Best Student Cities in USA
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Best Student Cities in USA

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 21:42 IST

There are around 17 Best student cities in USA based on QS’s rankings for the year 2024. While considering applying to the US, the very first parameter of consideration is which is the best city in USA for Indian students. The best city in US for students for the year 2024 is Boston followed by New York and San Francisco.

Best Student Cities in USA

Students looking to study in USA should first identify the safest states in USA and then narrow down their research for the best cities for students in the USA. Get all the details in the article below about cities in USA which are best for Indian students.

Top Ranking Student Cities in USA 

Based on QS, for its category - ‘Best Student Cities Ranking 2024’ the following are the 15 best student cities in the USA for international students:

Top Student Cities in USA

QS - Best Student Cities Ranking 2024

Overall Score

Boston 

#10

92.3

New York

#17

89.6

San Francisco 

#20

87.4

Los Angeles (LA)

#27

85

Chicago 

#39

81.5

Atlanta 

#59

73.4

Washington DC

#62

72.6

Philadelphia 

#63

72.3

San Diego

#66

70.8

Pittsburgh 

#77

66.7

Miami 

#78

66.2

Seattle 

#83

65.1

Durham 

#88

62.5

Baltimore 

#89

62.2

Houston 

#107

58.2

Let us discuss in detail each of these student cities in the USA preferred by Indian students for higher education in the following section.

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Best Cities for Students in USA

Based on the above-given rankings as per QS, the following are details about each of the US cities:

Boston 

Rich for its culture, arts and education, Boston is the one of preferred choices of international students to study in USA. The capital city of Massachusetts - Boston, ranks at #10 as per QS - ‘Best Student Cities’ ranking of 2024. Boston is home to numerous private universities, like MIT, Harvard and others, but there is one popular public university in Boston which is, the University of Massachusetts, Boston. 








5 Top Ranking Universities in Boston

Check out the top five ranking universities in Boston as per QS - WUR 2024 in the following table for reference:

Universities in Boston

QS - World University Ranking 2024

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

#1

Harvard University

#4

Boston University

#93

Tufts University

#379

Northeastern University

#375

New York 

Those aiming to study in New York can go to two major Ivy League schools - Cornell and Columbia. Ranked #17th as per QS - ‘Best Student Cities’ for the year 2024, students want to study in New York because of numerous study options in terms of universities, rich culture and various employment opportunities across top MNCs like JP Morgan, Deloitte, CitiGroup, IBM, etc. 







Top 5 Ranking Universities in New York 

Check out below the top 5 universities in New York for Indian students who want to study here: 

Universities in New York

QS - World University Ranking 2024

Cornell University

#13

Columbia University

#23

New York University

#38

Yeshiva University

#369

Fordham University

1000-1001

San Francisco

Why San Francisco is also considered one of the best cities in the US for higher education, is because of its reputed universities which rank among the top universities in the USA. Secondly, San Francisco is home to over 300,000+ startups hence, it is a city full of opportunities for students who are looking for opportunities to work while studying. 

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Top Ranking Universities in San Francisco

The following table throws light on the top ranking universities of San Francisco based on QS rankings for world universities: 

Universities in San Francisco

QS - World University Ranking 2024

Stanford University

#5

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

#10

University of San Francisco 

1000-1001

San Francisco State University

1201-1400

Los Angeles 

LA is the next best student city in the USA, the reason being that one it is home to Hollywood, secondly, it is the most popular city in the USA, thirdly, there is a varied set of entertainment for students to look forward to apart from studying. Lastly, there are more than 10% international students studying across various LA universities, hence, creating a strong sense of community. This is the reason why LA also makes it to the list of the best city in USA for Indian students. 

Top Ranking Universities of LA

The following universities of Los Angeles have been ranked by QS for the year 2024:

Universities in Los Angeles

QS - World University Ranking 2024

University of Southern California

#116

University of California

#29

California State University

#1401+

Chicago

Another one considered as one of the best cities for students in USA is Chicago. The reason for Chicago making it to the list is for its popular university, the University of Chicago. Secondly, Chicago is the hub of research and there are a number of research-related institutions where scholars can seek help and study. Thirdly, Chicago is considered to be one of the best US student cities is because of its diverse cultural clubs and activities for students. 

Top Ranked Universities in Chicago

Only three universities in Chicago have been ranked globally by QS - World University Rankings of 2024, check them out below:

Universities in Chicago

QS - World University Ranking 2024

University of Chicago

#11

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

#323

Loyola University Chicago

901-950

There are other US cities that are well-known and have been categorised as ‘Best Student Cities in USA’ as per QS. Thus, it is up to the applicant how he/she chooses his/her best city for students in order to study in the USA. 

Looking for admission-related queries? Write to us in the comments below or sign up for free for Shiksha Abroad Counselling.

Q:   What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?

A:

The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.

Q:   What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?

A:

There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.

Q:   Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?

A:

According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:

Q:   Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?

A:

The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.

Q:   How much is the application fee for Alabama University?

A:

The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:

  • UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
  • MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28

Q:   Can I get into Oregon State with a 3.5 GPA?

A:

International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:

ProgramMinimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0)
Undergraduate2.5 - 3.0
Graduate2.5 - 3.0

Read about the Grading System in the USA

Q:   What is Northwest Missouri acceptance rate?

A:

The Northwest Missouri acceptance rate for international students is around 80%. This shows that the university follows a moderate selection criteria when it comes to admission. However, the moderate selection criteria does not imply that the university accepts every application. International students must showcase their excellent academic performance, score high GPA, submit standardized test scores and English language proficiency test scores. In addition, if a student has a history of participation in relevant extracurricular or experience, their selection probability increases by 50%.

Q:   What GPA do I need to get into Northwest Missouri state?

A:

Northwest Missouri State University expects a cumulative GPA of 2 for UG programs and 3 for PG programs on a scale of 4. GPA is one of the top factors when considering students for university admissions. Along with GPA, the university expects a student to provide high school transcripts from previously attended university or school, standardized test scores, English language proficiency test scores, and more. In addition, students with relevant experience in the chosen field are preferred over the studious students.

About the Author
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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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