Study in USA after 12th for Indian Students in 2025: Top Universities, Fee & Scholarships
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The USA offers world-class education, renowned universities, and diverse career opportunities. Explore top programs, understand the application process, and discover how to make your dream of studying in the US a reality. Check out how Indian applicants can study in USA after 12th and all corresponding details for reference.
It is a dream of many Indian students to pursue studies in the USA both in undergraduate as well as a higher level. Studying in the USA offers certain to stand out features not available anywhere else. As the diversity in the country, the choice of studies and programs is also diverse, and the quality of education has no parallel.
The Education System in the USA
The first culture shock an Indian student faces in the USA is that there is no education system. Unlike the regimented pattern here, the students pass state graduation exams for entry into colleges and universities for higher education where the options are endless. The Indian students in the USA have to adapt to the concept of GPA (Grade Point Average) followed in universities. Thus the US education system is simple, it is made up of different levels primary, secondary and tertiary unlike any other education systems.
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Choice Destinations for Studies in the USA
The largest community of Indian students in any country abroad is the USA. The count in the year 2024 was 3,37,630. Though there are colleges and universities of repute across the length and breadth of USA, the best are found in the cities of Boston, New York, Cambridge, New Haven, and Old Saybrook. Check out some of the best student cities to study in USA.
There are numerous reasons to choose to study in the US after 12th in India, some of them include:
- Home to top 100 ranking universities in the world which include the popular Ivy League schools.
- Has a plethora of courses, majors and minors to choose from stream-wise across US universities.
- Pathway programs or Associate degrees are also available at community colleges and since they partner with bigger universities, taking a transfer for higher education is even easier.
- Opportunity to take up a weekly 20-hour part-time job in USA to gain hands-on experience.
- Finally, STEM education students can avail STEM OPT extension and through OPT get some more time to stay in the US and gain experience after graduation.
Thus, there are many other reasons which make US an ideal destination for Indian applicants after 12th.
Top 10 Courses in USA after 12th from India
The popular courses pursued by Indian students are:
- BBA in USA
- Computer Science in USA
- Engineering & Technology
- Finance
- Accounting
- Economics
- Media Communications
- Life Sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
There are many other courses that Indian applicants can choose to study in USA after their 12th. There are almost all fields of study available in US universities at the undergraduate level.
Top 10 Ranking Universities in the USA 2025
Here is a list of top 10 ranking US universities which Indian applicants can shortlist after they passout from high school:
| University |
QS - World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| #1 |
|
| #4 |
|
| #6 |
|
| #10 |
|
| #11 |
|
| #12 |
|
| #16 |
|
| #21 |
|
| #22 |
|
| #23 |
Applicants must also note, that these are also some of the hardest US universities to get into. So apart from these, there are many other US universities which have made it to the global rankings 2025. Thus, Indian undergraduates can also consider applying to those universities as well. Also, the Indian applicants looking at cheap and affordable US universities can apply to universities falling under the following:
- California State University System
- University of California System
- State University of New York System
- University of Texas System
- University of Illinois System
Types of Higher Education Institutions in USA
Before we look up on the top universities, let us find out the types of universities in the country.
1. State school/college/ university:
There are 50 states in the country, and each state runs at least one quality college/university for higher education. State universities are mainly funded by state governments and donors.
2. Private college/university:
They are privately funded and are therefore costlier. Government agencies are not liable to fund these educational institutions. Private universities and colleges in the United States are as popular and provide quality education as government-funded institutions.
3. Community College:
The community colleges typically offer a two-year certification or associate degree which is later completed with a four-year degree in a university. These institutions usually provide diplomas and offer skill development courses.
4. Technology Institutes:
They offer a four-year degree in Science and Technology or STEM courses to students.
Eligibility Criteria for Study in USA after 12th from India
The norms for eligibility apart from the discussed entrance exams for studying in the USA are:
- Must have completed 10 + 2 schooling.
- Must have completed 16 years of education for graduate studies.
- Proof of funds to cater for the cost of education.
How to Apply to US Universities after 12th from India?
