United States

Find Your Degree in USA

Aug-June Academic Year

1,113 List Institutes

251 Ranked Universities

21,000,000 Students

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Study

Study in United States

The USA has the world’s largest international student population, with more than 1,000,000 students choosing to broaden their education and life experience in the United States. Nearly 5% of all students enrolled in higher-level education in the USA are international students, and the numbers are growing. From the mid-1950’s, when international student enrolment was only just reaching 35,000, international education in the USA has come a long way.

The U.S. is a massive place, with each state containing its own history; and when you’re going from one side to another, it feels as if you’re going from planet to planet.

International students from all over the world look to study in the U.S.A., and travellers and explorers are often looking to find out whether Americans are as loud and silly as they are on television (spoiler: they are). Being a student, though, brings you in contact with the top-ranked and largest universities in the world, and they are ready to welcome students like you every year.

Why study in the U.S.?

You only need to look at the university rankings to see that U.S. universities dominate the lists of the best universities in the world. But, if you’re inclined to ignore these rankings, you can also be easily astounded by the sheer number of accredited universities the U.S. higher education system offers. In fact, according to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, there are 2,613 accredited four-year colleges and universities in the U.S.! Holy cow!

In the U.S., secondary schools are divided into different categories: research universities, community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and vocational schools. Depending on your needs, these different colleges and institutions have something to offer you. Most commonly, however, if you’re looking for an international education and a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program, you’re probably looking for a research university or a liberal arts college.

At any university in the U.S., they are interested in welcoming students from everywhere in the world. The classes are all delivered in English, and the universities and graduate schools offer extra help and assistance to students who are travelling from other countries. And, though the majority of Americans speak English, there is no official national language in the U.S.

Here are some of the basic requirements you’ll need for every application:

A scan of your diploma (high school or Bachelor’s degree)
A transcript/record of your previous courses
A scan of your passport
Your CV
Testing scores
Evidence of scholarship or funding
Letters of recommendation (between 2-3)
Portfolio and/or writing samples

Helpful ways to make sure you qualify for an American university

Take Preparation Courses: These kinds of courses enable degree-seeking students to get an extra educational boost just before they start their Master’s degree or other post-graduate degree programmes. Try a pre-M.B.A., pre-Law, or pre-Medicine programme, as well as any other foundation or preparation courses that will allow you to study in the degree programme of your choice;

Improve your English through an English-language prep course: If you’re attending a degree programme in the U.S., you will need to prove that your language skills are good enough to participate in the classes and understand the lectures. These courses will also prepare you for any of the English-language tests that universities require.

English-language tests

To apply to study in the U.S., you’ll need to provide proof you have a diploma for your English proficiency.

The certificates generally accepted by the universities in India are:

TOEFL
IELTS
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency

Still, you should always check on your university’s website, just to be sure what the exact requirements are.

Living

Living in USA

Preparation for your stay

All the necessities of life that you have at home, you will have to recreate for your stay in the USA. Do you have your student visa, travel essentials and enough cash to get set up? Have you purchased an international student insurance plan? Are you set up to call home regularly and affordably? Make sure you are fully prepared before you leave for the USA.

What is it like to study in the U.S.?

The American university system is known for being quite casual, and students at the university level are given quite a level of flexibility with regard to attendance, course requirements, and assignments.

However, students still have to abide by the classroom rules set by their individual instructors, and understand what the expectations are for each course.

Generally, courses are discussion-based, seminar style classes, where it’s a smaller group of students debating or questioning different topics. You’ll also find the normal lecture-style classes, especially for topics that have a lot of students (Computer Science, Medicine, Business, etc.). The way courses are structured really depend upon the content or the subject being taught.

Tuition fees for universities in the U.S.

In the U.S., tuition fees vary based on the state, the university funding model, and the student’s country of origin. So, to gauge an average is a rather difficult task. However, thanks to the folks at College Board, they’ve rendered an estimate of last year’s average tuition costs, which will roughly reflect the next few years.

