Last Updated on August 29, 2024
The USA has always been the most preferred destination for higher studies by international students. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in 2022, more than 4,68,700 Indian students came to America to study at a higher level. The number of Indian students studying in America increased by over 19% during this year. The US is home to many top universities worldwide, and its high quality of education and infrastructure attracts students from all corners of the world.
Postgraduate studies in the US offer great options and opportunities to students. Top schools like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale provide high-quality education and job opportunities. You can study various business, engineering, medicine, or arts subjects at prestigious universities, including Columbia, Berkeley, and Princeton. Popular PG courses in the US for Indian students include MBA, Computer Science, and Law. In this article, let’s explore the top PG courses in the USA and how Indian students stand to benefit from them.Â
Why pursue Post-Graduation (PG) in the US?
Colleges in the United States are famous for their regular and vocational courses. Because of this, many international students come here to study PG courses compared with other places. The emphasis stays on skills needed to handle daily difficulties in the business world.
Here are some reasons why you should pursue PG courses in the US
- Global academic opportunities: Employers and educational institutions worldwide acknowledge postgraduate degrees from US universities. Such degrees have a reputation rooted in excellent teaching, research opportunities, transferable knowledge, and an international perspective.
- World-class ranking: Over 15 US universities have been placed in the QS World University Ranking 2025, top 50. This makes the US a perfect choice for students from around the globe to pursue PG courses.
- Curriculum: Schools for graduate and professional studies in the United States are known to have a well-structured curriculum. Their focus is on preparing students for jobs, so they offer chances to develop skills needed in your chosen field and research programs you can take up once post-graduation.
- Enriching environment: Universities in the US often have lively campus life and different activities outside of studies, allowing students to make the most of their time.
- International perspective: You can interact with students from different countries and cultures. This kind of interaction can help you build your confidence and social abilities.
- Experience in industry: The program includes a variety of workshops, events, one-to-one sessions and tutorials for post-graduate students. These activities can assist you in comprehending the present work situations and forming connections with top people in the market.
Top Universities for Post-Graduate (PG) Courses in the US.
Below is the list of top universities in the US for PG courses, along with QS ranking 2025
| Rank | University | QS Ranking 2025 |
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 |
| 2 | Harvard University | 4 |
| 3 | Stanford University | 6 |
| 4 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 10 |
| 5 | University of Chicago | 10 |
| 6 | University of Pennsylvania | 12 |
| 7 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 15 |
| 8 | Yale University | 16 |
| 9 | Columbia University | 23 |
| 10 | Princeton University | 17 |
| 11 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 29 |
| 12 | Cornell University | 13 |
| 13 | Johns Hopkins University | 28 |
| 14 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 33 |
| 15 | New York University (NYU) | 38 |
| 16 | Northwestern University | 62 |
| 17 | Duke University | 57 |
| 18 | University of California, San Diego | 72 |
Types of Post-Graduate Degrees in the US
A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite to pursue a PG course in the USA. In the US, there are three main types of post-graduate degrees. They are:
- Professional Masters: These are also known as terminal programs. They will equip you with the necessary skills to start working immediately without needing additional study to master the subject.
- Academic Masters: This is the opposite of professional programs. They provide students with an education that prepares them for more learning, such as a Doctoral degree. The time needed to finish this type ranges typically from one to three years.
- Doctoral degrees: This is the highest level of PG degree. Students usually take four to eight years to finish the coursework and dissertation.
