Before finalising your applications, it is important to understand the costs related to your chosen courses. While tuition fees can be high, particularly at private universities, there are ways to reduce the total cost.
Cost-saving opportunities include securing funding through scholarships or financial aid, planning to work part-time on campus during your studies or holidays, and taking advantage of college credits offered from your Cambridge International AS & A Level results to shorten the length of your degree.
Costs
You will need to consider the following costs when applying to study in the US:
- application fees (generally $50–$100 per university)
- admission exam/standardised test fees
- Visa and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fees if you are an international student
- living costs, such as accommodation and food (universities usually provide information on their websites about the expected cost of living for a student attending their campus)
- books and stationery
- travel expenses
- travel insurance
- health insurance
Tuition fees
Tuition fees vary widely so it is essential to check the information on each institution's website before you apply.
Community college fees are much lower than those of four-year institutions, so you can save money by spending two years at a community college before transferring to another institution to complete your degree programme. Take note, however, that competition for transfer places can be very high.
Public four-year institutions receive some of their funding from their state. Local students who go to university in their home state pay a subsidised (lower) fee. International students pay the 'out-of-state' fee at all public universities.
Private universities tend to have the highest fees. Their charges for on-campus accommodation are also generally higher than at other institutions. However, these institutions often have the most generous scholarship opportunities so there can be ways to reduce your costs.