Study in Dallas, Texas

Dallas is a city in the US that is gaining popularity through the interest they have in art and music along with their interest in gastronomy. Students who move to this city will be able to be part of different cultural activities, and at the same time receive a high-quality education. While Dallas has only 6 educational institutions within its city limits, students who stay here will be able to apply to 20 other colleges which are located at a 50-mile distance from Dallas.

It is considered to be one of the best places in Texas to live in since the place always holds some cultural event or the other. There are plenty of restaurants and eateries that fit every kind of budget in this city. Though it is not a student city per se, students will find that it is an intellectual hub. Candidates who wish to take a doctorate will be able to expand their knowledge by attending the different festivals, exhibitions, conferences, and other events that can be relevant to their study. One of the added benefits of staying in Dallas is that the cost of living is lower when compared to other cities in the US.

Benefits of Studying in Dallas

Students who wish to study in Dallas will find that the city is not a student hub when compared to places like New York and Boston. But at the same time, the city has 6 colleges within its city limits and 20 more within a 50-mile radius from the city. Staying in Dallas is comparatively cheaper than staying in other prominent cities within the country which is a huge factor for students moving abroad for higher education. A few other benefits include-

• The city is home to different colleges including a medical school where one can study programs in finance, business, information technology, natural sciences, art, etc.
• Candidates will be able to find careers in the fields of commerce, technology, industry, healthcare, banking, etc. in companies like Ericsson, and Pioneer Natural Resources.
• Students who have enrolled in business-related programs will be easily able to procure internships in both local and multinational companies that the city is home to.

Places to Stay in Dallas

Dallas is home to over 6 to 8 colleges and is also at an easy travel distance from 20 other colleges outside the city limits. This factor combined with the affordability of living in Dallas makes most students prefer living in this city. Students often stay in places that are well-connected to their educational institution and where the rent is cheapest. While most of the universities and colleges here offer dormitories, this can be an expensive option for most candidates. The preferred student accommodation is shared apartments or studio apartments that one will be able to get for lower prices.

A few of the student localities in Dallas include-

• Uptown- This is one of the best localities in Texas mostly occupied by young professionals and students. The place has plenty of eateries like cafes and restaurants along with different bars. It is a relatively expensive area to live in but an extremely safe location for international students.
• Lower Greenville- This is an entertainment district with plenty of options for nightlife. The place also has different restaurants that cater to every budget and is mostly occupied by students. It can be called a foodie destination for the most part with affordable housing that students can comfortably reside in.
• Deep Ellum- This place is at downtown Dallas and is known for its vibrant nightlife. The neighborhood here is rooted in art and is a residential area mostly full of students and youngsters in general. It can be considered a hippy location due to the whole bohemian vibe of the place.

Cost of Living in Dallas

The cost of living in Dallas is affordable for the most part if one is planning to stay in the US. The city is supposed to be cheaper than 50% of cities within the country. But this doesn’t mean that it is cheap to live within the city. The average cost of living in the city is less than $1,000 per month if one does not calculate the rent. With rent, this amount can increase up to $2,500 per month depending on the lifestyle of the candidate.

Accommodation and Utility Expenses

Students will be able to find housing in dormitories within the university they are studying in. Most universities provide both on-campus and off-campus housing options for first-year and international students. This can be equally or more expensive than staying in an apartment or dormitory outside the campus by oneself since students will be able to get both shared apartments and studio apartments close to their campus.

The accommodation expense in Dallas is dependent on the distance of the place from the city center. The closer the location is to the city center the more expensive accommodation gets. The amount that one will have to pay for an apartment can range between $1,200 to $1,600 per month. The utility bills one will have to pay will be less than $160 per month.

Grocery Expenses

The price of basic grocery items is-

• Milk- $0.80 per liter
• Cheese- $8 per kg
• Apples- $4 per kg
• Potatoes- $3 per kg
• Tomatoes- $3 per kg
• Onions- $2 per kg
• Wine- $12 per kg

Transportation Expenses

Most people including tourists generally depend on their vehicles and taxis to get around the city of Dallas. But at the same time, the public transportation system here is reliable enough at most times. The light rail system here is called DART. It is also known as the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system and connects downtown Dallas to the suburbs. The DART buses and connecting trains function from 5 am to 12 am.

The cost of a one-way ticket in the local transport is $3.25. Students will be able to get a monthly pass for $96.

