Best States in the USA for International Students

The US enrolls over 1 million international students annually – it is undoubtedly the final frontier of global education. Where you study within the US can change everything, from academics to career prospects.

Some states have globally prestigious colleges; some have very foreign-friendly environments, while others still offer living at affordable rates. The right choice of state is not just about education. It's balancing academics with culture and further opportunities.

Ranging from the fast pace of a major city to the charm of a college town, some states seem to round up almost every international student's list. Top 12 best US states for international students that provide students from across the world the perfect blend of education, lifestyle, and pathways to careers. 

California

Golden Gate University, Irvine Valley College, and Southern States University are leaders that offer top-tier programs in the fields of engineering, business, computer science, and arts. That is what makes it quite significantly attractive to foreign students seeking an education.

• California is highly expensive. Mostly, the tuition fee falls between $25,000 and $55,000 per annum, which is equivalent to INR 21,00,000-46,00,000.
• Other things, such as housing in San Francisco and Los Angeles add to an already high cost of living with very high expenses.

California comes under the best state for international students in the USA as it stretches from beaches and sun in the south to technological atmospheres brought out in Silicon Valley and the artistic vibes of San Francisco.

There are numerous jobs available within the state, with a focus on technology, entertainment, and startups. Silicon Valley can offer a wide range of internship and job opportunities for graduates since it is one of the IT hubs in the world. 

New York

New York is the mecca for students looking to take business, finance, law, or media studies because New York houses the greatest-ranked universities in the whole world, like Clarkson University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Monroe College.

• New York is probably one of the best states to study in the USA for international students.
• Tuition fees are upwards of INR 4,150,000 to INR 5,810,000 ($50,000-$70,000) per year, and housing at this scale is very expensive, particularly in Manhattan.

Fast and cosmopolitan, New York offers a wide and rich cultural life, with iconic museums, Broadway shows, and diversified neighbourhoods.

New York is a global finance centre where the demand for professionals in finance, media, and fashion is very high, and simultaneously, the potential job outlook and networking opportunities are also very vast for international students.

Texas

Texas has some great colleges and institutions, like the University of Houston, the University of North Texas, Texas Wesleyan University, and so many other schools. Texas has excellent programs in Engineering, Business, and Petroleum Studies.

• Texas has a cost of living that is moderate among most of the other states.
• The tuition fees would range around INR 25,00,000 -INR 42,00,000 ($30,000 to $50,000) per year, with housing fees reasonable compared to all the coastal states, even more so in cities such as Austin and Houston.

The state of Texas is well known for its friendly, diverse culture that combines urban life with rural beauty, hot summers, and mild winters. Additionally, it offers a highly vibrant music scene, which around this time had naturally gravitated to Austin.

Texas also has good job prospects, especially in energy, technology, and business. There are several Fortune 500 companies located here that give enough opportunities both in internships and employment.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts hosts some of the world's best-ranked universities, such as Hult International Business School, Suffolk University, and Northeastern University, which have been rated leaders in engineering, business, medicine, and computer science.

• The cost of living in Massachusetts is pretty high. The normal tuition fee will be over INR 21,00,000-42,00,000 ($25000 to $50000) per annum.
• The cost of housing in Boston is very high.

Massachusetts offers a lot of intellectual and historical atmosphere, especially in Boston, where winters are cold and snowy and summers are warm. It is highly noted to have a lot of museums, historic sites and a live art scene.

The state of Massachusetts has Boston exclusively as the seat of technology, biotech, and academia, and hence the outlook for graduate employment is pretty excellent, more so in innovation and research. 

Illinois

Illinois is home to some of the top universities like Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Bradley University, and North Park University. These rated universities for undergraduate and graduate levels in business, engineering, and the social sciences make Illinois one of the best states to study in the USA for international students.

• Illinois is moderately expensive. The tuition fees may range from INR 33,50,000-50,25,000 ($40,000 to $60,000) per year.
• There are high housing costs in Chicago compared to New York and California.

The state offers a rich cultural environment, especially Chicago, well-known for its architecture, museums, and music scenes, particularly that of jazz and blues. The weather features cold winters and hot, humid summers.

Illinois, particularly Chicago, is a big business centre with great job prospects in finance, consulting, and technology, making it a fine location for internships or employment after graduation. 

Pennsylvania

 Pennsylvania hosts some of the finest institutions, including Gannon University, Saint Francis University, and Wilkes University - EduCo, which have extremely robust programs in the fields of business, computer science, engineering, and liberal arts.

• The cost of living in the state is pretty average. The tuition fees range from INR 25,13,000-50,25,000 ($30,000 to $60,000) per year.
• Housing in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh is comparatively easier compared to other big metropolitan cities.

Pennsylvania has a historical and academic ambience with an urban and suburban environment. Winters can get cold, and summers are mild. Culturally and historically, there are many more events in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania shows good job prospects in health sciences, technology, and finance. To this effect, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are plausible for internships or jobs after graduation.

Florida

Florida offers some of the finest institutions of higher learning, with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida International University, and Full Sail University being the top ones. Those studying in these schools tend to enrol in business, hospitality management, and marine biology.

• The cost of living in Florida is standard. Tuition fees vary from INR 21,00,000-42,00,000 ($25,000 to $50,000) per year. The costs differ according to housing making it one of the best states to study in the USA for international students. For instance, Miami is more expensive compared to other cities in this state.

Florida is known for its tropical climate, diversified population, and vibrant culture that influences Latin American and Caribbean traditions. The state offers warm, humid weather throughout the year, rich in cultural and entertainment experiences, mainly in the very popular cities of Miami and Orlando.

Job prospects are fairly good in the tourism, healthcare, and international business industries in Florida, as the state holds a diversified economy offering a variety of jobs in the hospitality and service sectors. 

Ohio

Ohio is one of the best states in the USA with some of the finest academic institutions in the country. The University of Toledo, Kent State University, and the University of Dayton are highly regarded for their programs in the engineering, business, and health science fields.

• Ohio has a reasonable cost of living. The tuition fees range from INR 16,75,000-33,50,000 ($20,000 to $40,000) per year.
• Other living arrangements, like housing, are relatively inexpensive compared to the coastal states and can therefore be more affordable for a student.

Ohio has a very friendly and characteristic Midwestern atmosphere, with both urban and rural areas. The state winters are cold and the summers are warm. Culturally, Ohio is also very rich, with numerous museums and music festivals, and the place is inculcated into a very strong sporting culture.

Ohio has significant job prospects in health care, manufacturing, and engineering. Opportunities for internships and jobs are high in this state. 

Michigan

The universities in Michigan boast a strong academic opportunity for international students. Top Universities like Lawrence Technological University, University of Michigan Flint, and Western Michigan University - EduCo, have strong programs in engineering, business, and medicine.

• The cost of living in Michigan is fairly moderate. Tuition fees range from INR 25,00,000-42,00,000 ($30,000 to $50,000) per annum.
• The housing condition seems fairly affordable, particularly outside main cities such as Detroit.

Michigan has an industrially and academically very rich culture with an equal share of both urban and natural environments. The winters are cold with lots of snow, summers are mild, and the place is full of automotive history and cultural festivals.

Very excellent job opportunities are found in Michigan in the automobile industry, engineering, and healthcare, mainly related to the manufacturing and research part of the automobile industry. 

Arizona

Arizona hosts some of the highly ranked colleges, and very popular programs are present in areas like engineering, business, environmental studies, and more, with the presence of institutions like the University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.

• The cost of living is pretty moderate. It runs on tuition fees of INR 21,00,000-33,50,000 ($25,000 to $40,000) annually.
• The housing in this state is relatively cheap, more so in comparison with the coastal states. This holds good for the cities of Phoenix and Tucson.

Arizona offers a very distinct desert climate, very hot and dry summers, and mild winters. The state boasts of a strong cultural heritage with special emphasis on the rich tradition of the Native Americans, outdoor sports, and vibrant art scenes in Phoenix and Sedona.

Arizona being one of the best states to study in the USA for international students has fine prospects for jobs related to aerospace, technology, and renewable energy. It's a budding location for tech startups; there are great opportunities for fresh engineering and business graduates. 

Indiana

Indiana is home to highly prestigious learning institutions like Valparaiso University, and Purdue University Northwest. Such institutions are among the top in undergraduate engineering, business, and education programs.

• The cost of living in Indiana is relatively low. Tuition fees are about INR 16,75,000-33,50,000 ($20,000 to $40,000) annually. Housing is generally cheap, especially in smaller towns and cities.

Indiana offers a warm, classic Midwestern ambience with both urban and rural areas. The state has cold winters and warm summers, with a rich sports culture, particularly in basketball, and active college towns.

Indiana offers excellent job prospects in the manufacturing, education, and health sectors. The state has multiple opportunities for engineering and business graduates, particularly in the manufacturing sector. 

Georgia

 Georgia hosts very prestigious institutions like Kennesaw State University, which has excellent programs in the fields of engineering, business, and computer science. This makes Georgia one of the best US states for international students.

• The cost of living in Georgia is moderate with tuition fees ranging from INR 25,13,000-42,00,000 ($30,000 to $50,000) per year.
• Though Atlanta is a metropolitan city, compared to big cities located on coasts, it has cheaper housing, which makes it quite popular with many students.

Georgia is known for its hospitality, offering just the right mix of city and country. Summers are hot, and winters are mild in this state. Atlanta supplies a rich cultural scene in music and film with growing job opportunities.

Technology and the film industry are very promising in Georgia, logistics is another field of interest, and Atlanta is a major business hub with many internships and even employment opportunities offered in tech and media right after graduation.

Takeaway

Every state brings varied benefits to the international student, which range from tech hubs in California and cultural vibrancy in New York to affordability in Texas and excellent academia in Massachusetts. You have to keep your academic goals, career aspirations, and lifestyle in mind while choosing the state. The choice of the best states in the USA depends on the budget, course and the kind of accommodation you choose.

Get in touch with our experts to know the best states in the USA for international students and discover which location aligns with your academic and career goals. Contact AECC Global today to get personalised advice and start your journey to studying in the United States!