Study in USA: Top Universities, Courses, Fees & Scholarships

With a world-class education and top-renowned universities, the United States of America is the world’s top study destination. The USA’s education system caters to comprehensive, skillful, and advanced learning. The USA is also ranked no. 1 for the education system that it provides.

About 1,075,496 international students study in the USA every year. The number of Indian students who study in the US has increased by 34%. Students who study in USA have a wide range of exposure and a great career scope, and there are many other benefits to learning in the USA.

The USA student visa is the F-1 student visa. This non-immigrant visa enables international students to enter the USA and study at universities and institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It is the most prominent student visa for students wanting to study at a university or college in the United States. A student can apply for an F-1 visa after an accredited and recognized university in the US has accepted the application.

About the USA: Highlights

With more than 1M  international students, the United States is the world’s most commonly chosen destination for studying abroad.

Here are the top reasons and benefits of studying in the US: 

• High quality education system: The primary reason people choose to study in the USA is because of its unique education system. The USA has over 5,300 colleges and universities, and is home to some of the most prestigious  educational institutions highly ranked  in the QS world rankings 2024.
• Diversity and culture: The United States is also called the nation of immigrants, as people of different cultures, values, and beliefs come to the US and stay together. Indian students also benefit from this multicultural perspective o  and adapt to cultural variations by studying in the US.
• Global recognition: The degrees in the US are widely recognized and accepted across the world. Most of the countries, especially the European countries, place great emphasis on the high standards of education provided by American institutions and acknowledge the rigorous academic curriculum and research-driven approach of American universities.

US education system

The education system in the USA is unique because it has various programs that attract international students from all around the world to the USA. The US education system is one of the most diverse for international students in the USA.  It includes a problem-solving approach in its learning methodology.

The following are the types of categorizations of the US syllabus. 

Types of Qualifications Available in the US

Along with traditional undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate study, American universities offer many combined programs through which students can ultimately earn several degrees and diplomas. Combined programs are perhaps one of the most significant differences between American higher education and the educational systems of other countries.

Here is a list of degrees provided by the USA's education system:

Qualification	Duration	Description
Associate Degree	2 years	Job oriented programs so a graduate can kick start a career
Bachelor’s degree	3 – 4 years	Undergraduate degree including core courses, major, minor and elective.
Master’s degree (Professional)	1 -3 years	Transition from first degree to a particular profession
Master’s degree (Academic)	2 years	Degrees in traditional disciplines of humanities, arts, and science
Doctorate or PhD	5 – 8 years	Done under supervision of an advisor.

Public vs. Private universities in the US

Public universities: Public universities in the US is Also known as state universities. These universities are funded by the public through the government. These universities are financed by the state, which means the state provides funds to these universities to help develop the infrastructure of universities, provide better quality education opportunities

The private universities: The government does not finance or operate the private universities in the US. These universities receive funding from donors and private helpers. The private universities in the US are the most famous universities which include IVY league universities.

Public university in the US	Private university in the US
Funded by the state	Funding primarily by endowment funds
Low tuition costs as the government subsidized public universities	Tuition costs are generally higher
Wider range of classes and degrees programs	Offer limited range of academic major
Have more extensive academic programs	Have academic programs focusing on learning outside the curriculum
Larger than private universities	Usually smaller than private universities
Attract people from the surrounding area	More diverse demographic
University of California, Los Angeles University of Michigan University of Washington	Harvard University Princeton university Stanford University

Top Universities in the USA

Studying at one of the top-ranked universities in the USA will guarantee graduates a highly respected, recognized, and accredited degree. Degrees obtained from top universities in the US can open doors to many global employment opportunities.

Additionally, the top-ranking universities in the US offer international students the needed extensive support, career counseling, internships, part-time work, as well as post-study work opportunities, allowing them to gain practical exposure and increase their employment prospects.

The vibrant campus life and range of extracurricular activities in the USA contribute to the well-rounded academic experiences of students. Here is a list of top-ranked universities to study in the USA and their international fee.