Universities in the USA follow a two-semester system – fall and spring. Accordingly, you have to initiate the process. Most universities have a uniform mode of application, while some may have some specific requirements. Proper documentation is an important part of the application process. A majority of international students apply for Fall intake in USA. Bit there are also a few who prefer to apply for the Spring intake of USA. Check out how to apply to US universities after choosing your ideal intake in USA:
- Choose between Common or Coalition App and sign up.
- FIll up personal details and upload the necessary documents.
- Each university will have its set essay questions, so attempt them.
- Pay the application fee )will vary per university or request for a waiver if applicable. There may be US universities without application fees also)
- And apply. After applying, keep a printout of the confirmation page.
Documents Required to Apply to US after 12th from India
- Transcripts or mark sheets
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from the head of the previous institution.
- Standardised test scores of SAT or ACT
- English Language Proficiency test scores of either TOEFL or IELTS or PTE
- Student CV in case showcasing work experience level
Cost of Education in the USA
Apart from the tuition fee, the average estimated cost of studying in the USA comes to around USD 15K to USD 85K per annum. However, the cost of living in USA can be anywhere around USD 10k to USD 15k per annum. This includes all costs like boarding, transport, books, and sundry other expenses. The cost of education in the United States is not cheap and it varies from university to university. Generally, government-funded institutions and universities are cheaper than the private universities and colleges.
Scholarships to Study in USA after 12th
Studying in the USA is a costly affair. To most aspiring students meeting the expense is too daunting. However, there is a silver lining as there are ample schools and country-specific scholarships to mitigate the entire cost of study, including the course fee and living expenses. There are several types of scholarships available to Indian students. Some scholarships are merit-based while others are need-based scholarships.
The prospect of studying in the USA is a challenge many Indian students take up despite the many hurdles. The country offers the best in education opening opportunities to pursue quality academic degrees and research in the specific field of interest.
Q: Â What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
Q: Â Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
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:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Q: Â Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?
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: Â 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: Â Which is better, UIC (University of Illinois Chicago) or NIU (Northern Illinois University)?
As per an unofficial source, the University of Illinois Chicago ranked at #80 among national universities which is better than the NIU ranking at #273 position. The UIC is also exceeding in terms of graduation rates and easier selection than NIU. However, the tuition cost is more affordable at Northern Illinois University as compared to UIC. Students can get more clarity from the comparison table given below:
Particulars | University of Illinois Chicago | Northern Illinois University |
|---|---|---|
US News National Rankings 2024 | #80 | #273 |
Acceptance Rate | 79% | 70% |
Graduation Rate | 40% | 33% |
Tuition Cost | UG: INR 22L-INR 49L PG: INR 13L-INR 37L | UG: INR 10L-INR 16.5L PG: INR 8L-INR 45L |
Student-faculty ratio | 17:1 | 14:1 |
Q: Â What is the maximum and minimum score in GRE to get admission for MS in USA?
GRE is a popular standardised test for getting admission in MS program in the world. However, there are many universities in the USA that offer admission to MS courses without GRE scores. There is fixed minimum or maximum GRE score for admission. However, even if your GRE score is below the average for a particular program, you may still be considered for admission if you have strong qualifications in other areas. It is adviseble to check university website for the exact information.
Q: Â What is the decent score required on the ACT test to get a good university in the USA?
The definition of a good ACT score varies from university to country. However, to get into the top 100 universities, you must aim for a score higher than 31 on the ACT.
Q: Â Why choose Touro University for MBA in USA rather than Kansas State University?
There are several reasons to pursue your MBA from Touro University rather than Kansas State University as Touro University is one of the top 100 MBA schools in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report, while Kansas State University's MBA programme ranks 144th. In addition, Touro University has a more reasonable cost of tuition, with MBA tuition at $950 per credit and other degrees ranging from $910 to $950 per credit. In contrast, Kansas State University's MBA tuition is $21,170 per year, plus $1,300 in other expenses. Finally, Touro University's Graduate School of Business also offers an online MBA alternative for flexible learning, tuition support programs, along with variety of scholarships for international students, including the Dean's Excellence Award.
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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.