Study in USA

Why Study in the USA?

The North American country of the United States (USA) is the fourth largest country in the world in terms of area. This enchanting country has been attracting international students for a few decades now. Apart from being a fabulous tourist destination, the USA is also one of the desired study-abroad destinations. The number of Indian students studying in the USA is increasing rapidly, thanks to the exceptional education system of the country. Being a world leader, you will find a vibrant mix of several cultures in the USA. As such, studying in the USA from India will open the doors to newer opportunities for networking for you.

Key Facts to Study in USA
Languages Spoken
English & French
Cost of Study
USD 40,000 - USD 50,000
Sources of Funding
Scholarships, Bursaries, Part-time Jobs
Exams Required
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GRE, GMAT
Degree
Diploma, UG, PG, PhD
Intakes
Spring, Summer, Fall
Visa
F-1 Visa
Best Cities
Boston, New York, Chicago
Cost of Living
USD 10,000 to USD 18,000

Apart from the picturesque mountains, posh city life and sandy beaches, the USA has much more to offer, especially to the international student population who seek higher studies there. The country is home to 17 of the top 50 universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. The USA also ranks #3 in the world for attracting international students. It is also a notable fact that Indian students constitute almost 21% of the more than a million international student population in the USA. If why study in the USA is a question that pondered in your mind frequently, then these are reasons enough to prove that you made a wise decision. You will also find more as you read further.

Benefits of Studying in the USA

As an international student who aspires to study in the USA, you might be wondering what all benefits await you when you choose to study in the USA from India. The country has over 200 top-ranked universities, the certificates from which are revered the world over.

You can know how popular the USA is among international students by having a look at the number of students shifting to the country. According to the reports by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 1,99,812 Indian students shifted to the USA in 2022 alone. According to the Open Doors Report published in November 2022, this number echoes to 19% increase in the number of Indian students in 2022. As per IIE Survey, more than 1.1 million students apply to universities in the USA every year.

Now, you might bewondering what makes the USA adorn this special place among international students. Well, is there a reason not to be attracted to this enchanting country? From the Grand Canyon to Miami beaches, the USA has everything that makes the beautiful country even more stunning.

We understand that most of you planning to study in the USA will also be thinking about obtaining a Post Study Work Permit and Permanent Residency (PR) after completing your studies there. As such, we have also included details pertaining to it. You can get all details as you read.

  • The USA houses more than 200 reputed universities which offer courses in all streams and disciplines, including Arts, STEM, Business, and much more.
  • There are scholarships and bursaries worth lakhs of Indian rupees that international students can avail of during their study duration.
  • The education system is highly flexible, and students who pursue their UG have the option to pursue different courses in their first year so that they can major in their desired subject in the second year.
  • Almost 62% of international students secure jobs soon after their studies in the USA.
  • further.

As stated previously, the USA has some of the best courses you can choose to study. The curriculum is designed in such a way that it suits every student’s taste. Additionally, the education system in the USA is highly flexible. You have the liberty to choose a course in your first year during your Bachelor’s and then major in some other subject in the second year if you wish to. It will be helpful if you get a list of the popular courses chosen by international students in the USA.

To ease out the entire process for you, we have given a list of the courses to study in the USA.


Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are courses in other streams as well. The average annual tuition cost to study in the USA ranges from USD 40,000 to USD 50,000. We have broken down the average cost of pursuing some popular study programs in the USA below. You can take reference from it to gain an idea of how much expense to expect.

Programs
Average Annual Tuition Fees (in USD)
English Language Studies
USD 700 to USD 2000 per month
Bachelor’s
USD 20,000 - USD 40,000
Master’s
USD 20,000 - USD 45,000
MBA
USD 39,000 - USD 60,000
Doctorate
USD 28,000 - USD 55,000

Documents Required for Admission in USA

Top Universities to Study in the USA for Indian Students

You will definitely be aware that the USA is home to some of the most reputed universities in the world. These universities offer a diverse range of courses, and many of these have top positions in several national and international rankings as well. You will obviously need to invest time to find the top universities that have good faculty for the course you wish to pursue. The table below will help you get an idea of the popular universities you can choose.

