10 Best Universities in the USA for International Students
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The USA is home to some of the world's most popular and prestigious universities. In turn, the US attracts millions of international students annually. With maximum US universities making it to the top 10, students apply here to witness its world-class faculty, cutting-edge research facilities, and diverse student bodies. Check out everything about the top 10 ranking US universities globally in this article.
Studying in US is a melting pot of various cultures and ethnicities, the country offers unparalleled educational experience. International students experience flexible part-time work options in US and a promising career in their field of study after their graduation. With these reasons for studying in USA, let us explore the top 10 US universities that have been ranked by QS and THE globally and by US News for national rankings. Also providing insights into their unique strengths, admissions processes, and student life. We will also delve into the costs of studying in the US, visa requirements, and tips for international students.
Top Ranking US Universities Globally 2024-25
Candidates looking to visit the States for higher education can look at the comprehensive list of top 10 universities in the USA.
| University |
QS - World University Rankings 2025 |
THE - World University Rankings 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#1 |
#5 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#4 |
#2 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#6 |
#3 |
| California Institute of Technology (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#10 |
#6 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#11 |
#14 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#12 |
#8 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#16 |
#20 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#21 |
#13 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#22 |
#7 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#23 |
#9 |
Equipped with the latest facilities, modern amenities, and boarding facilities, these universities welcome a large number of international students every year and hence they have been ranked accordingly by QS and THE for recent years.
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Important read: Eligibility for Studying Abroad
Shiksha Grading has been introduced to help students check out university rankings thus, these are based on aggregate rankings of courses and universities available across different agencies.
US Universities Ranking Nationally 2024
Here's a list of top US universities that have been ranked nationally in the USA by US News for the year 2024 are as follows:
| Top US Universities | US News & World Report - National University Ranking (2024) |
|---|---|
| Princeton University | #1 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | #2 |
| Harvard University | #3 |
| Stanford University | #3 |
| Yale University | #5 |
| University of Pennsylvania | #6 |
| California Institute of Technology | #7 |
| Duke University | #7 |
| Brown University | #9 |
| Johns Hopkins University | #9 |
| Northwestern University | #9 |
Princeton University
Studying at the world-famous Princeton University would allow students to have access to world-class teaching, state-of-art facilities, and extraordinary resources. Students taking admission to the colleges would benefit from the low student-to-faculty ratio which would allow them to develop close relationships with professors who are stalwarts in their fields. Students would get a chance to explore many disciplines and also develop a deep understanding of one area of concentration.
Harvard University
With over 375 years of shaping great minds in every endeavour, Harvard University boasts an education that is based on knowing and doing, on individual achievement, and on meaningful collaboration in a supportive environment that fosters intellectual risk-taking. The college provides world-class faculty, dedication to affordability, and groundbreaking research opportunities to committed scholars who have all the resources they need to fulfil their academic and personal potential.
Cornell University
The University of Cornell ranks in the top 1 per cent of best universities in the world, according to QS rankings. Students looking to pursue their higher education can opt for the various programmes offered at the university campus. A traditional college campus with a touch of modernity, students are greeted by academic buildings and residence halls, libraries and eateries, research labs, and facilities during their stay on campus. The first college to offer a major in American studies, Cornell’s mission is to discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community.
Columbia University
One of the oldest Universities in the United States, the Columbian University is home to over 82 Nobel Laureates. A regular among top universities in New York, the college hosts over 14,000 international students, faculty, researchers, and visiting scholars from over 150 countries plus family members who accompany them. International students can opt for the various programmes available at the university. A relief for international students, the university provides an on-campus accommodation facility to its students in its 19 undergraduate residence halls and 18 brownstones which house traditional residential students as well as special living communities.
Also Read: Top Universities in USA - Courses & Fees
New York University
A regular among top universities in the USA, the New York University welcomes one of the highest numbers of international students to its various graduate and postgraduate programmes every year. The University is equipped with 22 residence halls and two graduate living communities and is home to over 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students during the academic year and summer session. Each student taking admission into the renowned university is provided with a bed, twin mattress, desk, desk chair, drawer space, and closet/wardrobe space for his use. A top-quality institution, New York University believes in bringing together talented and driven people together on the same platform to make magic happen.
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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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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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(1)
R
5 years ago
hello Suresh. you can check out Study in US page for all the available courses in the US: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/usa
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.