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Harvard. Yale. Princeton. Columbia. Brown. Dartmouth. Pennsylvania. Cornell.

These names have, for decades, summoned the image of ultimate academic rigour and  prestige. Rightly or wrongly, these eight schools — the Ivy League — have been held as the benchmark.

But in recent years, more schools are forging reputations that are increasingly, if not just as formidable as the Ivies.

In March 2025, Forbes released their list of new private and public Ivies — outstanding schools that attract “the best and brightest,” and where graduating students outpace most Ivy Leaguers in the eyes of employers.

Like their private peers, competition is high and it’s just as hard to get in.

But there is one crucial difference: their fees.

There’s a lot to manage when we’re talking about your study expenses in the US. Source: AFP

How much does it cost to study in the US?

In the US, the at public four-year institutions in 2024-25 is US$30,780.

The average budget, which considers housing and food expenses, however, is US$49,080.

At the time of writing, the most expensive US university for international undergraduate students is Columbia ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø. Here, the tuition for the 2024-25 academic year is . On-campus first years will also need to prepare an estimated budget of US$93,417, which accounts for food, housing, personal expenses, local transportation, and more.

On the other hand, Louisiana State ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø in Shreveport has one of the country’s most affordable out-of-state tuition rates, totalling US$7,519 per year, according to the . Undergraduates living on campus in the 2025-26 academic year are expected to spend (tuition included) on things such as books and supplies, housing and food, transportation, and more.

These two schools, however, are two ends of the spectrum. So, here’s a look at something more comprehensive, like .

Note, however, that we will not include the United States Military Academy, as international applicants must be nominated by their home country’s government and are not eligible for a direct application.

Your study expenses in the US would go through the roof at some of the most expensive schools in the nation. Source: AFP

Can I afford to study at the Public Ivies?

Your first question might be unrelated to spending. Why are we covering the public Ivies and not the private ones, which Forbes also has a list of?

One reason for that is the acceptance rate. 

The lowest of the Public Ivies’s acceptance rate, not including the United States Military Academy’s 14%, is Georgia Institute of Technology with 16%, but the highest is Purdue ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s 50%. On the flip and private side, that rate drops to 6% at Vanderbilt ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø and 13% at Georgetown ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø – the highest for the private Ivies.

Second, it goes down to the , especially when we’re talking about study expenses in the US. 

Government-funded public schools are often less costly than their private schools equivalent, which has to rely on tuition and endowments to keep running. However, private schools are known for pretty generous financial aid, so it does keep things balanced, though securing that financial aid is a whole other challenge.

So, for the sake of this article, we’re covering the Public Ivies and how much you can expect to spend there. But before we get into it, here is a general overview of the expenses that we’re covering:

• Annual tuition for an international first-year student
• Fees, which most US universities charge during the registration process. This covers things that help provide cultural, social, and athletic programmes for the entire student body
• Books, supplies, and course materials
• Accommodation – or housing, as they say in the US – for living on campus. We’ll base it on the most affordable of the university-provided options 
• Food
• Transportation
• Personal and/or miscellaneous fees 

Disclaimer: All amounts, while taken from the university’s respective sites, should be taken as estimates. Please ensure you do your own share of research. 

 

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Georgia Institute of Technology – Main Campus

: US$34,572
Fees: US$1,696
Books and supplies: US$800
Housing: , which accommodates four individuals in one room)
Food: US$6,132
Transportation: US$950
Personal and/or miscellaneous fees: US$2,800

Total annual cost: US$54,212

Georgia Tech’s engineering and computing colleges are the largest and among the highest-ranked in the US – #4 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programmes and #7 in Best Undergraduate Computer Science Programmes, according to the .

AJuly 2022 US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes report revealed that the university’s graduates earn the most out of all the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø System of Georgia (a system of public higher education institutions within the state, encompassing 26 universities and colleges) at one (US$43,579), five (US$61,200), and 10 years (US$74,633) after graduation.

is available. One of the many provided is the Provost Scholarship, which awards 40 first-year, non-resident students an out-of-state tuition waiver for eight semesters.

Purdue ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø is on Forbes’ list of new public Ivies, and for good reason too. Source: AFP

Purdue ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø – Main Campus

: US$21,112
Fees: US$274 (Student Fitness and Wellness Fee + Student Activity Fee)
Books and supplies: US$1,070
Housing and food: US$12,820
Transportation: US$2,250
Personal and/or miscellaneous fees: US$2,110
General service fee: US$9,718 (For instructional costs across the campus, including teaching, services, and administrative support)

Total annual cost: US$49,354

One of the top eight public universities in the US, according to QS World ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Rankings 2025, Purdue ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø enrols more than 56,000 students. Great ranking aside, they flock here for many other great reasons too.

Most years, in finding jobs, continuing their education, or pursuing other plans (such as the Peace Corps or Teach for America) within six months of graduation. The average annual salary since 2020 has grown too, from US$62,294 to US$70,884 in 2024. 

Perhaps one downside is that Purdue has little to no scholarships or loans for international students. However, they do offer options to seek instead, so that is something to look out for. 

Dealing with your study expenses in the US can feel like a big challenge, but there are ways to manage it well. Source: AFP

The ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Texas at Austin

: Between US$48,738 (College of Liberal Arts) and US$58,194 (McCombs School of Business)
Books and supplies: US$720
Housing and food: US$15,420
Transportation: US$1,786
Personal and/or miscellaneous fees: US$3,560

Total annual cost: Between US$70,224 and US$79,680

Ranked #7 in the list of top public schools amongst the US national universities by the US News and World Report 2024, it’s no surprise that close to 10% of the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Texas at Austin’s students come from around the world to experience their share of academic excellence.

