The Accessibility of a U.S. Education for International Students
Students looking to further their education through higher education in the United States are met with an overwhelming array of options. With more than 4,700 college and university choices, the process of applying to a U.S. institution can seem daunting. However, a U.S. education is more accessible than you may think. Through understanding the number of options, application processes, cost, and how to get started, international students can gain insight into navigating the U.S. higher education system with ease.
The Number of Options
Among the options in the United States, you can find 2-year colleges, public and private universities, liberal arts colleges, research universities, technical and art institutes, specialized universities (such as culinary, fashion, health, or criminal justice), and more! You can attend schools with student bodies as large as 70,000 or as small as 100. Schools can be found in the heart of a city or in a remote forest. The diversity of options provides prospective students with a type, size, and location of universities that fit their individual needs.
The United States is also home to universities with special missions, which adds to the diversity of how academics are taught and how students experience campus life. Religious institutions can be found in the Christian, Catholic, Jewish, and Mormon faiths, while single-gender colleges and minority-serving institutions also exist. Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) also hold a unique place in the country’s history and continue to prioritize black-centered education and campus culture.
The Application Process
More than 950 U.S. institutions use the Common Application, which simplifies the application process for students. After filling out basic information about yourself once, it can be sent to each college or university the student is applying to. While more selective universities may require additional supplements, essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews, most U.S. universities only require an application, transcripts, and one admissions essay.
In response to COVID-19, applying to U.S. universities has become even more straightforward, as many have removed the requirement to submit SAT or ACT scores. Over 60% of U.S. universities have adopted a “test-optional” policy. This means students can choose whether they would like to take and submit a standardized test, allowing them to forgo standardized testing altogether if they so choose.
Cost
The cost of U.S. higher education institutions varies incredibly. Tuition can be as low as $0, with four work colleges being free for all students, and as high as $65,000 USD per year. It’s crucial to understand that students rarely pay the full sticker price, and the most expensive U.S. universities tend to be the most generous. Sixty-three universities, including the Ivy League, meet an international student’s full financial need, making such expensive-seeming universities actually the most affordable.
Starting at a community college can save students considerable sums of money. Typically called community or junior colleges, students can pay less than $10,000 USD per year in tuition for two years and then transfer to a university to complete their final two years. Doing this can greatly reduce tuition while still having students on track to complete their university studies in four years, as usual.
How to Get Started
EducationUSA is the official source of U.S. higher education and provides a free advising service that can help students narrow their search, understand financial aid options, and apply to their top choice universities and colleges. Visiting the EducationUSA College Fair in a city near you (May 9-13) and meeting more than 50 U.S. universities and colleges, international students can start reaching out and building relationships with prospective schools. Registering for the EducationUSA College Fair is also easy and free.
Conclusion
With over 4,700 college and university choices in the United States, international students can look to continue their education smoothly. By understanding the application process, cost, and options available, future students can graduate from their dream school with a well-rounded education and a degree that will set them up for professional success.