Studying abroad is far more than an academic experience – it’s a life experience. The USA is the numero uno destination for international students. Every year, USA receives thousands and thousands of applications for all kinds of programs, be it undergraduate, MBA, master’s and PhD. No wonder, the USA has the world’s largest international student population.
Nearly 5% of all students enrolled in higher-level education in the USA are international students.
Choosing to study in the USA offers you the wonderful opportunity of growing academically, culturally and socially.
Please check out some of the topmost colleges and universities in the USA. Let’s start!
Ivy League Universities
The eight Ivy League universities are:
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Princeton University
- Yale University
Non-Ivy League Universities
So, do you think this is it? Are the Ivy League universities the only top universities in the USA? If you think “yes”, then you are wrong. The USA boasts of more than 3000 universities and there are hundreds of universities (not Ivy League) which are equally or more reputed and qualitative. Here are a few of them:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
- University of Chicago
- University of California, Berkeley
- Carnegie Mellon University
- New York University
- Duke University
Some of the top B-schools (both Ivy League and non-Ivy League) are:
- Stanford University
- University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) – Ivy League
- North-western University (Kellogg)
- University of Chicago (Booth)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
- Harvard University – Ivy League
- University of California–Berkeley (Haas)
- Columbia University – Ivy League
- Yale University – Ivy League
- New York University (Stern)
Intakes Available in the USA
| Intake | Duration |
| Fall Term | From August to December |
| Spring Term | From January to April |
| Summer Term | From May to August |
*Intakes vary depending on the institution and your program. Please speak with your IDP counselor for more information.
Student Visa Requirements for the USA
Three different types of student visa are offered by The US Government:
| S.No. | Student visa type | 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 | for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study |
| 3 | M Student Visa | for non-academic or vocational study or training in the US |
Types of Degrees
| Types of Degrees | Description |
|---|---|
| Associate Degrees | These are 2-year programs that are equivalent to the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree and are more job-oriented which are enough for kick-starting a career |
| Bachelor’s Degrees | 4-year undergraduate courses in the USA that offer core courses along with majors, minors, and electives and are a rock-solid foundation for a full-fledged career |
| Master’s Degrees (Two types: Academic and Professional) | Academic– 2-year programs which offer specialisations in STEM, humanities, and arts. Students can lay a firm grounding and also move on to doctoral studies in their respective disciplines. Professional – The professional master’s degree programs span from 1 to 3 years depending on the discipline and help students to proceed to a particular profession. |
| MBA Degrees | Around 2 years’ MBA programs in the USA for those interested in attaining a top leadership position or launching their own company. Some business schools offer a 1-year MBA program (Accelerated MBA) as well |
| Doctoral studies/PhD | Students are required to carry out their studies under the guidance of a faculty advisor and earn a Ph.D. after successful completion of the dissertation. Usually, a Ph.D. in the USA takes about 5 to 8 years to complete |
Approximate Annual Tuition Fee
| Community colleges | $6,000 to $20,000 |
| Undergraduate degree for Indian Students | $20,000 to $40,000 |
| Graduate programs (MS, MBA) | $20,000 to $45,000 |
| PhD | $28,000 to $55,000 |
If studying in USA is your dream and you seek financial assistance through scholarships, then don’t worry as there are many Scholarships to international students in USA available.
Requirements to Study in USA
- Completed application form proof of secondary school completion (usually 12 years of schooling)
- Certification of English language proficiency (usually a score from the TOEFL- Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- Evidence of financial support
Why Study in the USA
- High Quality and World-Renowned Institutions
As per the U.S. News & World Report, 48 of the top 100 Global Universities are in the United States. The USA provides an upgraded education that extends a competitive advantage in various aspects of career enhancement. The US is home to Ivy League and other top non-Ivy League institutions in the world.
- Academic Flexibility
The greatest advantage of studying in the USA is the education flexibility allowing students to choose a major after exploring different options, combine various majors and minors, get a ‘double major’ and also customise the program according to their needs and career interests.
- Wide Range of Programs
Did you know that a student majoring in STEM courses could also opt for humanities in US universities? Yes, almost all US universities provide flexibility to choose from a wide range of subjects, equipping students with interdisciplinary know-how according to their interests.
- Research and Innovation
The academic programs in the US train students with the skill-set to understand and contribute to the landscape of research and innovation. Did you know that technological innovations such as 3D printing and bionic prostheses are developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduates, also contributing to glorious numbers of 89 Nobel Laureates, 58 National Medal of Science Winners and 48 MacArthur Fellows?
- STEM OPT and Internship Opportunities
With an emphasis on professional learning and advancement, US universities provide internship prospects to students to kick-start their career while completing their university education. Also, students pursuing a STEM course can avail a 24-month STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training) extension to gain practical work experience in the US, thus totalling to 36 months of STEM OPT.
- Research & Teaching Assistantship
Higher studies in the USA grant the scope for various teaching and research assistantship opportunities for international graduate students seeking financial aid during their college education.
- Support System for Students
From providing assistance with Visa issues, English-language skills, financial aid, health services and other resources, US universities show exemplary leadership among other universities worldwide.
- Higher Employability Rate
56 US universities appear in the Global University Employability Ranking 2019 (Times Higher Education). Career Development Centres, annual fairs, alumni and networking events are dedicated to helping students land their desired jobs.
- Campus Life
Student engagement groups in college campuses like fraternities, sororities, sports teams etc. create a warm space for international students to make friends, study, innovate, volunteer and party.
- See the World and Worldviews
The opportunity of travelling across different states in the USA, experiencing varied cultures, food, art, architecture etc. introduces students to different worldviews further developing the sense of ‘Home and the World’.