Fees & Costs

Postgraduate Study in the US
Fees & Costs
Studying at postgraduate level in the USA can be expensive. Prices vary widely from state to state, institution to institution and programme to programme. This can mean fees from $4,000 [€3,500] to more than $25,000 [€21,000] per year. Prices are significantly higher for international students than for US residents. Many colleges and universities have dedicated international student offices, which can provide useful information before you make your decision, and provide you with assistance during your programme.

Accommodation and living costs should also be taken into account. It is best to contact individual institutions to get a reliable breakdown of what the costs will be. Obviously the cost of living in bigger cities such as New York and Los Angeles will be higher than in smaller cities. On-campus accommodation is available at many institutions. Room and Board costs can vary between $3,000 [€2500] and $7,500 [€6,500] per year. Contact the international student office at your chosen university for more information about accommodation and other living costs.

Most US government funding opportunities are limited to US citizens. However, thanks to historically close Irish-American relations, some US universities offer scholarships specifically to Irish students. There are also numerous international and US-based Private Scholarships available including the valuable Fulbright Scholarships. There are also numerous students seeking to take advantage of these scholarships, however, and the level of competition means that excellent grades are required. Artistic, professional and sporting excellence can also be a source of scholarship opportunities. University websites and Internet search engines are useful resources for finding out what is available. It is a good idea to contact the local US embassy for more information. Financial support through the EU Erasmus scheme may also be available.

Medical insurance is an important issue for international students wishing to study in the USA; it is the responsibility of the University to ensure their students are covered in the event of illness or accident. Some US health insurers offer tailored student schemes and universities should be able to advise you on the options. It may also be possible to amend Irish private health insurance to cover you during your stay in the US.