Study in Miami, The United States

About Miami

Miami is a city in South Florida, in the southeastern United States, with 487,014 inhabitants in 2024 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The University of Miami describes it as one of the most dynamic and multicultural cities in the world, and FIU's law school calls it an international hub of finance, healthcare and education.

Students choose Miami for its international, multicultural setting, a warm climate all year and universities that range from a large public research university to private and Catholic institutions. Teaching at the universities is in English.

Studying in Miami

Our directory lists ten schools in Miami: four universities, a law school, a career college, a private school, an English language school and study abroad organisations. Business, law, communications, accounting and nursing are among the subjects most often taught at the schools in our database. Examples:

• Florida International University (FIU) is a public university with more than 54,000 students. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees on campus and fully online. Its College of Law offers the JD, an LLM and paralegal studies, among other programmes.
• The University of Miami (UM) is a private university established in 1925 in Coral Gables, in the Miami area. It has 12 schools and colleges with nearly 350 majors and programmes, and 19,852 students according to College Navigator, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
• Barry University is a private Catholic university with 6,825 students, 3,232 of them undergraduates, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.
• St. Thomas University is another private university in our directory.

For younger students, Miami Country Day School is a private school from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 with an admission route for international students.

Student visa and academic year

International students usually need an F student visa, which covers study at an accredited college or university or at an English language institute. After admission, the school's international student office sends a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes) for the visa application. According to EducationUSA, the academic year typically runs from September to May, and international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

According to College Navigator, tuition and fees for 2024-25 were:

• University of Miami: $62,616, plus $23,790 for food and housing on campus
• Barry University: $34,350
• Florida International University: $18,964 for out-of-state students ($6,565 for Florida residents), plus $13,080 for food and housing on campus

International students normally pay the out-of-state rate at public universities; check the current cost of attendance with each school. A Metrobus or Metrorail ride costs $2.25, and college students can buy a monthly pass for $56.25, half the full price of $112.50, according to Miami-Dade Transit.

Getting around and daily life

Miami-Dade Transit runs Metrobus, the Metrorail line and Metromover, a free people mover. With fare capping, you pay no more than $5.65 a day for unlimited rides on Metrorail or Metrobus.

The climate is warm all year. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Miami International Airport give an average of 68.6 °F (about 20 °C) in January and 84.1 °F (about 29 °C) in July.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Miami?

Our directory lists Florida International University, the University of Miami (in Coral Gables), Barry University and St. Thomas University, as well as FIU's College of Law.

How much does a year at university in Miami cost?

For 2024-25, tuition and fees ranged from $18,964 for out-of-state students at FIU to $62,616 at the University of Miami, according to College Navigator, before food and housing.

Is there a student discount on public transport in Miami?

Yes. Miami-Dade Transit sells a College/Adult Education Center Monthly Pass for $56.25, and Metromover is always free.

What is the weather like in Miami?

Warm all year: the average temperature at Miami International Airport is about 20 °C in January and about 29 °C in July.