Image

Your dream to Study in
USA is closer than you think!

Learn all about higher education in the USA and seek expert advice from our team of counsellors!
Get Started for Free.

Your dream to Study in
USA is closer than you think!

Learn everything that you need to know to Study in USA and get end to end expert guidance from us.

Turn your Study Abroad Dream to Degrees Abroad in USA



+63


 

Study in USA from Philippines

The USA is widely recognised as the best study destination in the world. There are many reasons for the popularity of the USA as a study destination. There are many top-tier universities in the USA, and the country is known for its high standard of education. The US government also offers great post-study work opportunities, especially for STEM graduates. Top firms such as Amazon, Apple, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, etc., have a presence in the USA and recruit international graduates. Now, before dwelling deeper on the topic of why study in USA makes sense, let us take a look at some interesting facts about the country.

Key Facts to Study in USA
Primary Language English
Cost of study $8,000 to $50,000
Sources of funding Part-time work, Financial grants
Exams required IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo
Qualifications Diploma, certificate, vocational training, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral
Intakes Fall, Spring, Summer
Student Visa F-1 visa, M1 visa

The USA is also known for its cultural diversity. There are people from an array of different cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds in the USA. Thanks to this diversity, people from every community find acceptance in US society. The diversity also contributes to vibrant campus life at schools in the USA. Regardless of your university in the USA, you will be immersed in the American lifestyle and have different cultural experiences. Embrace these opportunities and be open to new people and ideas while you study in USA.

 

Benefits of Studying in USA

The USA has a larger international student population than any other nation in the world. The international student count has been on the rise in the USA over the last few years. A vast majority of foreign nationals who come for education in the USA are Asians. The number of foreign visitors with M-1 and F-1 student visas rose by around 70,000 in 2022 compared to the year before. California hosts the highest international student contingent in the country.

Do you want to be a part of the rising international student contingent in the USA? Well, why not?

Read on for more information about why studying in the USA is a top decision!

Schools in the USA offer an array of courses for international students to pick from. From STEM to the arts and humanities, you can choose the course structure and content of your preference in the USA, thanks to the country’s flexible academic system.

Further, universities in the US understand that international students face different challenges in terms of settling in and academics. This is why colleges in the US offer them assistance through student support services, orientation programs, training, and workshops.

15,000+

15,000+

Filipino student
20,000+

20,000+

Courses
1,000+

1,000+

Institutions
Almost every international student who undertakes an academic program holds an F-1 visa in the USA.

Almost every international student who undertakes an academic program holds an F-1 visa in the USA.

The US government allows eligible STEM graduates to work in the country for three years through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

The US government allows eligible STEM graduates to work in the country for three years through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

The USA is home to 198 universities that feature in the 2024 QS rankings and 179 institutions that appear in the 2023 THE rankings.

The USA is home to 198 universities that feature in the 2024 QS rankings and 179 institutions that appear in the 2023 THE rankings.

As per a recent SEVIS report, as of the start of 2023, the USA had 1.08 million foreign nationals holding active student visas.

As per a recent SEVIS report, as of the start of 2023, the USA had 1.08 million foreign nationals holding active student visas.

The tuition fees for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the USA range between $8,000 and $55,000, on average.

The tuition fees for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the USA range between $8,000 and $55,000, on average.

Want to know more about what it is like to study in USA?
Contact an AECC counsellor today!

The Education System in USA

There are five levels of education in the USA, including post-high school. Almost all international students come to the USA for postsecondary education. As a foreign national with an F-1 visa, you can pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at a US university or college.

Earning an undergraduate degree in the USA requires three to four years of study. Bachelor’s degree programs at most academic schools in the USA take four years to complete. These are called freshman year, sophomore year, junior year, and senior year. The USA is famous for its bachelor’s programs in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

On the other hand, earning a master’s degree at a US college generally takes two years of study. The humanities, sciences, and arts are among the most popular fields of study for master’s degrees in the USA. Most US universities require four-year bachelor’s degrees for admission to master’s programs, but there are some colleges accepting three-year bachelor’s qualifications as well.

