The average annual cost of an MBA in USA ranges from $160,000 to $180,000. This includes tuition fees, which are between $60,000 and $80,000 per year, and living expenses, which typically range from $8,000 to $10,000 per month. For further details on living costs and other expenses, please refer to the information below.
Cost of Living in the USA
Living in the USA isn’t the same as back in India, especially when it comes to your wallet. Unlike home, you’ll be paying for your rent, groceries, food, transportation, health insurance, and those little extras that add up. On top of that, the monthly cost can vary depending on where you choose to live and how fancy you want things to be.
On average, you can expect to spend around $10,000-12,000 per year on living expenses in the USA, roughly $800 - 1000 per month. That’s around INR 60,000-80,000 in Indian rupees. And don’t forget health insurance, which will set you back another $500 - 1000 or INR 41,710 - 83,430 per year.
But let’s break it down even further. Here’s a peek at what those monthly living expenses might look like:
Particulars
|
Living Expenses in USA per month
|
Rent
|
$200 (INR 16,690)
|
Food
|
$400 (INR 33,370)
|
Transportation
|
$100-300 (INR 8,340-25,030)
|
Phone/Internet
|
$50-150 (INR 4,170-12,510)
|
Electricity bill
|
$20-50 (INR 1,670-4,170)
|
Personal expenses
|
$300-600 (INR 25,030-50,060)
|
When it comes to living costs, not all cities are equal. Some places will drain your wallet faster than others, especially if you’re coming from India.
Cities such as Boston, New York, Stanford, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cambridge, and Los Angeles have high living costs. The East Coast tends to be pricier than the West Coast, so keep that in mind.
Other Expenses for an MBA in USA
Before you head to the USA for your MBA, it's important to understand and prepare for the expenses awaiting you beforehand. Here’s a quick breakdown of what these pre-arrival costs might include:
Particulars
|
Amount (in USD)
|
Amount (in INR)
|
IELTS registration fee
|
$185-$195
|
INR 15,350-INR 16,500
|
TOEFL Registration Fee
|
$205
|
INR 17,000
|
|
$220
|
INR 18,300
|
GMAT Registration Fee
|
$275
|
INR 23,000
|
Visa Application Fee
|
$185
|
INR 15,390
|
SEVIS Fee
|
$350
|
INR 28,700
|
Airfare
|
$390-$1300
|
INR 32,000-INR 1,10,000
|
Suggested: List of MBA Scholarships in the USA