Popular Post-Graduate (PG) Courses Worldwide
The US has many top universities that rank at the top globally. These top-ranked universities in the US provide students with various course options. Some of the most famous PG courses worldwide include are given below:
| Agriculture and related subjects | Sales, Marketing and Retailing | Architecture, Building and Planning | Art |
| Aviation | Social Sciences | Economics | Education and Teaching |
| Engineering | Therapeutic Personal Care | General Management and Business | Hotel Management and Hospitality |
| Humanities | IT and Computer Science | International Culture, Literature and Foreign Languages | Law |
| MBA | Mass Communication and Media | Medicine and Life Sciences | Music, Dance and Theatre |
Post-graduation courses based on different PG programs
Below is the list of top courses based on different PG programs, i.e. Professional Master, Academic Master and Doctoral degrees
| Type | Examples | Duration | Key Features |
| Master’s Degrees | Master of Arts (MA)Master of Science (MS)Master of Business Administration (MBA)Master of Fine Arts (MFA) | 1-2 years | Advanced coursework May include thesis or project Often career-focused |
| Doctoral Degrees | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Doctor of Education (EdD) Doctor of Science (ScD) | 4-7 years | Highest academic degreeEmphasises original research- Dissertation required |
| Professional Degrees | Juris Doctor (JD) for lawDoctor of Medicine (MD)Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) | 3-4 years | Prepare for specific professions Often require licensing examsCombine coursework and practical training |
Popular Post-Graduate Degrees in the US for Indian Students
Below is the list of popular post-graduate degrees in the US for Indian Students
| Type | Examples | Duration | Key Features |
| Master’s Degrees | Master of Arts (MA) Master of Science (MS)Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Fine Arts (MFA) | 1-2 years | Advanced coursework May include thesis or project Often career-focused |
| Doctoral Degrees | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Doctor of Education (EdD) Doctor of Science (ScD) | 4-7 years | Highest academic degreeEmphasises original research Dissertation required |
| Professional Degrees | Juris Doctor (JD) for lawDoctor of Medicine (MD)Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) | 3-4 years | Prepare for specific professions Often require licensing exams Combine coursework and practical training |
Eligibility for post-graduate programs in the US
All the universities in the US have eligibility criteria that allow students to enrol in their programs. However, the basic requirements followed by all the universities are:
- A minimum of 16 years of formal education, including a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. However, this is subject to the GPA score one has attained. Some institutions may also accept a three-year diploma or a 2.2 UK-graded bachelor’s degree if you initially complete a bachelor’s program.
- In some institutions, students who have completed a 15-year formal education and graduated from an NCAA Division One Institution with a GPA of at least 3.0 are accepted directly without needing to study bachelor’s courses beforehand.
- In some instances, any vocational course can require the provision of evidence of work experience that is related to the subject.
- Official transcript from your undergraduate college or university in case of an MBA
- Pass standardised exams, such as GMAT, GRE or any English-language proficiency test like IELTS, with a minimum overall band of 7
Admission Requirements for Post-Graduate (PG) programs in the US
Below is the list of admission requirements for PG programs in the US based on various criteria, such as Academic requirements, standardised test scores, English language proficiency levels, etc
| Requirement | Details |
| Academic prerequisites | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution Minimum GPA (typically 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale)Relevant coursework in the field of study |
| Standardised tests | GRE for most programs GMATÂ for business programs MCAT for medical schools LSATÂ for law schools |
| English language proficiency | TOEFL IELTSDuolingo ( accepted by selected universities)Typical minimum scores: TOEFL 80-100, IELTS 6.5-7.0 |
| Application materials | Online application form Official transcripts Letters of recommendation (usually 2-3)Statement of purpose/Personal statement Resume/CVWriting samples (for some programs)Portfolio (for arts/design programs) |
| Deadlines | Fall admission: December to January for most programs Spring admission (if available): September to October Early decision/action: November Rolling admissions: Vary by program |
Cost of studying PG in the US
The tuition fees for post-graduate programs in the US depend on the type of institution and course you have selected. But the usual fees range between INR. 5,02,196 – INR 37,66,567. Private universities in the USA are more expensive than public universities. Courses like MBA and PGDM are also more costly than other classes.
More details are mentioned in the table below:
| University | Location | Average Annual Fees for PG courses |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts | INR 41,00,000 – INR 45,00,000 |
| Stanford University | Stanford, California | INR 43,00,000 – INR 47,00,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, Massachusetts | INR 42,00,000 – INR 46,00,000 |
| Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut | INR 40,00,000 – INR 44,00,000 |
| Columbia University | New York City, New York | INR 45,00,000 – INR 49,00,000 |
| University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California | INR 38,00,000 – INR 42,00,000 |
| Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey | INR 41,00,000 – INR 45,00,000 |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois | INR 44,00,000 – INR 48,00,000 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Pasadena, California | INR 40,00,000 – INR 44,00,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, Maryland | INR 42,00,000 – INR 46,00,000 |
Scholarships for Post-Graduate Courses in the US.
We all know that the USA is more expensive than other nations. The cost of living and studying is also naturally high. While this may not affect the natives, it is a burden on the shoulders of all international students. To relieve this burden, many scholarships are available to international students.
