International students who wish to study in the United States of America should consider applying and enrolling into the best universities in USA for international students listed in this article. These schools host the largest number of international students in the US.
Even though the number of international students in the US has reduced in the past two years, US still remains the country with the highest number of international students.
In 2020-21 academic year, USA has about 914,095 international students, making it the most popular destination for international students.
The US also has some of the best student cities like Boston, New York, Chicago, and many more. In fact, more than 10 US cities are ranked among the QS Best Student Cities.
The United States has more than 4,000 degree-granting institutions. There is a wide range of institutions to choose from, making it difficult to make the right choice. That is why we decided to rank the 25 Best Universities in USA for International Students.
Let us start this article by sharing with you the reasons why international students are attracted to the US. The United States of America has the highest number of international students because of the following reasons.
Table of Contents
Reasons to Study in the US
The following reasons should convince you to study in the USA as an international student:
1. World-renowned Institutions
US is home to some of the top universities in the World.
In fact, there are a total of 352 US schools ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and US universities make up half of the top 10 universities.
Universities in the US have a good reputation everywhere. Earning a degree in one of the US’s top universities can increase your rate of employability.
2. Varieties of degrees and programs
US universities offer varieties of degrees and programs.
There is a wide range of options to choose from, which includes bachelor’s, master’s, doctorates, diplomas, certificates, and many more.
Also, most US universities deliver their program in many options – a full-time, part-time, hybrid, or fully online. So, if you are not able to study on-campus, you can enroll in the best online universities in the USA
3. Diversity
The US has one of the most diverse cultures. In fact, it has the most diverse student population. Students studying in the US come from different countries.
This gives you the opportunity to learn about new cultures, languages and meet new people.
4. Support Service for International Students
Most US universities offer a variety of services to help international students adjust to life in the US via International Student Office.
These offices can assist you with visa issues, financial aid, accommodation, English language support, career development, and many more.
5. Working Experience
Most US universities offer study programs with internship or co-op options.
An internship is a great way to gain valuable work experience and gain access to high-paying jobs after graduation.
Co-op education is a program where students get the opportunity to work in an industry related to their field.
Now that we have shared some of the best reasons to study in the US, let now look at the 25 Best Universities in USA for International Students.
List of Best Universities in the United States
Below is a list of the best universities in the USA for international students:
- California Institute of Technology
- University of California, Berkeley
- Columbia University
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Cornell University
- University of Michigan Ann Arbor
- New York University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of Washington
- University of California San Diego
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Texas at Austin
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- University of Wisconsin Madison
- Boston University
- University of Southern California
- Ohio State University
- Purdue University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Arizona State University
- Rice University
- University of Rochester
- Northeastern University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- The New School.
25 Best Universities in USA for International Students
The universities below are consistently ranked among the best universities in the World.
1. California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech)
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1530 – 1580)/(35 – 36)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: Duolingo English Test (DET) or TOEFL. Caltech doesn’t accept IELTS scores.
California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California.
Founded in 1891 as Throop University and renamed California Institute of Technology in 1920.
California Institute of Technology is known for its top-quality programs in science and engineering.
CalTech hosts a notable number of international students. However, you should know that CalTech has a low acceptance rate (around 7%).
2. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1290-1530)/(27 – 35)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET)
University of California, Berkeley is a public land-grant research university located in Berkeley, California.
Founded in 1868, UC Berkeley is the state’s first land-grant university and the first campus of the University of California System.
UC Berkeley has more than 45,000 students representing over 74 countries.
University of California, Berkeley offers academic programs in the following study areas
- Business
- Computing
- Engineering
- Journalism
- Arts and Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Public Health
- Biological Sciences
- Public Policy e.t.c.
3. Columbia University
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1460 – 1570)/(33 – 35)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, or DET
Columbia University is a private ivy league research university located in New York City. Established in 1754 as King’s College.
Columbia University is the oldest higher education institution in New York and the fifth-oldest institution of higher learning in the US.
