Study in USA for Indian Students : Top Universities, Courses, Costs, Scholarships & Placements

Study in USA offers great learning and career opportunities to Indian students looking to complete their higher studies abroad. Benefits of studying in the USA include global recognition, the opportunity to study in top universities, highly advanced infrastructure, and high return on investment (ROI). Popular courses in the USA include Engineering, Business Management, Medicine, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Nursing, etc. The higher studies course duration in US universities ranges from 2 to 6 years. 

The USA has some of the world’s top universities, like Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, etc. Admissions to the available universities require entrance exams like the GMAT, GRE, MCAT, SAT, etc. Along with that, Indian students must clear English proficiency exams like IELTS and TOEFL to study in the USA. 

The tuition fee at the popular US universities ranges from ₹20,75,000 to ₹37,35,000 per year. Monthly expenses for Indian students in the country can range from ₹93,800 to ₹2,19,950.  Scholarships for studying in the USA can cover up to 100% of the tuition fees and living costs. 

There are three intake seasons for study in USA– fall, spring and summer. Out of these, the fall intake is the primary intake period and is held in November. The spring intake usually begins in January, and the summer intake begins in March every year. 

Study in USA: Quick Highlights

The key highlights of studying in the USA for Indian students are illustrated below. 

Why Study in USA?

The following benefits of getting your degree from the USA make it a great option for Indian students:

• Top Universities: The USA has some of the top universities across the world, such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, etc. 
• Globally recognised degree: A degree from the USA has a very high global recognition. It can help you enhance your career opportunities or opportunities for higher education anywhere across the world. 
• Flexible higher education system: US universities offer a high flexibility when it comes to choosing subjects and the number of subjects you can study. 
• Wide range of options: You will find a wide range of subjects and universities in the USA for your higher studies. There are courses offering knowledge and skills in a wide range of career paths. 
• Highly advanced equipment and facilities: By studying in the USA, you will have access to cutting-edge technology and advanced infrastructure to enhance your learning. 
• Great return on investment: The high return on investment, as compared to many other destinations for higher studies, makes it worthwhile for Indian students to study in the USA. You will find great career opportunities in the USA and get opportunities to connect with industry experts and develop valuable contacts. 

What are the Admission Dates to Study in USA?

The season-wise beginning dates and deadlines for application to higher education courses in the USA are given in the table below. 

What are the Popular Courses to Study in USA?

The courses given below are some of the popular courses in the USA, along with their durations and degree types. 

How to Choose the Best Course to Study in USA?

You must consider the following factors to choose the best course across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D levels:

• Interests: Firstly, you must consider the courses in which you have an interest. Choosing such a course is crucial for gaining valuable knowledge and experience related to the career you are interested in. 
• Career goals: The course that you will select must provide the required skills and knowledge for your career goals. This is a key consideration to find the most valuable course as per your requirements. 
• Costs: Make sure to check the total estimated costs of studying the course you choose. This will be an important step for financially planning your study in USA. 
• ROI: Before choosing a course, you must consider the ROI that it offers. Choosing the course aligned with your career goals that has the best ROI will maximise your future job prospects and earning potential.

What are the Eligibility Criteria to Study in USA for Indian Students?

The following table shows the eligibility criteria for Indian students planning to complete their higher studies in the USA. 

What is the Admission Procedure to Study in USA?

You can complete the admission procedure to study in the USA with the following steps:

Step 1: Choose a University

There are approximately 4,000 universities in the USA for higher education. You must research the available options and find the ones best suited for your interests, career goals, and preferences. Since this can be a long process, you must start going through the options from a year before your planned departure to the USA. 

Step 2: Financial Planning

You must plan for your study in USA based on your finances. In order to do that, you must consider the tuition fees, accommodation charges, and living costs while studying in the country. Make sure to consider the financial assistance that you are eligible for. In this way, you must create a detailed financial plan for higher studies in the USA. 

