The United States of America has been a global leader in the field of education and boasts of a majority contribution of top ranked universities according to all major international rankings. Few countries offer as many high ranked universities and noble laureate academia, as USA does.
Study in one of the most Prominent Superior education systems globally and access some high-end technology and cutting-edge research for an Captivating, Pleasant & collaborative study experience. Choose from an extensive range of schools, numerous study disciplines and niche qualifications that are difficult to find by in other parts of the world and experience a uniquely flexible education system allowing you to apply to a variety of programs suiting your academic & career goals. Graduate with a truly global outlook and real-world skills for the future.
The United States of America has been a global leader in the field of education and boasts of a majority contribution of top ranked universities according to all major international rankings. Few countries offer as many high ranked universities and noble laureate academia, as USA does.
Types of Expenses | Annual Expenses in USD | |
Tuition Fees for one-year (Indicative)* | 25000 | |
Living and Accommodation | 15000 | |
Airfare from India to USA | 1000 | |
Visa Fees (Visa & SEVIS) | 510 | |
Total Expenses | 41510 | |
An MBA program in USA is equivalent to success for many students as it offers various benefits. But what difference does it create on pursuing the MBA in USA, let us know:
The standard duration of an extensive MBA program in the USA is of two-years. However, there are certain exceptions. Some MBA programs are of one year with accelerated programs that are anywhere between 12-18 months.
The eligibility criteria for pursuing MBA in USA might differ from one university to another. However, the common admission requirements for an MBA degree in American Business Schools are as follows:
To secure an admission for MBA at any US university, aspirants are required to appear for standardized tests like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL or IELTS. Read on to know about these tests in brief.
GRE is a standardized test that assesses the student’s ability in the areas of verbal reasoning, critical thinking, analytical writing skills and quantitative reasoning. It is accepted by all the US universities for admission in MBA programs.
GMAT is a computer-based adaptive standardized test which aims at measuring the student’s knowledge on sections like Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning.
TOEFL is a standardized test to measure the English Language ability of international students, consisting of four sections i.e., reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
IELTS is an English Language Proficiency Test that assesses students’ command over language through sections like listening, speaking, writing, and reading.
International students should begin their application process at least 1.5 years prior to the academic year as the Universities in the USA expect students to appear for several standardized tests. Applying well in advance allows applicants sufficient time for the processing of visa upon acceptance. The process of application is divided into three stages as follows:
Pre-Application: At this stage, aspirants are required to appear for standardized tests like GMAT, GRE, TOEFL or IELTS.
Application Stage: Here, students are required to submit the completed application, upload the documents, and fulfill admission prerequisites.
Post-Application: This stage comes after the acceptance of the student’s application by the university. It involves the submission of other necessary documents and enrolment deposit.
Most of the business universities in the USA ask international applicants to appear for a skype interview as it becomes easier for the application review committee to distinguish the applicants based on their personal competencies.
Majority of the universities in the USA offer scholarships for international students to study in USA. These can be partially, or fully paid scholarships based on the overall academic score of the students. For specific details regarding the scholarships, students are advised to check the website of the respective university.
The tuition fees of an MBA degree in the USA can cost somewhere between $ 22,500 to 60,000 per year This will be excluding living expenses, travel fare, and other miscellaneous charges.
US Universities in general have three major intakes throughout the year i.e., Fall, Spring and Summer. Majority of the universities offer admission for MBA programs in the fall session. However, few universities offer admission in the spring session as well.
The duration for all the master’s degrees in the US is generally 2 years. Whether you want to pursue Masters in Science (MS), Masters in Engineering (MEng), Masters in Business Administration (MBA) or Masters in Arts (MA), the duration will be 2 years. But courses like Masters in Management, LLM etc. may be of one year duration.
Previous Education & Academic Percentage
US universities accept 16 years of education (12+4) for a master’s degree, be it a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy or Physiotherapy. The required Academic Percentage will be 58% and above with minimum backlogs.
Applicants need to appear for Standardized Test like GRE or GMAT for Master’s degrees. GRE scores are required to apply for a wide variety of graduate school programs, but GMAT scores are required only to apply to business schools.
Apart from the Standardized Test Scores, universities also check for English Proficiency Test scores like TOEFL, IELTS or PTE. Any of these English Proficiency Test Scores are acceptable by most of the US universities.
Student’s involvement in extracurricular activities and research projects also play a crucial role in getting an admit. Documents such as Resume, Letters of Recommendation & Statement of Purpose are also very vital and must be drafted very effectively. Exceptions
* Limited to few programs
Let’s check out a few Top Universities in USA for MS.