Over 18,000 international students and scholars from more than 150 countries study at Columbia University.
Columbia University offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional studies programs. These programs are available in different study areas:
- Arts
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Journalism
- Nursing
- Public Health
- Social Work
- International and Public Affairs.
Columbia University also offers programs to educate high school students.
4. University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Acceptance Rate: 14%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1290 – 1530)/( 29 – 34)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: IELTS, TOEFL, or DET. UCLA does not accept MyBest TOEFL.
University of California Los Angeles is a public land-grant research university located in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1883 as the southern branch of the California State Normal School.
University of California Los Angeles host about 46,000 students, including more than 12,000 international students, representing 118 countries.
UCLA offers more than 250 programs from undergraduate programs to graduate programs and professional education courses in different fields of study:
- Medicine
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Business
- Education
- Psychology & Neuroscience
- Social & Political Sciences
- Languages e.t.c.
5. Cornell University
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1400 – 1540)/(32 – 35)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL iBT, iTEP, IELTS Academic, DET, PTE Academic, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.
Cornell University is a private research university located in Ithaca, New York. It is a member of the Ivy League, also known as Ancient Eight.
Cornell University has more than 25,000 students. 24% of Cornell students are international students.
Cornell University provides undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional education courses in various fields of study:
- Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Architecture
- Arts
- Sciences
- Business
- Computing
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Law
- Public Policy e.t.c.
6. University of Michigan Ann Arbor (UMichigan)
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1340 – 1520)/(31 – 34)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, MET, Duolingo, ECPE, CAE or CPE, PTE Academic.
University of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan is the oldest university in Michigan.
UMichigan hosts more than 7,000 international students from about 139 countries.
The University of Michigan offers over 250+ degree programs in different study areas:
- Architecture
- Arts
- Business
- Education
- Engineering
- Law
- Medicine
- Music
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Social Work
- Public Policy e.t.c.
7. New York University (NYU)
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1370 – 1540)/(31 – 34)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL iBT, DET, IELTS Academic, iTEP, PTE Academic, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.
Founded in 1831, New York University is a private research university located in New York City. NYU has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai as well as 11 globally academic centers throughout the world.
New York University students come from nearly every US state and 133 countries. Currently, NYU has more than 65,000 students.
New York University offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and specialized degree programs across different fields of study
- Medicine
- Law
- Arts
- Education
- Engineering
- Dentistry
- Business
- Science
- Business
- Social Work.
New York University also offers continuing education courses, and high school and middle school programs.
8. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1460 – 1560)/(33 – 35)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, or DET
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It also has a campus in Qatar.
Carnegie Mellon University hosts over 14,500 students, representing 100+ countries. 21% of CMU students are international students.
CMU offers various types of programs in the following fields of study:
- Arts
- Business
- Computing
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Science.
9. University of Washington
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1200 – 1457)/(27 – 33)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, DET, or IELTS Academic
The University of Washington is a public research university located in Seattle, Washington, US.
UW hosts more than 54,000 students, including nearly 8,000 international students representing more than 100 countries.
The University of Washington offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional degree programs.
These programs are available in different study areas:
- Arts
- Engineering
- Business
- Education
- Computer Science
- Environmental Science
- Law
- International Studies
- Law
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Public Policy
- Social Work e.t.c.
10. University of California San Diego (UCSD)
- Acceptance Rate: 38%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1260 – 1480)/(26 – 33)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or DET
University of California San Diego is a public land-grant research university located in San Diego, California, founded in 1960.
UCSD offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional education courses. These programs are offered in various study areas:
- Social Sciences
- Engineering
- Biology
- Physical Sciences
- Arts and Humanities
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Public Health.
11. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1370 – 1530)/(31 – 35)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL iBT, IELTS, DET, MET, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, PTE e.t.c
Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university that offers technology-focused programs, located in Atlanta, Georgia.
It also has international campuses in France and China.
Georgia Tech has nearly 44,000 students studying at its main campus in Atlanta. Students represent 50 US States and 149 countries.
Georgia Tech offers more than 130 majors and minors across different fields of study:
- Business
- Computing
- Design
- Engineering
- Liberal Arts
- Sciences.
12. University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1210 – 1470)/(26 – 33)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL or IELTS
The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university located in Austin, Texas.
UT Austin has more than 51,000 students, including about 5,000 international students. Over 9.1% of UT Austin’s student body are international students.
UT Austin offers undergraduate and graduates degree programs in these fields of study:
- Arts
- Education
- Natural Sciences
- Pharmacy
- Medicine
- Public
- Business
- Architecture
- Law
- Nursing
- Social Work e.t.c.
13. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1200 – 1460)/(27 – 33)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, or DET
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public land-grant research university located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, Illinois.
There are about 51,000 students, including nearly 10,000 international students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional education courses.
These programs are offered in the following fields of study:
- Education
- Medicine
- Arts
- Business
- Engineering
- Law
- General Studies
- Social Work e.t.c.
14. University of Wisconsin Madison
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1260 – 1460)/(27 – 32)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or DET
The University of Wisconsin Madison is a public land-grant research university located in Madison, Wisconsin.
UW hosts more than 47,000 students, including over 4,000 international students from more than 120 countries.
The University of Wisconsin Madison offers undergraduate and graduate programs in different study areas:
- Agriculture
- Arts
- Business
- Computing
- Education
- Engineering
- Studies
- Journalism
- Law
- Medicine
- Music
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Public Affairs
- Social Work e.t.c.
15. Boston University (BU)
- Acceptance Rate: 20%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1310 – 1500)/(30 – 34)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, or DET
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the leading private universities in the US.
Boston University offers several undergraduate and graduate programs in these areas of study:
- Arts
- Communication
- Engineering
- General Studies
- Health Sciences
- Business
- Hospitality
- Education e.t.c.
16. University of Southern California (USC)
- Acceptance Rate: 16%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1340 – 1530)/(30 – 34)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE
The University of Southern California is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1880, USC is the oldest private research university in California.
University of Southern California is home to more than 49,500 students, including more than 11,500 international students.
USC offers undergraduate and graduate programs in these areas:
- Arts and Design
- Accounting
- Architecture
- Business
- Cinematic Arts
- Education
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Public Policy e.t.c.
17. Ohio State University (OSU)
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1210 – 1430)/(26 – 32)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests:Â TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.
Ohio State University is a public land-grant research university located in Columbus, Ohio (main campus). It is the best public university in Ohio.
Ohio State University has more than 67,000 students, including more than 5,500 international students.
OSU offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in different study areas:
- Architecture
- Arts
- Humanities
- Medicine
- Business
- Environmental Sciences
- Mathematics and Physical Sciences
- Law
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Social and Behavioural Sciences e.t.c.
18. Purdue University
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1190 – 1430)/(25 – 33)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, DET, e.t.c
Purdue University is a public land-grant research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana.
It has a diverse student population from nearly 130 countries. International Students comprise at least 12.8% of the Purdue student body.
Purdue University offers more than 200 undergraduate and 80 graduate programs in:
- Agriculture
- Education
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Arts
- Business
- Pharmacy.
Purdue University also offers professional degrees in pharmacy and veterinary medicine.
19. Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1160 – 1340)/(25 – 30)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo (temporarily accepted) e.t.c
Founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University is a public land-grant research university located in Pennsylvania, US.
Penn State hosts about 100,000 students, including over 9,000 international students.
PSU offers more than 275 undergraduate majors and 300 graduate programs, as well as professional programs.
These programs are offered in different fields of study:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Arts
- Architecture
- Business
- Communications
- Earth and Mineral Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Law
- International Affairs e.t.c.
20. Arizona State University (ASU)
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1100 – 1320)/(21 – 28)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo
Arizona State University is a public research university located in Temple, Arizona (main campus). It is one of the largest public universities in the US by enrollment.