Step 3: Apply for the Courses

You must start applying for higher studies in the USA 12 to 18 months before your departure. Go through the websites of your preferred universities to check their admission deadlines. Prepare academic transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, etc., based on the university’s requirements for the admission process. You can usually apply to courses through the official websites of the universities and submit the required documents and application fee through the application portal. 

The following are the documents required during admission to US universities across various courses:

• Class 10th and 12th marksheets
• Graduation certificate (for Master’s course admissions)
• Academic transcripts
• Application confirmation
• Bank statements
• IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo test results
• Resume/CV
• Letters of recommendation (LOR)
• Work experience certificate (for MBA or Master’s)
• Writing sample/ portfolio (for Arts and Journalism)
• Research proposal (for Ph.D candidates) 
• Extracurricular achievement certificates (if applicable)
• Medium of instruction (MOI certificate)
• Affidavit of support
• Valid passport
• Recent passport-sized photographs

Step 4: Apply for a Student Visa After Receiving the Admission Letter

Depending on your eligibility for the course, the university will send you an admission letter if you are selected. After that, you must apply for a student visa to go to the USA. You can fill out the visa application form and pay the visa application fee online. 

After the application, you will be required to appear for a visa interview at the visa application centre and at the US embassy or consulate. Based on the outcome of these two interview rounds, you will receive a student visa to study in USA. 

Step 5: Prepare for Going to the USA

Once you have obtained your student visa, you must make the necessary preparations for going to the USA. Book flight tickets at least three months before the scheduled date of departure. Apart from that, you must also arrange for accommodation if you want to live off-campus. Collect essential documents, get the required vaccinations and medical check-ups as per the regulations, and ensure your finances are in order. 

Step 6: Join the Student Orientation Program

Once you arrive in the USA, you must consider attending the student orientations held by the universities. Gather all the necessary information helpful for living in the USA and contact your Designated School Official (DSO) to complete check-ins. 

What are the Top Exams for Study in USA?

The top exams for studying in the USA depend on the specific course chosen by the student. Check the table below for the major exams for pursuing higher education in the USA. 

Which are the Best Destinations to Study in USA?

The best destinations to study in the USA are given in the table below, along with the number of universities they have. 

What is the Visa Process for Indian Students to Study in USA?

You can obtain a student visa for the USA as an Indian student with the following steps:

Step 1: Obtain an I-20 form

Once you receive an admission letter, the university will issue you an I-20 form. This form is available from all universities recognised by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Fill out the I-20 form and verify all the details you have entered in it. You will find the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) ID number in the form that will be used to track your status during your stay in the USA. 

Step 2: Pay the Institution-Specific SEVIS Fee

You must pay the SEVIS fee online after completing the SEVIS-I901 form through its official portal. The specific amount will depend on the institution where you have been accepted. Keep the receipt as proof of payment, which you must present during the visa interview.  

Step 3: Fill out the DS-160 Form

The DS-160 form is available online and asks for information regarding your travel to the USA. The details entered in it must match those entered in the I-20 form. After submitting the DS-160 form, print out the confirmation page for reference during the visa interview.   

Step 4: Pay the Visa Application Fee

You can pay the visa application fee online or through designated banks. The receipt of this payment will be required as proof of payment of the application fee, and you must get a printout of it. The visa application fee is non-refundable once you have paid it. 

Step 5: Visa Appointments

You will have to appear for two visa interviews, one at the visa application centre (VAC) and another at the US embassy or consulate. You can schedule appointments for these interviews if you have the receipt for the visa application fee payment. 

Step 6: Attend the Visa Interview with Documents

You must appear for the visa interview on the scheduled dates with the following documents:

• A valid passport
• Visa appointment confirmation
• DS-160 confirmation
• Form I-20
• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
• Any other supporting documents

Depending on the visa decision based on the interview, you will get a visa after a specific processing time. You will have to submit your passport for visa processing, and you will be notified to collect it.