Study in USA
Know why Indian students love studying in the 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.
Student visa requirements for the US
The US Government offers three different student visa types:
| 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 |
*For detailed information, please visit the US Government’s Department of State website.
Read more here.
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
Read more here.
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 | $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 |
Read more here.
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 |
*This is an indicative list, speak with your IDP expert for details and the best available options suited to your profile
Please note: An MBA degree can cost significantly more, as can professional programs such as law, medicine, dentistry, some design programs, etc. Most doctoral degrees are 100% funded through research/teaching assistantships, research aid and bursaries
If you want to bring down your educational expenses, it is best to apply to various U.S scholarships available for Indian students.
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
Read more here.
Top universities to study in the US (QS Ranking 2023)
Check where your favourite American university ranks
S.No. | Institution | QS Ranking 2023 |
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 |
Check where these American universities rank on the Times Higher Education charts.
Job prospects in the USA
Owing to a skills shortage across various sectors in the American market, international students with skills are in demand and those who are willing to settle in America have the option to apply under a Skilled Worker Visa and permanently work and reside in the country. Graduates are in high demand in the USA, especially in the field of healthcare, film production, real estate, retail sector, agriculture, engineering, and computers & information technology.
There are also various of internship programs available that can be taken up by international students.
Read more here.
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 |
*Note: All costs are indicative and may vary from region to region
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