Get the essential information and resources you need to study in the United States. Our comprehensive guide includes advice on visas, financial aid, finding the right university, and more. Start your journey to studying in America today.

1. Overview
USA: The World’s Top
International
Study Destination

2. Average Cost of Study
$45,000/ year
Type of Visa
F1, J1 and M1 visas
Exams Required
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GRE,
GMAT, etc.
Types of Degrees
Associate, Graduate (Master’s),
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s),
Doctoral (PhD)
Best Cities for Students
New York, San Francisco,
Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago,
Seattle, Washington DC, etc.
Language of Instruction
English
Average Cost of Living
$10,000 - $20,000/ year
Sources of Funding
Scholarships, aid and
part time jobs
Intakes
3 times a year – Fall, Spring
and Summer
Top Courses
Engineering & Technology, Fine
Arts Business & Management,
Physical and Life Sciences etc
All you need to know about pursuing
higher studies in the USA as an
international student.
USAAs Your Study
Destination
HIGHLIGHTS
*Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

3. 1.1 million international students join
US universities every year
Some of the world's top educational
institutions are located here
Degrees from US universities are
respected the world over
World-class STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, &
Mathematics) programs
Highly-regarded literature-arts
and related programs
Why the US is a Great Study Destination
Top Benefits of Studying in USA
Flexible Curriculum: The higher education system in the USA allows students
a lot of scope in choosing courses and program structure.
High Demand in the Job Market: Students from top US universities who
learn under their world-leading faculty have great job prospects
Thriving Student Life: US college & university campuses offer a wide range
of extracurricular activities.
Access to Advanced Research & Training Opportunities. US universities are
equipped with cutting-edge technologies & lab facilities, giving students
access to world-class instruction, research, and training.
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*Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

4. 2
Top Courses
Engineering & Technology Social Science
Business & Management Medicine
Marine Biology & Life Sciences Liberal Arts
Maths & Computer Science Law

5. Most Popular US Study Programs:
Program Duration
Average
Tuition Fees
BSc Nursing (BSN)
MBBS (BS + MD + Residency)
MPH
MSc Computer Science
MSc Data Science
MA Applied Economics
MBA
LLM
Electrical Engineering &
Computer Sciences
Geophysics
Journalism
Business Administration
Biophysics
4 years
8-10 years
1 to 2 years
1 to 2 years
1 to 2 years
2 years
2 years
1 years
1 years
5 years
4 years
3 years
2 years
$45,000/ year
$40,000/ year
$50,000/ year
$50,000/ year
$70,000/ year
$35,000/ year
$70,000/ year
$60,000/ year
$57,590/ year
$2,77,550/ year
$24,532/ year
$45,000/ year
$3,860/ year
*Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

6. There are about 4,500 accredited higher educational institutions in
USA‘s higher education system that offer three types of degree:
US Degrees You Can Get
Undergraduate Degree
Graduate Degree Doctorate Degree
Associate Degree
This is a Bachelor’s degree
Course duration: 4 years
This is equivalent to a diploma
Offered by community colleges
Course duration: 2 years
Duration: 5-8 years
Different Types of Institutions of Higher Education in USA :
Types of Institutions Key Points
State College or University
Private College or University
Community College
Institute of Technology
Subsidised by the local or state government
Run by private groups or organisations
Offers 2 year associate degrees or certificates
Offers graduate & short-terms programs in science & technology
This is a Master’s degree
Course duration: 2-3 years

7. All US universities follow the same credit system. The credits that a
student earns during the course are taken into consideration to
calculate the final result.
The Credit System in US Academics
Bachelor’s Degree Requirements:
3-5 credits per course
120-130 credit hours (approx.) to complete a
bachelor's degree
Master’s Course Requirements:
3-4 credits per course
30-64 credit hours (approx.) to complete a
master's degree
GPA (Grade Point Average) System:
Scale from 0.0 to 4.0
Grades for a semester are calculated based on:
A 4.0 represents an A grade and 0.0 is
equivalent to an F grade.
The marks for each course
The credits for that semester.

8. Top 10 Universities in USA
(with 2023 QS Ranking & Annual Tuition Fees)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
$50,000- $55,000
Stanford University
$25,000- $55,000
Harvard University
$25,000- $51,000
California Institute of Technology
$44,000- $57,000
University of Chicago
$55,000 - $59,000
University of Pennsylvania
$60,000 - $62,000
Princeton University
$58,000 - $60,000
Yale University
$58,000 - $78,000
Cornell University
$56,000 - $58,000
Columbia University
$56,000 - $60,000
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*Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

9. The requirements to study in USA for Indian (international)
students can be completed online. The admission process
is discussed step-by-step below
Admission Process
The US admission process can be a long and complicated task.
Selecting the right university can also be quite tricky.
To simplify these crucial steps for yourself, please contact our
career counsellors at GlobalDreamz.
1. Decide the course you want
to pursue and start searching
for the best universities that
offer the course.
2. After shortlisting the universities,
check the requirements & eligibility
criteria for each university on its
official website.
3. Start the application process.
Fill the application form, upload
all required documents and
certificates. Pay the application
fees.
4. Wait for the universities to revert.
Once selected, you will be sent an
I-20 form. It is the document that
you need to acquire your student
visa.

10. Admission Requirements
01 Associate Degree
High school transcript or equivalent
with an average of C grade
TOEFL iBT score 60
02 Bachelor’s Degree
12th standard certificate with
minimum GPA of 3. 60
TOEFL – 60 +
SOP
ACT/ SAT
03 Master’s Degree
Bachelor’s degree with minimum
CGPA 2.50
TOEFL – 80+
SOP, LORs, CV
GRE/ GMAT

11. Apartment housing
including utilities
Food
Dormitory housing
Books and supplies
Transportation
Miscellaneous
$21,710
$8,500
$7,588 -
$11,914
$2,180
$13,800
$1,000
The overall cost of studying in USA can be divided into two categories
(i) Tuition Fees and (ii) Cost of Living.
Cost of Studies
The cost of living for international students depends on:
Note: If you have a tight budget, opt for student accommodation.
(i) The type of living
(ii) Some unavoidable costs.
Cost of Living
*Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

12. With more than 50 states hosting world famous universities, the USA
offers many great options in terms of education and exposure:
Best Cities for Students
The tuition fees depend on:
(i) Your university (ii) Your course
Note: Public university fees are much lower than private ones.
Tuition Fees
Degree Type
Bachelors
Masters
$8,000 - $40,000
$10,000 - $60,000
Average Annual Tuition Fee
$22,000/ year
$20,000/ year
$21,000/ year
$20,000/ year
City
Boston
Chicago
New York
Los Angeles
San Francisco $20,000/ year
Average Cost of Living
*Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

13. Here’s a step-by-step guide for Indian students to get a US student visa.
If you follow it carefully, you will get your visa without any hassles
Visa
Apply to an SEVP approved institution and be accepted by a Student
& Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school in the US (6 to 12
months prior to US study).
After being accepted at an SEVP certified institution you will
receive an I-20 or DS-160 form. The form is a must to apply for an
USA student visa.
Once you have received your SEVIS form and paid the SEVIS fee,
you can book an appointment with a US consulate or embassy in
your country for a US student visa application.
The last step is to schedule & attend a USA student visa interview.
Go to the embassy or consulate website and check for all
required documents that you need to carry to the interview.
Pay the visa application fee. It is also known as the Machine
Readable Visa Fee, or ‘MRV fee’.
Pay your SEVIS fee at least 3 days prior to submitting your US visa
application. You may make the payment through online or a paper
form. The information about them can be accessed through US
Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) SEVP official website.
In all cases you’ll need to complete the visa application form
DS-160 through online mode. Select the location from which you
wish to apply & ensure you have all the documents & information
required for the application form.
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14. Reach your center at least 30 minutes prior
to your scheduled time of visa interview
Documents
& Personal
Details
Required for
the DS-160
Visa Form
Name and date of birth
Address and contact number
Passport details
Details of previous US travel
Your point of contact in the US
Family, work & education details
Details of travel plans, &
travel companions
Security, background and
medical health information
SEVIS ID & address of US school/
program you intend to enrol in (as
printed on I-20 or DS-2019 form)

15. International students are offered many scholarships to study in USA.
Most of them are based on merit or excellence in any extra co-curricular
activity. They may be government-funded or non-government ones, and
also university-specific ones as well. Some top scholarships for indian
students to study in USA:
Top Scholarships
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Awarded to: International Students for Graduate programs
Amount/ Benefit: Covers tuition fees, accommodation fee,
health insurance and airfare.
United World Colleges International Youth Scholarships
Awarded to: International students pursuing a bachelor’s degree
in the USA.
Amount/ Benefit: Full or partial fee waiver depending on the
funds available.
Rotary Peace Fellowships
Awarded to: International students pursuing a Certificate Program
or Masters’ Degree related to peace and conflict resolution.
Amount/ Benefit: Covers fees, accommodation, transportation,
and all internship and field-study expenses.

16. Clark Global Scholarship Program
Awarded to: International students pursuing a bachelor’s degree
and demonstrating financial need.
Amount/ Benefit: $15,000-$25,000
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
Awarded to: Students for Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Programs.
Amount/ Benefit: $12,000-$25,000
University Scholarships
Awarded to: Fully-funded scholarships offered by individual
universities for both graduate and undergraduate programs.
Most universities including Stanford, Yale, Harvard offer these
scholarships
Amount/ Benefit: Varies with the university and program
PEO International Peace Scholarship For Women
Awarded to: Female students pursuing graduate programs.
Amount/ Benefit: $12,500
GlobalDreamz can also help you secure loans for your studies at very
reasonable rates. For information about how to secure loans for your
studies abroad, please contact our counsellors .
*Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

