Study in the USA: Universities, Costs and Intakes

• Very wide choice of universities and specialisations
• Flexible curricula and strong research opportunities
• Practical training options for F-1 students during and after study (CPT and OPT)
• Funding options such as assistantships at some graduate schools

Academic entry requirements

Admission is holistic: universities consider academic records, test scores where required, essays, recommendation letters and relevant experience. Many undergraduate programmes are now test-optional for the SAT/ACT, and some graduate programmes have dropped the GRE or GMAT — but others still require them. Always check each programme’s current policy.

English language requirements

Most universities accept TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic, and many also accept the Duolingo English Test. Minimum scores vary by university and programme, and some graduate departments set higher requirements than the university minimum.

Fall (August/September) is the main intake with the most programmes and funding options. Spring (January) is available at many universities, and a few programmes start in summer.

1. 112–18 months before: research programmes, plan any required tests (GRE/GMAT/SAT, English)
2. 29–12 months before: write essays/SOP and request recommendation letters
3. 36–10 months before: submit applications (many Fall deadlines fall between December and February)
4. 4After admission: submit financial documents and receive Form I-20
5. 5Pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview

Tuition differs greatly between public and private universities, and between programmes. Living costs depend heavily on the city. Your I-20 will show the university’s own estimate of total annual cost, which you must be able to document for the visa.

Indicative tuition (our database)

$25,000 – $65,000/year

Indicative living costs (our database)

$12,000 – $22,000/year

Indicative ranges only. Check each university’s fee page and the official visa funds requirement.

Funding at graduate level often comes as departmental scholarships, tuition waivers, or teaching and research assistantships. Undergraduate aid for international students varies a lot by institution. External programmes such as Fulbright-Nehru have their own eligibility rules.

• Knight-Hennessy Scholars ProgramStanford University
• Harvard Financial Aid — International StudentsHarvard University
• UC Berkeley Regents' and Chancellor's ScholarshipUniversity of California, Berkeley

Most degree students use the F-1 visa. After your university (an SEVP-certified school) issues Form I-20, you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, complete the DS-160 online application and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate in India. Consular officers decide each case individually.

Working while you study

F-1 students can usually work on campus within limits during term. Off-campus work is restricted and normally only possible through authorised practical training such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Speak to your university’s international student office before taking any job.

After graduation

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows eligible F-1 students to gain work experience related to their field, and graduates in eligible STEM fields may apply for a STEM OPT extension. Rules are set by US authorities and can change — check USCIS and your university’s guidance.

• Boston
• New York
• San Francisco Bay Area
• Chicago
• Los Angeles
• Seattle
• Dallas
• Atlanta

• Check whether the programme is STEM-designated if post-study training matters to you
• Compare total cost of attendance, not tuition alone
• Look for programme-level outcomes data published by the university