Several students after completing their 12th standard, wish to study in the USA. Students from across the world prefer America for higher education. The USA is a major education hub that offers world-class universities, diverse academic programs across all streams, experienced faculty, modern infrastructure and technology, research facilities, and a multicultural student diaspora.
Deciding to study in the USA is a significant life decision for which students must take advice from study abroad consultants who will help them with the admission and visa process. With the availability of multiple scholarships, grants, fellowships, and placement opportunities– more students every year want to study in America.
Through this blog, you will get to know more about the necessary details about studying in America after completing the 12th class.
USA Education System
There are various options for students who have completed their 12th when it comes to picking a university that offers an undergraduate course. Most of the UG programs are for 4 years. In the US, several kinds of institutions offer bachelor courses, they are:
- Public University (State University) gets its funds through public taxes and their tuition fees are subsidized by the government. Eg– University of Virginia
- Private Universities have a higher tuition fee and are run by private organizations. Eg– Brown University
- Ivy League Universities are the most famous and reputed universities in the US. Eg– Harvard University
- Technical Schools offer degrees and programs in the fields of engineering, science, and research. Eg– George Institute of Technology
- Liberal Arts College offers undergraduate courses in humanities, science, and social sciences. Eg– Middlebury College
- Community College offers Associate degrees of 2 years. Eg– Northwest Iowa Community College
Most of the universities in the USA provide two kinds of bachelor’s degrees:
- A Four Year Bachelor’s Program at a university is about completing all your coursework for your degree. The first two years at a four-year university are about building a strong foundation for the subject you have chosen.
- Two-Year Associate’s Degree + Transfer- Such types of degrees are available at a Community college which has a smaller class size and emphasizes more on building practical skills in a student. They usually provide diplomas and skill development programs.
List of the Top 15 Private Universities in the USA
The top 15 Public Universities in the USA are known for exceptional academics and extra-curricular activities, affordable tuition fees, cutting-edge research opportunities, and rich cultural diversity. They provide not only the best education but also a lively campus life.
The university or college you wish to go to makes a significant impact on your life. Here, we have curated a list of the Top 15 Public Universities in the USA that are highly recognized.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Chicago (UChicago)
- University of Pennsylvania
- Cornell University
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Yale University
- Princeton University
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was built in 1861, in Cambridge. It is a private land-grant research university. MIT is at the forefront when it comes to STEM programs, research, and entrepreneurial projects, It is at the 3rd position in the Forbes List of ‘Top Colleges’ in 2025. With an acceptance rate of 4%, it is quite tough for students to seek admission here. It makes it easier for students to interact with their professors as MIT has a low student-faculty ratio of 4:1. A student needs to secure an SAT score between 1510-1580 and an ACT score between 34-36 to be a part of MIT. Standing true to its “mind and hand” motto, MIT provides its students with the right blend of theory and practice.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has 5 academic schools: School of Architecture and Planning,
- School of Engineering,
- School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
- MIT Sloan School of Management
- School of Science and the Whittaker College of Health Sciences and Technology
It has no schools for law or medicine. In addition, the Schwarzman College of Computing deals with computing education, research, and infrastructure across all MIT schools.
MIT Admissions committee sends out acceptance letters to undergraduate students on Pi Day which is 14th March, in celebration of the mathematical consonant, 𝞹. The top bachelor courses offered by MIT are Computer Science and Engineering, Biological Engineering, Economics, Media Arts and Sciences, and Architecture.
About 58% of MIT undergraduates receive scholarships. Students from low-income backgrounds are provided with the first-year grant, which involves a scholarship of $2000 that is equally divided between the fall and spring semesters.
Tuition Fee– $83,330
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Semester-mid-June to late December,
b) Spring Semester- Early February to mid-May
University website– https://web.mit.edu/
2. Harvard University
The oldest and one of the most renowned universities in the US, Harvard University was established in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the QS World University Rankings of 2025, it is in the 4th position. It is a private Ivy League research university. It has an acceptance rate of only 3%. Your SAT score should lay between 1500-1570 and your ACT score should be somewhere between 34-36 and a high school GPA of 3.9 to study at Harvard. It has an impressive student-faculty ratio of 7:1.