Rank	Name of the University	Annual fee	Acceptance Rate	Notable Alumni
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	$53,450	4%	Kofi Annan, Buzz Aldrin, Richard Feynman, Sal Khan
6	Harvard University	$51,143	3.2%	Mark Zuckerberg, Rashida Jones, Natalie Portman and Matt Damon
10	Stanford University	$92,892	3.7%	Larry Page, Reese Witherspoon, Tiger Woods, Reed Hastings
11	California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	$60,816	2.7%	Kip Thorne, Linus Pauling, Gordon Moore, Howard Hughes
12	University of Pennsylvania	$88,960	6.5%	Elon Musk, John Legend, Warren Buffet, Noam Chumsky
12	University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	$51,032	11.3%	John Cho, Alex Morgan, Brenda Song, and Chris Pine
16	Cornell University	$65,000	7.8%	Ratan tata, Shantanu Naidu, Bill Nye, Jane Lynch
21	University of Chicago	$108,000	5%	Anna Chlumsky, Roger Erbert, Milton Friedman
22	Princeton University	$62,400	5.7%	Jeff Bezos, Michelle Obama, Brooke Shields, Woodrow Wilson
23	Yale University	$67,250	4.6%	Meryl Streep, Hilary Clinton, George Bush

Popular Courses For International Students 

Studying at one of the top-ranked universities in the USA will guarantee graduates a highly respected, recognized, and accredited degree.

Degrees obtained from top universities in the US can open doors to many global employment opportunities. Additionally, the top-ranking universities in the US offer international students the needed extensive support, career counseling, internships, part-time work, and post-study work opportunities, allowing them to gain practical exposure and increase their employment prospects.

The vibrant campus life and range of extracurricular activities in the USA contribute to the well-rounded academic experiences of students. Here is a list of top-ranked universities to study in the USA and their international fee.

Name of the course	Top Universities	Avg. Annual fee	Popular fields
Business Management	Stanford Graduate school of Business, Penn Wharton, MIT, Harvard Business school, Columbia business school	$80,374	Human Resource, Banking and Insurance, Finance, Marketing and sales, Digital Marketing
Engineering	MIT, Stanford University, University of California, Harvard University	$58,009	Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil engineering and Engineering Management
Mathematics and Computer sciences	MIT, Stanford University, University of California, Harvard University ,Columbia business school and Princeton University	$82,730	Computer Engineering, Cyber security, Database administration, Information Technology, Software engineering
Communication and Media studies	Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University and Cornell University	$54,700	Contemporary visual narratives, Ethics and Journalism, Information governance
Medicine	Harvard University, Stanford University, John Hopkins University, Duke University and Columbia University	$62,850	Pharmacology, Nutrition, Optometry, Nutrition, Pathology
Physics	Stanford University, Columbia University, NYU, University of California and George Institute of technology,	$58,440	Quantum, Plasma and Fluids, Special and general relativity and Mathematical techniques
Data science and Business Analytics	MIT, Stanford University, University of California Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University	$86,300	Data architect, Financial analyst, Data engineer, Healthcare
Social Science	MIT, Stanford University, University of California Berkeley, Harvard University, Princeton University	$86,300	Economics, Political science, anthropology, Sociology, History and Psychology
Finance	MIT, Columbia University, University of California Berkeley, University of California	$87,600	Financial Planner, Risk management, Budget analyst, Investment Banking and Portfolio Management
Physical and Life sciences	Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, University of California, Yale University	$59,950	Microbiologist, Genetic counselor, Pharmacologist, Laboratory Technician

US Study Visa For Indian Students

The USA  student visa is required for international students to study in the USA.  Getting a USA  student visa is a very important step to study in the US.

There are different types of USA student visas based on the purpose of study of the international student, each with its own eligibility and requirements. Here is the categorisation of the type of USA student visas.

