Why international students choose the USA
The US has no official ranking of its colleges and universities, so the choice is about fit: your academic, financial and personal needs (EducationUSA). Undergraduate degrees are built on the liberal arts and sciences, which means you can take courses outside your major, and a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study (EducationUSA). EducationUSA advises starting your search at least 12 to 18 months before you plan to enrol.
What it costs
There is no national tuition fee. Each university sets its own, and costs vary widely; EducationUSA notes that suburban and rural areas in the South and Midwest generally have the lowest cost of living (EducationUSA). As one real example, the University at Buffalo estimates $29,100 in tuition and fees and $27,300 in living expenses for international graduate students in 2027/28, a total of $56,400 a year (University at Buffalo).
The student visa and proof of funds
Most students need an F-1 visa. The steps are set out by the State Department (travel.state.gov):
- Get accepted by a SEVP-approved school, which issues you a Form I-20.
- Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, which is $350 for F and M applicants (ICE).
- Apply at a US embassy or consulate and attend an interview, bringing your I-20.
A new student’s F visa can be issued up to 365 days before the course starts, but you cannot enter the US more than 30 days before the start date (travel.state.gov).
There is no single government figure for proof of funds. Your university will not issue an I-20 until you document the cost of your first year. Temple University, for example, asks for two semesters of tuition plus $15,000 in living expenses and $8,700 for fees, health insurance and supplies, with an extra $4,000 for a spouse and $2,500 per child (Temple University).
Some universities report that certain consular posts have begun charging a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, collected when the visa is issued (Boston University). The State Department pages we checked do not yet state it, so ask your embassy.
Working while you study
F-1 students can work on campus. Temple University states that on-campus work “is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session”, and may be full-time during vacation periods if you plan to register for the next term (Temple University). Off-campus work is far more restricted and needs authorisation, so check with your international student office first.
After you graduate
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to your field of study, and you must apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (travel.state.gov). Post-completion OPT lasts 12 months, and graduates with an eligible STEM degree can extend it by 24 months, working for an E-Verify employer at least 20 hours a week (San Francisco State University). You must not be unemployed for more than 90 days during post-completion OPT (University of Oklahoma).
Scholarships for the USA
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: lets graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad study and research in the US. About 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year, and you apply through the Fulbright commission or US embassy in your own country (Fulbright).
- University aid: many institutions offer scholarships to international students, but EducationUSA warns that competition is high and you usually apply for aid at the same time as admission (EducationUSA).
