships (TA/RA) | Universities, for example Purdue | Purdue's graduate staff pay a $137 fee per semester instead of full tuition | Graduate students hired as teaching or research assistants |
Looking for more? Browse our list of scholarships for Indian students in the USA, or compare an education loan for study abroad to close any gap.
My insight: Assistantships rarely show up on the admission letter. Once you're admitted, email professors whose research matches yours. RA roles often go to students a professor already knows.
Intakes and Fall 2027 Payment Timeline
Fall (August or September) is the main US intake, and many programs also take a Spring (January) batch. Here's roughly when each part of the cost of studying in USA falls due for a Fall 2027 start.
| When | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Oct 2026 to Jan 2027 | Application fees for each university |
| Mar to Apr 2027 | Admission deposit after you accept an offer |
| May to Jul 2027 | SEVIS fee, then the MRV fee and visa interview |
| On visa approval | Visa Integrity Fee, which is collected |
| Aug 2027 | First semester bill, housing, and flights |
Not sure whether Fall or Spring suits you? Read our guide to intakes in USA before you start applying.
My insight: Pay the SEVIS fee as soon as your I-20 arrives. You need proof of payment for the visa, and a missing receipt can hold up your interview.
How to Reduce the Cost of Studying in USA
You can't change tuition, but you can change how much of it you actually pay. These four moves help the most.
| Way to save | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Work on campus | F-1 students can work up to 20 hours a week on campus while classes run |
| Get an assistantship | A TA or RA role at Purdue brings tuition down to a $137 semester fee |
| Target need-based aid | MIT meets full demonstrated need for admitted undergraduates |
| Waive duplicate insurance | MIT lets you waive its health plan if you already have full coverage |
For work rules and typical roles, read our guide to part-time jobs in the United States.
My insight: On-campus pay helps with groceries and phone bills. It won't cover rent and tuition, and visa officers know that, so don't show it as funding.
Which Budget Fits You?
Your plans shape the cost of studying in USA more than any ranking does. Pick the situation closest to yours.
- If you're in Class 12 and aiming for a US bachelor's: plan for about Rs.50 lakh a year at a public university for four years, and shortlist universities that offer merit or need-based aid.
- If you're a final-year BTech student planning an MS: Budget Rs.95 lakh to Rs.97 lakh for two years at a university like Purdue, and apply early so you can ask about assistantships.
- If you're a working professional eyeing an MBA: Expect Rs.59.53 lakh a year at Purdue, all in. With three years of experience, the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships are worth checking.
3 Key Takeaways on the Cost of Studying in USA
- Budget for about Rs.48.7 lakh a year at an average public university, not just the Rs.30.5 lakh tuition.
- Your course adds to the cost. At Purdue, engineering costs about Rs.3.9 lakh more a year than the standard rate, and aviation adds flight labs starting at Rs.13.49 lakh.
- Keep about Rs.75,000 ready for visa fees: SEVIS (Rs.33,492), MRV (Rs.17,703) and, where collected, the Visa Integrity Fee (Rs.23,922).
Verified by: LeapScholar's USA counselling team, who work with Indian students every year on US applications, I-20 paperwork, and F-1 visa interviews.
Have questions about the cost of studying in USA? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cost of Studying in USA
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How much does it cost to study in USA from India?
Roughly Rs.48.7 lakh a year at an average public university and Rs.62.7 lakh at a private one. That's tuition, rent, food, books, and personal spending together. Flights and visa fees are extra. Your actual number depends heavily on the university, so check its cost-of-attendance page.
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What is the average cost of studying in USA for international students?
College Board's 2025-26 averages put tuition at $31,880 at public universities (out-of-state rate) and $45,000 at private ones. In rupees, about Rs.30.5 lakh and Rs.43.1 lakh. Remember, some public universities charge international students even more than the standard out-of-state rate.
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What is the MS in US cost in Indian rupees?
At Purdue, about Rs.47.7 lakh a year for a regular MS and Rs.48.7 lakh for engineering or CS, all costs included. Two years comes to around Rs.95 lakh to Rs.97 lakh. Private universities usually cost more. An assistantship can cut the tuition part to almost nothing.
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Why is the cost of studying in USA higher for Indians than for Americans?
Mostly because of how public universities price tuition. Students who live in that state get a lower rate, and you won't qualify for it. In 2025-26, that meant $11,950 on average for in-state students against $31,880 for everyone else. Private universities don't split their rates this way, though their aid for international students can vary a lot.
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What is the USD cost of an F-1 visa?
Budget $535 up front. That's the $350 SEVIS fee and the $185 visa application fee, about Rs.51,194 together. Some consulates now also charge a $250 Visa Integrity Fee, roughly Rs.23,922, but only after your visa is approved. It's worth checking your consulate's page before you pay anything.
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Can part-time work cover the cost of studying in USA?
Not really. On campus, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term. That money helps with groceries and small bills, not tuition or rent. Off-campus jobs have much tighter rules and usually aren't possible in your first year.
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Can I study in the USA for free?
Very few students do. MIT covers the full demonstrated need for its undergraduates, including international ones. PhD funding and graduate assistantships can cover most tuition. The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships fund tuition and living costs, but you need at least three years of work experience.
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How much will a full US bachelor's degree cost?
At the average public university, the total cost is about Rs. 1.95 crore over four years at today's rate. At a private university, the cost is closer to Rs. 2.5 crore before aid. Scholarships and on-campus work can bring that down, so apply for aid in the same cycle as admission.
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