Public four-year university for out-of-state/foreign students: $39,890 per year
Private four-year university: $49,320’

Cost of Living in the U.S.

As with the tuition fees, living cost in the U.S. can vary dramatically based on your location. In a smaller city you can get by with 800 USD/month. In a biger city you will need about 1,300 USD/month.

Still, relative to the rest of the world, the U.S. can still be quite pricey in terms of living cost. But, it’s cool; you’ll be a famous actor one day, and it’ll all be worth it.

Here is a breakdown of prices you’ll find in the U.S.:

3-course meal for 2 at a mid-range restaurant: $50.00
Milk: $0.85
Loaf of bread: $2.55
Monthly transportation pass (bus, metro): $65.00
Taxi: $1.62 per KM
Rent a 3-bedroom Apartment: $1,920 per month (Maximum average)
Cappuccino: $3.91
Beer: $4.50

Accommodation

here are a number of options when it comes to deciding where you will live when you are living and studying in the United States.

These options include:

On-campus Dormitories

Once you are enrolled in a U.S. school, the Admissions Department or International Student Office will most likely send you a "pre-departure orientation" packet. Options for where to live are generally included in this information.Some American schools offer accommodations for international students on-campus, or near the school's classrooms, libraries and other facilities. "Dormitories" are buildings with many rooms for sleeping and living, often with two or three people (of the same gender) per room. Dormitory residents typically share large bathrooms which include showers and toilets. Many first-year students prefer to live in on-campus dormitories because they are convenient to both academic and social activities. Another advantage is that it is not likely that you will need a car to commute to campus.On-campus accommodations also offer close proximity to the cafeteria and other eating establishments. U.S. colleges and universities offer very flexible meal-plan programs, where you can choose to pay in advance for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On most campuses, you may also deposit a certain amount of money at the beginning of the semester for food that you may buy from designated places. Each item’s cost is deducted from the balance in your account throughout the semester. Again, your pre-departure orientation packet will probably detail your eating options.Moving into a dormitory setting is relatively simple: utilities such as electricity and telephone connections will most likely be ready to use. Each U.S. college or university has its individual policy on paying for long-distance telephone charges; learn those policies soon after you arrive on campus.

Off-campus Options

Some U.S. schools do not provide on-campus accommodations for international students. However, an off-campus housing office will assist you in finding an appropriate place to live. Often, the office coordinates activities to help students find a compatible roommate to share expenses; they also provide information about the local neighbourhoods, including popular restaurants, shopping areas, parks and recreation, and public transportation.

Leasing an Apartment

Ask new friends and other students if they have any suggestions for a good apartment. Check classified advertisements in the local newspaper (Sundays usually have more apartment listings than other days of the week). If all else fails, contact a real estate agent for assistance - though beware of unspecified fees for the service.

Before committing to a lease, or an agreement to rent an apartment, spend some time in the area to decide if it feels safe and convenient to places like school buildings and grocery stores. Read the lease carefully before signing. You will learn, for example, that the landlord is not responsible for your possessions if they are stolen or destroyed, so you may consider purchasing "renter’s insurance." If you do not understand any part of the lease agreement, ask the landlord, a friend, or someone from the international student office to explain it to you.

Utilities

Once you do find off-campus housing, be aware that your rent may well not include utilities. You will need to request that the companies turn on the electricity and telephone service when you arrive. The landlord can provide you with the appropriate contact information

You have a choice of long-distance carriers for your telephone service. Be sure to ask the customer service representatives about special discount calling plans, particularly for international connections. The representative is usually eager to offer you a variety of extra services, most of which are not necessary. Soon after you register for telephone service, you should receive a free telephone directory. Within the directory, you will find the white pages (listing local residents alphabetically by name), the blue pages (government listings), and the yellow pages (business listings and advertisements).

