The United States is a magnet for over a million international students each year, drawing individuals from all across the globe seeking higher education. This magnetic pull owes itself to the undeniable appeal of some of the best universities in USA, renowned globally for their exceptional quality of education and groundbreaking research endeavors.
The USA beckons students with its enchanting blend of diversity, making it a captivating choice for higher education. Furthermore, the country generously opens doors to various employment opportunities, making it a dream destination for those eager to transform their overseas education aspirations into a vibrant reality.
If you're curious about education in USA, the best universities, available courses, fees, visas, and more, you're in for an exciting journey of discovery!
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The USA is home to some of the world's top-ranked universities and colleges. These renowned universities in USA provide rigorous academic programs, research opportunities, and a wealth of educational diversity. For international students, this is a gateway to a world-class education and transformative experiences, encompassing academic excellence, research possibilities, and cultural enrichment.
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Before advanced education, American students spent 12 years in elementary and secondary school. The first through twelfth grades are used to refer to these years.
Elementary School- Starts in Kindergarten and lasts 6-7 years, from Kindergarten to Grade 5 or 6.
Middle School - Lasts 2-3 years, beginning in Grade 6 or 7 and ending in Grade 8.
High School - Lasts 4 years, starting in Grade 9 and ending in Grade 12.
Students in the USA attend colleges and universities to seek further education after high school. International students will find the school system in the USA to be quite diverse. In the USA, there are around 4,500 approved higher educational institutions.
The US provides different qualifications to its students. They are divided into four categories -
An associate degree is a bachelor's degree earned at the undergraduate level. It is offered by community colleges in the United States and is comparable to a diploma. It lasts for two years.
These four-year programmes give students education and training for most job opportunities. Students can begin working full-time in their chosen area immediately after graduation.
With students focusing on one field of study, a master's degree takes 1-2 years to complete. Depending on the student's expertise, master's degrees might be thesis or research-based.
PhD study in the United States is divided into three parts. The first is a course of study that takes 1-3 years to complete, followed by preliminary, comprehensive, or cumulative examinations. It takes 5 to 8 years to acquire a PhD degree.
Students can get admission in the USA during the following intakes:
It is the biggest intake for the USA universities and a majority of courses open admissions for this intake only. It begins in late August and ends in December.
It starts in January and ends in May. During this intake, a selected number of courses offer admissions.
This intake is only for special summer programs and is the shortest. It starts in June and ends in July.
The grade point average, or GPA, is a measure that ranges from 0.0 to 4.0 that is used in the United States to assess students.
across all subjects for a Bachelor's Degree to complete your course.
across all subjects to complete your Postgraduate Degree
When considering pursuing higher studies in the United States, there are numerous top-tier universities to choose from, each with its own unique strengths and academic offerings.
Take a look at the top USA university list curated by our study abroad experts.
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Get specific details of the most popular courses in USA
Eminent colleges and universities in the US provide top-notch business analytics degree programs, ensuring students receive a high-quality education with exposure to cutting-edge industry practices.
Computer Science is rapidly gaining momentum in the USA.The ever-evolving technological landscape necessitates creating and maintaining cutting-edge software, systems, and applications.
During your MBA, you learn about business, expand your business sense, and grow your professional network. And after an MBA, you get a boost in your career and salary prospects.
The selection of the top courses to study in the USA for international students largely hinges on individual interests, career goals, and academic strengths. However, there are several fields that consistently stand out as popular courses in the USA for international students including computer science and information technology, business and management, engineering, healthcare and medicine, STEM fields, and the social sciences.These courses consistently attract international students due to their reputation, opportunities, and job prospects.
Business Management is the most popular course for higher education in the United States, with almost 20% of all overseas students enrolling in American colleges choosing it. The United States has the world's largest economy, meaning overseas students who choose to stay in the country after graduation will have plenty of job prospects.
According to US News, the engineering industry in the United States is flourishing, with as many as 62% of all overseas graduates enrolling in US colleges taking engineering degrees. The breadth and depth of research opportunities and funding in engineering and STEM areas in the United States are simply unrivaled.
This category of disciplines is part of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects, which are becoming increasingly popular among overseas students due to the increased need for STEM graduates in the IT sector.
Humanities and social sciences attract over 75,000 international students, making it one of the most popular courses in the country. Journalism, international relations, economics, and anthropology are all popular disciplines in this area.
