Traveling across the ocean to study in the United States,
aside from the school's prestige and location,
cost is a major concern for many parents.
Today, let's break down the costs of studying in the U.S. in detail.
Early-Stage Costs:
1) Language Test Registration Fees:
TOEFL - 1,761 RMB, IELTS - 1,960 RMB, GRE - 1,456 RMB, GMAT - 1,725 RMB.
And these test fees inevitably rise each year. This is just the cost for one attempt; for students who repeatedly take tests without achieving the desired scores, the costs mount even higher.
2) Language Test Training Fees:
More and more applicants, especially those with unsatisfactory language scores, are eager to enroll in various language tutoring programs. Small class and one-on-one instruction can be quite expensive, ranging from 20,000 to 60,000 RMB. Therefore, we advise students to choose test preparation services wisely and select the institution that best suits their needs.
3) Credential Evaluation Fees:
Looking at the 2017 application cycle, an increasing number of U.S. institutions required credential evaluations for international students, particularly from China. Except for East Asian Studies, which typically does not require it, almost every other major has some schools requiring it. Credential evaluation involves both Chinese and U.S. verification, with a combined cost of around 2,000 RMB. If you need to order additional evaluation reports, there is an extra fee of about 200 RMB per report.
4) Mailing Fees:
Many schools require students to mail their transcripts, enrollment certificates, or degree certificates to the school. At this point, we need to cover courier fees. International courier for one school typically costs around 200 RMB.
Mid-Stage Costs:
1) Application Fees
When applying to U.S. schools, very few waive the application fee. Common schools that don't require an application fee include the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education (free before March 14); Carnegie Mellon University and Vanderbilt University also do not require fees. But in most cases, the application fee ranges from $50 to $100 per school, with some charging $125, such as UCLA.
Many arts programs have supplementary applications for portfolio submission, with fees around $10 to $20. If you apply to eight schools, the total application fees can be substantial.
2) Score Sending Fees
When applying to U.S. graduate schools, sending official test scores is essential. TOEFL score reports cost 134 RMB per school; GRE score reports cost $27 per school. For IELTS, the first five score reports within the two-year validity period are free; from the sixth onward, a fee of 60 RMB per report applies, with an optional 40 RMB per report for express service.
Post-Acceptance Costs:
1) I-20 Mailing Fee
When applying for the I-20, many schools let students choose between regular mail and courier. If opting for international courier, you will need to pay a fee, usually around $65.
2) Visa Fee
After receiving the I-20, scheduling a visa appointment requires paying a visa application fee of $160.
3) SEVIS Fee
The SEVIS fee is paid to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to maintain lawful status while studying in the U.S. Once you have your I-20 and know your SEVIS ID, you need to pay this fee, which is $200.
4) Flight Tickets
We recommend booking your flight as soon as you receive the I-20, since earlier booking often means cheaper fares.
5) Living Expenses
Living expenses range from 80,000 to 100,000 RMB or more, depending on individual lifestyle.
High returns demand intensified effort.
Parents spare no effort to send us to the U.S.,
hoping that one day we will achieve academic success
and live up to our own expectations.
Choosing a team that genuinely helps students realize their 'study abroad dream' is crucial—
one that can help avoid detours
and unnecessary waste of time and money.
CheersYou（清柚教育）
was founded in New York, USA.
Core team members all graduated from top U.S. universities.
We are committed to doing our utmost to help domestic students achieve their dream of studying in the United States.
Through heartfelt school selection guidance and extensive admissions experience, we tailor study plans for each Chinese student, guiding and growing together.