Many U.S. households have telephone answering machines, which record messages from callers when no one answers the phone. You may purchase an answering machine for about $25. Another option is to request that the telephone company provide an electronic answering service, for which they charge a small monthly fee.

In most cases, the least expensive way to keep in touch with far-away friends and family is via e-mail. Again, each U.S. school has its own policies and procedures for accessing the Internet. If you choose to access your own e-mail off-campus, you can expect to pay about $20 per month to an Internet Service Provider.

Home-stays

Home-stays are a viable option for students under the age of 18, especially those who are nervous about leaving home and living in a new country. In a homestay arrangement, you will be placed with an American family within 20 to 45 minutes from your campus. You will have your own room, and meals will be provided.

About

About USA

"Way of Life"

If you are planning to live, learn and grow in the United States, you already possess a well-known American characteristic—a sense of adventure! As an international student, you will experience many new and exciting things. In this section, we hope to prepare you for some of the adventures involved in living in the United States.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to discuss exactly what "Living in the U.S." means to everyone. American culture has been enriched by the values and belief systems of virtually every part of the world. From an international student's perspective, that diversity is very valuable. If you choose to live in a completely different environment, you may be challenged with new situations every day; but if you decide to live in a part of the U.S. that resembles your home country in some ways, you may find comfort in those similarities.

Learning more about yourself is perhaps the most important part of your decision to travel to the U.S. Once you know what you want to achieve, then you can identify the right place to study and live and grow in the States.

Institutes

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Student VISA

Student visas for USA

As an international student coming to the United States, there are three different student visas that you could be issued: F1 Visa, J1 Visa or M1 Visa. The F1 and J1 visas allow for the possibility of employment in the US during your stay, while the M1 Visa does not. You need to be familiar with the types of visas, how they impact your financing while in the USA and how to go through the application and arrival processes.

Types of International Student Visas

F1 Visa

Academic Studies

The "F" visa is for academic studies. An F1 visa is issued to students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program. F1 visas are by far the most common form of international student visa in the U.S. F1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status. F-1 status allows for part-time, on-campus employment (fewer than 20 hours per week). Additionally, students can work on optional practical training (OPT) for up to one year after completion of their academic program. Students are expected to complete their studies by the expiration date on the I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status).

J1 Visa

Practical Training

A J1 visa is issued to students who need to obtain practical training that is not available in their home country to complete their academic program. J-1 student status allows for similar employment as the F-1 visa, with similar restrictions, as long as permission is given by the exchange visitor program sponsor.

: M1 Visa

Non-Academic /Vocational Studies; An M1 visa is issued to a student who is going to attend a non-academic or vocational school. M-1 visa holders for technical and vocational programs are not permitted to work during the course of their studies. The M-1 student visa applicants must have evidence that sufficient funds are immediately available to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of intended stay.

Work permit

Working in USA

You can work part-time on campus at your university. If your university approves, you just need to be included in the SEVIS database and get a Social Security Number (SSN).

How can I apply?

AT LOCAL AUTHORITIES

You have to talk to your designated school official (DSO). If they say you are allowed to work, they give you a letter and they fill in your information in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). Then, apply for a Social Security Number.

Application requirements

You can apply for the work permit if you have:

approval from a school official in charge of international student affairs.

Duration of work permit : 2 YEARS Your work permit will be valid for as long as you have a valid US student visa.
Max. hours of work per week : 20 HOURS/WEEKYou will be allowed to work 20 hours per week. You may work full-time during holidays and school breaks.

Required documents

LIST : You will need a few documents to apply for your work permit:

Letter from university;
Letter from employer;
Proof of age, identity and work authorized immigration status (I-94 Arrival/Departure Record with unexpired foreign passport and stamp).

