Study in United States
Up to 3 years (OPT + STEM OPT)
Work after a STEM degree
20 hours a week
On-campus work in term
August and January
Main intakes
₹24 – 57 lakh / year
Indicative tuition
Studying in United States: the overview
India sends more students to the United States than to any other country, and the reasons are easy to see. The US has the largest and most varied higher education system in the world, from large public research universities to small liberal arts colleges, and a very strong culture of research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
American degrees are flexible. Undergraduates usually explore subjects before choosing a major, and graduate programmes let you tailor your coursework. Research assistantships and teaching assistantships can cover tuition and pay a stipend, especially for PhD students.
US immigration policy has been changing quickly. Since 2025 consular officers review applicants' online presence more closely, a new visa integrity fee has been passed into law, and the government has proposed replacing the open-ended 'duration of status' admission with fixed admission periods. H-1B work visa rules also changed in 2025. Many of these measures are still being implemented or challenged, so we check the State Department, DHS and your university's international office before every application.
With the right choice of university and course, and honest, well-prepared visa documents, the US remains one of the strongest options for ambitious Indian students, especially in STEM.
- Student visa
- F-1 student visa (M-1 for vocational study)
- Visa application fee (MRV)
- USD 185
- SEVIS I-901 fee
- USD 350
- Visa integrity fee
- USD 250 in law; implementation date unclear, check the US embassy site
- Work during study
- Up to 20 hours a week on campus in term; CPT when part of your course
- Post-study work
- OPT for 12 months, plus 24-month STEM OPT extension
- Intakes
- Fall (August – September), Spring (January)
- Tests
- TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo; SAT/ACT for some undergraduate; GRE/GMAT for some graduate programmes
- Proof of funds
- First-year cost of attendance shown on your I-20
Why Indian students choose USA
Unmatched choice
More than 4,000 accredited degree-granting institutions, from world-famous research universities to specialist schools.
Research and funding
Graduate students can win research or teaching assistantships that waive tuition and pay a monthly stipend.
OPT and STEM OPT
F-1 graduates can work for 12 months on Optional Practical Training, and STEM graduates can extend this by 24 months with an E-Verify employer.
Flexible degrees
Change majors, add a minor and combine subjects, especially at undergraduate level.
Industry at your doorstep
Major technology, finance, healthcare and consulting employers recruit directly from campuses.
A large Indian diaspora
Indian communities in New Jersey, the Bay Area, Texas, Chicago and elsewhere make settling in easier.
Popular courses in USA
Computer science and software engineering
STEM-designated, eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, with direct access to US tech employers.
Data science, analytics and AI
One of the fastest-growing graduate fields, usually STEM-designated.
Electrical and computer engineering
Semiconductors, telecom and embedded systems are expanding, with research funding for graduate students.
Business analytics and MBA
Many business analytics and STEM-designated MBA programmes qualify for longer OPT.
Biotechnology and life sciences
The US leads global biotech and pharmaceutical research, with strong PhD funding.
Mechanical, civil and industrial engineering
Broad demand across manufacturing, construction and supply chains.
Public health
Strong schools of public health with links to government and global health organisations.
Top student cities
Boston
A dense cluster of universities, hospitals and biotech firms. Living costs are high.
New York City
Finance, media and tech jobs, and a very large Indian community. Among the most expensive cities in the world.
San Francisco Bay Area
The centre of the global tech industry, with outstanding networking and very high rents.
Dallas and Houston
Growing tech, energy and healthcare economies, with lower living costs and no state income tax in Texas.
Chicago
A major business and finance city with strong universities and more moderate rent than the coasts.
Seattle
Home to large technology and cloud companies, with a growing Indian professional community.
Intakes and deadlines
Fall
August – September
Apply by: November – February for most programmes; Early Decision and Early Action around 1 November
The main intake with the most courses, funding and assistantships. Visa interview slots in India are in high demand from May to August.
Spring
January
Apply by: August – October
Available at many universities, especially for master's programmes. Funding options are narrower.
Summer
May – June
Apply by: January – February
Limited to a small number of programmes.
