New Delhi, June 18 -- For thousands of Indian students considering postgraduate (PG) education abroad, the dream often comes with a hefty price tag and a complicated set of decisions.

Whether you're aiming for a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degree in the US or a management course in Germany, understanding the total cost of education-including tuition, living expenses, and other less obvious factors-is essential for making a smart financial and academic choice.

Here's how to go about it.

The United States remains one of the most expensive destinations for a PG education. A two-year STEM degree in the US averages $100,000, factoring in tuition ($32,000 a year) and living expenses ($18,000 a year). Management co...