We are Online  

Quick Enquiry

Study in USA

Do you want to Planning to Study in USA? Learn about studying in the USA, including details about top colleges & universities, fees, programs, and the admissions procedure. Get expert's advice from SIEC on top universities to Study in the USA, courses, costs, student visa, admission process, scholarships and post study work rights(PSWR). The United States of America (USA) is one of the top study-abroad destination for international students and Indians are no exception. Your decision to study in USA provides access to a world-class education system, a well-researched curriculum, a vibrant multicultural environment, and plentiful opportunities. Studying in USA offers a life-changing experience that sets students on the path to success. The USA's allure lies not only in its geographical splendour but also in the rich tapestry of its people, offering a mosaic of cultures, traditions, and stories that enrich its unparalleled beauty.

Education System

The education system in the USA is curated to offer a diverse range of courses across all disciplines for students who want to study in USA. In the USA, students start their education at 6. The US education system is differentiated into four categories:

Education Level Age Class or grade Duration
Primary Elementary school 6-11 1-4 5
Middle Middle or junior high 11-14 6-8 3
Secondary High school or senior high school 14-18 9=12 4
Tertiary Higher education 18 onwards University 4

Universities and Colleges

Name a course, and the USA has it all. Universities and colleges in the USA are known for their innovation, wide array of programs, from liberal arts to cutting-edge research in STEM fields, and academic excellence and opportunity.

  • The USA is a hotspot of the world's best education institutions and international students. It has over 4000 universities and colleges.
  • The U.S. higher education system fosters critical thinking, leadership skills, and global perspectives.
  • Beyond academics, campuses provide extracurricular activities, sports, and a vibrant social life. Here is a glimpse of the top universities to study in USA.
Top Universities in the USA
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
Types of Institutions in the USA

Various types of educational institutes in the US provide quality education to study in USA. These can be categorised into:

1. State colleges or universities: These universities are run by the state or government. All the states in the US run at least one university and several other colleges. These institutions are mostly named after the state. A few of the universities are as follows:

  • University of Michigan
  • University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • University of Virginia
  • University of California - Berkeley

2. Private colleges or universities: These institutions function independently. However, the tuition fee in these colleges is usually more than that of the state colleges. Also, religiously affiliated colleges come under this category, although they welcome students of all religions and beliefs. Yet specific colleges prefer students with the same belief system.

Ivy League

The Ivy League is one of the most well-known groups of universities in the world, consists of a group of eight historic universities. The Ivy League was originally formed in the 1950s as an athletic association. To this day, the organization remains dedicated to athletics and intellectual leadership. The eight schools include:

  • Brown University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Dartmouth University
  • Harvard University
  • Princeton University
  • The University of Pennsylvania
  • Yale University

3. Community colleges: Community colleges, also known as junior colleges, are instrumental in preparing students for the workforce. International students often find these institutions affordable. They offer an associate degree as the highest level of education. Typically, the duration of courses at community colleges is two years.

  • Green River College
  • Miami Dade College
  • Northern Virginia Community College
  • Santa Monica College

4. Institute of Technology: Institutes of technology emphasized in engineering, technology, applied sciences, and natural sciences. They offer four-year programs leading to a bachelor's degree. These institutions provide hands-on learning experiences, a challenging curriculum, and opportunities for research and internships.

  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • New York Institute of Technology

Courses and Duration

Some of the reasons why many Indian students want to study in USA are its unique curriculum, flexible methods of teaching, abundant opportunities and multicultural environment. The USA is one of the most sought-after study-abroad destinations due to the availability of multiple courses across every discipline.

  • The USA consists of 40+ of the top 100 Universities, according to QS World University Ranking 2023-2024.
  • There is a wide range of specialisation courses for graduate and postgraduate students in almost every University in the USA.
  • Universities in the USA follow an open education system that allows International students to apply for specialisation.
Most In-demand Courses in the USA
Top Courses Duration
Computer Science 4 years
MS in Data Analytics 1-2 years
Engineering (Civil Engineering) 3-4 years
Business Management 4 years
Medicine 4-7 years
Masters Of Science In Finance 2 years
Environmental Science 4 years
Hospitality & Tourism 4 years
Creative Arts 4 years
Bachelor In Psychology 4 years
Undergraduate courses and duration
Qualification Duration Description
Associate degree 2 years A.A. degree (Associate of Arts degree),
A.S. degree (Associate of Science degree), and
A.A.S. degree (Associate of Applied Science degree)
Bachelor's degree 3 - 4 years B.A. degrees (Bachelor of Arts degrees),
B.S. degrees (Bachelor of Science degrees), and
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA degree)
Postgraduate courses and duration
Qualification Duration Description
Master's degree (Professional) 1 to 3 years Master of Library Science (MLS, MLIS, MSLS)
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Master's degree (Academic) 2 years The Master of Research (MRes) Degree
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Degree
Doctorate or PhD 5 to 8 years PhD is awarded on completion of a dissertation
Part-time and Online Programs
University Offers Online Programs
Johns Hopkins University Social Sciences, Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine
Northwestern University Online Masters in Health Sciences
Boston University Graduate programs, Diplomas, and Non-credit professional certificates
Georgia Institute of Technology Engineering, Sciences and Computer Science
The Ohio State University Medicine, Business, Education and Social Sciences