Cost of studying in USA
Converted at about ₹95 to 1 USD. Your bank's rate on the day you pay will differ.
| Item | In USD | In rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Community college (associate degree) | USD 9,000 – 18,000 / year | ₹8.5 – 17 lakh / year |
| Bachelor's at a public university | USD 28,000 – 45,000 / year | ₹27 – 43 lakh / year |
| Bachelor's at a private university | USD 40,000 – 65,000 / year | ₹38 – 62 lakh / year |
| Master's degree | USD 25,000 – 55,000 / year | ₹24 – 52 lakh / year |
| MBA | USD 50,000 – 85,000 / year | ₹48 – 81 lakh / year |
| PhD | Often fully funded; otherwise USD 25,000 – 50,000 / year | ₹24 – 48 lakh / year if unfunded |
| Item | In USD | In rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (shared apartment) | USD 600 – 1,500 / month | ₹57,000 – 1.4 lakh / month |
| Groceries and eating out | USD 300 – 600 / month | ₹28,000 – 57,000 / month |
| Transport | USD 50 – 150 / month | ₹5,000 – 14,000 / month |
| Phone and internet | USD 50 – 100 / month | ₹5,000 – 9,500 / month |
| University health insurance | USD 1,500 – 4,000 / year | ₹1.4 – 3.8 lakh / year |
| Books and supplies | USD 800 – 1,500 / year | ₹76,000 – 1.4 lakh / year |
Fees, costs and visa rules change often. Figures here are indicative and were last reviewed in September 2026. Always confirm with the university and the official government website before you pay or apply.
Admission requirements
Academic entry
- Undergraduate: Class 12 marks, often with SAT or ACT scores (many universities are test-optional, some have reinstated tests), essays, recommendations and extracurricular achievements.
- Master's: a bachelor's degree, usually four years. Some universities accept three-year Indian degrees, others need a fourth year or a postgraduate diploma.
- GRE is required for some graduate programmes and optional at many others; GMAT or GRE for most MBAs.
- PhD: a strong academic record, research experience, a statement of purpose and strong recommendation letters.
English language
Typical minimums are TOEFL iBT 80 – 100, IELTS 6.5 – 7.0 or Duolingo 110 – 125. Teaching assistantships may need higher speaking scores.
Application documents
- Transcripts, often with a credential evaluation (WES or ECE) for graduate study
- Statement of purpose or personal essays
- Two or three letters of recommendation
- CV or résumé
- Test scores (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo, and SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT where required)
- Bank documents for the I-20 financial certification
- Portfolio for art, design and architecture
F-1 student visa
The F-1 visa is for full-time academic study at a SEVP-certified school. After admission, your university issues a Form I-20. You pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate in India. The officer must be satisfied that you are a genuine student with enough funds and that you intend to comply with your visa.
- 1Get admitted and receive your I-20Submit financial documents to your university so it can issue the I-20 showing your cost of attendance.
- 2Pay the SEVIS I-901 feePay USD 350 online and keep the receipt.
- 3Complete the DS-160Fill in the online visa form carefully and consistently with your I-20 and documents. List your social media identifiers as required.
- 4Pay the visa fee and book appointmentsPay the USD 185 MRV fee and book biometrics and interview slots. Book early for the Fall intake.
- 5Attend the interviewExplain your study plan, funding and future goals clearly and honestly. Carry originals of every document.
- 6Receive your passport and travelYou can enter the US up to 30 days before your programme start date shown on the I-20.
Documents you will usually need
- Valid passport
- Form I-20 signed by you and your school
- DS-160 confirmation page
- SEVIS fee and visa fee receipts
- Admission letter
- Financial documents: bank statements, loan sanction letters, sponsor income tax returns, property or FD documents
- Academic transcripts and test scores
- Assistantship or scholarship letters, if any
Proof of funds
You must show liquid funds covering at least the first year's cost of attendance on your I-20 (tuition, living costs, insurance), and credible sources for later years. For many master's students this is USD 45,000 – 85,000 for year one, or about ₹43 – 81 lakh.
Processing time
Interview wait times in India vary widely by city and season, from a few weeks to several months. After the interview, most passports are returned within 1 – 2 weeks, though some cases go into administrative processing.
Work while you study, and after
During your course
Up to 20 hours a week on campus while classes are in session and full time during breaks. Off-campus work is allowed only through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) that is part of your programme, or in rare hardship cases.