17. Library Assistant
Research Assistant
Tutor
Department Assistant
Campus Tour Guide
Food Runner
Receptionist
$14
$17
$12
$13
$16
$13
$12
*Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.
If you have a student visa, you can opt for a part-time job in the US and
work for 20 hours work per week
There are two types of student employment: on-campus & off-campus.
On campus jobs are within the college/university campus.
Off-campus jobs are in other places affiliated to the institution
Students can undertake off-campus jobs under 4 categories: (i) Optional
Practice Training (OPT), (ii) Curricular Practical Training (CPT), (iii) Economic
Hardship and (iv) International Organizations.
Work Opportunities
Some popular part-time student jobs in USA

18. Most international students in USA hold the F-1, non-immigrant student
visa. This allows them to take up good lines of work in the USA after
completing their degree studies (i) Depending on the course & (ii) In
accordance with United States Citizenship & Immigration Service
(USCIS) guidelines and restrictions.
Job Outlook for International Students after Studies:
Post Study Work Options For
International Students In USA
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Area of Specialisation - Management
Median Annual Salary - $144,830
Area of Specialisation - Computer Science
Median Annual Salary - $126,830
Area of Specialisation - Chemical Engineering
Median Annual Salary - $108,540
Area of Specialisation - Statistics/Data Science
Median Annual Salary - $103,930
Median Annual Salary - $100,830
Area of Specialisation -
Electrical & Electronics Engineering
*Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

19. Once their F1 student visa extensions are over, students can live and work
in the US on an H-1B work visa for up to 6 years.
Having a green card allows individuals to apply for good jobs in the US.
Education at reputed US universities, and working and residing in the US,
can be truly life-changing. The positive impact of these experiences can
help you flourish in both the personal and professional spheres and
achieve your long-term life and career goals.
Our professional services can help make your journey to study abroad
USA easy. Feel free to reach out to GlobalDreamz Counsellors today!
Students wanting to stay in the US for more than 6 years can apply for a
green card to get permanent residency (PR). Students on F1 visas are
eligible to apply for a green card if they:
US Work (H-1B) Visa & PR
Receive Employer Sponsorship
Marry a US citizen
Seek Asylum
Participate in military service
Receive parent or child sponsorship

20. FAQ
When does the academic season in the US begin?
Ans: The academic year usually runs from August through May. Most
universities have a semester system (two terms), but some have a
trimester system (three terms).
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Is it possible to apply for Masters with a three-year Bachelors?
Ans: Most top universities require 4 years of undergraduate study. But
there are some universities (Even good ones) that accept three years. The
best option is to check the eligibility criteria for your shortlisted university.
2
Which English language test should I choose?
Ans: US universities generally accept both TOEFL and IELTS.
3
Where is the end date of CPT mentioned?
Ans: It is mentioned in the I-20 form. CPT needs to be a part of studies.
5
Which term? Fall or spring has better internship opportunities?
Ans: Fall has more internship opportunities. Students who enroll in spring
can’t fulfill the 9-month enrolment critereon for companies.
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21. How to get on-campus jobs in the U.S?
Ans: You should be proactive in terms of networking & volunteering.
Reach out to the university's career center for a job. Getting tips
from experienced seniors also helps.
6
Do I need to be careful about how long I work under CPT?
Ans: Yes, you should. If you work part-time under CPT for less than 12
months, you can still apply for OPT. However, if you have been working
full time under CPT for 12 months or more, you lose your eligibility for
an OPT.
8
What documents do I need to come back to the US after
receiving my EAD for OPT?
Ans: valid passport, valid F-1 visa, valid EAD card, letter of employment
including dates and salary, & all I-20s with page 3 endorsed to travel
by the student's international student advisor in the last 6 months.
10
While applying to on-campus jobs, what should I avoid
mentioning in my resume?
Ans: Your date of birth, religious preference, nationality, passport
number, and home address should not be mentioned in the resume.
7
Can I get my OPT after coming back to the US from my
home country?
Ans: No, if you did not get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
before leaving, you will not be allowed to take up OPT after returning.
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22. Can I work for more than 12 months through OPT?
Ans: Students can apply for an additional 24-month extension of the OPT
program if (i) They are employed by companies under the E-Verify program
or (ii) Are studying any of the following subjects: Actuarial Science, Computer
Science Applications, Engineering, Engineering Technologies, Life Sciences,
Mathematics, Military Technologies, Physical Sciences, and other STEM Desig-
nated Degree Programs
11
Will I be able to fit into US culture as an international student?
Ans: US universities welcome international students with open arms. They
provide great support with offices for international students and clubs for
students from each country. The activities and student clubs provide ways
for you to enjoy life on campus and integrate with others. Your exposure to
different cultures and types of people will help you grow as an individual.
13
Why is labor condition attestation (LCA) required for H-1B visas?
Ans: It ensures that you get salaries and benefits at par with your American
counterparts and you are not exploited by US companies.
12
Is the U.S. education system flexible?
Ans: You have the flexibility of working and pursuing extra-curricular activi-
ties while pursuing your course. Also, you can take up night classes if it isn't
feasible for you to take classes during the day (if, for example, you have a
job, or a child that you need to care for).
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