United States (US)

The United States of America (USA) hosts the greatest number of international students in the world. Quality education, a unique curriculum, a multicultural environment, and abundant opportunities are just some of the reasons why many Indian students want to study in the USA.

Country United State (US)
Capital Washington D C
Currency U S Dollar (USD)
Official Language English

Student visa requirements for the US

The US Government offers three different student visa types:

S.No.	Types of student visa	Description
1	F-1 Student Visa	to study at an accredited US college or university or to study English at an English language institute
2	J Exchange Visa (J-1)	for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study
3	M Student Visa (M1)	for non-academic or vocational study or training in the US

Intakes available in the USA

Unlike a single intake in Indian universities, American colleges and universities offer three intakes. In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. The three intakes available in the US are:

Fall: A popular intake among Indian students, The Fall intake starts in the month of September
Spring: Starts in January; it’s best if you miss the September intake
Summer:Available for limited programs and colleges, the Summer intake usually starts around May

Cost to study in the USA

Universities in the US are majorly divided into two categories – Public/State and Private. The education cost at a public/state university is comparatively lesser than that of a private institution. Your expenditure on tuition fees depends on the type of qualification and university or school you opt for. To cover tuition fees, you will need approx. $8,000 to $55,000 (USD) a year (indicative).

School	Tuition fees in USD (indicative)
English language studies	$700 to $2,000 a month
Community colleges	$6,000 to $20,000 per year
Undergraduate bachelor degree	$20,000 to $40,000 per year
Graduate programs	$20,000 to $45,000 per year
Doctoral degree	$28,000 to $55,000 per year

Scholarships to study in the USA

The amount of money available and the type of award varies between institutions. Certain research programs may provide up to 100% of the tuition fee besides covering a part of your living expenditures.

Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to study in the US as an Indian student:

S.No.	Name of the scholarship	Description
1	Fulbright- Nehru Fellowships (Government-funded)	Applicable for international students who are applying to master’s or PhD programs; this scholarship covers tuition fees, accident and sickness coverage as per US guidelines, airfare, and living costs
2	Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program (Government-funded)	This program is a part of the Fullbright program and aims to bring an accomplished young and mid-career professional from a developing country to study in the US for 10 months of non-degree graduate study and related practical experience
3	#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship (Non-Government scholarship)	It’s a scholarship and social media campaign designed to welcome international students into the US higher education system irrespective of the subject area
4	UEFA (Non-Government scholarship)	This is a summer program sponsored by Abbey Road Inc. which grants scholarships to 14-18 aged high school student that shows exemplary performance in their academics and extracurricular activities
5	AAUW International Fellowships (Non-Government scholarship)	These fellowships are awarded to international women students for full-time study and research in the US. It supports both graduate and post-graduate students accredited in the US institutions

Top courses to study in the US

Here are the top fields preferred by international students:

Engineering and computer science courses
Life science courses
Business management courses

Top universities to study in the US (QS Ranking 2023)

Check where your favourite American university ranks

S.No.	Institution	QS Ranking 2023 (Globally)
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1
2	Stanford University	3
3	Harvard University	5
4	California Institute of Technology (CalTech)	6
5	University of Chicago	10
6	University of Pennsylvania	13
7	Yale University	18
8	Columbia University	22
9	Princeton University	16
10	Cornell University	20

Cost of living in the USA

In the US, living costs vary by a substantial amount due to the vast territory of the country. Usually, urban areas are more expensive (in or near a big city) in contrast to smaller towns or suburban areas. Therefore, to have a fair view of the general living costs in the US, you should also consider these common expenses when creating your budget:

Expenses	Average yearly cost*
Books and Stationery	$500- $1,000
Travelling	$500- $1,200
Food	$2,500
Clothes and footwear	$500
Miscellaneous expenses	$2,000

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) related to US Education

We know you have a lot of questions in your mind, so have answered common questions students as you raise about studying and living in the US.

How much will it cost to study in USA?

In the United States, universities are divided into two main categories: Public/State and Private institutions. Public/State universities generally have lower tuition fees compared to their private counterparts. The cost of your education depends on various factors, such as the type of qualification you pursue and the specific university or school you choose to attend. On average, you can expect to spend approximately $8,000 to $55,000 (USD) per year for tuition fees. For specific programs, the estimated costs are as follows: English language studies range from $700 to $2,000 per month, community colleges range from $6,000 to $20,000 per year, undergraduate bachelor’s degrees range from $20,000 to $40,000 per year, graduate programs range from $20,000 to $45,000 per year, and doctoral degrees range from $28,000 to $55,000 per year. These figures serve as an indication of the approximate expenses involved in pursuing higher education in the United States.

What is the duration of foundation or diploma programs in the US?

Typically, the duration of these programs in the US is one year, during which you will need to achieve satisfactory grades to progress to the first year of your bachelor’s degree. The majority of these programs commence in September as the main intake. However, in certain cases, there may be multiple intakes available if your chosen foundation provider in the USA offers such provisions.

Can I work in USA during and after studies?

The US education system provides international students enrolled in US institutions with the opportunity to engage in co-ops, internships, part-time, and even full-time jobs. However, international students require authorisation from the relevant authorities, which can be obtained through their school’s international office or the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). There are three types of employment authorisation options available for international students, namely Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and on-campus employment.

What are the popular scholarships to study in the US?

Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to study in the US as an Indian student: