Understanding the Education System in the United States
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The US Education System provides a variety of choices for international students. Early childhood education in the US is followed by primary school (popular as Elementary School in the United States), Middle School, Secondary School (popular as High School in the United States), and post-secondary education. Many students pursuing their higher studies in the US must be surprised to know that the US has no educational system.
The Federal government can influence education only by the funding it offers, but this is limited. However, when starting the search for the best educational institution for their child, an individual should know about tutoring in the U.S. There are some of the awarded and known as the best student cities in USA for Indians also to pursue higher education. This will help parents arrange their children’s education according to it. The USA is one of the best places to get higher education; choosing the best institution for your education is most important. The below blog will help parents by briefing them the complete information about the education system.
Understanding the US Education System
The US education system follows a hierarchy which Different stages covered in the US Education System are as follows:
| US Education System Division | Institutions Involved | Age Group of Students |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Education | Elementary School | 4 - 10 Years |
| Secondary | High School | 11 - 14 Years |
| Higher Secondary | Sophomore | 15 - 18 Years |
| Graduation | University or College | 18+ Years |
| Post-Graduation/Masters | 22+ Years |
The major stages covered under the US Education System are:
- Elementary school
- Middle School
- High school
- Post-secondary (college) also known as the sophomore
As you see above the multiple stages of the education system of USA have to be qualified one after the other to reach the next level of study.
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Accreditation & Quality Assurance in the US Education System
Accreditation is the process used by the US Education System to ensure that the institutes meet and maintain the minimum standard of quality education. Schools, Post-secondary Institutions, and other institutions participate in accreditation. Federal and state governments acknowledge accreditation as the component by which institutional and automatic authenticity is guaranteed. In other words, certification by a recognized accrediting authority is accepted as the U.S. likeness to other countries abroad.
Types of Accreditation in the US Education System
The following types of accreditation are offered to institutions in the USA which can help students gain a certificate or degree which would also be recognised worldwide:
- School-Level Accreditation
- Post-secondary Accreditation
- Federal Recognition & Approval
- Diploma Mills & Fraud
- Other Quality Assurance Provisions
Accreditations help students gain quality level education and get credits to help employers understand the course credits earned.
Types of Higher Education Institutions in the USA
There are various types of higher education institutions in the USA that are recognised to offer high-quality education. Check out the following higher education institutions authorised to offer higher education as part of the US Education System:
1. State College or Universities in USA
These types of colleges or universities are supported and run by a state or local government. The US comprises 50 states, and each state run at least one university or college for providing quality higher education to students at low rates. E.g. The University of California or Texas A&M University.
2. Private College of Universities in USA
A branch of the government in the USA runs these colleges and universities. They are always in demand among international students to study in USA. These private U.S. universities and colleges are smaller in size than state schools.
3. Community Colleges in USA
Community colleges offer two-year certification or associate degrees, which are transferable. Generally, Community college graduates transfer to universities or four-year colleges to complete their degrees. They are allowed to share the credits that they have earned in the community college in USA.
4. Technology Institutes in USA
Technology Institutes offer at least four years of education to students in science and technology. Some institutes have graduate programs while others offer short-term courses to students.
5. Ivy Leagues in USA
The Ivy League schools in USA are the most popular set of institutions which are basically inter-college athletic groups of eight US universities. Ivy league schools in USA are the most difficult universities for admissions and usually record a very low acceptance rate.
Difference between Indian and American Education Systems
Check out the difference between Indian and American Education systems given in the table below:
| Indian Education System |
US Education System |
|---|---|
| No flexibility |
Flexibility in selecting subjects |
| Stress on academic performance |
The stress of exploring the concepts |
| More focus on theoretical learning |
Sports and extracurricular activities are given due importance |
| Use of traditional teaching methods |
Use of the latest technological methods in teaching |
| More focus on rote learning |
Critical thinking is focussed here |
| A more competitive environment |
A collaborative environment |
Thus, based on the above-given pointers of difference, it can be noted that there is a huge difference between the US education system and the Indian education system.
Pros of the US Education System
There are a couple of positive points in order to study under the American education system. Check out the pros of studying in the US education system below:
- Diversity
The US offers a range of courses and majors in the English language to international students. Students can choose any area to study from top Universities in the USA. The US Education system has many diverse programs that attract students from all over the world.
- Flexible Education
The US Education system is one of the most diverse systems for international students to study abroad. US universities offer the program with proper practical knowledge. Students get up-to-date facilities and technologies at universities in the United States.
- Students Life
Because of the high academic standards, most US Universities attract students from all around the world. Students will get a chance to meet with top-notch professors who offer better knowledge to them.
Cons of the US Education System
Apart from the pros of the US education system, there are a few cons as well, and they are as follows:
- Tuition Fees
One of the major cons of the US Education system is its high tuition fees for the high standard of quality education. The education cost in the USA is the highest in the world because of some popular universities it has like MIT, Harvard University, Stanford University, etc.
- Admission Process
Students have to follow a complicated admission process to get into US Universities. They must have strong academic records to be eligible for the top universities. US Universities ask for admission tests such as SAT or ACT for UG admissions, GRE or GMAT for PG admissions and language proficiency test scores of either TOEFL or IELTS.
- Social Benefits
The major cons of studying in the US is the finite accessibility to benefits like social security, healthcare, etc. offered by the Government for US citizens.
Also, Read
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
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: Is University of Minnesota Morris hard to get into?
According to various sources, University of Minnesota Morris has an acceptance rate of around 78% making it moderately selective for admissions. Some of the general admission requirements for international students are given as follows:
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Ranks
- Additional Academic Record
Students are required to apply for admission according to the deadlines given on the official university website.
Q: Is Texas A&M Commerce a good university?
Texas A&M Commerce is regarded as one of the top public universities across the United States. Moreover, the Texas A&M Commerce ranking 2024 under the category of Best Colleges is National Universities is #369. Also, the acceptance rate of this university is 42%. Additionally, the university offers the best academic programs, expert faculty, job & placement, and more. Besides, Texas A&M University-Commerce also offers over 130 academic degrees for its students.
Q: What are the requirements for admission into Purdue?
Purdue University application must have the following components:
Undergraduate Admissions
- The application itself
- Purdue-specific questions from the application
- Self-reported high-school grades
- Self-reported SAT or ACT scores (if applicable)
- Application fee
Steps to apply for Purdue University Undergraduate Courses
- First of all, complete and submit a Common application as per the Purdue University application deadlines
- Make sure that Purdue University receives all material required to complete the application
Graduate Admissions Steps
- Firstly, check Purdue University entry requirements
- Then, create an application account to start the application
- Choose the campus and course as per the preference
- Then, submit the results of the tests needed for the graduate program
- Prepare the additional documents based on the graduate program
- Lastly, pay the non-refundable application fee to submit the application. Purdue University graduate application fee is USD 75 for international applicants
Q: Is it expensive to study in UT Tyler Texas?
Annual tuition fee required to pursue a degree course at Indiana State University is around INR 15 L on an average, which can be considered affordable as a study abroad option. Students can refer to the table for course-specific fees requirements:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
BBA (5 courses) | INR 10 L - 15 L |
MBA/PGDM (4 courses) | INR 12 L - 14 L |
BSc BTech (5 courses) | INR 15 L - 18 L |
MIM (3 courses) | INR 12 L - 14 L |
BBA (4 courses) | INR 15 L - 17 L |
BSN (1 course) | INR 15 L |
BSc (1 course) | INR 15 L |
Q: Is Canada or USA cheaper to study?
International students are more likely to receive financial help or scholarships from Canadian universities than from American ones, which is quite uncommon. Furthermore, tuition at Canadian institutions is typically 27% less expensive than that of US universities. However, some United States universities offer international students Financial aid and other scholarships that help them to study in the United States.
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
Bishakha is a seasoned education management professional with over 7 years of experience in overseas education industry. She has demonstrative experience in student placement, counselling, research, training, client... Read Full Bio
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Hi MAhesh, Cloud Computing, MIS, Software Engineering, Human Computer Interaction and Data Science are some of the subjects that can be taught in Computer Science. However, subjects can vary from university to university. Please refer to the list of universities that offer MS in CS in USA and look
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.