How Higher Education Works in the United States

Higher education in the U.S. offers a diverse range of programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Upon completion of high school, students can choose to attend a 2-year community college (often leading to an associate degree), a 4-year college, or a university to earn a bachelor’s degree. Graduate studies include master’s and doctoral degrees. 

Public and Private Universities in the United States

Public universities in the U.S. are funded by state governments and are often larger than private universities. They tend to have a wider selection of majors and more diverse student bodies. Some well-known public universities with more affordable tuition fees for international students include the University of Florida, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Iowa.

U.S. Affordable Universities

These universities are not very large, competition for admission is low, and the universities themselves provide their students with individualized help and support throughout their studies.

Webster University

The university is an independent, non-profit institution of higher education. The language of instruction is English.

Graduates receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree in such areas as:

The main campus is located in St. Louis, Missouri. Undergraduate tuition is $28,500, but all international students receive a $10,000 to $19,000 scholarship per year for the duration of their studies. Graduate credit hour costs from $645 (for a total of 36 credit hours, you can get a university scholarship 15-20%).

University of South Florida

Popular majors: business, management, marketing, biological, biomedical and social sciences, engineering, psychology, education, IT.

The university is located in Tampa, the third-largest city in Florida.

Bachelor’s degree: the cost is $17,000; international students receive a stipend of up to $12,000 a year for the entire period of study. That is, the student pays $5,000.

Master’s degree: $15,864 per year, depending on the program, you can get a scholarship up to full tuition waiver, and you can also get a job on campus (assistantship).

Trine University

Located in Angola, Indiana. The starting salaries of graduates exceed the national average. Diplomas are awarded in more than 30 programs.

Founded in 1884, the university offers academic programs, exceptional faculty, and quality instruction that ensures 92 percent of graduates find employment within six months of graduation.

Undergraduate degrees are $33,650 a year, with international students receiving a $8,000-16,000 scholarship a year for the duration of their studies.

Master’s degrees are $11,850 a year.

Lincoln University (Oakland)

The university has more than 500 undergraduate and graduate students.

Lincoln University offers the following programs of study:

• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Science
• Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor’s degree: $10,500.

Master’s degree: about $9,000 per year.

Midwestern State University

Located in Wichita Falls, Texas. It is the state’s only public institution specializing in the humanities.

In 2020, the university had more than 5,000 students enrolled in undergraduate programs.

Undergraduate: $13,500 per year, and scholarships are available based on competition and good academic standing.

Master’s degree: $9,000 per year.

University Entrance Requirements

Admission requirements vary from university to university and can depend on the program of study. Generally, international students are expected to provide proof of English language proficiency (through tests like TOEFL or IELTS), SAT/ACT scores for undergraduate programs, or GRE/GMAT scores for graduate programs. Letters of recommendation, transcripts from previous educational institutions, and a personal statement or essay are also typically required.

U.S. universities sometimes allocate passing grades based on academic achievement. Public universities do this, and passing grades are usually low. For example, the University of Florida requires a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 out of 4.0. But this does not mean that the GPA is unimportant: there is a reason why the highest ranked schools usually have very high GPAs.

Application Documents

Typical documents required for application include:

1. Completed application form: Each university has its own application form, often available to complete online.

2. Academic transcripts: These are official records of your academic achievement at high school (for undergraduate programs) or at undergraduate level (for graduate programs).

3. English language test scores: These may be from the TOEFL or IELTS exams.

4. Standardized test scores: For undergraduate admission, these are usually SAT or ACT scores. For graduate admission, these may be GRE or GMAT scores, depending on the program.

5. Letters of recommendation: These are usually from teachers or professors who can speak to your academic abilities.

6. Personal statement or essay: This is a chance to express your goals, why you want to study at the institution, and why you are a good fit for the program.

Remember that applying early can increase your chances of securing scholarships and being admitted to the program of your choice.

U.S. Scholarships for International Students

There are many scholarships available for international students in the U.S. These can be specific to a particular university or available nationally. Scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, or specific to a certain field of study. They can significantly reduce the financial burden of studying in the U.S.

Only public and private non-profit institutions can expect to receive financial assistance. Private for-profit universities and colleges do not usually award scholarships to their students.

One of the advantages of an American education is a wide choice of scholarship programs with full or partial coverage of living expenses. For example, popular among international students is the Fulbright grant, which includes tuition, a language exam, health insurance, two airline tickets, and a monthly stipend.

The main thing to remember: An American education can be affordable. In the USA, there is a choice of low-cost universities where you can get in with a scholarship and study inexpensively.

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