USA

The United States has been popular amongst students worldwide for their higher education. This is no surprise because American institutions consistently feature in the top universities in the world.

Education system in the USA

There are three types of institutions in the USA:

Universities – Normally, universities in the USA offer a range of graduate programmes, including doctoral programmes. Universities are usually larger than colleges in terms of sizes and opportunities. There are two types of universities in the USA – public and private.

Public universities are funded by the US state government. These universities are often rooted to their local communities, thus making themselves dynamic and vibrant. State/public universities have a variety of courses on offer and are home to a large number of students from all over the world. These types of universities are usually located in both, large cities and small towns. And the tuition fees at public universities are lesser when compared with private universities.

On the other hand, private universities are run by student tuition fees, research outcome, donations and other funding sources. These universities are not owned by any government body. Since private universities are not state funded, they have the flexibility to choose their funding scheme and how to invest the funds towards research opportunities.

Community colleges – Community colleges in the USA are small community-based two-year colleges that offer vocational and certificate programmes to students. These colleges work closely with some employers, and also offer different pathways programmes for students. Class sizes in community colleges are relatively small. International students can choose such colleges to opt for any bridge programmes or enhance specific skills before taking it to the next level.

Liberal arts colleges – Liberal arts colleges in the USA emphasise on providing undergraduate degrees in liberal arts and sciences. These colleges could be either private or public institutions. Compared with a usual vocational or technical or professional degree, a liberal arts degree lasts for four years of full-time study.

Why study in the USA?

The USA is made up of 50 states and is one of the largest countries in the world, in terms of land mass and size. The country covers different time zones and the climate varies from the freezing cold of Alaska to the pleasant tropical climate of Hawaii.

With breath-taking natural beauty from the Grand Canyon to the Niagara Falls and man-made marvels like the Statue of Liberty, The Golden Gate Bridge, Disney Land, The Smithsonian Museum and The Library of the Congress, there are many things that one can explore in the country.

Life as a student in the USA

As a student in the USA, it is important that one is aware of one’s rights and the local laws. All leading institutions conduct a Student Orientation Programme, which helps the student acclimatise to life in the USA.

Most US institutions offer some flexible programmes for all students, which help them find their interest before deciding on a major. This means students who are unsure about their course choice in the first year of undergraduate programme can get adequate time to choose their major. Also, students can opt for double major, i.e., a degree in two different subjects.

Most US colleges are well equipped with advanced technology and facilities. Also, they have plenty of clubs and societies where students can engage themselves, outside classrooms. Extra-curricular activities allow students to develop their hobbies.

Study options

Biotechnology, computer science and electronics are some of the most popular courses in the USA. Other specialised postgraduate courses in streams like medicine, cosmetic surgery, para-psychology, diabetes and genetics are also popular.

Academic pattern

Some of the US institutes have three academic years/admission cycles for students. But mostly admissions happen during fall and spring semesters. The curriculum comprises short- or mid-term assessments for students, with assignments to complete. The overall performance of students is based not on the final exams, but on how they perform in each assessment.

Cost of studying in the USA

The cost of studying in the USA could be quite expensive at times, for some international students. Community colleges cost $17,000 (along with transport and other living expenses). A four-year public college for international students can cost $39,890, and private non-profit four-year institutions can cost $49,000 (along with transport and other living expenses). Food and living expenses in the USA normally range between $8000 and $12000, barring the cost of transportation and other expenses.

Scholarships for international students

To meet the expenses and the tuition costs, you may apply for scholarships or financial aid. Many international students opt for education loans, which should be repaid to the banks along with an interest rate fixed by the banks. Many US universities do allocate specific grants for international students to support their tuition and living costs.

Besides providing the common funding options, a few universities provide ‘need-blind’ admissions for students with high merits, but who have few resources to support their education. Information about funding or scholarship is available at each university website. You can also check our scholarships page for more details.

Some of the popular scholarships that you can apply for are

Fullbright foreign student programme
Aga Khan foundation international scholarship programme
ETS TOEFL scholarships
British Council IELTS scholarship award for Indian student

Benefits of studying in the USA

World-class education.
A wide variety of research-centric science and technology courses.
Job-oriented management courses.
Scholarships and fellowships offered by institutions and the American government.
An American degree is highly valued by many employers around the world.
A vast country with varying landscape that offers a lot for a tourist and a nature lover.