Then there is a PhD in the USA, which generally takes four to six years to complete, including dissertation or thesis work for a couple of years. You complete a PhD in the US under a faculty advisor’s supervision and after defending your research work amidst the academics who evaluate it.

The USA also has an academic credit system based on the number of contact hours that you complete each semester. Completing a bachelor’s degree in the USA generally requires 120 or more credit hours; for almost every master’s degree, it is 40 credit hours.

University Intake Periods in USA

Some universities also describe the word “intakes” as “semesters”. There are three intake periods at universities in the USA: Fall, Spring, and Summer.

The fall intake in the USA usually begins in August, and it is the main intake here. It gives you a lot of time to be ready for the upcoming academic year and allows you to experience the year in its entirety. Further, there are more scholarships and courses to choose from in the fall intake.

The spring intake is for those who cannot join a university in the fall season in the USA. With classes for spring joiners starting in January or February, the intake is ideal if you need a bit more time for preparation for the rest of the academic year.

The summer intake is a lot less common than the other two intakes, but it offers many advantages to those who seek more academic flexibility. The environment for summertime classes is often more collaborative and relaxed. Besides, unlike in the fall or spring, the summertime intake may allow you to access research projects or internships.

At the end of the day, the right intake for you hinges on your requirements, academic goals, and preferences. It pays to research deeper about the topic and compare your available options to determine the best intake for you.

Intake Deadlines
Intake Name Usual Deadline to Apply
Fall Previous December or January
Spring Previous September or October
Summer May
 

Popular Courses in USA

There are a large number of colleges in the USA, which means you have many course options to pick from. STEM education in the USA is an attractive prospect for thousands of international students. This is primarily because STEM graduates in the US can extend their F-1 visa through the Optional Practical Training program. For the uninitiated, the acronym STEM stands for the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) is another popular educational strand in the USA. Here is a full list of popular courses for your reference: 

However, the best course for you may be different from the right program for someone else. Therefore, please do not decide using the following options alone.

Best Universities in USA

The USA has many top-tier universities with innovative research, famous graduates, awards, and academics and students from across the globe. But which universities in the USA outrank the others?

Here, we will look at some of the best American universities based on the rankings from QS and Times Higher Education. However, it is important to note that there are also other service providers, such as US News & World Report, with credible university rankings. All the ranking service providers rely on each institution’s independent presentation of information and data and do not corroborate or standardise the information.



University Name



Best Known For



Popular Courses


QS Rankings


THE Rankings

Carnegie Mellon University

  • Award-winning academics
  • Groundbreaking research
  • A vast alumni network
  • Fine arts
  • Engineering
  • Information systems

52

28

Duke University

  • Spacious campus
  • Student-to-faculty ratio
  • Research powerhouse
  • Arts
  • Public policy
  • Law

57

25

The University of Arizona

  • Scenic location
  • Association of American Universities member
  • Outstanding services and facilities
  • Archaeology
  • Earth and marine sciences
  • Philosophy

285

180

Iowa State University

  • One of the most stunning campuses in the US
  • Association of American Universities member
  • Student-centric culture
  • Engineering and technology
  • Natural sciences
  • Arts and humanities

400

401 to 500

Colorado State University

  • Colorado students’ choice
  • World-class research
  • Rewarding and enriching learning experience
  • Veterinary medicine
  • Occupational therapy
  • Construction management

409

401 to 500

The aforementioned list contains some of the best universities in America, but it pays to think about other options too. The institution that best suits your portfolio, interests, and preferences may have a lower rank than the above-mentioned schools in the USA, but this does not make it any lesser.

Do you find it tricky to determine which school is best for you to study in USA? If so, contact an AECC counsellor today and avail yourself of our FREE counselling on how to choose the best school for higher education in the USA for international students.

 

Requirements for Studying in USA

Do you plan on pursuing a degree in the USA? If so, it is important to understand the criteria for admission that apply to the level of study you plan to pursue. Read further for some general information about USA university admission criteria for the three main levels of study in the USA.

