WestPoint Migration

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
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

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
(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

*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:

  1. Engineering and computer science courses

  2. Life science courses

  3. 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
(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

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

Interested in studying abroad?

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