It is well-known that the cost to attend university in the United States is very expensive and only increasing. Before financial aid, common costs of attendance for undergraduate programs at private and out-of-state schools in the USA can range between $60,000-$90,000 per year. Some undergraduate program costs of attendance are now approaching $100,000 per year, meaning by the end of a standard four-year American bachelor's degree, students and their families could end up spending nearly $400,000 to earn their undergraduate degree. That's insane! As a result, the cost of attending college in the USA can be extremely burdensome for many American students and families. Even for families who can comfortably afford to cover the total cost of college in the USA, why should they have to pay so much, especially when better options exist in the UK at a much lower price? On average, tuition fees and other costs of attendance in the UK are significantly lower than those of American private and out-of-state colleges, especially when comparing based on quality, reputation, and prospects. Additional expenses associated with attending university, such as accommodation, food, and daily living costs, are also typically much cheaper in the UK compared to the USA. Student accommodation and catering (i.e., room and board) in the UK is much less expensive than in the USA. American students and their families can save up to 75% on university accommodation in the UK, with the majority of Americans saving between 30-60% on accommodation and catering compared to American colleges. Even with your own private bedroom, your own private bathroom, and a meal plan in the UK, your expenses are typically 25-50% lower than an American dorm with a roommate and shared bathroom facilities. Moreover, students on a budget can save even more money by choosing to share a room or be self-catered. Additionally, bachelor's honours degree programs in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only take three years to complete as opposed to four years in the USA, meaning you will automatically save an entire year's worth of tuition fees, accommodation fees, and other costs by earning your degree in these countries. Similarly, master's programs in the UK are often only one year as opposed to two years in the USA. It is not uncommon for American students to cover the full cost of attendance for degree programs in the UK and have college fund savings left over (without any need for loans). At Richmond Hill, we have worked with American students who were able to cover the entire cost of their undergraduate degree in the UK and still had half their 529 plan savings left over! While the amount you can save varies between individual circumstances and different universities, earning your undergraduate degree or master's degree (including MBA) in the UK instead of the USA can save you between 25-75% by the end of your degree. Students whose family earnings are not sufficiently low to qualify for significant or any financial aid and are likely to pay full sticker price at schools in the USA can expect to save between 30-75%, most likely around 50%, by earning a degree in the UK. Students who qualify for a small amount of financial aid in the USA but who might have to rely on loans will likely save between 25-60% by earning a degree in the UK. Many students who qualify for some financial aid in the USA and wish to attend a private or out-of-state school for undergraduate will likely need aid packages that cover at least 40-70% of college costs to make earning their degree in the USA more economical than in the UK. This 40-70% does not even include loans, which need to be paid back with interest. For many students and families who are caught in the middle—either because they do not earn enough to fully cover all university-related costs in the USA or earn too much to qualify for needs-based or low income aid—the pressure to obtain adequate aid means students might have to settle for a less ideal school or be burdened with astronomical loan debt. This can be heartbreaking when a student has worked so hard to get into their dream school, only to then not be able to afford to attend. Earning your degree in the UK eases so much of this pressure as it opens new possibilities of prestigious universities in a cost-effective manner. Considering the high quality of education, top graduate prospects, amazing student experience, superior accommodation, and the many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities you will get by studying in the UK—all at a fraction of the cost of attending college in the USA—earning your degree in the UK clearly offers tremendous value. Richmond Hill can help you determine a budget and the extent to which you and your family can save.

American students who earn their undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK can save a significant amount of money due to considerably lower fees for tuition, accommodation, and other costs of attendance in the UK compared to most American colleges. Please refer to this currency converter for current estimates on GBP to USD conversion amounts.(https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/) Tuition While annual tuition fees for Americans vary throughout the UK and are impacted by factors such as degree subject, institution, and location, tuition fees are, on average, much cheaper than American private and out-of-state schools. Also, remember that most undergraduate programs in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are only three years, meaning that you only pay three years of tuition fees and living costs instead of four years of fees in the USA. Similarly, most master's programs in the UK only take one year to complete instead of two years, meaning you can automatically save a year's worth of fees. As a general rule of thumb: • Humanities degree programs cost less than STEM programs • Degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry operate on a different tuition model than non-medical courses • The most prestigious institutions tend to have higher tuition fees • Many universities lock students in at the tuition rate they start with in year one and charge them the same rate in subsequent years, while others may charge slightly more each year to adjust for inflation. Undergraduate Tuition for most undergraduate degree programs (excluding medical programs) in the UK ranges between £12,000-£40,000 per year, while tuition fees for many undergraduate programs at the UK's most prestigious institutions typically range between £20,000-£50,000 per year. Please refer to the table below for UK undergraduate tuition fee ranges and medians by subject area per year: © 2025 Richmond Hill Education Services LLC & Ltd Please note that some tuition fees at certain universities may fall below or above these ranges. Tuition for most 5 or 6-year undergraduate medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry programs is calculated differently than most other undergraduate programs. Please contact us to learn more about these programs and associated costs. Postgraduate While it varies greatly by subject, tuition for most master's degree programs (excluding MBA and medical programs) in the UK ranges between £12,000-£30,000, while tuition fees for many master's programs at the UK's most prestigious institutions typically range between £20,000-£45,000. Please note that some tuition fees at certain universities may fall below or above these ranges. Accommodation For accommodation, the cost again varies based on university, location, room type, amenities, and catering plan. It is the norm in the UK for students living in university halls of residence to have their own private room with no roommate. It is also very common on many UK campuses to not only have your own bedroom, but also your own, private ensuite bathroom. At most UK universities, students can choose whether they would like to be catered (on the meal plan) or self-catered (responsible for preparing their own meals). Living in university-owned halls as an undergraduate typically ranges between £4,500-£12,000 per academic year, with students commonly paying somewhere between £6,500-£10,000. Students who choose to live in catered accommodation (i.e., room including a meal plan) commonly pay between £6,500-£11,000 per year. Please note that some accommodation fees at certain universities may fall below or above these ranges. Off-campus private accommodation is another option and is often cheaper than university-owned halls. As such, it is a popular option among second and subsequent-year students. Richmond Hill can help you identify universities and programs that suit your budget and can offer guidance on your best funding options. We can also help you better understand specific fees, how different factors impact fees, and areas where you can save even more money.

It is very important for students and their families to understand their various funding options so they can cover university fees in the most cost-effective and hassle-free way, especially when dealing with foreign currencies and transfers. Fortunately, American students and their families have several options when covering costs associated with attending university in the UK. Your Richmond Hill advisor will be able to help you determine your best funding options, walk you through steps to secure funding and scholarships, advise on cost-effective and secure currency transfers, payment methods to universities, and more. Students planning to use college fund savings or student loans should be aware that the process for accessing and using college fund savings and/or applying for and accessing student loans to cover university costs in the UK may differ from processes for college in the USA. Richmond Hill can guide you through how to use these funding sources, cost-effectively, and best practices for submitting for reimbursement.

While Americans can already save a significant amount of money by attending university in the UK, American students are also eligible to access certain scholarships. For undergraduate students, some UK universities offer scholarships for simply being an international student. Additional scholarships and grants can be awarded for academic merit and excellence, as well as for skills in sports, arts, or music. American postgraduate students studying in the UK are eligible for even greater scholarship and funding options than undergraduates, both through US-based and UK sources. Richmond Hill can help you identify scholarships you are eligible and qualified for, as well as how to apply for and access them.