So now you have all the basic information about studying in the USA. Do let us know if we can guide you further. Studying in the USA has been dreams of many international students since years. You can achieve it too!

List of Universities

Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California
Adelphi University, Garden City, New York
Agnes Scott University, Decatur, Georgia
Alvernia University, Reading, Pennsylvania
American Honors, Washington, D.C (National Transfer Network)
American University Washington D.C.
Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona
Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio
Atlantis University, Miami, Florida
Auburn University at Montgomery, Alabama
Auburn University, Alabama
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Bellevue College, Bellevue, Washington
Berkeley College, New Jersey & New York
Briar Cliff University, Sioux city, Iowa
California Baptist University, Riverside
California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California ( School of Management)
California State University, Bakersfield
California State University, Channel Islands
California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, Stanislaus
Canisius College, Buffalo, New York
Charleston Southern University, Charleston, South Carolina
Cleary University, Howell, Michigan
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois
Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota
Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas
DePaul University (Direct Entry and UG/PG Pathway)
DeVry University, Downers Grove, Illinois
Drew University, Madison, New Jersey
Drexel University, English Language Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Fisher College, Boston, Massachusetts
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida
Florida International University, Miami, Florida
Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, Florida
Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania
George Mason University, Fairfax County, Virginia
Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California
Graduate School at UMBC, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Green River College, Auburn, Washington
Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Florida
Hofstra University, Long Island, New York
Hult International Business School Boston, San Francisco campus
Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Johnson & Wales University, Providence, Rhode Island
Kaplan Test Prep, a division of Kaplan
Kendall College Chicago, Illinois
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan
Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee
Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York
Long Island University, Post, New York
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida
Manhattan College, Riverdale, New York
Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York
Marshall University Huntington, West Virginia
Marymount California University, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts (MCPHS University)
Mercer University, Macon, Georgia
Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas
Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi
Mississippi State University, Mississippi
Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri
Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri
Monroe College, Bronx, New York
Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky
National Louis University, Chicago, Illinois
National University, San Diego, California
Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln
New England College, Henniker, New Hampshire
New England Institute of Technology, East Greenwich, Rhode Island
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey
New York Film Academy, New York City
New York Institute of Technology, New York
Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts ‐D`Amore ‐ McKim School of Business, The College of Professional Studies (CPS)
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona
Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri
Northwood University, Midland, Michigan
Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, Georgia
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
Pace University, New York
Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington
Park University, Parkville, Missouri
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas
Point Park University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Purdue University Northwest, Indiana
Queens College of the City University of New York
Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut
Richard Bland College of William & Mary, Petersburg, Virginia (UG Pathway only)
Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
Rivier University, Nashua, New Hampshire
Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, Lakewood, Colorado
Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, Michigan
Saint Leo University, St. Leo, Florida
Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California
San Jose State University, San Jose, California
San Mateo College of Silicon Valley, San Mateo, California
Santa Ana College, California
Schiller International University, Largo, Florida
Seattle Central Community College, Seattle, Washington
Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington
Shoreline Community College, Washington
Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois
Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, New Hampshire
St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, New York
St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, Florida
State University of New York at Fredonia
State University of New York at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo)
State University of New York at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh)
State University of New York College at Old Westbury, New York
Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts
Summer Discovery. Discovery Internship and Jr. Internship.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Utica, New York
Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, Tennessee
Texas A & M University, Corpus Christi, Texas
Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, Texas
The State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz)
The University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio
The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
The University of Nebraska‐Lincoln
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tiffin University, Tiffin, Ohio
Trine University, Angola, Indiana
Troy University, Troy, Alabama
UMass Amherst
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Albany, The State University of New York, Albany (SUNY Albany
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Connecticut
University of California, Berkeley Extension, California
University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education
University of California, Irvine extension
University of California, Riverside, California
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma
University of Charleston, Charleston, West Virginia
University of Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Colorado Denver, Colorado
University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio
University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut
University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois
University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
University of Mary Hardin‐Baylor, Belton, Texas
University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts
University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL), Missouri
University of Nebraska, Kearney, Nebraska
University of Nevada, Reno
University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire
University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
University of Tampa, Florida
University of the Pacific, Stockton, California
University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
University of Wisconsin‐Eau Claire, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin‐‐Milwaukee
Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia
Virginia Wesleyan University, Norfolk, Virginia
Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
Webster University, Missouri
West Virginia State University, West Virginia
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts
Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington
Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio