Discover top educational institutions across the United States offering quality programs for international students
World's Leading Destination for International Education
1000+ Prestigious Universities
The United States is a leading destination for international students, hosting prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Princeton University. Renowned for academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and distinguished faculty, U.S. universities consistently rank among the best worldwide. The country is home to elite business, law, and medical schools, with institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, Stanford, and the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) securing positions in the top 10 global rankings.
A remarkable 195 top U.S. colleges have earned spots in the QS World University Rankings 2025. With over 1,000 prestigious universities to choose from, international students have diverse opportunities for higher education in the United States. The cost of studying varies depending on the program and living expenses. The primary admission cycle, the Fall intake, begins in September and is the most popular academic session for students applying to U.S. universities.
The United States remains the top choice for international students due to the outstanding reputation of its educational institutions. With over 1,000 universities offering world-class undergraduate and graduate programs, students have access to diverse academic opportunities. Most top universities in the U.S. maintain a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, ensuring personalized learning experiences. Tuition fees vary significantly, ranging from approximately INR 92,000 to over INR 40 lakh, depending on the course and location. To secure admission to leading U.S. universities, applicants must fulfill specific entry requirements.
| Parameter | Statistics |
|---|---|
| No. of universities in USA | 1000+ |
| Tuition fees of universities in USA | Up to INR 10 L: 237 universities Over INR 40 L: 304 universities |
| Top 3 streams in USA | BE/BTech, BBA, and MBA/PGDM |
| English language exams required | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
| Entrance exams required | GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT |
| Best students cities in USA | Boston, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc. |
The United States is a top destination for international students due to its world-class universities, research-driven education system, vibrant student communities, and promising career opportunities. With prestigious Ivy League institutions, renowned academic programs, and various scholarship options, the U.S. provides an ideal environment for higher education.
Home to institutions consistently ranked among the world's best universities.
Leading in research funding and innovation across multiple disciplines.
Multicultural environment with students from around the world.
Strong alumni networks and connections with leading corporations.
One of the key attractions of studying in the U.S. is the opportunity to stay and work after graduation. Students who complete their degrees at top U.S. universities can apply for a post-study work permit. To be eligible, graduates must obtain a valid post-study work visa, allowing them to gain valuable professional experience in the country.
For international students studying in the U.S., part-time jobs play a crucial role in gaining work experience and managing expenses. Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions and up to 40 hours per week during breaks.
The United States remains the leading destination for international students pursuing higher education. To enroll in top U.S. universities, applicants must obtain a valid student visa. As per the USCIS report, over 300,000 Indian students applied to study in the U.S. in 2024, with projections indicating a 34% rise in applications compared to 2023.
| Component | Details | F1 Visa | J1 Visa | M1 Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEVIS Fee | Amount | USD 350 | USD 220 | USD 350 |
| Payment Methods | Credit Card, Money Order/Demand Draft | |||
| Currency | Dollars at applicable exchange rate as determined by the bank | |||
| MRV Application Fee | Amount | USD 185 | USD 185 | USD 185 |
| Payment Methods | NEFT Online Transfer, IMPS, Cash at Axis Bank/Citibank counters | |||
| Currency | INR at Exchange Rate Fixed by Consular Office (USD 1 = INR 83.18 as of Sept 6, 2023) | |||
Graduates from renowned U.S. universities secure employment in some of the country's top industries. According to reports, the healthcare sector offers the highest-paying jobs for graduates.
Medical professionals, researchers, administrators
Software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity
Property management, construction, architecture
Management, marketing, e-commerce, supply chain
Teaching, research, administration, EdTech
Based on the QS Best Student Cities 2025 rankings, 12 U.S. cities are listed among the world's top 100 student-friendly destinations. Many international students prefer universities in these cities due to their excellent academic environments, career opportunities, and quality of life. Notably, Boston and New York rank among the world's top 20 best student cities.
| Best Student Cities | Rank in the World by QS in 2025 | Key Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | 16 | Harvard, MIT, Boston University |
| New York | 18 | Columbia, NYU, Fordham |
| San Francisco | 29 | Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCSF |
| Los Angeles | 37 | UCLA, USC, Caltech |
| Chicago | 44 | University of Chicago, Northwestern |
The United States is home to many top-ranked universities in the world. These institutions are known for high rankings, quality education, and exceptional career opportunities.
| University | QS World Ranking 2025 | THE World Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 | 2 |
| Harvard University | 4 | 3 |
| Stanford University | 6 | 6 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 10 | 7 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 11 | 14 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 12 | 8 |
| Cornell University | 16 | 20 |
| University of Chicago | 21 | 14 |
| Princeton University | 22 | 4 |
| Yale University | 23 | 10 |
Universities in the USA offer Engineering programs in popular specializations like Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, etc.
| University | QS Subject Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 2 |
| Stanford University | 10 |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 15 |
| Purdue University | 17 |
Around 9 popular US universities are ranked under the top 20 Management Universities in the world, offering high-quality business and management courses.
