How to Study in the USA: A How-to-Guide for Indian Students
The United States of America (USA) is the most preferred and the most prestigious study destination for Indian students who like to study abroad. The USA hosts over 200,000 Indian students annually with its world-renowned universities, state of the art research centers, flexible educational programs, and exceptional career prospects.
The education system of the US is characterized by academic flexibility, interdisciplinary studies, innovation, and good connectivity with industries. Whether You plan to become an engineer, a computer scientist, a business graduate, a healthcare expert, a data scientist, or a researcher, studying in the USA will provide career opportunities in all countries of the world and long-term professional development.
This is a comprehensive guide that covers all that Indian students should know about studying in the USA: admissions, cost, best universities, scholarships, visas, employment opportunities, student life, and more.
The Rationale of Indian Students to Choose the USA
Indian students choose the USA due to its international educational portability, variety of programs, and good returns on investment.
The reasons why you should study in the USA include:
- The largest proportion of the world’s leading universities is in it (more than 50%).
- Accident-free campus with optional major and elective choices.
- Intense emphasis on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
- Good career and well-paying jobs.
- Work during studies (part-time).
- OPT after studying up to 3 years (STEM)
- Internationally accredited courses.
- Indian massive student population.
The USA also provides academic freedom, multiculturalism and professional networking opportunities that are unparalleled for Indian students.
Quick Facts About the USA
Feature | Details |
Capital | Washington, D.C. |
Top Cities to Study | New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco |
Popular Fields | Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Data Science |
Tuition Fees | ₹20–45 lakh/year |
Living Cost | ₹80,000–1,50,000/month |
Intakes | Fall, Spring, Summer |
Scholarships | University & private-funded |
Education System in the USA (Indian Student-Friendly)
The US education system is much more flexible and student-focused, which means that students can customize programs to their career aspirations.
Study Levels:
- Associate Degree: 2 years
- Bachelor’s: 4 years
- Master’s: 1.5–2 years
- PhD: 4–6 years
Types of Institutions:
- Public Universities: Low-cost, research-based.
- Private Universities: High, elite.
- Community Colleges: Cheap transfer routes.
The primary intake is the Fall (August-September).
Top Majors to Pursue in the USA as an Indian student.
The USA is the world leader in STEM education, management, healthcare, and innovation.
Popular Programs:
1. Computer Science & IT
Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering.
2. Engineering
Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Aerospace, Robotics.
3. Business & Management
MBA, Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics.
4. Data Science & Analytics
Machine Learning, Big Data, Cloud Computing.
5. Health Sciences
Public Health, Biotechnology, and Biomedical Engineering.
6. Media, Design & Arts
Film, Animation, UX/UI Design
Indian Student Admission Requirements
For Bachelor’s:
- Class 12 completion
- SAT/ACT (not mandatory in most universities)
- IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL
- SOP + extracurriculars
For Master’s:
- Accepted a bachelor’s degree.
- GRE (exempted in most colleges)
- IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL
- SOP + Resume + LORs
Common Documents:
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- English proficiency scores
- Portfolio / resume (where applicable)
Apply 6–10 months before intake.
Indian Student F-1 Visa to USA
Indian students get the F-1 Student Visa.
Documents Required:
- I-20 from a US institution
- SEVIS fee receipt (US$350)
- Valid passport
- Monetary evidence (1 year tuition + living)
- Academic documents
- Visa interview confirmation.
Visa processing time: Interview-based; approval in most cases on the same day.
Cost of Studying in the USA
Average Tuition Fees:
Bachelor’s | ₹20–35 lakh |
Master’s | ₹25–45 lakh |
MBA | ₹40–70 lakh |
PhD | Often fully funded |
There are numerous PhD programs with tuition waivers + stipends.
Indian Student Living Costs in the USA
Expense | Monthly Cost (USD) | Approx INR |
Rent | 700–1,500 | ₹60,000–1,25,000 |
Food | 300–500 | ₹25,000–40,000 |
Transport | 70–150 | ₹6,000–12,000 |
Utilities | 100–150 | ₹8,000–12,000 |
Personal | 150–250 | ₹12,000–20,000 |
The cost of living is highly state and city-dependent.
Best Universities in the USA for Indian Students
QS Rank 2026 | University | Avg Fees (USD) | Best Programs |
1 | 55,000–60,000 | Engineering, AI | |
3 | 55,000–60,000 | Technology | |
5 | 55,000–60,000 | Business, Law | |
=17 | 45,000–50,000 | Engineering | |
=15 | 43,000–48,000 | Science, Arts | |
55 | 55,000–60,000 | Business, Data |
Degrees are universally accepted and employable.
Scholarships for Indian Students in the USA
Government and Non-government Scholarships:
- Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship
- Inlaks Scholarship
- Tata Scholarships (Cornell)
University Scholarships:
- Merit-based tuition waivers
- Graduate assistantships
- Research assistantships
Benefits Include:
- Tuition reduction
- Monthly stipend
- Research funding
Apply early (8–12 months).
Study Intakes in the USA
Intake | Months | Notes |
Fall | Aug–Sep | Main intake |
Spring | Jan | Limited programs |
Summer | May | Few courses |
Work and Post-Study Opportunities
- On-campus work: 20 hrs/week
- CPT: Study-based internships.
- OPT: 12 months (Non-STEM)
- OPT: 36 months (STEM)
- H-1B: Work visa after OPT
Graduate employment in the USA is considered to be among the top-paying in the world.
Student Accommodation
Accommodation is a major requirement for students after getting enrolled in the United States of America. The USA is one of the most developed nations in the world, so here you find world-class facilities in student accommodations also. In accommodation complexes, students find swimming pools, study and conference rooms, gyms, cinemas, games rooms, sports courts, and a lot of other facilities which many students don’t even find in their residential area. The basic features like Wi-Fi, furniture, kitchen appliances, TV, and more are needless to mention. Moreover, there is a wide range of accommodation types available here, including university halls, purpose-built private accommodations for students, homestays, and private apartments. There are different variants of accommodations also available, such as ensuite rooms, non-ensuite rooms, shared rooms, studios, flats, and townhouses. Ensuite rooms are the rooms with private rooms for students, along with shared kitchens and an ensuite bathroom. Non-ensuite rooms are also private rooms, but with shared bathrooms and shared kitchens. Shared rooms are occupied by multiple occupants with shared bathrooms and shared kitchens. Studios are self-contained units for one or two residents with attached bathroom, living area, open kitchen area, and more. Townhouses and flats can be shared, or ensuite and several flats accommodate multiple students in bedrooms. Many of the flats also offer ensuite bathrooms with bedrooms, while others offer shared bathrooms for all. Kitchens and other areas in such flats are shared.
These accommodations can be booked through distinct services. We also provide the services to book accommodation via online options from distant places.
US Experience
It is a known fact that studying in the USA is a dream of a large number of students across India. In fact, the largest number of Indian students who choose to study abroad prefer to study in Canada and the USA. After that, they prefer other nations. The United States of America gives them a great experience of living in one of the most technologically advanced countries and the biggest superpower in the world. In the USA, students get all the big facilities without a second thought. Besides, the USA is a multicultural society, and therefore, they find the people from different countries and cultures. There are a large number of Indians already there, so Indian students can meet their own countrypersons easily. In fact, there are areas in the US which are known as “little India” enclaves. Some examples include Oak Tree Road (Edison/Iselin, New Jersey), India Square (Jersey City, New Jersey), Jackson Heights (Queens, New York), Little India (Artesia, California), Sunnyvale/Fremont/San Jose (San Francisco Bay Area, California), Devon Avenue (Chicago, Illinois), and Hillcroft Avenue (Houston, Texas).
Besides, there is a great scope of tourism in the USA. Students can also visit distinct places in the USA during their years of studies. As a matter of fact, they have more opportunities for travel compared to tourists since they have to live in this nation for years.
Final Note
The USA has the best academic standards, career development, and international exposure that foreign students can find anywhere in the world, and it is the best place to be as an ambitious student.
Cost of Living in USA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Well-ranked colleges, courses at will, and good employment opportunities are the major reasons to study in the USA.
Yes, however, with scholarships, assistantships, and OPT, it is worth it.
Tuition fees vary depending on the course you choose. They can be between ₹700000 and ₹7000000 (seven lakhs to seventy lakhs).
The total cost of living in the United States of America is from US $1,320 to US $2,550 per month. In INR, it is around ₹1.11 lakh to ₹2.09 lakh per month.
For an F-1 visa, you need to pay US $185 as well as a mandatory US $350 SEVIS I-901 fee.
Yes, on-campus during studies and in roles like Federal Work Studies. They can work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during the term break.
All graduates are eligible to receive OPT; STEM students receive 3 years.
Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Business, and Data Science.
Yes, there is good campus security and student support in universities.