Planning to study in the USA means juggling three numbers: what the university charges, what it costs to live near campus, and what the U.S. government charges to let you in. This guide pulls them together, from the College Board’s national tuition averages and real university budgets to the exact F-1 visa fees listed by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
We also cover the scholarships that genuinely fund international students, the English test scores universities ask for, and how Optional Practical Training (OPT) lets graduates work in the U.S. afterwards. Several 2026 rule changes are in court or only proposed, so we flag what is actually in force. All fees are stated as of November 2026.
Table of Contents
Tuition Fees in the USA
The most widely cited source for U.S. college prices is the College Board’s annual Trends in College Pricing report. The latest edition (2025, covering the 2025–26 academic year) reports these average published “sticker” tuition and fees for full-time undergraduates. A 2026 edition had not been published when this guide was verified.
National averages (College Board, 2025–26)
| Institution type | Average tuition & fees (2025–26) | Change vs 2024–25 | Relevant to international students? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public two-year (community college), in-district | $4,150 | +2.7% | International students usually pay a higher non-resident rate |
| Public four-year, in-state | $11,950 | +2.9% | Generally no – residency rates are for state residents |
| Public four-year, out-of-state | $31,880 | +3.4% | Yes – closest benchmark for public universities |
| Private nonprofit four-year | $45,000 | +4.0% | Yes – same published price for all students |
Public universities charge international students the out-of-state rate, and averages hide a huge range.
Real university budgets (2026–27)
These full cost-of-attendance (COA) figures come straight from each university’s own page.
| University (2026–27) | Tuition & required fees | Living & other costs | Total estimated budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota Twin Cities (international undergraduate, 12-month I-20 budget) | $44,743 | $28,259 (living $23,669, health insurance $3,590, books $1,000) | $73,002 |
| University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (out-of-state, LSA, lower division) | $67,096 | $21,298 (living $17,220, books $1,220, transport $400, personal $2,458) | $88,394 |
| University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (out-of-state graduate) | $63,604 | $31,248 | $94,852 |
Costs vary by program (Minnesota adds surcharges for engineering and business, for example). Smaller regional public universities are often far cheaper.
Cost of Living for International Students
Living costs depend on the city and on housing choice. University budgets are the best guide, because schools use them to set the funds you must prove for your I-20:
- University of Michigan: $17,220 per academic year for food and housing for undergraduates, and $22,276 for graduate students (2026–27).
- University of Minnesota: $17,752 for nine months or $23,669 for twelve months, covering housing, food, transport and personal expenses (2026–27).
Costs that are easy to miss:
- Health insurance: many universities require it for F-1 students. Minnesota’s mandatory plan is listed at $3,590 a year.
- Summer months: nine-month budgets do not cover summer rent, which is why some schools require a 12-month budget for the I-20.
- Annual increases: budget for tuition rising each year.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
F-1 students cannot get U.S. federal student aid, so funding comes from sponsored programs, universities and your home country.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Foreign Student Program funds graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and do research in the United States. It runs in more than 160 countries, and about 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year. You do not apply to Fulbright in the U.S.: applications go through the binational Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country, and eligibility and deadlines vary by country. Candidates are either placed in universities by IIE (the program administrator) or apply to universities themselves (“self-placement”).
University aid: need-based and merit-based
- Need-based aid: a small group of universities meet full demonstrated need for international students. MIT, for example, states that admission is need-blind for all students and that it is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for international students. Applicants submit the CSS Profile and parental income documents.
- Merit scholarships: many public universities offer competitive merit awards instead. The University of Minnesota’s Global Excellence Scholarships are merit-based awards for international freshmen and transfers, and every international applicant who applies by the deadline is considered automatically.
- Limited aid: some flagship universities say plainly that funding is scarce. The University of Michigan states that international undergraduates are expected to pay the full cost of attendance and that few scholarships are available.
- Graduate funding: ask your department about assistantships and fellowships.
