A study in the USA there is not a rule, unfortunately at a bargain price. However, that doesn’t mean that the most expensive degree programs are the best. In addition, tuition fees in the USA vary greatly from university to university. A lot of money can be saved by choosing the university, study program and degree. In addition, there are a number of financial aids for the USA, such as scholarships, which take the strain off the student wallet.

University types USA and tuition fees

Average US $ 12,000 to US $ 16,000 in annual tuition fees (Tuition fees are charged) international students to study in the United States. In fact, the costs differ significantly from university to university. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that private and state universities in the USA have different sources of funding and different cost structures.

In general, tuition fees in the US at private universities are usually higher than government institutions. This is because private colleges and universities are self-funding. They are dependent on private donors and tuition fees. On average, a semester at a private university costs between US $ 13,000 and US $ 22,000 in tuition fees.

State universities are financed by public funds. You will receive support from the appropriate state and local community. The average tuition fees in the US at public universities are US $ 8,000 – US $ 18,000 per semester.

For example, students pay around US $ 15,000 a year for a bachelor’s degree at CSU Long Beach. In contrast, the private University of New Haven charges around US $ 35,000 per academic year for a bachelor’s degree.

Tuition fees in the US for domestic and international students

Another aspect that affects the level of tuition fees in the United States is where students live before they start their studies – at least at state universities. At private colleges and universities, the fees are the same for all students. State universities, on the other hand, differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students.

Out-of-state students and international students pay higher tuition fees in the USA, the so-called out-of-state tuition fees or non-resident fees. There are lower fees for students residing in the relevant state.

University	Study type	Tuition fees in the US per year (in-state)	Tuition fees in the US per year (out-of-state)
Florida International University	Master’s degree	~ US $ 10,700	~ US $ 23,900

Save money at community colleges in the USA

A cheaper study is possible at the community colleges in the USA. If you study at such an institution for two years and then switch to a four-year college or university for a bachelor’s degree, you can save a lot of money. The tuition fees in the United States community colleges start at around US $ 2,000 per year. For example, students at Edmonds Community College pay around US $ 3,300 annually for 19-25 credits.

Even at smaller state universities, the chances of relatively low tuition fees are good. On the other hand, those who value studying at a renowned university in a central location or even at one of the Ivy League universities must expect higher tuition fees.

US tuition fees by study type and subject

The type of study program also determines how high the tuition fee is in detail. Although the price ranges are high, general trends with regard to tuition fees in the USA can be derived from them.

• Bachelor’s degree USA: US $ 12,000 – US $ 18,000 / year
• Associate degree USA: US $ 2,000 – US $ 19,000 / year
• Master’s degree USA: US $ 7,000 – US $ 33,000 / year
• MBA USA: US $ 40,000 – US $ 120,000 / program
• LLM USA: US $ 35,000 – US $ 70,000 / program
• Doctoral studies USA: US $ 10,500 – 33,000 / semester

However, a bachelor’s degree is not just a bachelor’s degree. The same applies to the graduate programs. In fact, the tuition fees in the USA differ considerably depending on the subject. A degree in the humanities is often cheaper than a degree in the natural sciences or economics.

At San Francisco State University, for example, international students pay around US $ 3,400 per semester (plus non-resident tuition fee) for a Master of Arts in Humanities. Those who do their Master of Science in Accountancy at the same university pay significantly more: Each semester there are around US $ 5,000 in tuition fees plus non-resident tuition fee.

The different high tuition fees can be attributed, among other things, to the fact that natural science institutes often have several laboratories and workshops, some of which also have their own research stations. Such equipment costs money and affects the level of tuition fees in the United States.

The situation is similar with many business schools: in many cases, renowned professors are employed there, there are individual coaching sessions for students and regular guest lectures by business representatives. This also explains the sometimes higher tuition fees.

Studying for less: semester abroad in the USA

Another way to avoid high tuition fees in the USA is to spend a semester abroad in the USA, a country located in North America listed on thesciencetutor. Semester programs are often cheaper than a full degree in the USA. This is due to the fact that students usually take fewer courses as part of a Study Abroad program. At most universities, tuition fees are calculated based on the number of credits taken.

In addition, students from Germany who spend a semester in the USA have a wide range of funding options such as BAföG abroad, PROMOS or Fulbright scholarships.

Prospective students should expect tuition fees of US $ 3,500 to US $ 10,500 for a semester abroad in the USA. The fees in the undergraduate and graduate areas differ in some cases.

University	Semester program	Tuition fees in the US per semester
CSU Fullerton	University Semester Abroad Program	~ US $ 4,400
UC Riverside	University Credit Program	~ US $ 4,800
San Diego State University	Semester at SDSU	~ US $ 7,100

Additional costs for studying in the USA

Tuition fees in the US make up most of the study-related costs. However, there are usually additional costs:

• Fees: the equivalent of the semester fees in Germany. Usually there is an application fee and a so-called student services fee. The latter is the reason why students in the USA can fall back on an extensive range of services. The Student Services Fee, for example,finances university sports and facilities such as fitness studios as well as advisory services specifically for international students.
• Overseas Student Health Cover: Some colleges and universities in the US require their students to take out health insurance through the university.
• Book costs: Since undergraduate studies in particular are schooled in the USA, there are additional costs for textbooks. Students should expect around US $ 2000. In the graduate area, the length of the book list varies depending on the course and focus. Many students try to save money by buying used books.