Introduction
Students who need to receive an LSU I-20 or DS-2019 for the F-1 or J-1 visa 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. If you wish to enroll in courses during the summer, you should have additional funds available for tuition and fees.
Estimated Expenses for International Students in Graduate and Professional Programs
Below is a list of estimated costs -- including tuition and fees for one academic year and 12 months of living expenses. The estimate is based on a moderate budget; individual expenses will vary. Please remember:
- Total expenses include credit-hour, mandatory, and program fees only. Optional service fees, course-related fees, or miscellaneous fees are not included.
- Tuition and fees are based on the minimum number 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.
- Additional costs may be assessed depending on your course of study.
- "Full academic year" includes the fall and spring semester but not summer sessions.
- To maintain the F-1/J-1 student status, you must enroll as a full-time student for the fall and spring semesters.
- 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.
Note: The insurance cost is subject to change without notice. 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.
For information about on-campus housing options, visit Residential Life. For information about off-campus options, visit Off-Campus Housing.
Estimated Expenses for Dependents
If you will bring your family (spouse and/or children), you will also need to be able to show proof of funds in amount of $4,500 per dependent.
Cost tables
Digital Media Arts & Engineering (Master's degree)
Estimated Expenses: |
Tuition & Fees |
Living Expenses |
Books, Supplies & Insurance |
Total |
at Full Cost |
$34,600 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$52,600 |
with Full Assistantship |
$7,900 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$25,900 |
with Partial Assistantship |
$17,700 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$35,700 |
with Tuition Award |
$9,000 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$27,000 |
Flores MBA Program (Full-time MBA)
Estimated Expenses: |
Tuition & Fees |
Living Expenses |
Books, Supplies & Insurance |
Total |
at Full Cost (summer start - 1 year program) |
$47,900 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$65,900 |
at Full Cost (fall start) |
$36,100 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$54,100 |
with Full Assistantship |
$9,000 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$27,000 |
with Partial Assistantship |
$19,200 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$37,200 |
with Tuition Award |
$10,000 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$28,000 |
All other Graduate School Programs (Master's and Doctorate)
Estimated Expenses: |
Tuition & Fees |
Living Expenses |
Books, Supplies & Insurance |
Total |
at Full Cost |
$29,600 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$47,600 |
with Full Assistantship |
$2,900 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$20,900 |
with Partial Assistantship |
$12,700 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$30,700 |
with Tuition Award |
$4,000 |
$14,400 |
$3,600 |
$22,000 |
School of Veterinary Medicine
Estimated Expenses for |
Tuition & Fees |
Living Expenses |
Books, Supplies & Insurance |
Total |
Veterinary Clinical Training (12 months) |
$58,350 |
$26,100 |
$3,600 |
$88,050 |
Veterinary Clinical Training (6 months) |
$29,175 |
$13,500 |
$1,800 |
$44,475 |
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine |
$58,350 |
$26,100 |
$3,600 |
$88,050 |
LSU Law (LLM and JD)
Estimated Cost for |
Amount |
Tuition & Fees |
$39,300 |
Living Expenses |
$15,000 |
Books, Supplies & Insurance |
$3,600 |
Total |
$57,900 |