| University | QS Subject Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 1 |
| Stanford University | 4 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 5 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 7 |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 13 |
The USA is the home of the top MBA universities in the World. Students can check the list of top MBA universities in USA below:
| MBA Universities in USA | QS MBA Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| Stanford Graduate School of Business | 1 |
| Penn (Wharton) | 2 |
| Harvard Business School | 3 |
| MIT (Sloan) | 4 |
| Columbia Business School | 8 |
| Northwestern (Kellogg) | 11 |
| UC Berkeley (Haas) | 13 |
| UCLA (Anderson) | 14 |
| Chicago (Booth) | 15 |
| Yale School of Management | 16 |
Many US cities rank among the top student cities in the world by QS Best Students Cities ranking 2024.
| Top Cities to Study in USA | Count of Universities |
|---|---|
| California | 132 |
| New York | 106 |
| Texas | 67 |
| Pennsylvania | 66 |
| Illinois | 51 |
US top universities offer courses in degree, certificate, and diploma levels for international students. There are around 956 degree, 85 certificates, and 9 diploma programs offered at US universities.
| Top 10 Courses in USA | Count of Universities |
|---|---|
| BE/BTech | 790 |
| BBA | 730 |
| MBA/PGDM | 679 |
| MS | 662 |
| BSc | 618 |
| BA | 413 |
| MA | 335 |
Some of the entrance exams accepted by US universities for MS courses are given as follows:
| Entrance Exam | Count of Universities |
|---|---|
| GRE | 523 |
| SAT | 86 |
| GMAT | 430 |
| ACT | 11 |
Students whose first language is not English must submit the score of any of the below English Language Proficiency test scores:
| English Language Exams | Count of Universities |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | 1024 |
| IELTS | 952 |
| PTE | 496 |
| Duolingo | 507 |
To complete the admission application, international students must submit the required documents to get into US Universities successfully. Below are the documents required as per the program:
| Documents | Bachelors Admission | Master's Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Academic | Must complete 12th-class education with the required score | A bachelor's degree is required for master's admission in the USA |
| English language test | IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo | IELTS/TOEFL/PTE |
| Standardized test scores | SAT/ACT | GRE/GMAT |
| Other documents | Resume, LORs, etc. | Academic transcripts, Proof of Finance, LOR, SOP, Resume |
International students have three main admission intakes to choose from when applying to universities in the USA:
The cost of education varies depending on the university, program, and location. Average first-year costs:
| First-Year Tuition Fee Range | Count of Universities |
|---|---|
| Max 10 lakhs | 343 |
| Max 20 lakhs | 776 |
| Max 30 lakhs | 925 |
| Max 40 lakhs | 986 |
| 40 lakhs + | 283 |
The cost of living ranges from INR 8.3L to INR 15L annually depending on the city. Below are the average monthly expenses in different cities:
| City | Monthly Expenses |
|---|---|
| New York | USD 3,300 (INR 2.7L) |
| California | USD 4,000 (INR 3.2L) |
| Boston | USD 3,316 (INR 2.8L) |
| San Francisco | USD 4,000 (INR 3.2L) |
| City | Monthly Expenses |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | USD 2,200 (INR 1.8L) |
| Philadelphia | USD 1,300 (INR 1.1L) |
| Texas | USD 2,000 (INR 1.7L) |
| Illinois | USD 1,470 (INR 1.2L) |
International students can access 1,382 scholarships in the USA for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Notable scholarships include:
| University Name | Name of Scholarship | Amount Offered |
|---|---|---|
| University of Houston | Jack and D'Ann Burke International Scholarship | Up to INR 82,940 |
| Transfer Possibilities Scholarship | Up to INR 12,38,250 | |
| California State University Chico Campus | California State University Chico Campus | Up to INR 9,12,340 |
| Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students | Up to INR 8,25,500 | |
| The University of Utah | The University of Utah- President's Scholarship | Up to INR 8,30,800 |
| The University of Utah- Flagship Scholarship | Up to INR 11,63,120 |
Some of the top job sectors for graduates in the USA are given as follows:
| Name of University | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USD 165,000 or INR 1.4 Cr |
| Harvard University | USD 175,000 or INR 1.5 Cr |
| Stanford University | USD 175,000 or INR 1.5 Cr |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | USD 155,000 or INR 1.3 Cr |
| University of Chicago | USD 82,000 or INR 68.1 L |
Both India and the USA have different education systems. In India, the teaching methods are more theoretical and the US Universities offer world-class facilities with research labs and modern equipment. US universities are more diverse, with students from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. In India, the student body is predominantly local.
