Pursuing a master’s in the USA requires more than looking at tuition fees. Students need to account for accommodation, food, university fees, travel, visa-related expenses, relocation, and everyday living costs when estimating the total cost of studying in the USA. For Indian students, understanding these expenses before applying can make it easier to set a realistic education budget and avoid unexpected financial pressure. One option that can change this calculation is a Global Pathway model, where students complete an initial part of their education in India before moving to the USA. The edept × Mahindra University × Illinois Tech 6+12 Global Pathway follows this structure, with six months in India followed by 12 months in Chicago. The model is designed around completing aligned coursework in India before the U.S. phase, potentially reducing the amount spent on U.S. tuition and living expenses. This guide explains how to financially plan for a master’s in data science in USA, covering tuition, living costs, travel, and other expenses. It also compares the traditional MAS route with the 6+12 pathway so students can understand how the location and duration of study can affect their overall education budget.
How Much Does a Master’s in Data Science in the USA Cost?
The cost of a master’s in data science in the USA should be calculated as more than just tuition. A realistic education budget includes tuition, accommodation, food, university-related fees, travel, relocation, and other living expenses. For Indian students, understanding the difference between tuition and the total cost of attendance is especially important when planning finances for a U.S. degree. For the traditional MAS in Data Science at Illinois Tech, the brochure estimates the total cost of attendance at approximately $109,000. This estimate includes tuition along with housing, food, fees, and other standard living expenses. This figure is specific to the program and stated estimates; it should not be treated as the universal master’s in data science in USA cost for every university or student.
Tuition Fees vs Total Cost of Attendance
When calculating the master’s in data science in USA cost, tuition is only the starting point. The brochure places traditional MAS tuition at approximately $63,525, while the estimated total cost of attendance is approximately $109,000. The difference reflects the additional expenses involved in living and studying in Chicago, including housing, food, university fees, and other standard costs. Planning around tuition alone can therefore leave a substantial gap in a student’s financial preparation.
What Other Expenses Should Students Budget For?
Students planning the cost of studying data science in USA should create a separate budget for:
- Accommodation: Housing costs during the U.S. study period.
- Food: Groceries, meals, and everyday food expenses.
- University fees: Charges beyond the listed tuition.
- Travel and relocation: Flights, transportation, and moving to Chicago.
- Pre-departure expenses: Costs incurred before beginning the U.S. phase.
- Daily living costs: Local transportation, personal expenses, and other necessities.
Actual spending will vary depending on lifestyle, housing choices, location, and individual circumstances. The brochure’s figures should therefore be used as program-level estimates for financial planning, not as a guaranteed final bill for every student.
How the 6+12 Global Pathway Changes the Cost Structure
The other thing that plays an important role in determining the cost of studying a master’s in data science in the USA is not just how much it costs, but also where it costs. The 6+12 Global Pathway program brings a change in the cost structure in the way the academic tenure is divided between India and the USA. This model is created to assist students to maximise their investment in the US educational process from the very start of their studies in India. Instead of paying US tuition fees and other expenses throughout the whole educational period, students have to cover major US-based expenses only during the 12-month stay in Chicago. The credits obtained in India correspond to US program and thus create an educational path from India to Illinois Tech. Therefore, the pathway cannot be considered simply as a “cheap master’s degree.” Instead, it represents a different way of financing data science studies in the US, where part of the educational path is carried out in India while part of the money is spent on Illinois Tech studies.
Traditional MAS vs. 6+12 Global Pathway
The brochure provides the following estimated program figures for comparing the two routes:
| Cost/Duration Factor | Traditional MAS | 6+12 Global Pathway |
| Study Location | Chicago | 6 months India + 12 months Chicago |
| Approx. tution | ~$63,525 | ~$49,350 |
| Approx. total cost of attendance | ~$109,000 | ~$78,500 |
| Duration | 18-20 months in Chicago | 6 months India + 12 months Chicago |
| Approx. savings | – | ~$30,600 |
These are estimated/program figures stated in the brochure and should not be treated as guaranteed individual costs. The comparison shows why students calculating the master’s in data science in USA cost should consider the complete structure rather than tuition alone. According to the brochure’s estimates, the 6+12 pathway represents approximately $30,600 in total savings, with the estimated total cost moving from approximately $109,000 to $78,500.
