USA · CHAPTER 1
Why the USA,and is it right for you?
The USA has the widest choice of universities, flexible programmes and up to three years of practical training (OPT plus STEM OPT) for STEM graduates. The trade-offs are high cost, a lottery-based H-1B work visa, and fast-changing student visa rules in 2025–26.
Published by Althéa Consulting · Adviser: Harshita Kohli
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- OPT
- 12 months
- +24 months STEM extension
- SEVIS fee
- $350
- Visa fee (MRV)
- $185
- On-campus work
- 20 hours / week
- During term
What the USA does well
- Thousands of accredited universities, from research universities to liberal-arts colleges
- Flexible degrees: change majors, add minors, take electives across departments
- Funding for strong master's and PhD students through assistantships
- Up to 36 months of practical training for STEM graduates (OPT plus STEM OPT)
- The world's largest technology and research job market
The honest trade-offs
Total costs are the highest of any major destination unless you secure funding. Health insurance is mandatory and expensive.
Rules changed quickly in 2025–26: a final rule replacing "duration of status" with fixed admission periods was published in July 2026 and is being challenged in court; new school-paid OPT fees were proposed in October 2026 but are not in force. Check the latest position before you apply.
H-1B work visas are allocated by lottery and attract additional fees in some situations. Plan a realistic route from OPT to longer-term work.
IN DEPTH · TAP A TOPIC TO OPEN
What makes the US different
- The widest choice of universities and specialisations in the world
- Flexible curriculum: change courses and add minors or certificates
- Funding through teaching and research assistantships for many STEM master's and most PhDs
- Up to three years of OPT work after a STEM degree
- Strong links to tech, finance, healthcare and research employers
- Large Indian community in most university towns
Honest risks to weigh
- High total cost if you get no funding
- Long-term work depends on the H-1B lottery and policy changes
- Visa interview outcomes can be unpredictable (section 214(b))
- Health insurance and medical costs are high
- Some regions need a car
QUICK ANSWERS
Your questions, answered.
Yes for STEM, research and well-funded master's and PhD programmes, but follow policy changes closely and budget for higher costs and visa uncertainty.
For STEM students who target strong programmes, internships and OPT, the US still offers the highest graduate salaries. The risks are cost and long-term visa uncertainty, so plan finances and a backup career path.
PhD students are usually fully funded through assistantships. Some master's students get tuition waivers and stipends through TA or RA positions, but most master's students pay fees.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Keep going: the pages that help next.
Each card says what you will find there. Looking for something else? See every page on the site.
USA GUIDE
Universities & degrees
Bachelor's, master's, PhD, community colleges, public vs private universities, accreditation and Fall and Spring intakes in the USA.
USA GUIDE
Fees & cost of living
US tuition at public and private universities, health insurance, SEVIS and visa fees and monthly living costs for Indian students in 2026–27.
TOOL
Compare countries
Compare countries on fees, living costs, visa rules and post-study work, in one table.
FROM INDIA
Month-by-month timeline
Month-by-month study abroad plan from India for a September 2027 start: tests, applications, scholarships, loans, visa, flights and a document checklist.
FRANCE
Study in France
The full France guide: degrees, fees, Campus France, visa, housing and work, chapter by chapter.
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