USA
The United States, also known as the U.S. or America, is a sovereign country in North America composed of 50 states. It is bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south, while Alaska is separated from the other states and is bordered by Canada to its east and south and by Russia to its west. Hawaii is a set of islands located in the mid-Pacific. The capital city is Washington, D.C, and the largest city is New York City. With a population of 331 million people, the United States is the third most populated country in the world and has an area of 3.79 million square miles. The country has a diverse range of climates, including humid continental, humid subtropical, tropical, semi-dry, alpine, desert, Mediterranean, and oceanic. Extreme weather is not uncommon, with the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico prone to hurricanes and most tornadoes happening within the country’s Midwest Tornado Alley.
Top universities to study in the USA (QS Ranking 2023)
| 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 |
Intakes available in the USA
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
Starts in the month of September
Spring
Starts in January
Summer
Starts around May
Cost to study in the USA
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 |
Top courses to study in the USA
Here are the top fields preferred by international students
Engineering and computer
science courses
Life science courses
Business management courses
Student visa requirements for the USA
J Exchange Visa (J-1)
for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study
F-1 Student Visa
To study at an accredited US college or university or to study English at an English language institute
M Student Visa (M1)
For non-academic or vocational study or training in the US
Scholarships to study in the USA
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
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
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
You Are Welcome Here 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
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
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