After you graduate
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows 12 months of work related to your degree. Graduates of STEM-designated programmes can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, for a total of up to 36 months. Longer-term work usually needs an H-1B or another visa, whose rules changed in 2025.
- Apply for OPT through USCIS; the filing fee rose in 2025–26, and processing can take several months, so file early within the allowed window.
- STEM OPT requires an employer enrolled in E-Verify and a formal training plan (Form I-983).
- Unemployment during OPT is limited to 90 days (150 days in total including the STEM extension).
- A proposed DHS rule would replace 'duration of status' with fixed admission periods and could change OPT timelines; it had not taken final effect at our last review.
- H-1B rules, including a USD 100,000 payment for certain new petitions announced in September 2025, are evolving. Check the latest USCIS guidance before planning your career route.
Careers and graduate salaries
| Sector | Typical roles | Indicative salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software and technology | Software engineer, machine learning engineer, cloud engineer | USD 90,000 – 140,000 / year |
| Data and analytics | Data scientist, data analyst, business analyst | USD 75,000 – 120,000 / year |
| Engineering | Electrical, mechanical or civil engineer | USD 70,000 – 100,000 / year |
| Finance and consulting | Financial analyst, associate consultant | USD 75,000 – 110,000 / year |
| Healthcare and life sciences | Research associate, biostatistician, health data analyst | USD 65,000 – 95,000 / year |
| Semiconductors and hardware | Chip design engineer, verification engineer | USD 95,000 – 140,000 / year |
Universities in USA
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona · Public · Founded 1885
Large public research university known for innovation and scale
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts · Private · Founded 1898
Private research university known for experiential learning and co-op
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California · Private · Founded 1880
Private research university and member of the Association of American Universities
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, Texas · Public · Founded 1969
Public research university in the University of Texas System
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York · Public · Founded 1957
Flagship research campus of the State University of New York (SUNY)
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Private · Founded 1900
Private research university known for computer science, engineering and the arts
Courses to explore
Scholarships for USA
US funding comes mainly from universities. Graduate students can apply for research assistantships, teaching assistantships and fellowships, which often waive tuition and pay a stipend. Undergraduates can receive merit scholarships, and a few highly selective universities offer need-based aid to international students. The Fulbright-Nehru fellowships support Indian students and researchers for specific programmes.
Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
Tuition, living costs, J-1 visa support, round-trip airfare and accident and sickness cover, for one to two years
UniversityKnight-Hennessy Scholars
Full tuition, a living stipend and travel for up to three years of graduate study
UniversityTata Scholarship at Cornell University
Need-based aid covering the full assessed cost of attendance for the length of the degree
Studying in USA: FAQs
How much does a US master's cost in rupees?
Including living costs, most two-year master's degrees come to roughly ₹60 lakh – 1.2 crore in total, depending on the university and city. Assistantships can reduce this significantly.
Is GRE still required?
Many programmes have made GRE optional, but some engineering, science and top business programmes still require or recommend it. A good score can help with funding.
What is STEM OPT?
A 24-month extension of OPT for graduates of STEM-designated degrees, giving up to 3 years of work in total. Your employer must use E-Verify.
Can I work off campus?
Only through CPT that is part of your curriculum, or on OPT. Unauthorised off-campus work can end your status.
What happens at the visa interview?
A short conversation, often only a few minutes, about your course, university choice, funding and plans. Answer honestly and consistently with your DS-160 and I-20.
Is the visa integrity fee in force?
The USD 250 fee was passed into law in July 2025, but at our last review its collection had not been fully implemented. Check the US embassy's fee page before your appointment.
Do three-year Indian degrees work for US master's?
Some universities accept them directly, others need a fourth year or a one-year postgraduate diploma. We check each university's current policy for you.
Can I bring my spouse?
A spouse can come on an F-2 visa but cannot work, and can study only part time or recreationally.
Are community colleges a good route?
They can be. Two years at a community college, then transfer to a university, can cut the cost of a bachelor's degree. Check transfer agreements carefully.
Ready to apply to USA?
Tell us what you want to study and where. We will reply with a written shortlist, costs in rupees and the next three things to do.