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The United States of America stands as the premier destination for international students globally, drawing the largest number from across the world. Renowned for its high-quality education, innovative curriculum, and vibrant multicultural environment, the U.S. offers unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth. These compelling attributes continue to make it the top choice for many Indian students seeking to broaden their horizons and achieve their dreams.
Here’s why the US is the best destination to study abroad:
Global Leadership in Higher Education: The U.S. is home to 10 of the top 20 universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025, demonstrating its global leadership in higher education.
Diverse Educational Opportunities: With over 4,000 higher education institutions, ranging from large research universities to small liberal arts colleges, the U.S. offers a wide spectrum of academic and social environments to fit a variety of student needs and interests.
Research and Innovation: The U.S. leads the world in research and development spending. U.S. universities are at the forefront of research, technology, and innovation, providing students with opportunities to work alongside distinguished faculty on transformative projects.
Cultural Diversity: The U.S. hosts more international students than any other country in the world, with over 1 million foreign students.
Career Opportunities: Many education programs in the U.S. are aligned with industry needs, providing practical experience through internships and training with leading global corporations. This practical emphasis is reflected in the strong employability rates of graduates.
Flexible Curriculum: U.S. universities often provide flexible course options that allow students to tailor their studies to their specific interests and career goals, encouraging a broader educational experience and fostering innovative thinking.
Support Services for International Students: U.S. universities offer robust support systems for international students, including orientation programs, English language classes, and assistance with visa status and employment opportunities, making the transition easier for those from abroad
Here are the top fields preferred by international students to study abroad:
Engineering and computer science courses
Life science courses
Business management courses
Check where your favourite American university ranks
S.No. | Institution | QS Ranking 2025 |
1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 |
2 | Harvard University | 4 |
3 | Stanford University | 5 |
4 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 10 |
5 | University of Chicago | 11 |
6 | University of Pennsylvania | 12 |
7 | Cornell University | 13 |
8 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 15 |
9 | Yale University | 16 |
10 | Princeton University | 17 |
Check where these American universities rank on the Times Higher Education charts.
Unlike a single intake in Indian universities, American colleges and universities offer three intakes. In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. The three intakes available in the US are:
Fall: A popular intake among Indian students, The Fall intake starts in the month of September
Spring: Starts in January; it’s best if you miss the September intake
Summer: Available for limited programs and colleges, the Summer intake usually starts around May
Universities in the US are majorly divided into two categories – Public/State and Private. The education cost at a public/state university is comparatively lesser than that of a private institution. Your expenditure on tuition fees depends on the type of qualification and university or school you opt for. To cover tuition fees, you will need approx. $8,000 to $55,000 (USD) a year (indicative).
School | Tuition fees in USD (indicative) |
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 |
The amount of money available and the type of award varies between institutions. Certain research programs may provide up to 100% of the tuition fee besides covering a part of your living expenditures.
Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to study in the US as an Indian student:
S.No. | Name of the scholarship | Description |
1 | Fulbright- Nehru Fellowships (Government-funded) | Applicable for international students who are applying to master’s or PhD programs; this scholarship covers tuition fees, accident and sickness coverage as per US guidelines, airfare, and living costs |
2 | Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program (Government-funded) | This program is a part of the Fullbright program and aims to bring an accomplished young and mid-career professional from a developing country to study in the US for 10 months of non-degree graduate study and related practical experience |
3 | #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship (Non-Government scholarship) | It’s a scholarship and social media campaign designed to welcome international students into the US higher education system irrespective of the subject area |
4 | UEFA (Non-Government scholarship) | This is a summer program sponsored by Abbey Road Inc. which grants scholarships to 14-18 aged high school student that shows exemplary performance in their academics and extracurricular activities |
5 | AAUW International Fellowships (Non-Government scholarship) | These fellowships are awarded to international women students for full-time study and research in the US. It supports both graduate and post-graduate students accredited in the US institutions |
*This is an indicative list, speak with your IDP expert for details and the best available options suited to your profile
Please note: An MBA degree can cost significantly more, as can professional programs such as law, medicine, dentistry, some design programs, etc. Most doctoral degrees are 100% funded through research/teaching assistantships, research aid and bursaries
If you want to bring down your educational expenses, it is best to apply to various U.S scholarships available for Indian students.
The US Government offers three different student visa types:
S.No. | Types of student visa | Description |
1 | F-1 Student Visa | to study at an accredited US college or university or to study English at an English language institute |
2 | J Exchange Visa (J-1) | for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study |
3 | M Student Visa (M1) | for non-academic or vocational study or training in the US |
*For detailed information, please visit the US Government’s Department of State website.
The U.S. is known for its world-renowned education system and dynamic student experiences. Here are some of the top student cities in the U.S., as highlighted by the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2025, each offering a distinct mix of academic quality and vibrant lifestyle opportunities:
City | Rank |
Boston | 16 |
San Francisco | 29 |
Los Angeles | 37 |
Chicago | 44 |
Philadelphia | 65 |
San Diego | 69 |
Washington DC | 70 |
In the US, living costs 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:
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 |
*Note: All costs are indicative and may vary from region to region