Types of US Student Visas

Type	Description	Subtype
F	for international students pursuing an academic degree at an accredited US university. F-1 visa holders can work on-campus for 20 hours per week or less. To work longer, students must seek authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).	F-1: For full-time students. F-2: For dependents of F-1 visa holders (spouse and unmarried children under 21, including same-sex couples). F-3: For "border commuters" – Mexican and Canadian students who live in their country of origin while attending school in the US.
M	for students pursuing non-academic or vocational studies in the US. M-1 visa holders are admitted for a fixed period and may not stay longer than a year, except in medical cases. M-1 students cannot work on or off-campus.	M-1: For students undertaking vocational or non-academic studies. M-2: For dependents of M-1 visa holders. M-3: For "border commuters" – Mexican and Canadian students attending vocational or non-academic programs.
J	for international students or visitors participating in exchange programs. J-1 visa holders typically stay in the US for one or two semesters and must return to their home country for at least two years after completing the program.	J-1: For exchange students participating in specific cultural or academic programs. J-2: For dependents of J-1 visa holders.

Documents Required for USA Student Visa

• Original academic transcripts and certificates from previous degree studies
• Standardized and English proficiency test scores (GRE/GMAT/TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, or PTE Academic)
• Statement of purpose
• Research proposal or essay
• Letters of recommendation
• Copy of a valid passport
• Proof of finances (bank statement from the last 3 years)
• A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the planned stay
• A printed copy of DS-160 (online application form)
• Fee receipt for SEVIS
• Interview appointment letter (original and copy)
• Form I-20 sent by the US university
• Visa fee payment confirmation receipt
• Original mark sheets/provisional certificates

Steps to Apply for a USA Student Visa (F1 Visa)

1. Step 1: Begin the visa process as soon as you receive Form I-20 from your college and pay the SEVIS fee.
2. Step 2: After paying the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 online visa application form.
3. Step 3: Bring the DS-160 form to your visa interview.
4. Step 4: Schedule and attend the biometric appointment and visa interview.
5. Step 5: Wait for your visa approval.

USA Student Visa Processing Time

The processing time for a USA student visa is typically short, ranging from 1 week to a few months, depending on the type and complexity of the application. Generally, the visa application process takes a few days, and passport delivery may take 2-3 days. It is advised to apply at least three months before your intended departure to ensure timely processing.

Cost of USA student visa 

No rules and regulations require a minimum bank balance to apply for a US student visa. The US F-1 student visa costs approximately USD 535. The cost is broken down into two further types of fees: the I-901 SEVIS fee ($350) and the DS-160 form fee ($185). Here is a breakdown of costs according to the type of visa.

Type of Fee	F-1 visa type	J-1 visa type	M-1 visa type
SELVIS	$350	$220	$350
Visa application	$160	$160	$160

Find Universities

Studying abroad in the USA is the land of endless opportunities and choices. Over 4,500 universities in the US offer undergraduate degrees. Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Caltech are some of the top and most prestigious universities in the USA.

Every year, the number of international students who study in the US has only increased because students choose the US as the study destination to broaden their horizons and pursue education.

Here are some tips and factors to consider when choosing the best university.

1. Choose a subject you’re passionate about; as a student, you will be spending 3-6 years studying it.
2. Find universities in the US that align with your goals and offer strong faculty and resources.
3. A degree from a top-ranked university (e.g., Harvard, Columbia) enhances career and employability prospects.
4. Research if financial aid like scholarships, grants, and loans are available to help with tuition and living costs.
5. Tuition ranges from $10,000 to $80,000 per year. Public universities offer more affordable options ($10,000–$22,000).

Admission Requirements to Study in the US Universities

Every university in the USA  has its own admissions requirements for studying. There are specific standard requirements for almost every university and institution.

Generally, the following are the entry admission requirements for studying in the US, depending on the level of study and the documents required for a student visa in the USA.