Check below the list of Top Universities in India and Top Universities in the USA:
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Global Rankings: QS #1 | THE #2 | US News #2 | ARWU #3
MIT consistently ranks #1 globally in several disciplines including:
| Program | Annual Tuition | Duration & Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| MBA/PGDM | INR 36L - 79L | 9 months-3 years TOEFL: 90-100, GRE: 320+, GMAT: 700+ |
| MS (38 courses) | INR 36L - 79L | 9 months-5 years TOEFL: 90-100, IELTS: 7-7.5, GRE: 320+ |
| B.E./B.Tech | INR 52L - 54L | 4-5 years TOEFL: 90+, IELTS: 7+, PTE: 65+ |
4.52%
1,275 admitted from 28,232 applications
2%
120 admitted from 5,889 applications
Stanford, California, USA
| Course | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| MBA/PGDM (7 courses) | INR 35 L - 1 Cr | 9 months-2 years TOEFL: 100 & Above, GMAT, GRE |
| MS (37 courses) | INR 31 L - 1 Cr | 9 months-3 years TOEFL: 89 - 100, GRE, GMAT |
| M.A. (22 courses) | INR 26 L - 71 L | 12 months-2 years TOEFL: 89 - 100 |
| B.A. (37 courses) | INR 59 L | 4 years TOEFL, SAT, IELTS, Duolingo |
| B.E./B.Tech (13 courses) | INR 59 L | 4 years TOEFL, SAT, IELTS, Duolingo |
Berkeley, California, USA
The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) is one of the world's most renowned public land-grant research institutions. Known for its academic excellence, UCB consistently ranks among the top 30 global universities, making it highly sought-after by international students.
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| Course | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| MBA/PGDM (7 courses) | INR 18 L - 66 L | 9 months-2 years IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 100+, Duolingo: 125+ |
| B.A. (28 courses) | INR 51 L - 53 L | 4 years TOEFL, SAT |
| MS (25 courses) | INR 18 L - 66 L | 9 months-3 years TOEFL: 80 - 103, IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5, Duolingo: 125 - 130 |
| MD (1 course) | INR 60 L | 4 years IELTS: 7.5+, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo: 103+ |
| M.A. (16 courses) | INR 17 L - 64 L | 12 months-3 years TOEFL: 80 - 103, IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5, GRE, Duolingo: 125 - 130, GMAT, PTE: 70+ |
| B.Sc. (17 courses) | INR 51 L - 53 L | 4 years TOEFL |
| LL.M. (1 course) | INR 70 L | 1 year TOEFL: 100+ |
| B.E. / B.Tech (5 courses) | INR 53 L | 4 years TOEFL |
| BBA (1 course) | INR 53 L | 4 years TOEFL |
| PG Certificate (1 course) | INR 57 L | 2 years TOEFL: 95+ |
| M.Arch (5 courses) | INR 46 L - 52 L | 2 years-42 months TOEFL: 92+, GRE |
| M.Des (1 course) | INR 52 L | 2 years GRE, TOEFL: 92+ |
| MPH (1 course) | INR 58 L | 1 year IELTS: 7+, TOEFL |
| Others PG (3 courses) | INR 17 L | 18-24 months TOEFL: 100+ |
| MPA (3 courses) | INR 54 L | 1-2 years GMAT, GRE, IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 100+ |
| MEng (1 course) | INR 54 L | 2 years IELTS: 6.5+, TOEFL: 80+ |
3.4%
Overall Acceptance Rate
56,937
Total Applications
1,966
Students Admitted
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Global Rankings: QS #11 | THE #14 | US News #10 | ARWU #14
Class of 2028: 5.4% (3,508 admitted out of 65,236 applications)
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Established: 1876
For Class of 2027:
New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Established: 1701
Pasadena, California, USA
Established: 1891
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a world-renowned private research university known for its strong emphasis on science and engineering. With a highly selective admission process and a low student-to-faculty ratio, Caltech offers an intensive academic environment focused on innovation and research.
Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| Course | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| MBA/PGDM (7 courses) | INR 18 L - 66 L | 9 months–2 years IELTS: 7–7.5, TOEFL: 100+, Duolingo: 125+ |
| B.A. (28 courses) | INR 51 L - 53 L | 4 years TOEFL, SAT |
| MS (25 courses) | INR 18 L - 66 L | 9 months–3 years TOEFL: 80–103, IELTS: 6.5–7.5, Duolingo: 125–130 |
| MD (1 course) | INR 60 L | 4 years IELTS: 7.5+, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo: 103+ |
| M.A. (16 courses) | INR 17 L - 64 L | 12 months–3 years TOEFL: 80–103, IELTS: 6.5–7.5, GRE, Duolingo: 125–130, GMAT, PTE: 70+ |
| B.Sc. (17 courses) | INR 51 L - 53 L | 4 years TOEFL |
| LL.M. (1 course) | INR 70 L | 1 year TOEFL: 100+ |
| B.E. / B.Tech (5 courses) | INR 53 L | 4 years TOEFL |
| BBA (1 course) | INR 53 L | 4 years TOEFL |
| PG Certificate (1 course) | INR 57 L | 2 years TOEFL: 95+ |
| M.Arch (5 courses) | INR 46 L - 52 L | 2 years–42 months TOEFL: 92+, GRE |
| M.Des (1 course) | INR 52 L | 2 years GRE, TOEFL: 92+ |
| MPH (1 course) | INR 58 L | 1 year IELTS: 7+, TOEFL |
| Others PG (3 courses) | INR 17 L | 18–24 months TOEFL: 100+ |
| MPA (3 courses) | INR 54 L | 1–2 years GMAT, GRE, IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 100+ |
| MEng (1 course) | INR 54 L | 2 years IELTS: 6.5+, TOEFL: 80+ |
New York, New York, USA