| Money you must show | No national figure: the school calculates it and prints it on your I-20 Typically USD 35,000-45,000 at a public university in a small town; USD 85,000-90,000 at a private university in a big city. Source: DHS Study in the States, checked 24 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | USD 350 SEVIS I-901 plus USD 185 DS-160, and a USD 250 visa integrity fee that some posts charge and others do notSource: ICE SEVIS / travel.state.gov, checked 24 September 2026 |
| Work while you study | 20 hours a week on campus in term; CPT off campus after one academic yearSource: ICE / DHS, checked 24 September 2026 |
| Stay after you graduate | OPT 12 months per degree level, plus 24 months STEM extension, but under formal review by DHSSource: DHS Study in the States, checked 24 September 2026 |