Level of study	Entry level admission requirements to study in US universities
Bachelor’s degree	A high school diploma or equivalent Minimum GPA 2.5 – 3.6 (or equivalent) Minimum TOEFL 61 – 100 (or equivalent)
Undergraduate Pathway programs	A high school diploma or equivalent Minimum GPA 2.0 – 3.0 (or equivalent) Minimum TOEFL 55 – 79 (or equivalent)
Master’s degree	A high school diploma or equivalent Minimum GPA 2.5 – 3.5 (or equivalent) Minimum TOEFL 78 – 100 (or equivalent)
graduate Pathway programs	A high school diploma or equivalent Minimum GPA 2.5 – 3.4 (or equivalent) Minimum TOEFL 55 – 99 (or equivalent)

Scholarships for International Students:

There are various scholarships available for international students studying in the USA, which are available in both partially funded and fully funded scholarships that include monthly stipends covering tuition fees, accommodation charges, health insurance, and travel allowance. The following are the types of scholarships for international students studying in the USA.

Government-funded US scholarships for International students

Name of the Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Fulbright foreign student program	Graduate students, young professionals and artists and also Open to international students in all fields excluding medicine.	Covers full tuition fee, a living stipend, full accommodation fee, airfare and health insurance.
Hubert Humphrey Fellowship program	international, experienced professionals who want to undertake 10 months of academic study in USA	Tuition fees waiver, Accident and Sickness Program, expenses for books and supplies, monthly maintenance allowance, Airfare covers round-trip charges.

Non – Governmental US scholarships for International students

Name of the Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Civil society leadership awards	Master’s degree study to individuals who clearly demonstrate academic and professional excellence and a deep commitment to leading positive social change in their communities.	Tuition and fees, Monthly stipend of USD 12,967, Program-related travel, Health insurance, All costs for an annual student conference, A pre-university writing program
Surf shark Privacy and Security Scholarship	Student currently enrolled in the US or another study destination as a high school, undergraduate or graduate student.	A $2,000 prize
Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship	Passionate international students wishing to study in USA	$1,000.
Preply Scholarship	Open to all students aged between 16 and 35. To enter, you'll need to submit a 500-word essay related to online education, multilingualism, and professional development.	$2,000.

Tuition Fee and Other Expenses for Students

It is a well-known fact that the USA is the most popular and the most common choice for international students because of the country's excellent reputation in education and the presence of such prestigious and highly acclaimed universities. However, it is essential to account for factors like college fees when studying in the USA as an international student.

Tuition fees account for a major component determining the overall cost of studying in the USA. The public or the state-owned universities are generally more affordable and cheaper than private institutions. International students who are studying in the US can expect annual costs or expenses ranging from $25,000 - $45,000 to cover tuition and living costs.

The private non-profit colleges are slightly more expensive, and additionally, the cost of living will be around US$60,000 per year. The public US universities run by the state are a more affordable option with lower tuition fees. Here is a complete list of types of colleges and their annual fees.

College type in USA	Average Tuition fee	Housing and food
Public two year colleges (in district)	$3,990	$9,970
Public four year colleges (in state)	$11,260	$12,770
Public four year colleges (out of state)	$29,150	$12,770
Private nonprofit four year colleges	$41,540	$14,650

Top Courses And Fees 

Name of the programme	Average Tuition fee
Undergraduate (UG)	$8000 - $4000
Associate	$3800
Postgraduate (PG)	$10,000 - $60,000
Doctoral	$28,000 - $55,000
English language studies	$700 - $2000 (monthly)
Engineering	$30,000 - $75,000
MBA	$50,000 - $60,000
Diploma	$5000- $20,000

Cost of Studying at Top Universities in the US:

Rank	Name of the University	Annual International fee
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	$53,450
6	Harvard University	$51,143
10	Stanford University	$92,892
11	California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	$60,816
12	University of Pennsylvanian	$88,960
12	University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	$51,032
16	Cornell University	$65,000
21	University of Chicago	$108,000
22	Princeton University	$62,400
23	Yale University	$67,250

Course Wise Cost of Studying in the US

Tuition fees are one of the crucial aspects and the primary expenses of studying in the USA. On average, the annual cost of studying in the USA for international students is INR 38,00,000.