Bachelor’s Level:

  • Higher secondary pass, with some of the best US-accredited universities requiring an overall score of 80% or above
  • English language proficiency
  • Statement of purpose

Master’s Level:

  • A qualification that equals a US bachelor’s degree, with a GPA of 3.0 on average
  • English proficiency
  • Statement of purpose
  • Work experience (only for select programs)

Doctoral Level (PhD):

  • A master’s degree, with a GPA of 3.0 or above, or 16 years of education that includes a four-year bachelor’s degree
  • English proficiency
  • A score of 310 to 330 in the GPA or a GMAT score that equals it

 

In need of expert assistance in entering a university in USA?
AECC’s free assistance and end-to-end services are only a click away. Avail yourself of our FREE services and simplify your study abroad journey!
 

Cost of Studying in USA

Tuition fees cover a good part of the cost of studying in the USA. The average tuition fee at academic schools in the USA is $45,000 a year for foreign nationals. However, your university location and field of study play a large role in determining the fees to pay for a degree in the USA. Here is a table showing a breakdown of tuition fees for the three main university programs in the US.
Level of Study Annual Tuition Fees
Bachelor’s Degree $8,000 to $40,000
Master’s Degree $10,000 to $55,000
PhD $25,000 to $55,000
There is a wide range of scholarships at US-accredited universities for students who have financial concerns. Depending on your requirements and personal circumstances, you can pursue a particular scholarship. University scholarships cover common expenses associated with studying in the USA, such as tuition fees and the cost of accommodation.
 

Cost of Living in USA

The other factor that affects the cost of education in the USA is living expenses. There are many different elements that play a role in determining the cost, including your accommodation type, lifestyle, and mode of transportation. If you consider these factors, it is safe to assume that average living expenses in the USA range between $10,000 and $20,000 a year.

Expenses
Approximate Cost (USD)
Housing $10,000 to $15,000 a year
Miscellaneous $5,000 to $7,000 a year
Visa Application $185 (for F-1 visa)
Insurance $500 to $1,000 a year
Food $4,500 to $7,000 a year
It is potentially tricky to determine the exact cost of studying in the USA, but our experts can make it easy for you. Contact an AECC expert for assistance in sorting out the financial elements of your study abroad journey!
 

Post-Study Work Opportunities in USA

The USA is such a desirable place to study and work. Almost every International student who chooses to study in America wants to be in this culturally, technologically, and economically rich nation. It is possible to apply for a US work permit through an F-1 visa. Foreign nationals also need the visa to qualify for higher education in the USA.

You can stay in the USA for 1 to 3 years with an F-1 visa under the OPT program. The F-1 visa is a pathway to a US post-study work permit. As a holder of an F-1 visa, you can apply for OPT, a program that allows foreign nationals to live and work in the USA for a year. It is a temporary employment arrangement directly associated with the major study area of an F-1 student visa holder.

Eligible candidates can apply for the 12-month-long employment authorisation through OPT before or after they complete their academic education. Usually, international students apply for it as they are about to finish their education in the USA. If you have a degree in a STEM field from a SEVP-authorised university, you can also apply for a two-year OPT extension. If the government approves it, you can work for three years in the USA.

Visa Type Study Area Post-Study Visa Validity
F-1 Visa Non-STEM 1 Year
F-1 Visa STEM 3 Years
Contact an AECC counsellor if you have any specific field of study
in mind to study in USA so that you can make the best choice for your future career.

Frequently asked questions
 

Why Should I Study in the USA?

The US is a great place to study for a number of reasons. Firstly, the country has some of the world’s best universities and an exceptional education system. The world’s top employers such as Apple, Google, Verizon, Walmart, Disney, and JP Morgan Chase hire top talents from some of the best American colleges. Secondly, studying in the USA will allow you to tap into a variety of cultures and traditions.

Turn your Study Abroad Dream to Degrees Abroad in USA



+63



Image

Let's get social.

Copyright © 2024 aecc. Useful Links | Glossary | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
4
Get in TouchExplore Events