Programs to Study in Dallas

A few of the programs one can study in Dallas include-

• Law
• Finance
• Arts
• Social Sciences
• Technology

Top Colleges in Dallas

A few of the top colleges in Dallas are-

Criswell College

This college was established in the year 1970 and is a private establishment. They offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs along with online courses. The fields of study they offer programs in include biblical studies, education, philosophy, psychology, arts, counseling, divinity, etc.

The estimated fee per year is around $13,000 for all students.

Dallas Baptist University

This is a liberal arts university that was established in the year 1898. It has a student population of over 4,000 along with over 150 academic staff. The programs they offer include fields like fine arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, professional studies, business, mathematics, etc. They offer undergraduate programs, master’s programs, and doctoral programs in most of these fields of study.

The estimated fee per year is around $34,000 for undergraduate programs.

Parker University

This is a private university that was established in the year 1982. It has a student population of around 1,000. The main fields of study under which programs are offered include business & technology, and health sciences. They also offer a doctor of chiropractic program.

The estimated fee per year is around $16,000.

Paul Quinn College

This private university was established in the year 1872 and has a student population of over 500. It is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. They offer programs in the fields of business administration, health & wellness, liberal arts, legal studies & criminology, religious studies, and teacher certification.

The estimated fee per year to study at this institution is around $10,000.

Southern Methodist University

This university was established in the year 1911 and is a privately funded research university. It has a student population of around 12,000 along with over 1,200 academic staff. They have 8 faculties of study including law, humanities, engineering, arts, theology, arts, education, business, etc. which offers programs at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.

The estimated fee per year to study an undergraduate program here is $60,000.

Entertainment Options in Dallas

Dallas is a city that offers different kinds of entertainment options to students. The entertainment options range from visiting cafes and restaurants to attending plays and concerts or exploring the different museums in the city. Students will be able to shop around in places like the West End Market. Other things that one can do while in Dallas include experiencing the Mexican cuisine the city has to offer.

While staying here, students will be able to attend the different festivals that the city conducts year after year including the State Fair of Texas, the Dallas Soul Food Festival, and the So What Music Festival. Out of these, the State Fair is held for 24 days and is the longest-running fair in the country. Students will also be able to indulge in the varied musical taste the city has with anything ranging from opera to jazz being popular in the city.

Places to Visit in Dallas

Students who stay in Dallas will be able to visit the different museums, art exhibitions, festivals, cultural activities, etc. that the city has. They will also be able to visit the zoo, aquarium, and other popular tourist places where they can spend their weekends exploring and learning about nature. Other options that students have, include the different restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and other eateries that the city has where they can relish the taste of Dallas. A few of the famous eateries in Dallas include Pecan Lodge, Revolver Taco Lounge, Tei-An, etc. Other places that one must visit during their stay in Dallas include-

• Dallas Museum of Art- This museum has over 25,000 works of art and is easily one of the largest museums in the country. The art here spans over 5,000 years of human creativity. Students will be able to enter and view the museum for free and if they wish to attend the special exhibitions held at the museum, they will have to spend $16 which can be reduced through a student discount.
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science- This museum has a hands-on approach to handling artifacts and students will be able to take a tour of the museum if they have around 2 hours at hand. The ticket cost for the place is dependent on age and is $17 for adults between the age of 18 and 64.
• Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden- This place is located in East Dallas and is a spot where different annual festivals and concerts are held. Students will be able to come here to relax in peace on days where there are no events and to celebrate with the crowd during festivals like Christmas.

Things to do in Dallas

Dallas is a city known for the many interests it has in art and music. This includes the history they have in opera, ballet, musicals, and other concerts which they have maintained with the same fervor to date. Students who stay here will undoubtedly be able to explore their many-faceted interests in art. At the same time, Dallas offers students with experiences that include outdoor activities and other educational experiences. A few of the must-do things while in Dallas include-

• Take an Architecture Tour- Dallas is home to different architectural masterpieces like the Perot Museum of Nature & Science, Chase Tower, Reunion Tower, Thanks-Giving Square, etc. that students will be able to visit and explore in their leisure time. Students will be able to go on an architectural tour around the city which can be a rewarding experience in itself.
• Immerse in Van Gogh Art- Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is an art exhibition in Dallas where students will be able to view paintings at a 360-degree view. Students who are interested in art will be able to experience the life and works of Van Gogh if they visit this place.
• Go Horseback Riding- Students who enjoy outdoor activities will be able to head to the Ascend Camp and Retreat Center at Southwest Dallas. They will be able to do horseback riding on trails both in the woods and at fenced areas depending on their confidence level and experience. Students will be able to learn horseback riding here if they have no prior experience and can even just camp here for the weekend if they wish to.

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