Costs
Tuition
Public universities: $15,000–45,000/year (out-of-state). Private universities: $40,000–62,000/year. Community colleges: $8,000–15,000/year.
Living Costs
NYC, SF, Boston: $2,000–3,000/month. Mid-size cities: $1,200–1,800/month. College towns: $800–1,200/month.
Total Annual Cost
€35,000–85,000/year. The widest range of any destination — from affordable state schools to $80K+ private universities.
Part-Time Work
On-campus only: 20 hours/week during term. CPT (Curricular Practical Training) for internships. Off-campus work generally not permitted during studies.
Post-Study & Immigration
Post-Study Work Visa
OPT: 12 months for any field, extendable to 36 months for STEM. Must apply before graduation. Employer doesn't need to sponsor for OPT. After OPT → H-1B visa (lottery system, ~25-30% selection rate).
Path to Permanent Residency
No direct student-to-PR pathway. OPT → H-1B (lottery) → employer-sponsored Green Card (can take 5–15+ years depending on nationality). EB-1/EB-2 NIW for exceptional cases.
Language Requirements
TOEFL (most common), IELTS, Duolingo (widely accepted — 4,500+ institutions). Minimum varies: 80–100 TOEFL, 6.5–7.0 IELTS, 110–130 Duolingo.
Visa Processing
F-1 visa requires in-person interview at US embassy. I-20 form from university required. SEVIS fee: $350. Visa fee: $185. Processing time varies — book interview early. Some nationalities face long waits.
Top Universities
| University | QS 2025 | Tuition (Int'l) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIT | #1 | $57,590 | Engineering, CS, Sciences, Economics |
| Stanford University | #3 | $56,169 | CS, Engineering, Business, Medicine |
| Harvard University | #8 | $56,550 | Law, Business, Medicine, All fields |
| UC Berkeley | #12 | $32,756 (out-of-state) | CS, Engineering, Sciences, Business |
| Georgia Tech | #39 | $33,794 (online MS CS: $7,000 total!) | Engineering, CS, Business |
Scholarships
Fulbright Program
Award: Full tuition + living + flights
Eligibility: 160 countries · Deadline: Varies by country
US government's flagship. Apply through Fulbright Commission in your country.
Eligibility: 160 countries · Deadline: Varies by country
US government's flagship. Apply through Fulbright Commission in your country.
University merit scholarships
Award: $5,000–full tuition
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies
Most private universities offer merit aid. Apply early for best offers.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies
Most private universities offer merit aid. Apply early for best offers.
Graduate assistantships
Award: Tuition waiver + $15,000–30,000/year stipend
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per department
For master's and PhD. Teaching or research assistant positions.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per department
For master's and PhD. Teaching or research assistant positions.
Hubert Humphrey Fellowship
Award: Full funding for 1 year
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: Varies
Non-degree programme for mid-career professionals at US universities.
Eligibility: Developing countries · Deadline: Varies
Non-degree programme for mid-career professionals at US universities.
Community college transfer scholarships
Award: Varies
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies
Start at CC ($8K/year) → transfer to 4-year university with scholarships.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies
Start at CC ($8K/year) → transfer to 4-year university with scholarships.
2026 Policy Updates
What changed: STEM OPT extension remains at 36 months. H-1B lottery remains competitive. Some universities offer conditional admission. International student enrolment recovering post-pandemic. Political environment around immigration remains uncertain but student visas generally stable.
Best For
Students targeting the absolute top global universities. STEM students (3-year OPT). Those with strong financial backing or full scholarships. Entrepreneurs (US ecosystem unmatched). PhD students (generous funding at top programmes).
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