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