Arizona State University has more than 13,000 international students from more than 136 countries.
ASU offers more than 400 academic undergraduate programs and majors, and 590+ graduate degree programs and certificates.
These programs are available in different study areas like:
- Arts and Design
- Engineering
- Journalism
- Business
- Nursing
- Education
- Health Solutions
- Law.
21. Rice University
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1460 – 1570)/(34 – 36)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Test:: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo
Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas, established in 1912.
Nearly one in every four students at Rice University is an international student. International students make up almost 25% of the degree-seeking student population.
Rice University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors across different fields of study. These majors include:
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Music
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences.
22. University of Rochester
- Acceptance Rate: 35%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1310 – 1500)/(30 – 34)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: DET, IELTS, TOEFL e.t.c
Founded in 1850, the University of Rochester is a private research university located in Rochester, New York.
The University of Rochester has more than 12,000 students, including more than 4,800 international students from over 120 countries.
The University of Rochester has a flexible curriculum – students have the freedom to study what they love. Academic programs are offered in these areas of study:
- Business
- Education
- Nursing
- Music
- Medicine
- Dentistry e.t.c.
23. Northeastern University
- Acceptance Rate: 20%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1410 – 1540)/(33 – 35)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo
Northeastern University is a private research university with its main campus located in Boston. It also has campuses in Burlington, Charlotte, London, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Northeastern University has one of the largest international student communities in the US, with over 20,000 international students from more than 148 countries.
The University offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in the following areas of study:
- Health Sciences
- Arts, Media, and Design
- Computer Sciences
- Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Business
- Law.
24. Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1200 – 1390)/(26 – 32)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL, IELTS, DET, PTE e.t.c
Illinois Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Chicago, Illinois. It has one of the most beautiful college campuses in the US.
Illinois Institute of Technology offers tech-focused degree programs. It is the only technology-focused university in Chicago.
More than half of Illinois Tech graduate students are from outside the US. IIT’s student body is represented by more than 100 countries.
Illinois Institute of Technology offers undergraduate and graduate programs in:
- Engineering
- Computing
- Architecture
- Business
- Law
- Design
- Science, and
- Human Sciences.
Illinois Institute of Technology also offers pre-college programs for middle and high school students, as well as summer courses.
25. The New School
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Average SAT/ACT Scores: (1140 – 1360)/(26 – 30)
- Accepted English Language Proficiency Tests: Duolingo English Test (DET)
The New School is a private research university located in New York City and was founded in 1929 as The New School for Social Research.
The New School offers programs in Arts and Design.
It is the best Art and Design School in the US. At The New School, 34% of students are international students, representing over 116 countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to study in the US?
The cost of studying in the US is quite expensive. However, this depends on your choice of university. If you wish to study at an elite university then be ready to pay expensive tuition fees.
What is the cost of living in the US while studying?
The cost of living in the US depends on the city you live in and the type of lifestyle. For instance, studying in Texas is cheaper compared to Los Angeles. However, the cost of living in the US is between $10,000 to $18,000 per year ($1,000 to $1,500 per month).
Are there scholarships for International students?
There are several scholarship programs for international students to study in USA, funded by either the US government, private organizations, or institutions. Some of these scholarship programs are Fullbright Foreign Student Program, MasterCard Foundation Scholarships e.t.c.
Can I work in the US while studying?
International students with a student visa (F-1 visa) can work on-campus for 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during the holidays. However, students with an F-1 visa cannot be employed off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining official authorization.
What is the English proficiency test accepted in the US?
Common English proficiency tests accepted in the US are: IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge Assessment English (CAE).
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Conclusion
Before you choose to study in the US, make sure to check if you meet the admission requirements and can afford the tuition.
Studying in the US can be expensive, especially in the best universities in the US. However, there are several scholarships for international students.
You need to also know that admission into most of the best universities in USA is very competitive. This is because most of these universities have low acceptance rates.
We have now come to the end of this article, we hope you find the article helpful. Let us know your thoughts in the Comment Section.