Biology and medicine have always been popular fields of study in the United States. Medical education in the nation is regarded as one of the greatest in the world, and graduates have a very lucrative profession.
Other popular courses in the USA include - Liberal arts, Law, etc
Community College - 6,000 USD - 20,000 USD
UG Degree - 20,000 USD - 60,000 USD
PG/Masters - 20,000 USD - 45,000 USD
Rent - 400 USD - 700 USD
Transportation - 30 USD- 70 USD
Food - 250 USD
Study Material - 70 USD - 160 USD
Telephone and Internet- 30 USD
Misc. Expenses - 500 USD
The USA is one of the most popular studies abroad locations. The admissions procedure is straightforward. The following steps must be taken,en by students who wish to apply to study in the USA -
STEP 1 - Research
The first step is to do research and create a selection of courses and universities that will fit your needs. It is vital to do considerable study. You should choose at least 3-5 colleges where you want to further your education.
STEP 2 - Eligibility and Documents
It is always essential to make sure you fit the needs of the universities you shortlist when it comes to their eligibility criteria as well as their fees. Make sure you collect all your documents, including your Academic Transcripts.
STEP 3 - Give your Entrance Exams
To be qualified to study in the USA, you must pass a set of eligibility examinations, depending on your speciality.
STEP 4 - Start applications
Once you have all your documents together, it is time to start applying. Fill out the application form and attach all eligibility documents and certificates. Pay the application fee and submit your application
STEP 5 - Wait for your Offer Letter + Sort Your expenses.
Now all you have to do is wait for the university to respond. Organising all the finances you will require to study abroad is essential. If you need financial assistance, now is the time to search for the finest financing choices and scholarships.
Step 6 - Visa Application
Once you have received your offer letter, it is time to apply for a USA student Visa, and you're all set to go to your dream university!
SAT - Scholastic Aptitude Test
ACT - American College Test
GRE - Graduate Record Examination
LSAT - Law School Admission Test
MCAT - Medical College Admission Test
GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test
OAT - Optometry Admission Test
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
IELTS - International English Language Testing System
PTE - Pearson English Test
Current Passport Valid up to 6 months
I-20, issued by SEVP. You'll have to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee for SEVP to issue your I-20 form. That form should then be signed by you and your institution granting you an admission offer.
DS-160 confirmation
Recent Photographs
Digital Fingerprint scans before F-1 interview.
F1 Visa fee - application payment receipt
Educational Certificates
Proof of Financial Stability
Details of your health insurance policy (Overseas Student Health Cover)
Step 1 - After you've been accepted to your preferred university, your institution will issue you a letter of confirmation of enrollment. Now, you are eligible to apply for an F1 visa.
Step 2 - Visit the USA Visas and Immigration website and fill out the online visa application, i.e. Form DS-160
Step 3 - Upload Photographs – on white background (taken within 6 months of applying)
Step 4- Pay the application fee - $160
Step 5 - You will receive the Reference Number once the fee is paid. This will allow you to keep track of your trips to the visa centre.
Step 6 - At the visa centre, you will be required to provide your "biometric information" as part of your visa application.
Step 7 - According to university policy, you must attend a visa interview.
Step 8 - Wait for your visa. The visa application procedure might take anywhere between 3 and 4 weeks.
The F1 visa allows students to work in the United States after completing their studies, depending on the course.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows overseas students to stay and work in the United States for a complete year if they have an F1 visa.
OPT comes in two types -
Pre-Completion OPT - This programme allows overseas students to work while they study.
Post-Completion OPT- Allows overseas students to work after they have completed their degree programmes.
It is required that your first employment following graduation be relevant to your subject of study. International students have 90 days following graduation to find work.
Students who have completed STEM courses, i.e. science, technology, engineering, and math, can extend their stay in the US for an additional 2 years, extending their total stay in the country to 3 years.
Studying in the USA can be expensive and hence there are several scholarships that are available for Indian and international students. Some of these are:
Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
ICSP Scholarship at University of Oregon
Clark Global Scholarship Program
PEO International Peace Scholarship For Women
Obama Foundation Scholars’ Program
Fully Funded Rotary Peace Fellowships
Civil Society Leadership Award
New York City, often known as 'The Big Apple and 'The City That Never Sleeps,' is placed 20th in the Best Student Cities ranking. New York has a plethora of great universities, including Columbia University, New York University, and many others.