Employment Authorization Document (EAD)You can work part-time off-campus (outside your university campus) with Form I-766 - Employment Authorisation Document (EAD).How can I apply?You have to apply to USCIS. You can apply online. You need to fill in Form I-20 and I-765 and pay the USCIS Fee, no later than 30 days after I-20 endorsement. Then, wait from approval from USCIS.Application requirementsYou can apply for the work permit if you have:

proof of an unexpected financial difficulty. This includes loss of financial aid, no on-campus employment, decrease in your national currency etc.

You can only apply after finishing your first year of studies.

Duration of work permit : 1 YEARYour work permit will be valid for 1 year. After this time, you can reapply if conditions are still met.
Work permit fees : $410You will have to pay $410 for your work permit. Some applicants may ask for a fee waiver.
Max. hours of work per week : 20 HOURS/WEEKYou will be allowed to work 20 hours per week. You may work full-time during holidays and school breaks.

Required documentsLISTYou will need a few documents to apply for your work permit:
- I-20 form from university;
- filled in Form I-765;
- proof of paid USCIS fee;
- other evidence supporting info filled in I-765.

Work after graduation in United StatesWant to work in United States after graduation?First things first! In United States, you can choose a work permit like the H-1B (Specialty occupation) orEmployment Authorization Document (EAD) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) to remain in the country and work full-time. Read our work permit info below and start planning!H-1B (Specialty occupation)If you want to work in United States after finishing your studies, this permit will allow you to work here for 3 years, but it can be extended to 6 years.How can I apply?EMPLOYERFind a company who wants to hire you and applies to USCIS on your behalf.How long does it take to get the permit?180 DAYSAfter applying for the work permit you will have to wait 180 days for a decision.Application requirementsYou can apply for the work permit if you have:

at least a Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited U.S. institution, or proof of equivalent international degree.

Every year, there is a limited number of foreign workers who may get the H-1B work permit.

When can I start applying?You can start applying for the work permit 6 months before OPT (Optional Practical Training) expires or F1 visa expires.

Duration of work permit3 YEARSYour work permit will be valid for 3 years, but it can be extended to 6 years.
Work permit fees$460You will have to pay $460 for your work permit.
Max. hours of work per weekNO LIMITYou can work as many hours as you like with this work permit.

Required documentsLISTYou will need a few documents to apply for your work permit:
- employer must file Form ETA-9035 and Form I-129 on your behalf;
- proof from employer that you don't affect job opportunities for American citizens;
- copy of written contract between you and the employer.
Extra informationUsually, going for an OPT (Optional Practical Training) before applying for a work permit increases the chances to get the H-1B.

Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Optional Practical Training (OPT)If you want to work in United States after finishing your studies, this permit will allow you to work here for 1 year. If you graduated a STEM degree, your work permit will be valid for 2 additional years.

How can I apply?LOCAL AUTHORITIESAsk the designated school official (DSO) at your university to recommend the OPT. They will endorse your I-20 Form and update your information in SEVIS. You have to file Form I-765 with USCIS with paid fee and supporting documents.
How long does it take to get the permit?90 DAYSAfter applying for the work permit you will have to wait 90 days for a decision.
Application requirementsYou can apply for the work permit if you have:
- a job offer directly related to your major;
- a valid F-1 American Visa;
- you are applying for OPT before graduation.
You may not apply for OPT if you have taken 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
When can I start applying?You can start applying for the work permit 3 months before completing your degree, and no later than 2 months after completing your degree. If you work part-time during your studies, that duration will be subtracted from how long you are allowed to work full-time after graduation.

Duration of work permit1 YEARYour work permit will be valid for 1 year. If you graduated a STEM degree, your work permit will be valid for 2 additional years.
Work permit fees$410You will have to pay $410 for your work permit.
Max. hours of work per week40 HOURS/WEEKYou will be allowed to work 40 hours per week.
Required documentsLISTYou will need a few documents to apply for your work permit:
- authorization from your school's International Student Office;
- authorization from USCIS.
Extra informationYou do not need to have a job offer to apply for your OPT (Optional Practical Training) EAD, and your OPT employment can take place anywhere in the U.S.

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