How Studying in India First Can Reduce U.S. Expenses
The first six months at Mahindra University reduce the period during which students are exposed to U.S.-based accommodation and everyday living expenses. Students then move to Chicago for a defined 12-month period at Illinois Tech, making the duration of their U.S. financial commitment easier to plan. Academically, the structure also separates the journey into stages. Students complete foundational and applied Data Science learning during the India phase before progressing to the advanced MAS curriculum in Chicago. This creates a financial structure in which students can optimise U.S. spending while continuing toward the same broader academic pathway, rather than simply choosing a lower-cost alternative.
What Should Indian Students Include in Their Master’s Budget?
Planning for the costs of a master’s in data science in the USA should start before one applies. Indian students should draw up a comprehensive budget that not only considers the financial aspects of the study period but also that of moving to the U.S. from India. The most realistic method of planning would be to divide the expenses into academic, housing, and travel costs.
Academic Costs
Start with tuition, university fees, and other program-related academic expenses. For a pathway program, the budget should account for both the India and U.S. phases rather than considering only the final year in Chicago. The brochure’s model is structured around academic progression between the India phase and the Illinois Tech phase, so students should plan their finances across the full pathway.
Accommodation and Food
Housing in Chicago and everyday food expenses can become a significant part of the master’s in data science in the USA. Include these in the initial financial plan rather than treating them as expenses to figure out after arrival. The program’s stated total-cost estimate factors in housing and food, giving students a broader view of the expected cost of attendance. Actual spending, however, can vary based on accommodation choices and lifestyle.
Travel, Visa and Relocation Expenses
Students should also budget for international travel, relocation to Chicago, visa-related expenses, and pre-departure costs. Financial documentation should be organised well in advance because the transition to the U.S. involves demonstrating the ability to support the study period. For students following the Global Pathway, edept can provide guidance around the transition, including visa guidance, financial documentation, and pre-departure orientation, helping students prepare for the practical requirements of moving from India to the U.S.
How to Plan for the U.S. Phase of the MAS in Data Science[
Financial planning for a master’s in data science in USA should cover more than securing admission. Students also need to prepare for the transition from India to Chicago and understand when major U.S.-based expenses will begin. The 6+12 Global Pathway divides the academic journey into two tracks: students begin at Mahindra University in India, where they undertake foundational and applied Data Science learning, and then move to Illinois Tech in Chicago for the advanced MAS phase. The U.S. phase focuses on advanced areas including Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Data Engineering, and High-Performance Computing. For students calculating the master’s in data science in USA cost, knowing that the Chicago phase lasts 12 months provides a clearer basis for estimating U.S. tuition, accommodation, food, transportation, and other living expenses.
Why the 12-Month Chicago Phase Matters Financially
The defined 12-month Chicago phase gives students a clearer financial planning window. Rather than budgeting for living in the USA throughout the entire academic journey, students can identify the period when U.S. accommodation and everyday expenses will apply. This is particularly relevant when comparing the master’s in data science in USA cost under different study structures. With six months spent in India and 12 months at Illinois Tech, students can plan their India-phase expenses separately and then prepare a dedicated budget for the Chicago period. Knowing this duration in advance can also help with travel planning, financial documentation, accommodation decisions, and contingency funds before the transition to the USA. The pathway therefore connects academic progression with financial planning: foundational learning takes place in India, while the defined U.S. period is reserved for advanced MAS coursework and the Chicago academic experience.
What Financial Support Is Available for the Program?
Managing the cost of a master’s in data science in the USA can be easier if students explore funding early rather than late, as they approach the American transition. The program brochure shows that there is loan help and financial advice from lenders, and this gives students a chance to learn about possible ways of funding. Students should explore these options before admission and consider how tuition, living expenses, travel, and other costs will affect their overall repayment obligations. It is also important to distinguish loan assistance from scholarships or guaranteed funding. The brochure mentions financial and loan support, but it does not state that students receive a guaranteed scholarship as part of admission.
How to Prepare Your Financial Documents
Financial preparation should begin well before the move to Chicago. Students should keep their academic records, financial documents, identity documents, and other required paperwork organised and readily accessible. Planning evidence of funds in advance can also make the transition to the U.S. more manageable. For students considering the master’s in data science in USA cost through the 6+12 Global Pathway, financial documentation should account for both the India and U.S. phases. The program also provides support around visa guidance and financial documentation, helping students prepare for the practical requirements associated with the transition to Illinois Tech.