Intakes

Admission intakes in the USA refer to designated periods when universities accept applications for enrolment. Typically, two primary intakes occur annually:

The fall intake (August/September) and the spring intake (January/February).

  • Fall intake offers a broader range of programs and scholarships, serving as the primary entry point.
  • Spring intakes are more limited in program options. Application deadlines vary among institutions, often closing around December for fall and October for spring intakes.
  • While some universities may offer a summer intake, it's less common.

Specific dates and requirements for each intake vary significantly across programs and educational institutions, necessitating a thorough review of respective university admissions guidelines.

Requirements

Each university sets its eligibility standards to allow student to study in USA, outlining specific requirements and deadlines for application submissions. Here is a glimpse of eligibility requirements for different programs to study in USA.

Eligibility Guide for Bachelors program
Category Type Eligibility Requirements
Higher Secondary Certificates
  • Completed 12 years of formal education in a relevant field
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
English Language Proficiency
  • TOEFL: 80-100
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0
SAT Test Optional but highly recommended for Scholarships
Statement of Purpose Yes
Letter of Recommendation Yes
Study Visa F-1 Visa
Eligibility Guide for Master's program
Category Type Eligibility Requirements
Undergraduate Degree
  • Minimum GPA required for MS in USA is 3.0
English Language Proficiency
  • IELTS - 6.5 - 7.5,
  • TOEFL - 88 - 100
GMAT/ GRE Scorecards
  • GMAT - 600 to 740,
  • GRE - 318 to 329
SAT Test Optional but highly recommended for Scholarships
Statement of Purpose Yes
Letter of Recommendation Yes
Resume Yes
Work Experience Certificate
  • A minimum of 2 to 3 years of work experience
Proof of Funds
  • I-20 proof of funds,
  • Personal or sponsor's bank statements,
  • Provident funds,
  • Fixed deposit,
  • Scholarship proof,
  • Loan sanction letter
Passport and Student Visa Passport must have a validity of minimum of 6 months after the completion date of the course in the USA
Study Visa F-1 Visa

Cost and Expenses

Whether you want to study for a bachelor's or masters, one thing that students have to take care of ahead of time is expenses. When it's about studying in a foreign land, one has to be calculative enough to prepare before they land, which requires in-depth research and budgeting tips. Calculative enough to neither spend more nor don't have enough. Here is a glimpse of the cost and expenses students need to take care of before moving to the USA.

