Study in the USA

Study in the United States, the land of opportunities. Choose from some of the world’s top-ranking universities and earn a degree that is recognised all around the world.

The United States is one of the most popular destinations for students looking for higher studies abroad. This is no surprise because American institutions consistently feature in the list of top universities in the world.

Why study in the USA?

The universities in the USA

Take any university league tables or world university rankings, you will find universities from the US monopolising the list. Some of the names that you have been hearing for years, such as Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California are all located in the United States. Did you know that the United States has had the most number of Nobel Prize winners? Universities in the united states also get ranked first for specific subjects, such as the MIT for Engineering and Technology, Harvard for Life Science and Medicine, New York University for Philosophy and so on.

The beauty of the USA

Though getting quality education would be your priority, you will agree that the opportunity of experiencing and exploring a new country matters too. Well, the USA has so much to offer you in that aspect.

The USA is made up of 50 states and is one of the largest countries in the world, in terms of landmass and size. It is the largest English-speaking country in the world. That gives us an advantage as most of us are used to the English medium of education. If experiencing different season can excite you, you will love the USA with its distinct summers, winters, fall (autumn) and spring. Remember that the country covers different time zones and the climate can vary widely – from the freezing cold of Alaska to the pleasant tropical climate of Hawaii.

With breath-taking natural beauty from the Grand Canyon to the Niagara Falls and man-made marvels like the Statue of Liberty, The Golden Gate Bridge, Disney Land, The Smithsonian Museum and The Library of the Congress, there are many things that one can explore in the country.

The education system in the USA

There are three types of higher education institutions where Indian students can opt to study in the USA:

Universities

Universities in the USA offer a range of graduate programmes, including doctoral programmes. Universities are usually larger than colleges in terms of size and opportunities. There are two types of universities in the USA – public and private. 

Public universities are funded by the US state government. These universities are often rooted in their local communities, thus making themselves dynamic and vibrant. State/public universities have a variety of courses on offer and are home to a large number of students from all over the world. These types of universities are usually located in both, large cities and small towns. The tuition fees at public universities are lesser when compared to private universities.

On the other hand, private universities are run by student tuition fees, research outcome, donations, and other funding sources. These universities are not owned by any government body. Since private universities are not state-funded, they have the flexibility to choose their funding scheme and decide whether to invest the funds towards research opportunities. Now it is up to you to decide whether you would like to enrol in a public university or a private university.

Community colleges

Community colleges in the USA are small community-based two-year colleges that offer vocational and certificate programmes to students. These colleges work closely with some employers, and also offer different pathways programmes for students. Class sizes in community colleges are relatively small. International students can choose such colleges to opt for any bridge programmes or enhance specific skills before taking it to the next level. Learn more about studying at U.S. community colleges.

Liberal arts colleges

Liberal arts colleges in the USA emphasise on providing undergraduate degrees in liberal arts and sciences. These colleges could be either private or public institutions. Compared with a usual vocational or technical or professional degree, a liberal arts degree lasts for four years of full-time study.

Speak to our experts if you would like us to help you choose the right type of institution for studying in the USA.

Life as a student in the USA

As a student in the USA, it is important that one is aware of one's rights and local laws. All leading institutions conduct a Student Orientation Programme, which helps the student acclimatise to life in the USA.

Most US institutions offer some flexible programmes for all students, which help them find their interest before deciding on a major. Students who are interested to study in the USA, but who are unsure about their course choice in the first year of undergraduate programme can get adequate time to choose their major. Students can opt for a double major, i.e., a degree in two different subjects.

Most US colleges are well equipped with advanced technology and facilities. They have plenty of clubs and societies where students can engage themselves, outside classrooms. Students get the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities and get better at it.

Read more about student life in the US.

Course options in the USA

At the undergraduate level, some of the most popular courses include Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration. At the postgraduate level, Computer Science, Business Analytics, Data Science and Engineering courses are some of the most popular ones preferred by Indian students applying to U.S. institutions. You will also be able to find other specialised postgraduate courses in streams like medicine, cosmetic surgery, para-psychology, diabetes and genetics. These are also quite popular.

Academic pattern and intakes

Some of the US institutes have three academic years/admission cycles for students. But mostly admissions happen during the fall and spring semesters. The curriculum comprises of short-term or mid-term assessments for students, with assignments to complete. The overall performance of students is based not on the final exams, but on how they perform in each assessment.

How to study in the USA

The first step would be to identify the right course and university you would like to apply to. The Course Matcher tool can help you with that. You can always seek the help of our counsellors too.

Once you have made your choice, you will have to make sure you clear all the exams as required by your course and university and get your documents in order. Remember that you should also figure out ways to fund your studies.

Once you get accepted by an SEVP-certified institution, you can apply for a visa to study in the USA. It is advisable that you prepare for the visa interview questions beforehand.

Once you have your visa, you can start planning your journey to the U.S. Our counsellors will be able to help you at every step towards realising your study abroad dreams.

Cost of studying in the USA

The cost of studying in the USA will include the cost of living and the tuition fees apart from other expenses. Food and living expenses in the USA normally range between $9000 and $12000, barring the cost of transportation and other expenses. It will cost you a minimum of INR 15 lakhs per year for studying an undergraduate programme. Postgraduate courses will cost you around INR 25 lakhs.

Scholarships for international students

To meet the expenses and the tuition costs, you may apply for scholarships or financial aid. Many international students opt for education loans, which should be repaid to the banks along with an interest rate fixed by the banks. Many US universities do allocate specific grants for international students to support their tuition and living costs.

Besides providing the common funding options, a few universities provide ‘need-blind’ admissions for students with high merits, but who have few resources to support their education. Information about funding or scholarship is available in each university website. You can also check our scholarships page for more details.

Some of the popular scholarships that you can apply for are:

  1. Fullbright foreign student programme
  2. Aga Khan Foundation international scholarship programme
  3. ETS TOEFL scholarships
  4. British Council IELTS scholarship award for Indian students

Benefits of studying in the USA

The benefits of studying in the USA is multi-fold. However, here are a few reasons to convince you that you have made the right decision to study in the USA.

  • World-class education
  • A wide variety of research-centric science and technology courses.
  • Job-oriented management courses.
  • Scholarships and fellowships offered by institutions and the American government.
  • An American degree that is highly valued by many employers around the world.
  • A vast country with a different landscapes that offers a lot for a tourist and a nature lover.

So now you have all the basic information about studying in the USA. Do contact us and let us know if we can guide you further. Studying in the USA has been dreams of many international students for years. You can achieve it too! 

Planning to study in the USA?

I can help you find the perfect course and university in the USA. Get in touch with us now to get FREE advice!
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Planning to study in the USA?

Sumit Raghav Sumit Raghav,
IDP Expert
We can help you find the perfect course and university in the USA. Get in touch with us now to get FREE advice!

Planning to study in the USA?

I can help you find the perfect course and university in the USA. Get in touch with us now to get FREE advice!
Education counselor
Sumit Raghav, IDP Expert
(+1)
Why we need the phone number?
Our counsellors will get in touch with you using this number.
Why my country code is not displayed?
Because, we offer counselling services only to the countries listed in the dropdown.
Preferred study level *
USA
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