Name of University
Best Known for
QS WUR 2024
THE 2023
Average Annual Tuition Fees (in USD)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Engineering, Business
1
5
USD 57,000 - USD 80,000
Stanford University
Computer Science & Engineering, Business
5
3
USD 33,000 - USD 72,000
Harvard University
Engineering, Data Science & Analytics
4
2
USD 25,000 - USD 73,000
California Institute of Technology
Engineering, Sciences
15
6
USD 53,000 - USD 79,000
University of Chicago
Business Analytics, Mathematics
11
13
USD 54,000 - USD 64,000
University of Pennsylvania
Robotics, Medicine
12
14
USD 29,000 - USD 84,000
Princeton University
Engineering, Architecture
17
7
USD 54,000 - USD 57,000
Yale University
Health Care, Design
16
9
USD 45,000 - USD 74,000
Cornell University
Health Care, Biology
13
20
USD 29,000 - USD 76,000
Columbia University
Architecture, Journalism
23
11
USD 57,000 - USD 86,000

Requirements for Studying in the USA for Indian Students

We discussed the benefits of studying in the USA, along with the top courses and universities you can choose from. As you read further, you can get more details about the requirements to study in the USA.

We understand that, as an international student, you will be in search of authentic and reliable information on studying abroad. We have compiled all the information which you need to apply to your preferred US universities below. We have mentioned all the steps you need to follow so that you can apply to your dream university without space for any errors.

One of the first things you need to consider when studying abroad is that the application process for universities differs from one another. As such, you should know the entire process in detail before proceeding to apply. To help you master these steps clearly, we have explained them in simple terms below. You can continue reading to learn these steps. 

One of the first documents that should be arranged in order to study abroad is the student visa. As an international student, you need to obtain a valid student visa, the requirements of which are listed below for your easy reference.

The steps to be followed for applying for a student visa are as follows.

  • Decide on your preferred course and university.
  • Visit the official websites of the universities and check the eligibility criteria.
  • Fill in the application form and submit the application after paying the application fee.
  • You will receive a confirmation email from the university if your application is accepted.

The F-1 student visa is the most common visa type among Indian students in the USA. You can apply for the visa 365 days before the start of your course. However, you cannot enter the country 30 days before the commencement of your classes.

The cost of an F-1 student visa is around USD 510. You should make sure to apply early so the authorities get enough time to process your application. It will also ensure you get sufficient time to arrange for the next set of documents to submit your visa application and further your university application.

To apply for the F-1 student visa, you will need to satisfy the following requirements.

  • Hold a valid passport.
  • Have printed copies of your DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS payment confirmations.
  • All academic transcripts.
  • Proof of sufficient funds in the home country.
  • Passport-size photographs.
  • I-20 form.
  • Good English language test scores.

Once you satisfy these requirements, you are halfway through your journey of studying in the USA. 

You can read further and get details on the documents you may need to submit while applying for a US student visa:-

  • Birth certificate
  • All academic transcripts
  • Health insurance
  • Work experience certificate (if applicable)
  • Subject-specific test scorecard (if applicable)
  • Valid Passport
  • English proficiency test scorecard
  • Letter of acceptance from a recognised US university
  • Proof of sufficient funds in the home country

It should always be kept in mind that if you are not a native English speaker, you will be required to submit proof of your English proficiency. This can be obtained by attempting English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE etc. These are some of the popular tests, the scores of which are accepted by almost all universities in the USA. The minimum score required for admission will vary based on the university, course, program etc.

It is also essential to know about the eligibility criteria for admission so that you do not make any mistakes. You should visit the official websites of the universities occasionally so that you do not miss out on any important information.

What are the additional documents required to be submitted for admission?

They are given below. It should be noted that not all universities ask for these documents. As such, you can refer to the university website and proceed to obtain them.

  • Statement Of Purpose (SOP)
  • Letter Of Recommendation (LOR)
  • CV/Resume

Arranging all these documents can be a tedious process, and you may even find it useful if you seek the help of a professional to get everything done for you. For that, you can contact experts, whose expert counsellors will give you free guidance on everything related to studying abroad.

Statement Of Purpose

A Statement Of Purpose (SOP) is a document that you may need to submit when you have to study abroad. This is typically a 1000-1200 word essay that explains who you are and how you will add value to the university. You have to follow a certain format and must stay within the word limit. You can contact East West Migration’s counsellors to get detailed information on how to frame an impressive Statement Of Purpose (SOP). 

