How to Study in Boston for International Students
Boston, one of the beautiful cities in United States, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Boston, Massachusetts currently has 18 universities, from which 2 universities are a part of the public sector and 16 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Boston you should definitely check out are Boston University, Northeastern University, and Boston College.
Being able to study in Boston as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Boston, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Boston
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Boston, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 13,500 USD to 67,500 USD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 8,880 USD and 63,200 USD.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Boston
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Boston, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | 27,500 USD | 34,700 USD |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | 35,600 USD | 36,900 USD |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Boston
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| MGH Institute of Health Professions | 22,900 USD - 33,600 USD | |
| Pine Manor College | 30,700 USD | |
| New England Law | Boston | 54,400 USD | |
| Boston Architectural College | 25,800 USD | 18,400 USD - 25,300 USD |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 36,100 USD | 11,500 USD - 19,900 USD |
| Cambridge College | 13,500 USD - 14,500 USD | 8,880 USD - 10,200 USD |
| Emmanuel College | 44,500 USD | 11,000 USD - 13,000 USD |
| New England Conservatory | 54,300 USD | 54,300 USD |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | 37,100 USD | 13,200 USD - 14,100 USD |
| Emerson College | 52,300 USD | 24,300 USD |
| Simmons University | 43,000 USD - 47,100 USD | 20,000 USD - 24,300 USD |
| Suffolk University | 42,800 USD | 32,800 USD - 49,200 USD |
| Berklee College of Music | 67,500 USD | 53,700 USD |
| Boston College | 63,000 USD | 15,300 USD - 63,200 USD |
| Northeastern University | 59,100 USD | 28,400 USD - 54,200 USD |
| Boston University | 61,100 USD | 26,600 USD - 61,200 USD |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Boston, check out the Cheap Universities in Boston!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Boston for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Boston, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Boston, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Boston may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Boston are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Boston and their required minimum scores for each program level.
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 89
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Pine Manor College
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 6
- TOEFL: 61
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
New England Law | Boston
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 7.0
- TOEFL: 100
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Boston
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Boston have online applications available on their websites, like Boston University and Northeastern University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Boston.
Boston University
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Northeastern University
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Boston College
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Boston differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Boston.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Boston
If you’re going to study in Boston, you will need to apply for a student visa in United States
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in United States. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a F-1 visa .
To start your student visa application in Boston, you will need to present the following:
- Passport
- Completed I-20 form
- Proof of payments for DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System )
- Recently taken photos
- Diploma, if available
- Bank statement
- School transcripts
- Proof of intent to leave after completing your studies
- Proof of official test scores mentioned in the university application
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in United States is 185 USD.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Complete the online application
- Schedule a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate in your home country
- Check the appointment wait times for your visa interview.
- Prepare for your interview and if applicable, pay for the visa application fee.
- Complete the required documents.
- Attend your visa interview and arrange for the return of your passport and visa once your application is approved.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Boston. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!