Cost of Studying at the Top 5 U.S. Universities for Indonesian Students in 2025

nurmartinez
Apr 28
3 min read

Planning to study in the U.S. as an Indonesian student? Understanding the costs of tuition, housing, food, healthcare, and more is crucial for budgeting your education abroad. In 2025, the U.S. remains a top destination for Indonesian students, with 8,348 students enrolled in 2023–24, particularly in STEM (33.1%) and business (28%) programs. This guide breaks down the costs at the top 5 U.S. universities with the most Indonesian students, including conversions to Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) at an exchange rate of 1 USD = 15,750 IDR. Whether you’re eyeing USC, Columbia, or UCLA, we’ve got you covered.

Why Study in the U.S. as an Indonesian Student?

The U.S. offers world-class education, diverse career opportunities, and programs like Optional Practical Training (OPT), which saw a 16% increase in Indonesian participation. Universities like the University of Southern California (USC) and UCLA host vibrant Indonesian communities, making them popular choices. However, costs can be high, especially in cities like Los Angeles and New York. Below, we detail expenses at the top five universities, ranked by Indonesian student enrollment according to College Factual (2021).

Top 5 U.S. Universities for Indonesian Students: Costs in USD and IDR

The table below outlines estimated annual costs for international students at the top five U.S. universities with the most Indonesian students. Costs include tuition, housing, food, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses, with IDR conversions for easy planning.

Rank

University

Location

Tuition (USD)

Tuition (IDR)

Housing (USD)

Housing (IDR)

Food (USD)

Food (IDR)

Healthcare (USD)

Healthcare (IDR)

Miscellaneous (USD)

Miscellaneous (IDR)

Total (USD)

Total (IDR)

Notes

University of Southern California (USC)

Los Angeles, CA

$63,468–$65,000

999,621,000–1,023,750,000

$10,000–$18,000

157,500,000–283,500,000

$1,800–$3,900

28,350,000–61,425,000

$2,500–$4,000

39,375,000–63,000,000

$2,000–$5,000

31,500,000–78,750,000

$79,768–$95,900

1,256,346,000–1,510,425,000

Private, 22.5% international students. Strong STEM/business programs. High-cost city. USC Costs

Columbia University

New York, NY

$66,383–$68,000

1,045,532,250–1,071,000,000

$12,000–$20,000

189,000,000–315,000,000

$1,800–$3,900

28,350,000–61,425,000

$2,500–$4,000

39,375,000–63,000,000

$2,000–$5,000

31,500,000–78,750,000

$84,683–$100,900

1,333,757,250–1,589,175,000

Private, high-cost city. Popular for graduate programs (10% Indonesian graduate enrollment increase). Columbia Costs

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Los Angeles, CA

$47,793–$50,000

752,739,750–787,500,000

$10,000–$15,000

157,500,000–236,250,000

$1,800–$3,900

28,350,000–61,425,000

$2,500–$4,000

39,375,000–63,000,000

$2,000–$5,000

31,500,000–78,750,000

$64,093–$77,900

1,009,464,750–1,226,925,000

Public, 96% freshman retention. Large Indonesian alumni network. UCLA Costs

Boston University

Boston, MA

$61,050–$63,000

961,537,500–992,250,000

$10,000–$16,000

157,500,000–252,000,000

$1,800–$3,900

28,350,000–61,425,000

$2,500–$4,000

39,375,000–63,000,000

$2,000–$5,000

31,500,000–78,750,000

$77,350–$91,900

1,218,262,500–1,447,425,000

Private, 24.6% international students. Strong business/engineering programs. BU Costs

Northeastern University

Boston, MA

$60,192–$62,000

948,024,000–976,500,000

$10,000–$16,000

157,500,000–252,000,000

$1,800–$3,900

28,350,000–61,425,000

$2,500–$4,000

39,375,000–63,000,000

$2,000–$5,000

31,500,000–78,750,000

$76,492–$90,900

1,204,749,000–1,431,675,000

Private, known for co-op programs. Attracts Indonesians for OPT (16% increase). Northeastern Costs

Key Cost Considerations for Indonesian Students

Tuition: Public universities like UCLA offer lower non-resident rates ($47,793–$50,000) compared to private ones like Columbia ($66,383–$68,000). STEM and business programs, popular among Indonesians, may have additional fees.
Housing: On-campus housing ($8,000–$12,000) is cheaper but limited. Off-campus in high-cost cities like NYC or LA can cost $18,000–$30,000/year (283,500,000–472,500,000 IDR).
Food: Budget $1,800–$3,900/year by mixing meal plans ($4,000–$6,000) and cooking. Indonesian ingredients (e.g., sambal) add $50–$100/month.
Healthcare: Mandatory insurance ($2,000–$4,000) plus $500–$1,000 for co-pays/prescriptions. Campus health centers reduce costs.
Miscellaneous: Includes books ($990–$1,500), travel to Indonesia ($1,000–$2,500/trip), and fees ($100–$1,000).

Tips to Save on U.S. Education Costs

Studying in the U.S. is expensive, but Indonesian students can reduce costs with these strategies:

Apply for Scholarships: Explore Fulbright, Indonesian government programs like LPDP, or university merit awards.
Work On-Campus: F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours/week ($12–$15/hour), earning $5,000–$10,000/year (78,750,000–157,500,000 IDR).
Choose Affordable Housing: Opt for on-campus dorms or shared apartments in mid-tier cities like Boston or Raleigh.
Cook at Home: Save on food by cooking and sourcing Indonesian ingredients from local Asian markets.
Leverage Campus Resources: Use free health services, discounted transit passes, and Indonesian student associations for support.

Why These Universities Attract Indonesian Students

These universities are popular for their academic reputation, urban locations, and career opportunities:

USC: 22.5% international students, strong STEM/business programs, and a vibrant Indonesian community in LA.
Columbia: Attracts graduate students (10% enrollment increase), located in diverse NYC.
UCLA: Affordable public option with a large Indonesian alumni network.
Boston University: 24.6% international students, ideal for business/engineering.
Northeastern: Known for co-op programs and OPT opportunities.

Plan Your U.S. Education Today

Studying at a top U.S. university is a significant investment, but with careful budgeting and financial aid, it’s achievable. Use this guide to estimate costs, explore scholarships, and connect with Indonesian student communities. For more details, visit university websites or check out resources like IIE Open Doors for international student trends.