Cost of MS in US

Cost of Education

Cost of studying in US is huge, when compared to the cost students pay for college in India. If you plan to study in US  Universities, then plan for the worst case scenario. Make sure you take into account of all possible expense you come across. Never think, you can get scholarship or assistanship as soon as you reach U.S. It takes time and some students wait long time before they get to see some form Financial Aid ( Grants, Scholarships, Research Assistantship, Teaching Assistantship or part time job)

First question parents who ask, if you say about your plan to study in U.S. – How much would it cost to study in U.S.? do we have so much money to pay for it? Will they give aid for studying in U.S. Schools? and many more..

Total Cost of MS in US

I have written few article about cost of living in U.S. for students and how much a typical student from India would spend per month. But, as soon you you reach U.S. all the things you heard about will become reality.  You will come face to face with certain uncertainties and way of life.  But, that’s the way it will be and every student have to face it. Most of the information that gets passed to students back in India or other places are not true.

You will wonder what kind of questions I get and how students believe that. But, when there is no place to find such information, then what they hear is what they believe as truth. I try to clarify lots of questions and one I’m going to explain today is total expenses for studying in U.S. For this example, I’m going to assume a student coming to US to study MS without any form of aid.

Living Expenses

Student share the apartment, grocery bills, food expenses, phone bill, internet, and many more day to day activities. Usually, a new student tend to spend very less for first few months. You can read more about spending habits of International students. But, as time goes, one of the reality will set in – You will not convert $ to Rs. It takes time, but over 3-4 months, you will see $1 equal Rs.1.

Even though you will be paying all the cost from your parents money or your savings, that’s the reality. Time will change you and way of life, but its for better. So, you can expect to spend from $250 to $700 per month by living life with basic necessities. Remember cost of MS in US varies based on location and university.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees is the major cost you will incur while studying in U.S. International  students have to pay Out of State Fees.  In state fees is usually 1/3rd of Out of state fees. So, if you don’t get scholarship, get ready to pay $5000 to $9000, maybe more per semester for 3 courses ( 9 Credits). MS runs from 2 years to 2.5 years in other words 30 to 36 credits. Based on that you can do that math.

Why Pay so much to study in U.S.?

Well, you can get to pay back the student loan in 2-3 years time after you get a job. You get to study the latest technologies that are invented and used by rest of the world.  You might get to take a course under a professor in U.S. University, who’s book you should have used as part of syllabus back in India or other places in the world.  I would say, cost of MS in US is big, but its worth every penny. America is land of wonders, opportunity and many more.

Image Credit – lincolnblues

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2. Cost of Living at University of Southern California, LA
3. How to Use Student Loan from India
4. Students Expense – Food and Lodging in USA
5. Cost of Living for Students – Breakdown
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