EducationUSA
EducationUSA is the U.S. Department of State’s network of international student advising centers, with centers in more than 175 countries and territories. Basic advising services are free. Its Opportunity Funds program helps high-achieving students who are likely to win full financial aid but cannot afford up-front costs such as test fees, application fees or airfare. Centers can also point you to home-government scholarships.
Admission Requirements and English Tests
A typical international undergraduate application includes:
- High school transcripts, with official English translations if they are not issued in English.
- Teacher evaluations and, at many schools, a counselor recommendation.
- Essays or personal statements.
- SAT or ACT scores where required (many universities are test-optional; Minnesota, for example, does not require them through fall 2027).
- Proof of English proficiency if English is not your first language.
- Financial documents showing you can cover the full cost of attendance, which the university needs to issue your Form I-20.
Graduate applicants usually add degree transcripts, recommendation letters, a statement of purpose and, for some programs, GRE or GMAT scores.
English test scores: a real example
Below are the University of Minnesota Twin Cities’ minimum undergraduate scores, effective from the Spring 2027 application period. Other universities set their own minimums.
| Test | Minimum overall score | Minimum writing score |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (1–6 scale) | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| PTE Academic | 59 | 59 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 180 | 180 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | 120 |
Note that on January 21, 2026, ETS moved the TOEFL iBT to a new 1–6 score scale in half-point steps. ETS’s own conversion guidance maps an old score of 90 to 4.5 and 100 to 5. For a full comparison of the two main tests, see our guide to IELTS vs TOEFL.
The F-1 Student Visa Process
University and college students need an F-1 visa; degree study is not allowed on a visitor (B) visa or the Visa Waiver Program.
Step by step
- Get admitted to a SEVP-certified school. The school registers you in SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and issues your Form I-20.
- Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee at fmjfee.com, the only official payment site. You need your SEVIS ID (it starts with “N”) and school code from the I-20. Allow at least three business days for the payment to post, and print the receipt.
- Complete Form DS-160, the online nonimmigrant visa application, and upload your photo.
- Pay the visa application fee and book an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you live.
- Attend the interview with your passport (valid at least six months beyond your stay unless exempt), DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt and I-20. The officer may also ask for transcripts, test scores, proof of funds and evidence that you intend to leave the U.S. after your studies.
- Pay any issuance (reciprocity) fee if one applies to your nationality, then collect your visa.
New students can be issued an F-1 visa up to 365 days before the program start date, but cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days before it.
F-1 visa fees (as of November 2026)
| Fee | Amount | Paid to / when | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-901 SEVIS fee (F-1) | $350 | DHS/SEVP via fmjfee.com, before the interview | In force; no fee waivers |
| Visa application (MRV) fee, F category | $185 | Department of State, usually before the interview | In force; non-refundable |
| Visa issuance (reciprocity) fee | Varies by nationality | After approval | Only for some nationalities |
| Visa integrity fee | At least $250 under the 2025 law | At visa issuance | Written into law, but not on the State Department’s fee schedule when checked; confirm with your embassy |
The visa integrity fee was created by Public Law 119-21 in July 2025 (8 U.S.C. 1806). When this guide was verified, the State Department’s “Fees for Visa Services” page did not list it. Budget for it anyway in case your embassy starts charging it.
2026 Rule Changes to Watch
- End of “duration of status”: postponed by a court. DHS published a final rule on July 17, 2026 that would admit F-1 students for a fixed period tied to their I-20 program length, capped at four years, instead of “duration of status.” Students needing more time would have to apply to USCIS for an extension. The rule was due to take effect on September 15, 2026, but on September 14, 2026 a federal court in Massachusetts postponed it and barred DHS from implementing it while the case continues. USCIS says it is following the previous rules for now.
- Proposed OPT fees. On October 8, 2026, DHS proposed new fees of $70,000 per F-1 student for initial OPT and $30,000 for a second year of practical training. This is only a proposed rule: the public comment period runs until November 9, 2026, and DHS may revise it. It is not in effect.