Book lovers are in for a treat here as Harvard has the largest academic library in the world. The Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab) fosters students’ entrepreneurial spirit and provides them with the resources required to start their ventures. Harvard is known for its undergraduate courses in Biology, Earth and Marine Sciences, and BSc in Biological Chemistry, Astrophysics, and Computer Science.
You will be surprised to know that Harvard by the ned of 21st century, had 7 students who went on to later become the US President. It holds a record number of Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winners.
As per statistics, around 55% of Harvard students receive need-based scholarships. The scholarship offered by Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences is quite popular as it involves more than 2000 individual endowments and gifts received from alumni and donors.
Tuition Fee– $82,866
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Term- Early September to mid-December
b)Spring Term- mid-January to Early May
University website– https://www.harvard.edu/
3. Stanford University
A private research university, the Stanford University is headquartered in Standford, California, US. It was founded in the year 1885. It is at the 4th position in the list of ‘Best Value Schools’ in the US in 2025 as per the U.S. News and World Reports. Getting admission to Stanford is not easy as it has an acceptance rate of only 4%. To be a student here, you need to secure a high school GPA of 3.9, your ACT score should be 34 and 35 and SAT scores should be between 1510 and 1580. Stanford’s student-faculty ratio is of 6:1.
Stanford University consists of seven schools:
- School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences,
- School of Engineering,
- School of Humanities & Sciences,
- School of Law,
- School of Medicine and
- Graduate Schools of Business and Education.
The most popular among the Stanford Schools is its School of Engineering which is at the 2nd position in the U.S. News list of ‘Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.’ In its courses for undergraduate students, the most-sought after programs are Engineering, Human Biology, Symbolic Systems and International Relations.
Stanford is known for its research park in Palo Alto, which is the world’s 1st University Research Park. Stanford’s faculty and alumni have gone on to be the founders of the biggest firms in the world, like Google, Nike, Hewlett Packard, Wipro, PayPal, etc.
It has been found out that around 64% of the current Stanford graduates, are dependent on need-based aid. Sponsored by the School of Engineering, the Engineers in the Arts Scholarship provides engineering students a chance to continue music alongwith engineering. It provides money for their private music lessons. The Stanford in Government (SIG) Summer Fellowships is a non-partisan student group which encourages students to be poiltically aware and be involved with public service. It gives 40 paid scholarships every year and has a stipend program as well which provides students with public service internships.
Tuition Fee– $ 87,833
Academic Calendar–
a) Autumn Quarter- Late September to Early December
b) Winter Quarter- Early January to mid-March
c) Spring Quarter- Late March to Early June
d) Summer Quarter- mid-June to mid-August
University website– https://www.stanford.edu/
4. University of California, Berkeley
The University of California is a prestigious public research university, the University of California located in Berkeley, in the San Francisco area was established in 1858. It is the state’s 1st land-grant university. It is at the 12 position in the QS World University Rankings 2025. It has an acceptance rate of 12% and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. You should have a SAT of 1300 and a high school GPA of 3.9 to study here.
It has 15 schools of study on the same campus, including the College of Chemistry, the College of Engineering and the Haas School of Business. It is one of the original “Public Ivy” schools.
Popular undergraduate courses are Architecture, Environmental Studies and Astrophysics. Other known programs are electrical engineering and computer sciences, political science, molecular and cell biology, environmental science and economics.
It believes in supporting its students financially and has come up with several scholarship initiatives. The Middle Class Scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to new, transfer and returning undergraduate students pursuing a teaching credential. The Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most popular scholarships of the University of California, Berkeley which is given to first-year undergraduate students, known for their creative and leadership pursuits.
Tuition Fee- $78,795
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall semester- Late August to Late December
b) Spring semester- mid-January to mid-May
c) Summer sessions- May to August
University website– https://www.berkeley.edu/
5. University of Chicago (UChicago)
Established in the year 1890 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the University of Chicago is ranked 21st in the QS World University Rankings 2025. It is a private research university in the US. It facilitates easier learning for students, with a low student-faculty ratio of 5:1. It has an acceptance rate of 5%. To seek admission here, your SAT score range should be 1510-1570 and ACT range should be between 34-35.
It comprises of 8 professional schools:
- Booth School of Business,
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice,
- Divinity School,
- Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies,
- Harris School of Public Policy,
- Law School,
- Pritzker School of Medicine and
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Someone who appreciates media and films, will surely enjoy their time in the University of Chicago, Berkeley as it has the longest-running student-film society called ‘Doc Films’ which publishes numerous magazines and newspapers.
It grants Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences in 51 academic majors and 33 minors. Computer Science, Mathematics, Comparative Literature and Physics are some of the undergraduate courses in the University of Chicago which are the most in-demand. Undergraduate programs here are known for being quite demanding and difficult.
UChicago is proud to offer financial incentives to its students in the form of scholarships. The Odyysey Scholarship Program provides academic, social and career support to students coming from low-income families or are among the first to attend college in their family. Another notable scholarship worth mentioning is the Trott Scholarship which is a four-year award given to full-time students hailing from a rural background with an excellent academic record.
Academic Session–
a) Autumn Semester- Late September to mid-December
b) Winter Semester- Early January to mid-March
c) Spring Semester- mid-March to Early June
d) Summer Semester- Early June to Early September
Tuition Fee– $89,040
University website– https://www.uchicago.edu/en
6. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
The University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740 and is situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. As per the QS World University Rankings, it is at the 11th position. It is a private Ivy-League research university. It has an impressive student-faculty ratio of 8:1 and an acceptance rate of 6%. If you wish to study here, then you must achieve a high school GPA of 3.9, your SAT score should be between 1500 and 1570 and ACT score between 34 and 35.
The University of Pennsylvania is known for having the 1st medical school in North America known as the Perelman School of Medicine and its Wharton School was the 1st collegiate business school in the US. The Wharton School has also been ranked no.1 in the category of ‘Best Business Schools’ for its Business Administration program. UPenn is strongly dedicated to the promotion of technology and university, for which it has built the Pennovation Centre.
Penn’s “One Univesrity Policy” makes it possible for its students to be a part of classes in any of its 12 schools, except the medical, veterinary and dental schools. It offers double degree programs, unique majors and academic flexibility. Students mostly wish to study at UPenn for its excellent undergraduate courses in Business, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Nursing and Education.
Penn’s undergraduate aid is entirely need-based. UPenn’s Penn Grant which is a need-based institutional grant given to undergraduate students for upto 8 academic semesters. The Penn alumni is also known to award scholarships known as the Named Scholarships to its students who receive direct financial support from a donor.
Tuition Fee– $89,028
Academic Calendar–
a) Summer Term- Late May to Early August
b) Fall Term- Late August to mid-December
c) Spring Term- mid-January to mid-May
University website– https://www.upenn.edu/
7. Cornell University
Cornell University is a private Ivy League land-grant research university located in Ithaca, New York. It was founded in the year 1865. It is at the 16th position in the QS World University Rankings 2025. To be a student here, you must obtain a SAT score between 1480 and 1560 and a ACT score between 33 and 35.
It has 8 undergraduate colleges. It is a highly regarded engineering school. It has a wide variety of undergraduate courses with a special emphasis on African Studies, Asian-Pacific American Studies, French Studies, German Studies, Jewish Studies, Latino Studies, Near Eastern Studies, Romance Studies, and Russian Literature. Students get a chance to study in any of the 6 continents by enrolling in any of the above mentioned programs. The Cornell University is widely recognised for its Business, Marketing and Biological and Biomedical Sciences undergraduate programs.