The fees to study in the USA vary depending on the course undertaken, type of degree program, university basis, etc. Here is a breakdown of the cost of studying in the USA based on degree choice:

Name of the course	Avg. Annual fee
Business Management	$80,374
Engineering	$58,009
Mathematics and Computer sciences	$82,730
Communication and Media studies	$54,700
Medicine	$62,850
Physics	$58,440
Data science and Business Analytics	$86,300
Social Science	$86,300
Finance	$87,600
Physical and Life sciences	$59,950

 

Cost of Living in the USA

Budgeting the cost of living required to live in the USA is important for international students, professionals, families, or anyone who is moving to the USA. The average cost of living in the USA is approximately $2,500 and $3,500 per month.

This cost of living includes food, housing, transportation, health care, taxes, and other expenses. Though the cost of living in the USA is quite expensive, it varies across the states and cities.

San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Los Angeles are some of the most expensive cities in the USA. Cities like  Cincinnati or Oklahoma City have much lower and more affordable costs. Mississippi is the cheapest state in the United States. Here is a breakdown of the living expenses in the USA.

Living expenses	Average Annual cost
Apartment housing including utilities	$17,200 - $21,710
Food	$6,500
Dormitory Housing	$7,588 - $11,914
Transportation	$2,180
Books and study material	$500 - $1000
Travelling	$500 - $1200
Clothes and footwear	$500
Miscellaneous Expenses	$6,700

Post Study Work Visa USA

Every international student studying in the USA wishes for a Post-Study Work visa. The post-study work visa is one of the most crucial factors for students pursuing higher education in the USA.

As an F1 student visa holder, international students can complete up to a year of temporary employment directly related to their major field of study. After completing their studies, F1 visa holders can also apply for off-campus work opportunities called Optional Practical Training (OPT), which enables international students to stay and work for three years in the USA.

International students in the USA must look for jobs in the field of study, and the period they are given to look for employment is 90 days. Students can apply for an extension of the STEM OPT 90-day expiration of the current 1-year OPT.

Types of OPT

• Pre-Completion OPT: It allows international students in USA to work while studying.
• Post-Completion OPT: It allows international students in the USA to work after completing their degree courses.

Eligibility requirements for Optional Practical Training in the USA:

• The field of employment must be directly related to the major pursued.
• The candidate must maintain lawful F-1 status.
• They must apply for OPT before completing all work required for the degree.
• The candidate can work before or after completing your degree, or both.
• In the US, for up to 12 months after completing your coursework.
• OPT work must be part-time, at least 20 hours a week, or full-time, at 40 hours a week.
• All OPTs should be completed within 14 months after a higher education degree is completed.

 

How To Apply for an OPT Extension

1. Submit Form I-765 up to 90 days before the current OPT employment authorization expires.
2. Pay the application fees for the I-765 form.
3. Mention the name of the employer as listed in E-Verify.
4. Provide the required documents like the E-Verify Company Identification Number of the employer, Copy of the student’s STEM degree, Form I-20, and Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, approved by your designated school official (DSO) within the last 60 days.
5. Wait for the OPT extension decision.

List of Few STEM-Related Degrees Valid for an OPT Extension

• Actuarial sciences
• Computer science applications
• Engineering
• Engineering Technologies
• Life sciences
• Mathematics
• Military technologies
• Physical sciences

Post-Study Work Opportunities in the US with an H-1B Visa

The H-1 B visa, also called the Person in specialty occupation visa, is an immigrant visa that enables international students in the USA to work for American companies. Candidates who apply for jobs in the US must receive a job offer from a US-based company and work in the skills and specialized knowledge-demanding field. This visa is valid for 3 years and can be extended for 6 years, depending on the nature of the work. The eligibility requirements for the H-1 B visa are as follows:

• Possession of an advanced education of a four-year BA degree or MA or PhD degree.
• There must be a correspondence between the candidate’s degree, work experience, and job duties.
• Approval of a labor condition attestation (LCA) from the Department of Labor prior to filing the H-1B petition with Immigration and Naturalization Services.

How To Apply for H1-B Visa

1. The candidate must check for their eligibility to apply for an H1-B visa.
2. Apply for a job opening that is active in the US.
3. Request the employer for initiation of an H1-B VISA petition.
4. Apply for the H1-B visa at the closest US embassy.

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