Here’s a list of Top Universities in USA for MBA.
By now we know the eligibility criteria and the top universities in USA for the various master’s degrees. Now let us also checkout the cost of pursuing a Master’s degree in US. The fee for masters can range from $15000 to $30,000 per year based on the type of institution and the duration of the course. International students with excellent academic percentage and high standardized test scores can apply for scholarships for international students in US, get financial aids and also check for institutional grants, which will help them to lower their cost of education in US.
Students can check for Tuition Fee Waiver in the form of Assistantships.
They can also check for Part Time On Campus Jobs or Off Campus Employment through
NOTE: There are certain options that offer work study programs, and some Universities allow students to work full time even when the sessions are on. Classes are held in the evening or at the weekends so that students can work full time during the day.
To know more about the admission process, the right time to start the preparation and for assistance with application processes you can consult KC’s US Education Experts virtually or in person.
We have 65+ offices across India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Vietnam and we are one of the best Overseas Education Consultants in South Asia so you can be rest assured about the information being given to you. Check out for our next article to gain info about Work Rights for Master’s Degree aspirants in USA.
The United States has both public and private universities, with tuition fees being the primary expense for higher education. Public or State Universities have cheaper tuition rates than the Private Universities. Higher education costs will also vary according to the degree pursued, and the institution attended. International students studying in the United States can tentatively expect a cost of between $25,000 and $45,000 per year tuition and living expenses.
But one can rest assured that studying at the top universities in the USA is affordable despite the high average tuition that one must pay. This is due to the different kinds of funding accessible. Let’s look at the tuition fee structure in the USA to get a clear picture of what an aspiring international student aiming to study in the US should be ready for in terms of finances.
One of the highest and initial costs of studying in the USA is tuition. The cost of study in the USA varies depending on several variables, including the course taken, the kind of degree program, the type of university, etc.
The following table gives you a range of the cost to study in Public US Universities as per the degree you choose:
Course Level | Avg. Annual Tuition Fee |
Bachelor in US | 8,000 – 35,000 USD /year |
Masters in US | 10,000 – 35,000 USD /year |
Compared to Public Universities, private universities have higher tuition fees but note that they are worth every penny. Tuition fees are the same for all students (for native as well as international students).
The following table gives you a range of the cost to study in Private US Universities as per the degree you choose:
Course Level | Avg. Annual Tuition Fee |
Bachelor in US | 25,000 – 50,000 USD /year |
Masters in US | 22,000 – 55,000 USD /year |
In the United States of America, the average cost of a four-year Bachelor’s college education for an overseas student is $30,000. Some of the most popular undergraduate degrees in the United States are the Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). Depending on the institution and degree program, tuition and fees may vary. Note for International Students the costs vary from university to university if they choose to get admission in USA.
A Master’s degree in the United States costs between $20,000 and $35,000. This range is based on the variety of universities offering the degree and the cost of the specific program being pursued. The most popular Master’s degree in the USA among many is M.S in Data Science, M.S in Computer Science and M.S in Software Engineering. When considering a master’s degree program in the United States, many students from other countries are drawn to those focusing on STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Additional Practical Training and a stay-back option of up to 2 years are available with these programs.
The government of the USA and many US universities offer a scholarship to international students based on merit, need, sports and sometimes extra-curricular excellence as well. Students can apply for the best scholarships based on their eligibility. In these Scholarships, the most accrued costs like tuition, living expenses, etc. are covered. Students should also know that all these scholarships are quite competitive.
Students can check for scholarship availability and the process for applying for the same.
The average cost of living in the United States is roughly $1,500 per month or $10,000 per year. This includes your lodging, meals, transportation, publications, apparel suited for the season, and leisure activities. Let’s look at the living cost and expenses in the USA:
Expenses | Average Yearly / Monthly Cost |
Books and Study Material | $900 – $2,000 per year |
Travel | $300 – $700 per year |
Accommodation | $9,800 – $11,100 per year |
Electricity | $100 – $150 per month |
Food | On campus: $250 per month Off-campus: $400 – $600 per month |
Phone Subscription | $50 per month |
Home Internet | $45 – $50 per month |
Health Insurance | $700 – $1,100 per year |
Clothes | $500 per year |
Water, Trash and Sewer | $50 – $75 per month |
It is important to note that International Bachelor Students have a mandate of staying on campus for the first year. And also, health insurance is compulsory for International Students who choose to study in the USA.