Average Accommodation Costs
Type of Accommodation Indicative monthly cost (Rent)
Hostel, on-campus $2,450 for a public university and $2,775 for a private University
Dorms, off-campus $450, if the room is shared by four students
Outskirts, off-campus $600 for 1BHK in a rural area, and $3,000 for 1 BHK in an urban area like Boston
Rent (1-bedroom apartment in the city centre) $1,500 to $3,000 per month
Rent (1-bedroom apartment outside the city centre) $1,000 to $2,000 per month
Monthly Cost of Living of States in the USA
State Cost index ($) Grocery ($) Housing ($) Utilities ($) UTransportation ($)
District of Columbia 112.7 257.4 108 110
Mississippi 83.3 92.2 66.3 90.4 86.7
Kansas 86.5 91.7 72.6 100.2 97.3
Alabama 87.9 98.2 70.1 100.7 92.7
Oklahoma 87.9 94.5 74.7 95.1 94.8
Georgia 88.8 95.9 74.4 90.5 92.6
Tennessee 89 94.7 79.3 92.5 88.8
Missouri 89.8 95 80.3 95.4 92.4
Lowa-lowa 89.9 98.4 76 94.9 97.7
West Virginia 90.5 96.5 78.6 89.4 92.2
Indiana 90.6 92.7 78.3 99 98.3
Arkansas 90.9 93.1 79.1 92.3 92.3
New Mexico 91 95.5 84.3 89.6 98.1
Michigan 91.3 90.1 80.7 99.7 103.2
Ohio 91.3 99.2 76.5 92 98.6
Texas 92.1 90.8 83.8 103.2 94.1
Louisiana 93 96.8 86 87 96.5
Kentucky 93.1 92.1 79.9 104.7 103
South Carolina 93.6 99.5 79.6 105.2 95.2
Nebraska 93.7 98.6 86.6 89.3 100.2
Illinois 94.3 98.4 86.6 96.5 105.8
Wyoming 94.3 102.7 81.3 85.2 99.9
North Carolina 95.7 97.6 88.6 97.7 92.8
Wisconsin 96.4 99.5 88.4 99.4 99.5
North Dakota 98.2 101 95.4 95.2 104.2
Utah 99 97.3 98.4 90.9 109.9
Minnesota 100 103.9 90.2 96.5 99.4
Florida 100.3 105.6 99 105.3 98.8
Montana 100.7 103.4 106.3 88 94.7
South Dakota 101 102.1 112.8 91.8 89.7
Virginia 101.8 95.2 111.5 96.7 90.4
Idaho 102.1 93.8 110.4 82.3 111.7
Pennsylvania 102.5 107.8 98 109.7 105.6
Arizona 103.2 101.5 107.7 104.8 98.8
Colorado 105.3 98.1 116.4 88.4 105.6
Nevada 106.3 107 117.9 88.4 119.7
Delaware 107.9 114 103.1 96.5 113
New Hampshire 109.9 103.6 108.1 113.6 97.2
Washington 111.6 108.4 119 90.8 117.4
Maine 115 102.2 136.6 102.3 104.6
New Jersey 115.2 107.3 136.6 104.6 105.5
Vermont 117 109.2 136.2 119 114.2
Rhode Island 117.2 107.7 121.7 127.6 107.6
Connecticut 121.6 106.4 134.6 132.4 111.1
Maryland 124 110.4 165.9 105.1 107.6
Alaska 127.1 134.5 126.9 154.8 109.9
Oregon 130.1 107.8 172.6 90.2 125.9
Massachusetts 135 119.3 177.6 111.1 111.3
California 142.2 113.7 201.9 124.3 131.7
New York 148.2 118.4 230.1 99.8 108.7
Hawaii 193.3 152.9 315 164.2 133.7
Tuition fees

Most commonly, humanities, arts and education courses are cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. Here is a glimpse of tuition fees to study in USA.

Tuition fees to study in the USA
School Tuition fees in USD
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
Top Universities with tuition fees for UG and PG Programs to study in the USA
Top Universities In The USA Average Undergraduate Tuition Fee (Approx.) Average Postgraduate Tuition Fee (Approx.)
Harvard University INR 40L- INR 45L INR 16L- 62L
Stanford University INR 45L – INR 52L INR 42L- INR 45L
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) INR 50L INR 25l
University of California, Berkeley INR 44L INR 30.6L
University of San Francisco INR 60L-70L INR 21.5- INR 43L
University of Pennsylvania INR 74L INR 22.5L- INR 29L
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign INR 31L- INR 39L INR 20.4L- INR 41L
Johns Hopkins University INR 71.7L INR 39L
University of Washington INR 72.6L INR 67.8L
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) INR 45L -INR 50L INR 72.4L
Cost of Student Visa

The Cost of student visa to study in USA approx. US $185 as an application fee.

Living Expenses

In the US, living costs to study in USA 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. Here is a glimpse of the living expenses that students need to take care of before moving to the USA.

Living expenses to study in the USA
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
Medical Cost in the USA

The average cost of a student health insurance plan ranges between $1,500-2,500 for a year.

Scholarships

The USA offers a numbers of scholarships to study in USA to waive off their tuition fees in both undergraduate and postgraduate level of study. The scholarships amount to study in the USA is attractive enough for the international students to migrate to the USA. Here is a glimpse of some of the scholarships to study in the USA.

