Studying in the United States is expensive, but the gap between two schools is huge: a community college can cost a quarter of a private university. To choose well, split your spending into three parts: tuition, living costs and visa fees. Here are real figures, checked in October 2026.
1. Tuition: real examples
| School | Tuition per year |
|---|---|
| Community colleges | from about $8,000 |
| Avila University (Missouri) | $15,725 after automatic scholarship |
| Florida International University (Miami) | $18,964.75 (tuition and mandatory fees) |
| Saint Leo University (Florida) | $35,000 |
Public universities charge international students the "non-resident" rate. Private universities list higher prices but often give scholarships that change everything: at Avila, the $25,815 yearly scholarship brings the price from $41,540 down to $15,725.
2. Living costs
Housing is the most variable item. Miami, New York or California cost far more than Missouri or central Florida. For a rough idea, look at the total yearly budget the university puts on its I-20: at Saint Leo it is $54,361 a year, tuition included.
Also budget for:
- health insurance, compulsory at most universities (at Avila, $1,260 a year);
- books and supplies;
- transport and phone.
3. Visa and departure costs
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| SEVIS I-901 | $350 |
| Visa application fee (MRV) | $185 |
| Reciprocity fee for Algerians | $0 |
| Visa integrity fee (if the embassy asks) | $250 |
| Flight from Algiers to the US | depends on the season |
The full process is in our F-1 visa guide.
Sample first-year budget
For a bachelor's at FIU in Miami, in shared housing:
- Tuition and mandatory fees: about $19,000
- Housing, food, transport: depends on the neighborhood, often more than tuition in Miami
- Insurance, books, phone: a few thousand dollars
- Visa and flight: about $1,000 to $1,500
5 ways to pay less
- Start at a community college (2 years), then transfer to a university. See our community college article.
- Target the automatic scholarships of private universities, awarded on your grades.
- Choose a cheaper state for housing.
- Apply for scholarships such as Fulbright for a master's. See our scholarships guide.
- Compare with the UK, where a master's takes one year. See USA or UK: which to choose?
We help you find a university that fits your budget, with packages from 98,000 DZD. You can also browse our US universities.