Check Study in the States and your university’s international office for updates before you commit.
Working After Graduation: OPT and STEM OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is temporary work directly related to your major. Eligible F-1 students can get up to 12 months of OPT, used before graduation (pre-completion), after it (post-completion), or split between the two. Any pre-completion OPT is deducted from the post-completion time available. Pre-completion OPT is capped at 20 hours a week during term.
To apply, your Designated School Official (DSO) recommends you in SEVIS. You then file Form I-765 with USCIS within 30 days of that recommendation. For post-completion OPT you can file up to 90 days before and no later than 60 days after your program end date. You cannot start work until USCIS approves the application and issues your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
STEM OPT extension
Graduates with a degree on DHS’s STEM Designated Degree Program List can apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT, so up to three years of practical training in total. The employer must be enrolled in and using E-Verify. If you file on time and your OPT expires while the extension is pending, your work authorization is automatically extended for 180 days.
Current OPT filing fee
The USCIS fee schedule (edition 10/26/26) lists the general Form I-765 fee as $470 filed online or $520 on paper. This is separate from the much larger OPT charges proposed in October 2026, which are not in force.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to study in the USA per year?
Tuition alone averages $31,880 at public four-year universities for out-of-state students and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26). With housing, food, insurance and books, official 2026–27 budgets range from about $73,000 at the University of Minnesota to $88,394 for an out-of-state undergraduate at the University of Michigan.
What are the total government fees for an F-1 visa?
Most applicants pay $535 as of November 2026: the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee and the $185 visa application fee. Some nationalities also pay a reciprocity issuance fee, and a visa integrity fee of at least $250 is written into law but was not on the State Department fee schedule when checked.
Can international students get full scholarships in the USA?
Yes, but they are competitive. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program funds graduate study and is applied for in your home country. A few universities, such as MIT, meet full demonstrated financial need for international undergraduates. Many others offer only partial merit scholarships.
Which English test do US universities accept?
Most accept TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic, and many also accept PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the Duolingo English Test. Minimum scores vary; the University of Minnesota, for example, asks for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the new 1–6 scale.
How long can I work in the USA after graduating?
Up to 12 months on OPT, plus a 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is on the STEM list and your employer uses E-Verify. The current Form I-765 fee is $470 online or $520 on paper.
Is the four-year limit on F-1 student stays in effect?
No. DHS’s fixed-admission-period rule was due to start on September 15, 2026, but a federal court postponed it on September 14, 2026. Students are still admitted for duration of status while the case continues.
Conclusion
To study in the USA, plan around the full cost of attendance, not just tuition: official 2026–27 budgets at major public universities run from about $73,000 to over $90,000 a year for international students, plus $535 in standard visa fees. Apply early for Fulbright through your home country, target universities whose aid actually covers international students, use your local EducationUSA center, and watch the duration-of-status court case and the proposed OPT fees. If you need to borrow, see our guide to education loans for studying abroad.
Official References
- College Board – Trends in College Pricing 2025: Highlights
- University of Michigan – Estimated Cost of Attendance 2026–27
- University of Minnesota – Costs, Scholarships, and Visas for International Students
- University of Minnesota – English Proficiency Information
- University of Michigan – International Applicant Requirements & Deadlines
- MIT Student Financial Services – International Students
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- EducationUSA – The EducationUSA Network
- EducationUSA – Opportunity Funds Program
- U.S. Department of State – Student Visa
- U.S. Department of State – Fees for Visa Services
- ICE – I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions
- FMJfee.com – Official I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment
- Study in the States – Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee
- Study in the States – Final Rule on Fixed Time Period of Admission
- Study in the States – Proposed Rule Establishing OPT Fees
- USCIS – Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students
- USCIS – Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
- USCIS – G-1055 Fee Schedule
- U.S. Code – 8 U.S.C. 1806, Visa Integrity Fee
- ETS – Understanding TOEFL iBT Scores (2026 score scale)