- Average 2026–27 tuition reached $26,034 at public colleges for out-of-state students, before living costs.
- A federal judge blocked the four-year stay limit nationwide before its planned September 15, 2026 start.
- Vietnamese families are considering Singapore and Hong Kong as tuition costs and U.S. work-visa uncertainty grow.
Cuong’s family said it could spend VND300 million to VND400 million, or $11,500 to $15,400, a year on his education. That budget no longer matches the cost of a U.S. degree.
Vietnamese students are looking more seriously at Singapore and Hong Kong. Counselors say families are comparing the United States with destinations they view as cheaper or more predictable.
Free toolOPT Timeline Calculator Online
The choices reflect more than tuition. Students also face tighter visa rules and weaker prospects for finding work after graduation, counselors say.
Tuition averages already outpace some family budgets
For 2026–27, average tuition and fees at ranked public U.S. colleges reached $26,034 for out-of-state students. Private colleges averaged $46,973, before living expenses.
Those bills follow years of increases. At ranked U.S. national universities, tuition and fees rose about 102% at private schools since 2007–08, and 99% for in-state students at public schools.
Out-of-state public university charges climbed 89% over the same period. Adjusted for inflation, the increases ranged from 18% to 26%.
The figures help explain why families are reassessing the American Dream before committing to years of tuition and living costs. Some are considering other destinations rather than treating the United States as the default.
A court blocked the proposed four-year limit before it took effect
The federal government also proposed replacing the open-ended Duration of Status framework for international students with a fixed stay of up to four years. The plan would shorten the post-study grace period from 60 days to 30 days.
The measure had been scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. A federal judge blocked it nationwide before implementation, and the Department of Homeland Security appealed on October 1, 2026.
That leaves the proposed limit tied up in court rather than in force.
Work routes add another layer of uncertainty after graduation
In August 2026, guidance narrowed curricular practical training, a route students use for internships and training. Under the guidance, a program must require the training for every student.
The post-study path into employment has also shifted. The H-1B environment now includes a wage-weighted selection system in place of the random lottery, changing how applicants are selected for the work visa.
A $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions for workers abroad was imposed in September 2025. The fee was extended for another year on September 18, 2026, though a court has blocked its collection.
For families calculating the value of a U.S. degree, those policies sit alongside the tuition bill. The proposed student-stay cap remains blocked, while the appeal filed October 1 keeps the dispute active.