Cornell College is committed to making private college education affordable for its students. The Cornell’s Iowa Promise Scholarship is given to 1st year Iowa students who maintain a consistent academic record. It is renewable for upto 4 years and comprises of a scholarship amount between $35,000 and $37,000 per year. The Cornell’s National Academic Award is given to first-year students with excellence in academics an arts. It is renewable for upto 4 years and involves a minimum scholarship amount of $31,000.
Tuition Fee– US $ 63,200
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Term- Late August to mid-December
b) Winter Term- Early January to mid-January
c) Spring Term- Mid-January to mid-May
d) Summer Term- Late May to Late August
University website– https://www.cornell.edu/
8. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university which was built in 1891 in Pasadena, California. According to the QS World University Rankings, it is at the 10th position. It has an acceptance rate of 3%, making it quite difficult for a student to seek admission here. Caltech’s student-faculty ratio is 3:1. To study here, a student should have a SAT score of atleast 1570 and a minimum ACT score of 36. Your high school GPA should be 4.19, to seek admission at Caltech.
A university where Albert Einstein has been a visiting professor for three winter terms, Caltech is devoted to the promotion of pure and applied sciences. It is the largest employer in Pasadena. It also operates NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The California Institute of Technology has 6 academic divisions:
- Biology and Biological Engineering
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Engineering and Applied Science
- Geological and Planetary Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
The first-year students are required to stay on campus. It has a provision which allows the faculty to assign students take-home examinations. Caltech is known for its undergraduate courses of Astrophysics, Geology, Humanities and Social Sciences. Other popular undergraduate programs are Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering and Physics.
As the university doesn’t have a merit aid program, all scholarships and grants are need-based. A Named Scholarship from Caltech, consists of funds received from the donors of Caltech which is given to students who require need-based aid. If you are a benefactor of this, then you might be asked to write a thank-you letter to on eor more donors.
Academic Session–
a) Fall Term- Late September to mid-December
b) Winter Term- Early January to mid-March
c) Summer Term- Late March/ Early April to Early June
Tuition Fee– US $86,886
University website– https://www.caltech.edu/
9. Yale University
Established in 1701, the Yale University is a private Ivy League research university, situated in New Haven, Connecticut. It is the 3rd oldest higher education institution in the US. It is ranked 5th in the list of National Universities in the US as per the US News and World Reports, 2025. If you wish to be a part of Yale University, then you must have a SAT score between 1500 and 1580 and ACT range between 33 and 35.
It has 14 constituent schools. Most of its faculty is involved in teaching the undergraduate programs. Yale University is known to provide one of the best undergraduate courses in Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Business and Economics.
The average need-based Yale scholarship is over $50,000. The Yale Scholarship is given to undergraduate students on the sole basis of their financial need. It is given out of the university’s own funds. Then there are entitlement grants, which are awarded based on criteria like federal need, city or state of residence, or association with an employer.
Tuition Fee– $88,430
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Term- Late August to mid-December
b) Spring Term- Early January to Early May
University website– https://www.yale.edu/
10. Princeton University
Founded in the year 1746, the Princeton University is the fourth oldest higher education institute in the US. It is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. As per the QS World University Rankings, it is at the 23rd position. Princeton’s acceptance rate is a mere 4%. To seek admission here, a student must get a high school GPA of 3.9, a SAT score between 1500-1580 and an ACT range between 34 and 35.
On a per student basis, it has the biggest endowment of any university in the US. It has the Institute of Advanced Study whose lifelong member was Albert Einstein. It is famous for its undergraduate courses in Molecular Biology, Archaeology, Psychology, Economics, Computer Science, Public and International Affairs and Architecture.
The Princeton University offers scholarships to its international students entirely based on need which equals to around US $70,500. Undergraduate students enrolled get 100% coverage on their tuition fees. Undergraduate students here fund their education through student employment, including internships, research projects, etc.
Tuition Fee– $ 84,040
Academic Calendar–
a) Fall Term- Early September to Late December
b) Spring Term- Late January to Late May
University website– https://www.princeton.edu/
Admission Requirements for US Universities
The student must be at least 18 years old to be able to seek admission at a university in the US. Students must have the following things with them:
- ACT/SAT Scores act as a valuable measure through which universities get to check a student’s knowledge, thinking, reasoning, and analytical skills.
