Self-Funded Study in the USA: One Year at A-State, Line by Line

For families paying their own way, the real question behind "studying in the US without a scholarship" is not marketing copy but an honest number. This article uses Arkansas State University's (A-State) published estimate for international undergraduates as the baseline, then shows how a scholarship changes the picture, and finally flags the costs the university's estimate does not include but families still need to plan for. Tuition, fees and deadlines can change from year to year, so always confirm current figures with the Vietnam Office before finalizing a budget.

The one-year baseline without a scholarship

For an international undergraduate enrolled in 12 credit hours per semester (the common full-time minimum), A-State's estimated total cost for 2026–2027 is approximately $29,646. At 15 credit hours per semester, which keeps students on a four-year pace, the estimate rises to roughly $33,540. The table below breaks down the main components, based on the international tuition rate of $649 per credit (which includes a $23 athletic fee) plus a college fee of $27–$55 per credit depending on program.

Item	Estimated cost/year (12 credits)
Tuition + college fee	Calculated at $649/credit plus program-specific college fee
Room & board	Approximately $12,220
Mandatory health insurance	Approximately $1,100
Estimated total	Approximately $29,646

On top of the annual figure, there are one-time costs when a student first enrolls: a $50 application fee, a $350 international deposit, a $280 health screening, and a $100 housing deposit. These are one-time, not recurring charges. Renter's insurance for certain housing types runs about $25 per semester. For a full breakdown by program and housing type, use the cost-of-attendance calculator.

What's left with a $3,000/year scholarship

A-State offers the International Freshman Scholarship of $3,000 per year for students with a 3.25 GPA, and a similar Transfer Scholarship for students with a 3.25 GPA plus 24 transferable credit hours (the two cannot be combined). ACT/SAT-based packages ($2,000–$6,000 a year for 2027–28) have their own conditions and must be confirmed for each international student. As an illustrative example only: a student awarded the $3,000/year scholarship against the $29,646 baseline would need to cover roughly $26,646 out of pocket. This is a scenario to show scale, not a guarantee — specific scholarship eligibility should be confirmed with the Vietnam Office based on the student's actual profile. Full scholarship details are on the scholarships page.

Costs the estimate does not include

Several real expenses fall outside the university's published estimate, and self-funded families should plan for them at a principle level (this article deliberately avoids specific airfare figures or airline names, since these vary by season and booking time):

• Round-trip airfare from Vietnam to the US and back for long breaks — usually the largest expense outside tuition and housing.
• Initial setup items upon move-in: bedding, winter clothing (Jonesboro does see occasional snow), and personal supplies.
• Travel during school breaks if a student visits friends, family, or other parts of the US.
• Monthly personal spending: meals outside the campus meal plan, shopping, entertainment.

Because the university does not publish figures for these categories, families should build their own budget line and check in with the Vietnam Office for a realistic picture before committing.

Real savings available in Jonesboro

Some savings are concrete, not generic marketing. Jonesboro has a cost-of-living index of about 86.9, below the US national average, and is Arkansas's fifth-largest city with two hospitals serving the area. Students with an A-State ID ride the GOJO city bus for free (a pilot program running through August 15, 2028, covering nine campus stops across five routes), which meaningfully reduces daily transportation costs. There is also a shopping shuttle for international students on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4–7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., stopping at Kroger, Aldi, Walmart, and the Asian Food Market at 2114 S Caraway Rd — useful for families who do not want their student to need a car. Full details on transportation and daily life are on the getting here page and the broader student life hub.

Part-time work: a supplement, not a financial plan

Under F-1 visa rules, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week while enrolled; off-campus work is only permitted through CPT or OPT once eligible. STEM graduates may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension added to the standard 12-month OPT period, under rules set by the US government. This can build experience and provide some income, but families should not treat part-time work as a source of funds when planning tuition and living costs. Hours are capped, positions are not guaranteed, and a student's primary responsibility remains academic. A sound financial plan is based on what the family can actually afford, plus any confirmed scholarship, not on uncertain future earnings from part-time jobs.

Talk to International Admissions before you finalize a budget

Every family's financial situation is different, so the $29,646 figure in this article is a reference point for a typical case, not a guarantee for any individual student. For a detailed estimate based on program, housing choice, and scholarship potential, contact A-State's Vietnam Office directly at study@astate.edu.vn or hotline 097 586 1994, or leave your details on the contact page. The team can confirm the most current tuition and fee figures, since these can change from one academic year to the next.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash