Top 50 Universities in the USA for International Students

Compare 50 of the best universities in the USA for international students — QS 2026 rankings, tuition fees, intakes, TOEFL/IELTS requirements and scholarships — and get free admission and F-1 visa guidance from GIEC Global.

50 universities listed

Georgetown University

Washington, D.C., United States

QS World University Rankings 2026: #285

Tuition fee
Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)
Intakes
Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)
English
TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)

Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C.. Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States, located in Washington, D.C.

  • International Affairs
  • Law (JD)
  • Business

University of Arizona

Tucson, United States

QS World University Rankings 2026: #287

Tuition fee
Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)
Intakes
Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programs
English
TOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)

University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. The University of Arizona in Tucson is a public research university known for astronomy and space science — it led the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission — as well as business (Eller), engineering and medicine..

  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Computer Science

Not sure which university is right for you?

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Find a course in United States

    Why study in the USA?

    The United States hosts more international students than any other country and is home to most of the world’s top-ranked universities. US degrees are known for flexible curricula, research opportunities, strong industry links and the chance to work after graduation through OPT.

    Top universities in the USA for international students

    1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — QS 2026 #1, Cambridge, Massachusetts
    2. Stanford University — QS 2026 #3, Stanford
    3. Harvard University — QS 2026 #5, Cambridge, Massachusetts
    4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) — QS 2026 #10, Pasadena
    5. University of Chicago — QS 2026 #13, Chicago
    6. University of Pennsylvania — QS 2026 #15, Philadelphia
    7. Cornell University — QS 2026 #16, Ithaca
    8. University of California, Berkeley — QS 2026 #17, Berkeley
    9. Yale University — QS 2026 #21, New Haven
    10. Johns Hopkins University — QS 2026 #24, Baltimore
    11. Princeton University — QS 2026 #25, Princeton
    12. Columbia University — QS 2026 #38, New York City
    13. Northwestern University — QS 2026 #42, Evanston
    14. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor — QS 2026 #45, Ann Arbor
    15. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) — QS 2026 #46, Los Angeles
    16. Carnegie Mellon University — QS 2026 #52, Pittsburgh
    17. New York University (NYU) — QS 2026 #55, New York City
    18. Duke University — QS 2026 #62, Durham, North Carolina
    19. University of California, San Diego (UCSD) — QS 2026 #66, San Diego
    20. The University of Texas at Austin — QS 2026 #68, Austin
    21. Brown University — QS 2026 #69, Providence
    22. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — QS 2026 #70, Urbana-Champaign
    23. University of Washington — QS 2026 #81, Seattle
    24. Pennsylvania State University — QS 2026 #82, University Park
    25. Boston University — QS 2026 #88, Boston
    26. Purdue University — QS 2026 #88, West Lafayette
    27. University of Wisconsin–Madison — QS 2026 #110, Madison
    28. University of California, Davis — QS 2026 #114, Davis
    29. Rice University — QS 2026 #119, Houston
    30. Georgia Institute of Technology — QS 2026 #123, Atlanta
    31. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — QS 2026 #140, Chapel Hill
    32. Texas A&M University — QS 2026 #144, College Station
    33. University of Southern California — QS 2026 #146, Los Angeles
    34. Michigan State University — QS 2026 #161, East Lansing
    35. Washington University in St. Louis — QS 2026 #167, St. Louis
    36. Arizona State University — QS 2026 #173, Tempe
    37. University of California, Santa Barbara — QS 2026 #179, Santa Barbara
    38. Emory University — QS 2026 #182, Atlanta
    39. The Ohio State University — QS 2026 #190, Columbus
    40. University of Minnesota Twin Cities — QS 2026 #210, Minneapolis
    41. University of Florida — QS 2026 #212, Gainesville
    42. University of Rochester — QS 2026 #236, Rochester
    43. Dartmouth College — QS 2026 #247, Hanover
    44. University of Massachusetts Amherst — QS 2026 #247, Amherst
    45. Vanderbilt University — QS 2026 #250, Nashville
    46. North Carolina State University — QS 2026 #272, Raleigh
    47. University of Virginia — QS 2026 #275, Charlottesville
    48. University of Pittsburgh — QS 2026 #281, Pittsburgh
    49. Georgetown University — QS 2026 #285, Washington, D.C.
    50. University of Arizona — QS 2026 #287, Tucson

    Compare universities in the USA

    The table compares ranking, international tuition, intakes and English requirements. Figures are approximate — always confirm them on the official university website.

    UniversityRankingTuition fee (international)IntakesEnglish requirement
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)QS World University Rankings 2026: #1Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Stanford UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #3Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Harvard UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #5Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    California Institute of Technology (Caltech)QS World University Rankings 2026: #10Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of ChicagoQS World University Rankings 2026: #13Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of PennsylvaniaQS World University Rankings 2026: #15Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Cornell UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #16Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of California, BerkeleyQS World University Rankings 2026: #17Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Yale UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #21Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Johns Hopkins UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #24Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Princeton UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #25Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Columbia UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #38Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Northwestern UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #42Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of Michigan–Ann ArborQS World University Rankings 2026: #45Approx. $58,000 – $65,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)QS World University Rankings 2026: #46Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Carnegie Mellon UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #52Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    New York University (NYU)QS World University Rankings 2026: #55Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Duke UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #62Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of California, San Diego (UCSD)QS World University Rankings 2026: #66Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    The University of Texas at AustinQS World University Rankings 2026: #68Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    Brown UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #69Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignQS World University Rankings 2026: #70Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of WashingtonQS World University Rankings 2026: #81Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    Pennsylvania State UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #82Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    Boston UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #88Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Purdue UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #88Approx. $28,000 – $36,000 per year (international undergraduate tuition and fees; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of Wisconsin–MadisonQS World University Rankings 2026: #110Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of California, DavisQS World University Rankings 2026: #114Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    Rice UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #119Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Georgia Institute of TechnologyQS World University Rankings 2026: #123Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of North Carolina at Chapel HillQS World University Rankings 2026: #140Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    Texas A&M UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #144Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of Southern CaliforniaQS World University Rankings 2026: #146Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Michigan State UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #161Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    Washington University in St. LouisQS World University Rankings 2026: #167Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Arizona State UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #173Approx. $28,000 – $36,000 per year (international undergraduate tuition and fees; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of California, Santa BarbaraQS World University Rankings 2026: #179Approx. $46,000 – $52,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition and fees)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    Emory UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #182Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    The Ohio State UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #190Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of Minnesota Twin CitiesQS World University Rankings 2026: #210Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of FloridaQS World University Rankings 2026: #212Approx. $28,000 – $36,000 per year (international undergraduate tuition and fees; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of RochesterQS World University Rankings 2026: #236Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    Dartmouth CollegeQS World University Rankings 2026: #247Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of Massachusetts AmherstQS World University Rankings 2026: #247Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    Vanderbilt UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #250Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    North Carolina State UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #272Approx. $28,000 – $36,000 per year (international undergraduate tuition and fees; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    University of VirginiaQS World University Rankings 2026: #275Approx. $58,000 – $65,000 per year (non-resident undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of PittsburghQS World University Rankings 2026: #281Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)
    Georgetown UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026: #285Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August/September) — main intake; some graduate programs also admit in Spring (January)TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program)
    University of ArizonaQS World University Rankings 2026: #287Approx. $35,000 – $50,000 per year (non-resident / international undergraduate tuition; varies by program)Fall (August) — main intake; Spring (January) for selected programsTOEFL iBT around 80–100 or IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (requirements vary by program)

    Admission requirements to study in the USA

    • Undergraduate: Class 12 / high-school transcripts, essays, recommendations and English test scores, usually through the Common App, the UC Application (University of California) or the university’s own portal. SAT/ACT policies vary by university.
    • Master’s and PhD: a relevant bachelor’s degree, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, CV and English scores; some programs ask for the GRE or GMAT.
    • English: TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic and, at many universities, the Duolingo English Test.

    Cost of studying in the USA

    Annual tuition for international undergraduates in our list ranges from roughly $28,000 at some public universities to $70,000 at leading private universities. Add housing, food, health insurance and travel. To receive the Form I-20 you must show funds covering the estimated cost of your first year.

    Intakes and deadlines

    Fall (August/September) is the main intake. Some graduate programs also admit students in Spring (January). Undergraduate early deadlines are usually in November and regular deadlines in early January; graduate deadlines are mostly between December and February.

    F-1 student visa and work after graduation

    After you accept an offer and show proof of funds, the university issues a Form I-20. You then pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and apply for an F-1 student visa at a US embassy or consulate.

    F-1 students can usually work on campus up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session and full-time during official breaks. After graduation, Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows up to 12 months of work, and graduates of eligible STEM degrees can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Immigration rules can change, so always check the latest official guidance.

    How GIEC Global helps you study in the USA

    GIEC Global counsellors help you shortlist universities in the USA, prepare essays and SOPs, apply for scholarships and complete your F-1 visa application — free of cost.

    FAQs: Studying at Universities in United States

    Which are the top universities in the USA for international students?

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (QS #1), Stanford University (QS #3), Harvard University (QS #5), California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (QS #10), University of Chicago (QS #13), University of Pennsylvania (QS #15). See the full list and comparison table on this page.

    What is the cost of studying in the USA?

    Undergraduate tuition for international students ranges from roughly $28,000 to $70,000 a year depending on the university, plus living costs. Graduate and professional programs have their own fees.

    What are the intakes for universities in the USA?

    Fall (August/September) is the main intake; some graduate programs also offer a Spring (January) intake.

    Which English test do I need to study in the USA?

    Most universities accept TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic, and many also accept the Duolingo English Test. Top universities typically expect TOEFL around 100 or IELTS 7.0+.

    Can international students work while studying in the USA?

    Yes. F-1 students can usually work on campus up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time during breaks, and can apply for OPT after graduation.

    How can GIEC Global help me study in the USA?

    GIEC Global offers free counselling, shortlisting, SOP and essay help, application support and F-1 visa guidance.

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