- Acceptance letter from an SEVP-approved institution showing that you have sought admission at a US university/college for a course of your choice.
- IELTS/TOEFL scores are required to see how proficient a student is in the English language.
- Completion of 10+2 or 16 years of formal education
- Academic Transcripts containing your grades and marks in school. It shows your academic performance and qualifications.
- Certificates of Achievement and extracurricular participation proof.
- LOR from at least one faculty member in a previous school- A Letter of Recommendation provides a unique perspective about a student’s personality, behavior, abilities, and skills. It forms an integral part of your college applications due to which it has to be well-composed for which you can contact study abroad consultants dealing with SOP and LOR writing services.
- Financial Proof is needed to show how you will be managing your tuition, living, and other expenses for the duration of your studies in the US. You need to provide details about your source of finances, it can be through a scholarship/grant, an education loan, savings, investments, or sponsors.
- SOP/ Essay is an essential part of applying to a university/college in the US. It gives you a chance to present yourself in the best possible way in front of the admission and Visa authorities. For this, you need to compose it in the right manner for which you can seek help from professional SOP writers who provide SOP and LOR writing services.
- Valid Passport
- F-1 Visa which allows students to study in the USA.
Types of Student Visas in America
Obtaining a Student Visa for the USA serves as a key to your dream of studying in the USA. There are several kinds of Student Visas available for international students who wish to study in America based on the type of course you are applying for and its duration. Let us have a look at the various types of USA Student Visas:F Visa is for out-of-state students who wish to pursue an academic degree from a reputed US university or college can opt for this kind of Student Visa. The different types of F-1 visas e:
1. F Visa is for out-of-state students who wish to pursue an academic degree from a reputed US university or college can opt for this kind of Student Visa. The different types of F-1 visas are:
- F-1 Visa – For full-time students
- F-2 Visa – For dependents of F-1 visa holders (spouse & unmarried children below 21 years)
- F-3Visa – For border commuters (Canadian or Mexican citizens staying in their native country while being enrolled in a part-time or a full-time course in America)
2. M Visa is meant for foreign students who are about to study a vocational/non-academic course of program or training and can apply for this type of Visa. There are several types of M Visa, which are:
- M-1 Visa- For students of vocational/ non-academic courses
- M-2 Visa- Dependents of M-1 visa holders (same as F-2 visas)
- M-3 Visa- Similar to F-1 Visa for border commuters who are enrolled in a vocational/non-academic program.
3. J (Exchange Visa) is given to students who are part of a course that promotes cultural exchange or is offered to international students of an exchange program. The various types of J Visas are:
- J-1 Visa– Exchange students who have enrolled in a particular student exchange program
- J-2 Visa– Dependents of J-1 visa holders (similar to F-2 visas)
Conclusion
International students are known to prefer America for higher studies. Among the crowd of foreign students in the USA, many students have just completed their 12th and wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in America. What motivates students to study in the USA is its dynamic approach towards education. Since most of the universities in the USA design their academic curriculum in a manner that emphasizes both theory and practice. It provides students with a chance to apply their knowledge in a practical set-up which enhances their skills and abilities.
By studying in the USA, a student is at an advantage s/he gets to benefit from the ties that their universities have with the major companies in the world. This not only helps you to gain better employment opportunities but also improves your networking skills. With the availability of education loans and scholarships, studying in the USA has become easier. By giving scholarships, American universities ensure that they can do their best when it comes to including students from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds.
While you are planning to study in the USA, you also need to present a well-composed SOP, LOR, and a Scholarship Essay for the course and university you are applying to. These form an essential part of a college application and Visa approval process. It gives you a chance to stand out from the rest of the crowd. To come up with a well-written SOP/LOR/ Scholarship essay you must get in touch with study abroad consultants. Contentholic has a team of professional SOP writers who provide one of the best SOP and LOR writing services in India. So, do contact us and we will deliver our best.
