Study and find schools in The United States

Studying in The United States

The United States has the largest and most varied higher-education system in the world. According to EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State's network for international students, nearly 4,000 accredited institutions make up U.S. higher education, from small liberal arts colleges to large public research universities. National statistics (NCES) counted 3,931 degree-granting institutions eligible for federal student aid in 2020–21: 2,637 four-year colleges and 1,294 two-year colleges.

English is the language of instruction. There is no national ministry that runs universities and no official ranking: institutions are private or belong to the individual states, and quality is checked by independent accrediting bodies. That gives students a wide choice, but it also means that choosing well takes research; EducationUSA advises starting 12 to 18 months before the academic year.

The education system in the United States

Higher education is divided into undergraduate and graduate studies:

• Associate degree: two years, usually at a community college, leading to a job or to transfer into a bachelor's programme
• Bachelor's degree: usually four years of full-time study, based on credits earned across many subjects; students normally declare their major at the end of the second year
• Master's degree: usually two years of specialisation after the bachelor's; MBA programmes last one to two years
• Doctorate: five to eight years of research and coursework

The main types of institution are public state universities, which were created to provide low-cost education to residents of their state and tend to be large; private colleges and universities, often smaller and sometimes religious; liberal arts colleges, most of them private; and community colleges. More than 1,000 universities offer graduate degrees. In everyday use, "college" and "university" are often interchangeable, although strictly a college offers only undergraduate degrees.

The academic year usually runs from August or September to May. Most universities use two semesters, while others use quarters or trimesters.

Admission and recognition

Each institution sets its own requirements and decides on admission; there is no national entrance exam. Applicants must normally have completed secondary school and be at least 17. A typical undergraduate application includes:

• Secondary-school diploma and transcripts, with translations into English
• Standardised test scores, where the institution requires them
• An English language proficiency test for non-native speakers
• Recommendation letters and a personal essay

Deadlines for undergraduate programmes starting in September usually fall between November and January. Accreditation matters: recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and employers is linked to it, and the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation publish databases of accredited institutions. A school's authorisation to admit international students does not by itself mean it is accredited.

Student visa and residence

Spanish citizens can visit the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days with an ESTA authorisation, but not to study on a degree programme; students need a student visa, according to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are three types:

• F visa: for study at an accredited college or university or at an English language institute
• J visa: for exchange programmes, including high-school and university exchanges
• M visa: for vocational or other non-academic study

You must first be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which issues the Form I-20 (F and M) or DS-2019 (J). You then pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate, where a short interview checks why you want to study, how you will pay and what you plan to do afterwards. The State Department issues the visa; after arrival, the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for your status. Rules and processing times change often, so check the embassy's website before applying.

Costs

The United States is expensive, and costs vary widely. According to NCES, average tuition and fees in 2022–23 were $9,800 at public four-year institutions (the in-state rate; out-of-state and international students usually pay more), $40,700 at private nonprofit four-year institutions and $4,000 at public two-year colleges. The average total cost of attendance for first-year students living on campus at four-year institutions, including room and board, was $27,100 at public institutions and $58,600 at private nonprofit ones.

EducationUSA recommends budgeting for tuition increases of 6 to 10% a year. Scholarships usually cover only part of the costs and may not be available to first-year international students, and financial aid at community colleges is less common. Ways to save include colleges in the South, the Midwest or rural areas, and the "2+2" route: two years at a community college, then two years at a university to finish the bachelor's degree.

Where to study

Our directory lists 1,070 schools in the United States, including 676 universities and colleges, 85 vocational and community colleges, 51 English language schools, 207 secondary and boarding schools and 46 study abroad programmes. The cities with the most schools are New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Greenville, Chicago and Miami, followed by Austin, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington. Examples range from large public universities such as The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan and The University of Texas at Austin to private universities such as Stanford University, the University of Southern California and Emory University, smaller colleges such as Lawrence University, and community colleges such as Johnson County Community College in Kansas.

Culture and practical life

Most international undergraduates live on campus at least in their first year, and campus life, with clubs, sport and student services, is part of the experience. Distances are large and the climate ranges from cold winters in the north to subtropical heat in Florida and desert conditions in the southwest, so location affects daily life as much as the choice of school.

With permission from the international student office, F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year and can apply for off-campus work later. Health insurance is usually compulsory and is often sold by the university; check its cost when comparing schools.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study in the United States?

In 2022–23, average tuition and fees were $9,800 at public four-year institutions for in-state students and $40,700 at private nonprofit ones, according to NCES. With room and board, the average cost for students living on campus ranged from $27,100 to $58,600.

Can I study in the United States with an ESTA?

No. ESTA covers tourism and business stays of up to 90 days. To study on a degree programme you need an F, J or M visa, after being accepted by an SEVP-certified school.

Can international students work in the United States?

Yes, with limits. F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, with the international student office's permission, and can apply for off-campus work in later years.

When should I apply to a U.S. university?

Start researching 12 to 18 months ahead. Undergraduate applications for a September start are usually due between November and January.

What is a community college?

A two-year college, usually supported by the state, that awards associate degrees. Many students take the first two years of a bachelor's degree there at a lower cost and then transfer to a university.