 

When you are a non-native speaker of the English language, you will need to take an English Proficiency Test to get admission to a university in the USA. The university will decide the minimum test score requirement. A few tests that you can take are given below. Remember that depending on your university’s demands, you need to take only one of them. The table below will help you understand the top English proficiency tests and the average score you may need to obtain. It should be noted that this score is variable, and you should consult the official website of the university to get updated information.

English Proficiency Tests
Minimum Score Required
IELTS
6.5
TOEFL
90
PTE
50-55
Duolingo
100-150

It is essential for you to have a thorough knowledge about the intakes to study in the USA so that you can plan your journey accordingly. Every year, most US universities offer three intakes, and one of the first things you need to decide before planning to study abroad is regarding this. You should decide which month you plan to shift to the country and then align every other thing based on this. It is advisable to plan about a year ago so that you get enough time to arrange everything.

The table below shows the popular intakes in the USA and their duration.

Intake
Duration
Fall
August - December
Spring
January - April
Summer
May - August

The cost of studying in the USA is one of the primary factors you need to consider while preparing for your study abroad dream. Against the general opinion, the USA is not a very expensive country to live in and study in. You will additionally find help in scholarships and bursaries about which you can learn as we read further. Apart from this, you have the option to work part-time during your studies. You can also do paid internships. 

One of the primary expenses that come under the cost of living in the USA is accommodation costs. Most reputed universities offer on-campus accommodation, which costs less than the off-campus one. The average cost of living in the USA depends on various factors, which is a fact you have to keep note of. There are a few options from which you can choose. The type of expenses you can expect are tabulated below, along with the average amount.

This amount can vary considerably based on the city you live in, your spending habits, etc. As such, this cannot be considered the exact expense you may incur. The next big expense comes in the form of tuition fees. Your tuition fee amount can vary based on three things.

  1. Course
  2. Program
  3. University

Apart from the expenses mentioned above, you should also consider your medical expenses. All international students are required to take health insurance if they have to study in the USA. The amount may vary, and you should apply for the same while you apply for your student visa. It should always be kept in mind that you are staying away from your homeland, and thus, spending wisely is highly recommended and advisable.

Expense Type
Average Annual Amount (in USD)
Food
USD 2500
Living and Accommodation
On-campus: USD 250
Off-campus: USD 400
Transportation
USD 500
Utilities
USD 500
Entertainment
USD 200
Internet pass
USD 70
Gas and Electricity
USD 160
Books, Supplies & Other Learning Material
USD 250

Do you know that the USA offers post-study work options to international students who pursue their education in the country? We will explain how!

As an F-1 visa holder, you will get temporary employment based on your field of study. You can then apply for Optical Practical Training (OPT), which permits you to work in the USA for a year. If you pursue a STEM course, you can stay back in the USA for employment for another two years, which makes it three years in total. Non-STEM students can utilise their past degrees from the USA school of higher education to extend their OPT.

All these mean that apart from holding a certificate that is revered the world over, you will also be able to build a career and also take it to the next level. The USA has a very stable economy which improves your chances of having a better standard of living. The average annual salary can be anywhere from USD 53,000 to USD 1,57,000

Post-study Work Opportunities to Study in USA

Field
Annual Salary in USD
Administrative Services
USD 1,06,550
Advertising and Marketing
USD 1,43,330
Architecture and Engineering
USD 1,52,930
Computer and Information Systems
USD 1,56,390
Education and Childcare
USD 53,690
Public Relations
USD 1,32,630
Medical and Health Services
USD 1,15,160
Management
USD 53,490
Statistics and Data Science
USD 1,03,930
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
USD 1,00,830

Frequently Asked Question

The average annual tuition cost to study in the USA ranges from USD 40,000 to USD 50,000.

Yes, Indian students can study in the USA if they satisfy all the eligibility criteria and fall under the category based on the selection procedure. You can read all the requirements in detail above

Indian students study in the USA as the country offers a highly flexible education system and has a wide range of reputed universities. The country also promises a better standard of living.

 Yes, you can study in the USA after your 12th if you satisfy the necessary requirements and get the application confirmation from a recognised US university.

 IELTS is not a compulsory requirement to study in the USA, and there are several top universities that accept your application even without an IELTS score. However, it will benefit you well if you submit an IELTS score as your application may stand out from the rest of them.

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