How the Global Pathway Can Offer Better Value for International Students
International students, when calculating the cost of a master’s in data science in USA, should not only look at the cheapest tuition but also think about the value of the degree program, which will include credentials earned, academic experience gained, time of studying in the USA, and further work opportunities. 6+12 Global Pathway consists of 6 months of studying at Mahindra University in India and 12 months of studying at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago in order to get the Master’s in Advanced Studies in Data Science. Thus, students start their education in India and move to the USA for the final year of study. Also, students obtain a PGP credential from Mahindra University and an MAS in Data Science from Illinois Tech. The MAS program is STEM-designated. In addition, the brochure says that eligible STEM graduates can receive up to 36 months of OPT according to eligibility requirements. This information is relevant for students considering the cost of a master’s in data science in the USA cost since this decision is not only about money spent on tuition but also about credentials received, academic experience, time spent in the USA and getting a work visa after studying.
Two Credentials Across One Global Academic Journey
Students earn a PGP certificate from Mahindra University during the India phase and progress to the STEM MAS in Data Science from Illinois Tech during the U.S. phase. These should not be presented as two master’s degrees; the PGP and MAS are credentials earned at different stages of one structured global academic pathway. This combination can provide international students with an academic experience spanning India and the USA while helping them evaluate the master’s in data science in USA cost against the complete value of the pathway rather than tuition alone.
A Step-by-Step Financial Plan for Studying Data Science in USA
A well-structured financial plan can help Indian students manage the master’s in data science in USA cost without overlooking expenses that arise before or during the U.S. phase. The following steps provide a practical framework for planning the full education journey.
Step 1: Calculate Your Total Education Budget
Start by adding tuition, university fees, accommodation, food, travel, and relocation expenses. Do not use tuition alone to estimate the master’s in data science in USA cost. Include pre-departure and day-to-day expenses to create a realistic budget.
Step 2: Decide How Much You Will Spend in India v.s. the USA
Consider where each part of your education will take place. The 6+12 Global Pathway provides an example: six months at Mahindra University followed by 12 months at Illinois Tech in Chicago. This structure means U.S.-based living costs are concentrated in the Chicago phase, helping students plan their cost of studying data science in USA more precisely.
Step 3: Explore Loan and Financing Options
Review available loan assistance and lending support before committing to the program. Compare interest rates, repayment periods, eligibility requirements, and your expected repayment obligations rather than assuming financing will cover every expense.
Step 4: Prepare for Visa and Financial Documentation
Organise academic and financial documents early. Plan evidence of funds and other required documentation well before travelling to the USA. The program provides guidance related to visa and financial documentation as part of the transition process.
Step 5: Keep a Contingency Budget
Finally, maintain a separate reserve for unexpected housing, travel, medical, or personal expenses. Avoid planning your master’s in data science in USA cost down to the last dollar; a contingency fund provides flexibility when actual expenses differ from estimates.
Is the 6+12 Global Pathway a Cost-Effective Way to Study Data Science in USA?
For students evaluating the costs of a master’s in data science in the USA, the 6+12 Global Pathway is a different kind of cost structure compared to the traditional track. According to the brochure, the total cost of attendance for the traditional MAS program is estimated at $109,000, while that of the Global 6+12 program is approximately $78,500. The cost of attendance in the latter is about $30,600 lower, which is around 30% less than the cost of the traditional program, especially when the living cost is factored in. One of the ways in which the Global Pathway saves cost is by virtue of how long students are within a given geographical location. In the Global Pathway, students spend six months in India at Mahindra University and then spend 12 months in Chicago at Illinois Tech. Therefore, students are only exposed to U.S. based living costs for half the duration of the program. Note, however, that this cost difference is just an estimate of the cost of attendance for both programs. The actual cost will depend on a number of factors, including accommodation, lifestyle and personal spending, among others.
Plan Your Master’s in Data Science in the USA with the 6+12 Global Pathway
Financially planning for a Data Science degree in the USA means looking beyond tuition. Students should consider the complete cost of education, including living expenses, university fees, travel, relocation, and the length of time they will spend in the USA. The location and duration of each study phase can significantly influence the overall budget. The edept × Mahindra University × Illinois Tech 6+12 Global Pathway offers a structured alternative. Students begin with six months of foundational and applied Data Science learning at Mahindra University in India before progressing to the advanced STEM MAS in Data Science at Illinois Tech in Chicago. The traditional MAS route has an approximate total cost of attendance of $109,000, compared with approximately $78,500 through the 6+12 Global Pathway. This represents estimated savings of around $30,600, although actual costs can vary based on individual circumstances and expenses. If you are considering Data Science in USA and want to understand how the India-plus-USA study model could fit your academic and financial goals, explore the edept × Mahindra University × Illinois Tech Global Pathway Program and evaluate the pathway, costs, credentials, and U.S. study experience before making your decision.