Study in USA
Not sure what certain U.S. higher education words mean?
Community colleges are another option and provide two-year associate degree programs to prepare students to continue studies for an undergraduate degree or help them gain occupational skills for immediate employment.
Many U.S. institutions offer a variety of student housing options and services on the college campus
On campus, students usually live in residence halls or dormitories, which are student apartment buildings that are often called "dorms." Among the options are dorms for men- or women-only, freshman-only, and academic-, language-, or theme-focused housing to support diverse student interests.
Opportunities for recreation and club involvement help enrich the campus life experience. Academic, cultural, athletic and special interest clubs meet to socialize and explore common interests. The housing, support services, and extracurricular activities on U.S. campuses help students form a community within their campus.
Student visa requirements for the US
The US Government offers three different student visa types:
| S.No. | 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.
Look for Special Opportunities and Financial Aid
U.S. institutions offer a wide array of programs with a wide array of tuition and fees. Find information about special opportunities and financial aid provisions that U.S. higher education institutions offer international students, such as scholarships, in-state tuition benefits, waived application fees and deadlines, and similar provisions.
Keep in mind that the United States is a large country and the cost of living varies greatly from place to place. You need to assess your funding and what you are able to spend on your education and living expenses.
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) |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees in USD (indicative) | $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 |
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 Nexus 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 to study abroad:
Engineering and computer science courses
Life science courses
Business management courses
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 | UCornell University | 20 |
