Cost of a year
What will a year really cost?
From the country guide: tuition, living costs and the visa fee, plus the money you must show. The part you lose if the visa is refused is marked.
A year in United States
| In USD as published | In EUR | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one year | USD 20,000 to 45,000 | EUR 17,570 to 39,540 Public university, international student |
| Living costs, twelve months | USD 13,200 to 38,400 | EUR 11,600 to 33,740 |
| Visa or permit feeNot refunded if the visa is refused | USD 185 | EUR 163 |
| First year, all in | EUR 29,330 to 73,440 | |
| Money you must show for the visa | Not published Held in your account before you apply; most of it then pays your living costs | |
Worth knowing. OPT is under formal DHS review and the usual next step, H-1B, now needs a USD 100,000 payment.
The full United States guide, with every source →
Leaves out flights, deposits and insurance unless the guide includes them. Currency: Rates by Exchange Rate API, 25 September 2026.