Refer to the table below for more details.
| Scholarship Name | Number of Awardees | Criteria | Amount Awarded |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships | 70-80 annually | Merit-based | Up to INR 75,00,000 |
| Inlaks Scholarships | 8-10 annually | Merit-based | Up to INR 70,00,000 |
| Tata Scholarships at Cornell University | Up to 20 annually | Need-based | Full tuition (approx. INR 45,00,000 per year) |
| Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships | Five annually | Merit-based | INR 1,50,00,000 (for 2-year MBA) |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship | 15-20 annually | Merit-based | Up to INR 20,00,000 |
| JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | 100+ annually | Merit-based | Up to INR 10,00,000 |
| Rotary Foundation Global Grants | Varies | Merit and need-based | INR 15,00,000 to INR 30,00,000 |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Varies | Merit and need-based | 50% of total costs, up to INR 35,00,000 |
| K.C. Mahindra Education Trust Scholarship | 3-4 annually | Merit-based | INR 8,00,000 |
| Goa Education Trust Scholarships | 2-3 annually | Merit-based | Up to INR 30,00,000 |
Cost of Living in the US
The cost of living in the USA is higher than in other countries. In the table below, we have mentioned the average cost of living in the US based on different criteria.
| Expense Category | Approximate Monthly Cost (in INR) |
| Rent (1 bedroom apartment) | INR 60,000 – INR 1,50,000 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water) | INR 8,000 – INR 12,000 |
| Internet | INR 4,000 – INR 6,000 |
| Food (groceries and occasional eating out) | INR 20,000 – INR 40,000 |
| Public Transportation | INR 6,000 – INR 10,000 |
| Health Insurance | INR 8,000 – INR 20,000 |
| Phone Plan | INR 2,500 – INR 5,000 |
| Entertainment and Personal Expenses | INR 10,000 – INR 20,000 |
| Books and Study Materials | INR 5,000 – INR 10,000 |
Job Opportunities after Pursuing PG in the USA for Indian Students
The US has a robust job market and offers ample opportunities to everyone.
| Job Title | Approximate Annual Salary (in INR) |
| Software Engineer | INR 60,00,000 – INR 1,20,00,000 |
| Data Scientist | INR 70,00,000 – INR 1,50,00,000 |
| Management Consultant | INR 80,00,000 – INR 1,80,00,000 |
| Investment Banker | INR 1,00,00,000 – INR 2,50,00,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | INR 50,00,000 – INR 1,00,00,000 |
| Marketing Manager | INR 60,00,000 – INR 1,30,00,000 |
| Biomedical Researcher | INR 50,00,000 – INR 1,10,00,000 |
| University Professor | INR 60,00,000 – INR 1,40,00,000 |
| Clinical Psychologist | INR 55,00,000 – INR 1,20,00,000 |
| Artificial Intelligence Specialist | INR 80,00,000 – INR 2,00,00,000 |
Conclusion
Pursuing PG courses in the USA as an Indian student can significantly boost your career and financial prospects. Despite the high cost of living and fees, the USA is an ideal location for Indian students, offering high educational standards that lead to substantial salary increases. It also boasts a solid and booming economy, providing excellent job opportunities.
Many scholarship options are available, thus aiding the financial burden of international students.
Go ahead with your dream of pursuing PG courses in the USA as an Indian Student and turn all your dreams into reality.
If you need clarification or assistance in your study abroad journey, contact us at Admissify. Our excellent team of experienced counsellors and mentors will guide you through every step.
FAQs
What is the duration of PG courses in the US?
Master’s programs usually take 1-2 years, while PhD programs can last 4-7 years, depending on the course.
What are the basic requirements for admission to PG courses in the US?
The basic admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree, desired GPA scores, GRE/GMAT scores, English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS), and letters of recommendation.
How much does it cost to study PG courses in the US?
PG courses in the US generally vary between INR 16,00,000 to INR 56,00,000 per year.
Can international students work while studying PG courses in the US?
Students can work part-time jobs along with their PG courses in the US.
Aakriti Kumari is a passionate content writer who finds solace in the world of books. An avid reader from a young age, she has cultivated a deep love for the written word. When she’s not crafting compelling content, you can find her lost in the pages of a captivating novel. Aakriti shares her literary adventures and book recommendations on her Instagram account, @aakthereader, dedicated to her love of reading. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, she brings words to life, inviting readers on a journey through her writing.
