The US has always been one of the top choices of international students due to the top-notch universities offering quality education, a multicultural environment, and a strong economy. Approximately 2,68,000 Indian students were studying in the US in 2022-23, which highlights the popularity of the US among the aspirants. Here are some of the top universities you must know in the US.
Key highlights:
- Top-rated universities in the US as per the ranking websites
- Other popular universities in the US
- Popular master’s courses to pursue in the US
- Popular PhD courses to pursue in the US
- Eligibility criteria
- Application process for US universities
- Can you apply for student loans for studying abroad?
Top-rated universities in the US as per the ranking websites
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings are widely accepted ranking platforms that list top-rated universities in the US. These websites rank universities based on parameters such as academic reputation, learning experience, research reputation, etc.
Here are the top ten universities in the USA
- QS category: QS World University Rankings 2025: Top global universities (US-specific)
- THE category: World University Rankings 2025 (US-specific)
| Sr. No. | Name of the universities | QS ranking | THE ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Harvard University | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Stanford University | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 4 | 5 |
| 5 | University of Pennsylvania | 5 | 9 |
| 6 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | Cornell University | 7 | 13 |
| 8 | University of Chicago | 8 | 8 |
| 9 | Princeton University | 9 | 3 |
| 10 | Yale University | 10 | 7 |
Other popular universities in the US
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Columbia University
- New York University (NYU)
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Northwestern University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Duke University
- University of Texas
- University of Illinois
Popular master’s courses to pursue in the US
| Computer Science | Finance | Business Analytics |
| Engineering Management | Petroleum Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Management Information Systems | Data Science | Embedded Systems |
Popular PhD courses to pursue in the US
| Biological Sciences | Engineering | Psychology |
| Economics | Anthropology | Project Management |
| Computer Science | Chemistry | Sociology |
Eligibility criteria
The basic requirements will vary depending on the university and course. Therefore, it is advised to check the university-specific eligibility criteria before applying.
- Some basic requirements:
- For master’s courses, you must complete your bachelor’s with excellent grades in the similar domain in which you plan to pursue your higher studies.
- Master’s degree is mandatory for PhD courses. Exceptional academic performance is key to success in the PhD admission.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- You will have to appear for any of the following English proficiency exams:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- For master’s and PhD, you will have to take any of the following entrance exams:
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
- Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
Application process for US universities
To apply for the September intake, also known as fall intake, you will have to start the preparation in July of the previous year. For instance, if you are planning to apply for September 2025, you will have to prepare for entrance exams such as GMAT/GRE and English proficiency tests such as IELTS around July 24. You need to have SOP, LOR, and other essential documents ready by August-September 24. By October-November 24, you can appear for entrance exams such as GRE/GMAT and English proficiency exams and start your university application process.
By February or April 25, you will receive the admission offer letter from your preferred university if you are selected. By May-June 25, you can complete your student visa application process so you can be ready to embark on your study abroad journey by June-September 25.
Can you apply for student loans for studying abroad?
Yes, you can apply for a student loan for overseas education. In fact, at Avanse Global Finance, we provide student loans for studying abroad in USD without any foreign exchange conversion fees. This means you can save on currency conversion costs and concentrate on your higher education in the US. If you have selected your dream university from the top ten universities in the USA, you can embark on your academic journey. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. All the best!
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