The ledger
What the United States costs, from Kathmandu
Before you fly
2.9 lakh
Tests, papers, fees, the flight and our charges. Spent whether or not the visa is granted.
Must be in the bank
46.1 lakhest
The full first-year cost of attendance shown on the I-20, evidenced with liquid funds and a sponsor with provable income.
Everything, year one
48.7 lakh
Both of the above plus tuition, living costs and health cover for twelve months.
Converted at NPR 153.70 per USD, Nepal Rastra Bank’s selling rate published 2026-09-20.
Before you fly
What leaves the house first
None of it comes back if the visa is refused. That is the honest reason to be sure about the application before making it, rather than after.
IELTS. PTE is a little less.
Paid to MoEST through ConnectIPS, eSewa or Khalti. Three to seven working days.
USD 185 · The DS-160 application fee. The SEVIS I-901 fee is USD 350 on top, making USD 535 in government fees before the interview.
USD 350 · Paid before the interview. Not refunded when the visa is refused.
One way, economy, booked about a month ahead.
On signing the service agreement
Before lodgement
The first year there
Once you have landed
Tuition is a genuine range, not a hedge. Which end you land on is decided by the institution, and that decision is worth more than anything else on this page.
USD 12,000 · State university, one year.
USD 55,000 · Private university, one year.
USD 16,000 · As stated on the I-20 by most universities.
USD 1,800 · University plan, typical.
The number that actually decides it
NPR 46,11,000est
The full first-year cost of attendance shown on the I-20, evidenced with liquid funds and a sponsor with provable income.
Families often assume this is money they need on top of everything else. Usually it is not: it is the same money, shown before it is spent. What matters is that it is provably yours, in an account, on the day it is asked for.
Before you commit any of it
81 percent of applications to the United States from Nepal were refused in FY 2025. The reality check will tell you where you sit against that.
Other destinations