Can I find US colleges under 35k with merit scholarships?

I’m looking for colleges where I can get a merit scholarship to bring the total cost under 35k per year. My parents can stretch to pay this amount, but it’s a tight budget since a lot of our income supports extended family and education for others.

Here are some details:

  • Indian international student aiming for Computer Engineering or Computer Science with a minor in Engineering.
  • GPA: 3.8 (top 5%)
  • SAT: 1560 (770 R&W, 790 Math)
  • IELTS: 8.5/9 (not sure if it’s important)
  • Extracurriculars: Top 10 in a National Science Olympiad, worked with a major company to create a product, student government, MUNs, top 3 in a coding competition, and a bit of Karate.

I’m considering these colleges:

  • Boston University
  • Cornell University
  • Dartmouth College
  • Duke University
  • New York University
  • Northwestern University
  • Purdue University
  • Tufts University
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • University of Southern California
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • UMass Amherst

Are these realistic with my stats and budget?

For students aiming for merit aid under 35k, consider these schools: Alabama, Auburn, University at Buffalo, ASU, UMass Amherst, Michigan State, Georgia State, and UT Arlington. Some of these might fit your budget based on your stats.

Public schools like Purdue, Georgia Tech, Penn State, and UIUC are more affordable for full-paying students but still range from 40k-50k. Check each school’s full cost of attendance online. When comparing, make sure to consider what’s included, like health insurance or transportation. These extras can add a few thousand to the total.

Top schools like those on your list often only offer need-based aid, so use their net price calculators to see what they expect your family to pay. Many top schools don’t provide enough merit aid to make them affordable.

For schools with substantial merit aid, look at UChicago, Rice, and BU. However, these scholarships are rare and competitive. BU’s Trustee and Presidential Scholarships are great options, but international students rarely receive them. You might have better chances at schools like Case Western, though even their merit aid often leaves costs around 50-55k.

@Penn
If transportation isn’t needed, can it be removed from the estimated costs?

Harlow said:
@Penn
If transportation isn’t needed, can it be removed from the estimated costs?

No, schools estimate costs like transportation for planning purposes. For example, Purdue includes tuition, room and board, and indirect costs like transportation, books, and health insurance in their estimates. These estimates help you understand the total expense but don’t represent actual charges. Write to schools to confirm specific costs like health insurance for international students.

Harlow said:
@Penn
If transportation isn’t needed, can it be removed from the estimated costs?

Transportation is an average estimate, not a charge. You’ll likely spend money on flights or other travel, so it’s included in the cost of attendance for planning purposes. If 35k is your budget, you’ll need to consider these costs too.

@Penn
Check the Common Data Sets for the schools on your list. BU, for example, provides an average of 45k in aid to 225 international students, but their total cost is over 90k. Even with aid, it might still be out of reach.

@Penn
I can’t go above 35k, which rules out many public universities.

Harlow said:
@Penn
I can’t go above 35k, which rules out many public universities.

UMass offers up to 16k in merit aid, but their total cost is about 61k. If your max is 35k, UMass likely won’t work.

@Penn
Are there any realistic merit scholarships for my stats? I’m open to lower-tier schools but prefer STEM-focused ones.

Harlow said:
@Penn
Are there any realistic merit scholarships for my stats? I’m open to lower-tier schools but prefer STEM-focused ones.

You might find merit scholarships at schools outside the top 20. However, these scholarships often reduce costs to around 50k, not 35k. Focus on schools known for generous aid, like Alabama or ASU.

Search the Common Data Sets for each school and check section H6 for details on aid for international students. For example, UMass shows 80% of international students receive aid, averaging about 12,764. With their total cost around 57k, your likely cost would still exceed 44k. This helps narrow down options within your budget.

Your budget seems doable for some state schools, but I’m not sure about the aid options for the colleges you listed.

Joss said:
Your budget seems doable for some state schools, but I’m not sure about the aid options for the colleges you listed.

My parents would prefer to stay closer to 30k. Even 35k is a stretch.

@Harlow
Schools like Boston or USC don’t typically offer much aid to international students. Look for schools that explicitly state they provide international aid, and mention your 30k budget in applications.

@Harlow
Is the 30k budget for each year or for the entire degree?

San said:
@Harlow
Is the 30k budget for each year or for the entire degree?

It’s 30k per year.

Harlow said:

San said:
@Harlow
Is the 30k budget for each year or for the entire degree?

It’s 30k per year.

You should research each school’s costs and make a spreadsheet for comparison. Look for scholarships specifically for international students. Check sites like Fastweb for merit-based options and explore schools like Georgia Tech, which has resources for outside scholarships. It’ll take work, but you can find options.