Introduction
Students who request an LSU I-20 or DS-2019 for the F-1 or J-1 visa/status must have sufficient funds to cover all estimated expenses for at least one academic year and are required to show funding for the total estimated expenses below to qualify for the I-20 or DS-2019.
About the Estimated Expenses
Below is a list of estimated costs including tuition and fees for one academic year (fall and spring/spring and fall) and 12 months of living expenses. The estimate is based on a moderate budget; individual expenses will vary. Please remember:
- Tuition and fees are based on the minimum number of credit hours to be a full-time student, can vary among programs, and are subject to change without notice. You can find the most current and exact Tuition and Fee costs for each credit hour on the LSU Budget and Planning website.
- Estimates include credit-hour, mandatory, and program fees only. Optional service fees, course-related fees, or miscellaneous fees are not included.
- F-1/J-1 students have three (3) additional charges/fees:
- International Student Status Compliance (ISSC) charge: $50 per semester of enrollment. This charge supports advising and technical services to meet federal regulations and provide other essential support for international students.
- Global Community Center (GCC) fee: $10 per semester of enrollment. This fee supports orientation, arrival services, and programming for international students.
- U.S. regulations require that international students have medical health insurance. F-1/J-1 students are automatically charged and billed for the LSU Student Health Insurance Plan upon registration each semester. Waivers may be available to students who have insurance that meets university requirements (and U.S. Department of State requirements for J visa holders). The insurance cost is subject to change without notice.
- "Full academic year" includes the fall and spring semester but not summer sessions. If you wish to enroll in courses during the summer, you should have additional funds available for tuition and fees.
For information about on-campus housing options, visit Residential Life. For information about off-campus options, visit Off-Campus Housing.
Insurance and Miscellaneous Expenses include (but are not limited) to medical health insurance, books and supplies.
Estimated Expenses for Dependents
Students who bring their spouse and/or children as their dependent(s) must be able to show proof of funds in amount of $5,000 per dependent.
Cost tables
Digital Media Arts & Engineering (Master's degree)
| Estimated Cost |
Amount |
| Tuition & Fees |
$35,250 |
| Living Expenses |
$20,300 |
| Insurance & Miscellaneous Expenses |
$5,130 |
| Total |
$60,680 |
Value of Tuition Waiver for Digital Media Arts & Engineering:
- For those who receive a full-time Graduate Assistantship (20 hours per week, 50% FTE): $38,050 (This amount includes value of insurance benefit.)
- For those who receive a part-time Graduate Assistantship (10 hours per week, 25% FTE): $16,900
- For those who receive a Graduate School Tuition Award: $31,850
Flores MBA Program (Full-time MBA)
| Estimated Cost for |
MBA (one-year program) |
MBA (2-year program) |
| Tuition & Fees |
$48,300 |
$37,000 |
| Living Expenses |
$20,300 |
$20,300 |
| Insurance & Miscellaneous Expenses |
$5,130 |
$5,130 |
| Total |
$73,730 |
$32,430 |
Value of Tuition Waiver for MBA (one-year program):
- For those who receive a full-time Graduate Assistantship (20 hours per week, 50% FTE): $TBD (This amount includes value of insurance benefit.)
- For those who receive a part-time Graduate Assistantship (10 hours per week, 25% FTE): $TDB
- For those who receive a Graduate School Tuition Award: $TBD
Value of Tuition Waiver for MBA (2-year program):
- For those who receive a full-time Graduate Assistantship (20 hours per week, 50% FTE): $33,790 (This amount includes value of insurance benefit.)
- For those who receive a part-time Graduate Assistantship (10 hours per week, 25% FTE): TBD
- For those who receive a Graduate School Tuition Award: $26,780
All other Graduate School Programs (Master's and Doctorate)
| Estimated Cost |
Amount |
| Tuition & Fees |
$30,200 |
| Living Expenses |
$20,300 |
| Insurance & Miscellaneous Expenses |
$5,130 |
| Total |
$55,680 |
Value of Tuition Waiver for all other Graduate School programs:
- For those who receive a full-time Graduate Assistantship (20 hours per week, 50% FTE): $33,050 (This amount includes value of insurance benefit.)
- For those who receive a part-time Graduate Assistantship (10 hours per week, 25% FTE): $16,900
- For those who receive a Graduate School Tuition Award: $26,850
LSU Law (LLM and JD)
| Estimated Cost |
Amount |
| Tuition & Fees |
$41,550 |
| Living Expenses |
$20,300 |
| Insurance & Miscellaneous Expenses |
$7,080 |
| Total |
$68,930 |
Tuition/Fee Waiver(s) and/or Scholarship for LLM:
- For those who receive funding from the LSU Law Center: Find the wavier and/or scholarship value(s) on the admission letter. Apply the total value of the waiver(s) and/or scholarship to the total estimate above. Students are responsible for the remaining balance.
School of Veterinary Medicine (DVM program)
| Estimated Cost for |
Amount |
| Tuition & Fees |
$61,100 |
| Living Expenses |
$28,100 |
| Insurance & Miscellaneous Expenses |
$5,480 |
| Total |
$94,680 |