Get Free Counseling
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.
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:
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.
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 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 |
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 |
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 |
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.
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. |
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.
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 |
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.
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) |
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.
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. |
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 |
Student currently enrolled in the US or another study destination as a high school, undergraduate or graduate student. |
A $2,000 prize |
|
Passionate international students wishing to study in USA |
$1,000. |
|
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. |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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.
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:
Ready to study in the USA? Contact Y-axis Study Abroad Consultants today for expert guidance on admissions, visas, scholarships, and more. Start your journey now!
Explore what global Indian have to say about Y-Axis in shaping their future