Given that that their education was worth the cost, significantly outpacing national comparison graduates at 52% – they’ve got less to worry about. Plus, revealed that 74% of UT Austin grads are employed full time by an employer, statistically higher than the national comparison (70%), and about four in 10 UT Austin grads indicated they had a job waiting for them when they graduated — higher than the national comparison, 29%.

One way to manage your study expenses in the US is through the university’s list of options for you. For example, there’s the Khalid Alhilali Memorial Scholarship, a US$2,500 tuition award recognising an undergraduate student who received all or part of their preparatory education in the Middle East, and the Ethel Loving de Diaz Scholarship, a US$4,500 spring tuition award for international students from Mexico with financial need who can demonstrate how their work experience has helped finance their education.

Many international students are finding their own ways to deal with their study expenses in the US. Source: AFP

ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

: US$39,392 to US$49,742
Books and supplies: US$1,200
Housing and food: US$15,184
Personal and/or miscellaneous fees: US$2,840

Total annual cost: US$58,616 to US$68,966

The thing about studying at the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is that you’ll be part of a really international environment. In 2024, the school had .

Those who graduated in the class of 2023-24 had a 90% Secured First Destination Rate – a percentage which shows the graduates who indicated a Primary Status of working, enrolling in continuing education, or engaging in volunteer/military service within six months of graduation. Of the 90%, 50% were employed and reported a median salary of US$75,000, while 40% moved on by continuing their education.

Interested in joining their ranks? Navigate your study expenses in the US with . The Horace & Kate King Wu International Undergraduate Scholarship awards US$1,000 to a few students and is available to those experiencing unexpected and moderate financial hardship who hold authorised employment and are working hard to succeed in school.

 

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ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Michigan-Ann Arbor

: US$60,946
Books and supplies: US$1,158
Housing and food: US$15,328
Transportation: US$400
Personal and/or miscellaneous fees: US$2,310

Total annual cost: US$80,142

, the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Michigan took the top spot as the best US public university on the QS World ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Rankings. While it’s been dethroned in the last few years, there’s no denying that an education here takes you far.

Just look at the . Of the 160 who responded to the survey, 98% are employed, with a 98% for job satisfaction score. Even more impressive? Graduates reported a US$90,000 average salary overall. 

And if you don’t believe you can afford the tuition, think again – two out of every three first-year students receive , an easy feat given that every school, college, and department in the university have some form of it available. For example, the Ross School of Business offers scholarships for out-of-state students that can go up to US$25,000, great for managing your study expenses in the US. 

 

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ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

: US$43,152
Fees: US$2,076
Books and supplies: US$622
Housing: US$8,570
Food: US$6,468
Transportation: US$1,998
Personal and/or miscellaneous fees: US$1,960

Total annual cost: US$64,846

As the first and only public university in the US to award degrees in the 18th century, the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the few new public Ivies with a long history of preparing its graduates to tackle the world with all they’ve got.

Unsurprisingly, 88% of the secured employment upon graduation, while 9.4% continued their education. Those who entered the working world enjoyed an average salary of US$78,826. The Class of 2023 saw similar results, with 85.4% and 8.7% entering employment and continuing education, respectively. For those in that cohort, the average salary was US$77,604.

One thing to note here is that and able to cover the costs of their studies. 

ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh Campus

: US$40,060 to US$50,918
Fees: US$1,370
Books and supplies: US$596
Housing: US$9,348
Food: US$5,922
Transportation: US$926
Personal and/or miscellaneous fees: US$2,088

Total annual cost: US$60,310 to US$71,168

In late 2024, ranked Pittsburgh number one among the best large metropolitan cities to move to after college based on employment opportunities and affordability.

 Here, the achieved an outstanding career outcomes rate of 98%, securing placements post-graduation. Together, they boasted a mean salary of US$62,004.

Here, you can easily manage your study expenses in the US if you start early. Incoming international first-year students are considered for , which can amount to up to US$10,000 per year and are generally available for eight full-time undergraduate terms if you can meet the terms and conditions.

Perhaps one of your study expenses in the US has to do with dealing with the weather. Source: AFP

ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Virginia – Main Campus

: US$55,436 to US$66,552
Fees: US$4,462
: US$760
Housing: US$4,713
Food: US$3,495
Personal and/or miscellaneous fees: US$3,428

Total annual cost: US$72,294

Named the #4 Best Public National ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø by the US News and World Report 2025, the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø of Virginia is a household name. Here, students from nearly 106 countries enter their halls in hopes of being one of the school’s many successful graduates.

Take the , for example. Of the 4,453 graduates, 61% were employed, and 20% were in further study. Most graduates are working in healthcare, consulting, the internet and software, and investment banking. Together, the class reported an average annual salary of US$82,827. 

Unfortunately, the university’s Student Financial Services . Instead, you’re encouraged to apply for alternative loan programmes from private financial institutions.

William & Mary

: US$44,876
Fees: US$7,849
Books and supplies: US$1,050
Housing: US$9,871
Food: US$6,730
Transportation: US$910
Personal and/or miscellaneous fees: US$1,900

Total annual cost: US$73,186

The last on this list, William and Mary is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia and one of the first institutions of higher learning in America.

For its , 94% were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Of those employed, 100% reported that they were working in jobs that align well with career interests.

We have to add that since 2021, the university has quadrupled the number of students who receive support for unpaid or underfunded internships, and funding to support students has tripled.

Take note that , so you’ll want to look to private loans or outside scholarships instead.