The United States of America stands as the premier destination for Indian 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 are the top fields preferred by international students to study abroad:
Check where your favourite American university ranks
| Harvard University | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | University of California, Berkeley | University of Pennsylvania |
| California Institute of Technology | Columbia University | Cornell University |
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:
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:
| Name of the UK scholarship | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
S.No. |
Name of the scholarship |
Description |
|
1 |
Fulbright- Nehru Fellowships (Government-funded) |
Applicable for Indian 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 Indian 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 Indian 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 our USA Education Consultants for more details and get 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:
| Expense | 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
We know you have a lot of questions in your mind, so have answered common questions students as you raise about studying and living in the US.
1. How much will it cost to study in USA?
In the United States, universities are divided into two main categories: Public/State and Private institutions. Public/State universities generally have lower tuition fees compared to their private counterparts. The cost of your education depends on various factors, such as the type of qualification you pursue and the specific university or school you choose to attend. On average, you can expect to spend approximately $8,000 to $55,000 (USD) per year for tuition fees.
For specific programs, the estimated costs are as follows: English language studies range from $700 to $2,000 per month, community colleges range from $6,000 to $20,000 per year, undergraduate bachelor's degrees range from $20,000 to $40,000 per year, graduate programs range from $20,000 to $45,000 per year, and doctoral degrees range from $28,000 to $55,000 per year. These figures serve as an indication of the approximate expenses involved in pursuing higher education in the United States.
2. What is the duration of foundation or diploma programs in the US?
Typically, the duration of these programs in the US is one year, during which you will need to achieve satisfactory grades to progress to the first year of your bachelor's degree. The majority of these programs commence in September as the main intake. However, in certain cases, there may be multiple intakes available if your chosen foundation provider in the USA offers such provisions.
3. Can I work in USA during and after studies?
The US education system provides Indian students enrolled in US institutions with the opportunity to engage in co-ops, internships, part-time, and even full-time jobs. However, Indian students require authorisation from the relevant authorities, which can be obtained through their school's international office or the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). There are three types of employment authorisation options available for Indian students, namely Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and on-campus employment.
4. What are the popular scholarships to study in the US?
Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to study in the US as an Indian student:
1. Fulbright- Nehru Fellowships
2. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
3. #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
4. IEFA
5. AAUW International Fellowships
5. How can I go to US for studies?
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