How Much Does it Cost for Nepali Student to Study in the US?

The United States of America is one of the most preferred study abroad destinations. Factors such as renowned universities, world-class faculty, practical skills, and extensive research-based learning programs have made the US the world’s most popular option for studying abroad.

Every year, thousands of Nepali students attend higher education colleges and universities in the USA. According to the latest Open Doors Report by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the US Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, Nepal ranks 12^th for both undergraduate and graduate students in the US, with over 13,229 enrolled students.

Now, Nepal is the county with the highest growth rate in sending students to the US and is among the top 25 sending countries.

Also Read: Nepal, Fifth Largest Foreign Community to Receive US H-1B Visa

While the US emerged as one of the top choices for Nepalis considering abroad studies, it also stands as one among the most expensive choices.

According to HSBC’s recent report, The Value of Education, international students spend an average amount of USD 99,417 over the course of a degree and potentially high living costs of the US adds to the expenses.

Nepalis aspiring to study in the US will need to have a good financial plan on how to cover tuition fees and other expenses.

Also Read: What After 10th Grade in Nepal? Overview on Ten Plus Two (+2) Courses!

Before you leave Nepal for the states, ensure that you consider expenses like accommodation, food, health coverage, and travel along with the tuition fee when calculating the estimated cost of studying in the US.

Here, we have compiled a list of estimates to help you get a clear picture of the cost of studying in the US:

Cost of Studying in the US

1) Location-wise Costs of Living

Living costs will differ significantly depending on the location the student wants to settle and their standard of living.

2) Tuition Fees

The expenditure on tuition fees depends on the type of qualification and the university or school you choose to study. Approximately, students need around USD 10,000 to USD 55,000 per year to cover their tuition fees.

The US universities are of two types, namely, public and private universities. The tuition fee in a public/state university is comparatively lower than the private universities.

In general, humanities, education, and art courses are cheaper than those of medicine and engineering subjects. And the tuition fee for the postgraduate level will be higher than that of the undergraduate level.

Some of the indicative tuition fees for various study programs in the US are as follows:

3) Accommodation Costs

Most of the American universities offer on-campus residence to international students, which is an affordable choice. However, students need to apply for it within the scheduled time to secure a slot.

The average accommodation costs for on-campus residence are:

• USD 9,800 for one academic year at public four-year colleges
• USD 11,100 for one academic year at private four-year colleges

In case if you couldn’t get an on-campus residence, you have to choose off-campus residence. Sharing the apartment with other friends can make your accommodation costs even cheaper than the on-campus residence.

The rent for a one-bedroom apartment may cost you between USD 600 to USD 3,000 per month, depending on the location.

4) Utility Costs and Food Costs

In general, utility costs such as electricity or water bills need to be covered as separate expenses apart from the monthly rent.

Here are some utilities and their average costs in the US:

5) Transportation Costs

Public transportation facilities are available across all major cities and towns in the US. For traveling short distances, you can choose from regional buses, trains, and subways. It can cost you around USD 45 to USD 100 per month.

Find out if your university or college is providing shuttle services between your place of stay and campus. You can also avail public transportation pass or metro fair card.

If you can afford a car, the fuel will cost you around USD 3.50 per gallon, and there will be extra expenses for the insurance costs.

6) Health Insurance Costs

International students must get health insurance before the start of their program in the US. Many universities provide comprehensive medical insurance plans for international students, which ends upon completing the program.

If your college is not providing any insurance plan, you need to apply for private medical insurance. On average, health insurance may cost around USD 700 to USD 1,100 per annum.

In Conclusion:
In recent years, it has become easier for individual Nepali students to calculate the costs of studying in the US. Now, all the American universities are legally required to include a ‘fees and financial aid calculator’ on their websites, to help students get a rough idea of how much their study would cost.

Students can reach the College Affordability and Transparency Center (CATC) website to calculate college tuition and fees, net price, and other characteristics.

Stay tuned to Nepali News Portal From the USA!

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