Scholarships to Study Bachelors in the USA
Scholarship Name Benefits
Tata Scholarship, Cornell University Tuition Fee Waiver
OPEC Fund for International Scholarship, Stanford University Full Academic fees
Yale Scholarship, Yale University 50,000 USD/ INR 39,80,525
Washington University Scholarships Varies
NYIT Presidential Scholarship, New York Institute of Technology 26,000 USD/ INR 20,69,873
Scholarships to Study Masters in the USA
Scholarship Name Benefits
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship 100% of tuition fees and cost of living
Fullbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship Covers living expenses, visa cost, round-trip economy class travel to and from the US, health insurance coverage, part of tuition fees
National Overseas Scholarship Up to 100% coverage of study abroad expenses depending on the course and university chosen.
AAUW International Fellowship Grant of 20,000 - 50,000 USD is provided.
Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship Interest-free loan up to 20 Lakh that can cover the cost of study.
GyanDhan Scholarship Amount of 1, 00,000 Lakh is granted to one meritorious student.
Prodigy Finance - GyanDhan Engineering Scholarship Total Amount - 5,000 USD. (Each individual gets 2,500 USD)

Employment opportunities

The USA has a wide range of professions after graduates across the USA, ranked among the most in demand jobs in the world. The USA holds the highest number of world-ranked universities with highest employment ratios. The land of opportunity is known not only for their vibrant campuses but also for providing opportunities among all disciplines. And a student holding a degree from a US University attracts maximum and better career opportunities. It becomes easier to attach an excellent profile to your name. Here is a glimpse of employment opportunities for students after graduation in the USA.

Post-Study Work Right
Category Details
Post-Study Work Right
  • Students can apply for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. This will permit the students to work for up to 12 months in the USA.
  • STEM graduates require two additional years of work experience to stay in the USA.( a total of 3 years )
Part-time Work Rights
  • Students can work 20 hours a week,
  • and 40 hours during holidays/breaks
Top Recruiters in the USA
Top Companies Industry
Amazon E-Commerce
Google Technology
Apple Technology
Microsoft Technology
JP Morgan Chase Finance
Meta Social Media
Exxon Mobil Energy
Walmart Retail
Johnson & Johnson Healthcare
Procter & Gamble Consumer Goods
Popular Career Opportunities in the USA for Indian Students
Field Average Annual Salary (Approx.) Job Prospects
Computer Science INR 87.42L- INR 1.2Cr Software developers, Data analysts, and Cybersecurity experts
Healthcare INR 2Cr to INR 2.5Cr Doctors, Nurses, and Medical Researchers
Finance INR 30.8L to INR 1.2Cr Finance analysts, Investment bankers
Engineering INR 70L to INR 80L Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer
Education INR 47L to INR 50L Teachers, Professors, and Administrators
Promising Full-time Career Opportunities in the USA for Indian Students
Jobs Average Annual Salary (Approx.)
Journalist INR 54.5L
Civil Engineer INR 70L
Teacher INR 83L
Lawyer INR1Cr
Scientist INR 1.2Cr
Doctor INR 2Cr
Most In-demand jobs in UK for Indian Graduates
Jobs Average Annual Salary (Approx.)
Digital Marketing Specialist INR 53L
Web Developer INR 73.2L
Project Manager INR 82.7L
Registered Nurse INR 94L
Cyber Security Engineer INR 99.7L
Data Scientist INR 1Cr
Software Engineer INR 1Cr
IT Manager INR 1Cr
Pilot INR 2Cr
Investment Banker INR 2.7Cr
Popular Part-time jobs in UK for Indian students
Jobs Average Annual Salary (Approx.)
Tour Guide INR 28L
Babysitter INR 34L
Teaching Assistant INR 36L
Barista INR 36L
Library Monitor INR 36.5L
Teaching Assistant INR 46L
Average Annual Salaries for Top Fresher’s jobs in the USA
Jobs Role Average Annual Salary (Approx.)
Library Assistant INR 25L
Customer Service Representative INR 32.2L
Research Assistant in Scientific Laboratories and Tech Jobs INR 32.4L
Catering Assistant INR 33.2L
Content Writer INR 51.5L
Sales Executive INR 1.6Cr
Best paying jobs in the USA for Indian Students
Jobs Average Annual Salary (Approx.)
Marketing Manager INR 80.5L
Software Developer INR 93.5L
Petroleum Engineer INR 1Cr
Finance Manager INR 1Cr
Architect INR 1Cr
Sales Manager INR 1 Cr
Physician INR 1.5Cr
Actuary INR 1.8Cr
Gynaecologist INR 2Cr
Paediatrician INR 2Cr

In the realm of higher education, where education knows no boundary, Indian students often inquire about the popularity of the United States as a top study-abroad destination for academic pursuits. American universities offer a plethora of courses and professions that are globally ranked as some of the best in their respective fields to study in USA. The USA is home to a significant number of universities that are internationally recognized for their academic excellence and research opportunities, spanning across all disciplines, while also possessing vibrant campuses. A degree from a US university can equip students with an outstanding career profile that attracts numerous and superior career opportunities.