5 of Boston's institutions are among the top 400 in the world. Employers know Boston's reputation, as evidenced by the city's ranking as the second-best in the index for 'employer activity.' It's also known for its pubs and clubs and its love of sports.
SF is another legendary US city, located near California's famed tech innovation hub Silicon Valley. The Bay Area is home to hundreds of creative enterprises, notably in the technology industry, and is one of the world's top ten financial hubs.
Chicago, a fast-paced, high-rise business metropolis, is known for being the home of the world's most prestigious institutions, the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Chicago ranks highly for 'employer activity.'
The brilliant Californian sun and the beautiful beaches may come to mind when you think of the city. Los Angeles is home to several notable universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
An essential aspect of a student's journey to study abroad is finding a well-paying job afterwards. The USA is known for its high employment rate among overseas students; many jobs pay well and are stable there.
Here is a list of the top-paying jobs in the USA -
Health Care Workers - 208,000 USD
Nurse Practitioners - 183,580 USD
Software Developer - 103,560 USD
Front-End Engineer - 105,240 USD
Finance Manager - 120,644 USD
Data Scientist - 107,801 USD
Physical Therapist - 71,483 USD
Social Media Strategist - 110,080 USD
Business Development Manager - 78,480 USD
How much does it cost to study in the USA?
The USA is home to several premium universities and colleges whose cost of studying ranges from $7,000 to $55,000 per year. The cost of studying in the top universities in USA depends on the program and the University you choose for your higher education. The living expenses cost around $10,000 and $25,000 per year. One can avail scholarships and part-time jobs to cut down the overall cost of education. Moreover, students can opt for admission to government-funded institutions as the fees are comparatively low compared to private institutions.
What are the accepted English proficiency tests in the USA?
To study in USA, aspiring students must demonstrate English language proficiency. Almost every University you wish to apply to in the USA will want to know your ability to speak, read, and write English.
The most popular English tests conducted in the USA are:
Students must check the websites or contact the respective universities to know the eligibility and the score criteria.
What is the minimum English proficiency test score accepted by universities in the USA?
The minimum English proficiency test score required for universities in USA depends on the course and institution. Most of the US universities accept IELTS exam scores of 6 to 6.5. However, one should score 7.0 to gain admission to highly-ranked universities. The TOEFL examination score must be between 80-100, whereas the maximum score is 120; TOEIC scores have no minimum or maximum scoring criteria as different Universities have their requirement set for this test.
It is suggested to directly contact the institution to know the scoring criteria. However, some universities follow a separate pattern of conducting English proficiency tests, and they may have different scoring criteria and requirements.
What are some of the top universities in the USA?
The USA hosts a large number of international students every year from around the world. It is home to top-tier education institutions. The best Universities in the USA are listed below:
The above-listed universities are known for their excellent curriculum and faculties. The USA has many other universities that offer a great learning environment, depending on the program and duration of the course. Additionally, it is essential to understand that the ranking of the universities changes over time.
Which are the top cities to study in the USA for international students?
The USA has numerous cities with excellent educational institutions, cultural experiences, and opportunities for international students. Here are some top cities to study in USA:
Are there scholarships for international students in the USA?
There are various scholarships for international students to study in USA. These scholarships act as financial assistance and help to tackle the burden of expenses, including living costs, books and materials, and other educational costs. Below are some common scholarships available for international students:
What are the top courses offered at universities in the USA?
The USA has become the education hub for international students. Every year millions of students flock to the USA for higher studies due to the array of courses available in US universities. Below-mentioned courses are available in most of the top universities in USA.
Which documents are necessary to apply for the USA student visa?
To apply for a USA student visa, typically the F-1 or M-1 student visa along with several key documents are required:
What are the top career options after completing education in the USA?
USA education programs offer a wide range of career options that can help you embark on your future endeavors. The mentioned USA university list can help you to build your career in the below-mentioned leading respective fields.
Which are the Best Colleges to Study in the USA?
The colleges in the USA have their specialization courses that attract international students. Here is the list of some top colleges to study in USA that students can consider for their higher education:
The colleges mentioned above are known for their unique programs and discipline in various fields. Remember that the best course can be only one that aligns with your interests and goals.
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