Study in the United States — Your Complete 2026 Guide

Tuition fees range from $20,000 to $55,000 per year depending on the university and programme. Ivy League and top private universities charge $50,000–$60,000/yr for undergrad. STEM Master's programmes typically cost $25,000–$45,000/yr. Living costs add $12,000–$30,000/year depending on whether you are in a major city like New York or San Francisco, or a college town like West Lafayette or Urbana-Champaign. Total annual cost: $35,000–$90,000 per year.

To get an F-1 student visa: (1) Get accepted to a SEVP-approved US university; (2) Receive your I-20 form from the university; (3) Pay the SEVIS fee ($350); (4) Complete the DS-160 online visa application; (5) Schedule and attend a visa interview at the US Consulate in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or New Delhi; (6) Bring your I-20, DS-160 confirmation, SEVIS receipt, proof of financial support, passport photos, and academic documents. Processing typically takes 2–8 weeks. Apply at least 3 months before your programme start date.

OPT (Optional Practical Training) allows F-1 students to work in the USA for 12 months after graduation in a role related to their field of study. No employer sponsorship is needed — you apply through your university's international office. STEM OPT is a 24-month extension available to graduates in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Combined, STEM graduates get 3 years of US work authorisation on an F-1 visa. Many students use STEM OPT to secure H-1B sponsorship from US employers.

Top US universities for South Asian students include: MIT (QS #1) for STEM and engineering; Harvard (#4) for business, law, and medicine; Stanford (#5) for tech and entrepreneurship; Carnegie Mellon (#65) for CS and AI; UC Berkeley (#12) for STEM and research; Columbia (#33) for finance, journalism, and urban studies; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for CS and engineering at lower cost; Purdue University for engineering and agriculture. For budget-conscious students, state schools like UT Austin, UNC Chapel Hill, and Georgia Tech offer excellent value at $20,000–$35,000/yr tuition.

Yes, with restrictions. F-1 students can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and full-time during breaks. Off-campus work requires authorisation — either Curricular Practical Training (CPT, for internships required by your programme) or OPT. Unauthorised off-campus work violates visa status and can lead to deportation. Many universities have on-campus jobs in libraries, research labs, and administrative offices. Graduate research assistantships and teaching assistantships often include tuition waivers and stipends.

GRE requirements vary by programme. For top STEM Master's programmes (MIT, Stanford, CMU, Georgia Tech), competitive scores are Verbal 155+, Quantitative 165+, AW 4.0+. Many universities have made GRE optional post-2020, including MIT, Harvard, Columbia, and UC Berkeley for most graduate programmes. MBA programmes require GMAT (650+ for top schools) or GRE. Some programmes, particularly CS and engineering, still prefer strong Quant scores (165–170). Always check the specific programme's requirements — many no longer require GRE at all.

Yes, for most STEM and business students. The USA offers the world's highest graduate salaries — average STEM starting salary of $85,000–$110,000/yr versus £35,000–£50,000 in the UK or CAD $70,000–$85,000 in Canada. STEM OPT gives 3 years of US work rights, and H-1B pathways to long-term residency remain viable. The drawbacks: higher tuition ($30,000–$55,000/yr vs £12,000–£25,000 in UK), more competitive admissions, and immigration uncertainty. Canada is better for those prioritising PR pathways. UK is better for 1-year Master's efficiency. USA wins on earning potential and global career recognition.

The cheapest states for international students combine lower tuition at public universities with lower living costs. Top affordable options: Indiana (Purdue University: ~$28,000/yr tuition, living costs $800–$1,000/mo in West Lafayette); Illinois (UIUC: ~$32,000/yr tuition, Urbana-Champaign is very affordable); Texas (UT Austin, Texas A&M: $32,000–$38,000/yr, cities like Austin have mid-range living costs); North Carolina (UNC Chapel Hill, NC State: $34,000/yr, moderate living costs); Georgia (Georgia Tech: $33,000/yr, Atlanta has reasonable rents for a major city). Avoid New York and California state schools unless attending an elite programme — living costs ($2,000–$2,500/mo) offset any tuition savings.