Admissions & Scholarships
What Four Years at A-State Really Cost: A Budget for Vietnamese Families
About $23,700 a year when you apply through the Vietnam Office, against $31,050 at the standard international rate. Over four years that is $29,400. Every line, plus the costs families tend to forget.
The short answer: on the 2026–27 cost table A-State issues for Vietnamese students, a year of undergraduate study (15 credits a semester, living on campus) comes to $23,700 when you apply through the A-State Vietnam Office with code VNI, against $31,050 at the standard international rate. Held flat for four years, that is $94,800 against $124,200, a difference of $29,400.
One year and four years
| Item (USD) | Standard international | Through the office (code VNI) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, 15 credits a semester | $18,000 | $10,650 |
| Mandatory fees | $1,440 | $1,440 |
| Room and board | $10,510 | $10,510 |
| Health insurance | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Total per year | $31,050 | $23,700 |
| Four years at 2026–27 prices | $124,200 | $94,800 |
The four-year line is simple multiplication to help families plan, not a forecast. Tuition and housing are published year by year and can change, so keep a contingency.
The costs families tend to miss
One-off fees. The $50 application fee, the $350 international deposit (refunded at graduation, forfeited on withdrawal or transfer), the mandatory $280 health screening fee, the $100 housing deposit, and a $60 graduation fee at the end.
Fees by major. Some colleges add a charge on each credit of major coursework:
| College | Added per major credit |
|---|---|
| Business | $55 |
| Engineering | $50 |
| Sciences | $35 |
| Agriculture | $27 |
| Nursing | $27, nursing courses $46 |
As an illustration, 60 credits of Engineering coursework would add $3,000 over the degree. The real number depends on the program, and the office will work it out for yours.
Outside the university’s table. Flights, the SEVIS fee, the visa fee, books, personal spending and accommodation during breaks are not in the lines above.
Can it be reduced further?
- The $3,000-a-year international scholarship requires a 3.25 GPA and the English requirement, and cannot be combined with other university awards. Combining it with the office tuition rate is confirmed case by case, so don’t take another $12,000 off the table until you have that confirmation. See scholarships.
- Keep to a sensible credit load. Taking 15 credits a semester keeps you on schedule; an extra year usually costs more than a lighter load saves.
- Pay in instalments: the university offers a payment plan with a $40 set-up fee.
When you plan the family’s finances
- Use the first-year figure to prepare your financial evidence. The amount on the I-20 is set by the university and can differ from this table.
- Don’t count work income in the budget: on-campus jobs are limited and cannot replace the financial proof.
- Tuition is paid directly to the university. The office never collects it on your behalf.
Next step
Would you like a budget built for your own major, credit load and start date? Book a free one-to-one consultation with the A-State Vietnam Office, or call / message us on Zalo at +84 97 586 1994. The office is run by VNIS Vietnam Co., Ltd, Arkansas State University’s Authorized Recruiter in Vietnam, and charges students and parents no service fee.
