Study in the USA 2026-27: Guide for Indian and Pakistani Students
A guide for students from India and Pakistan who want to study in the United States (US) in 2026-27. It covers universities, fees, deadlines, work rules and the F-1 student visa, the visa for students. Money is in US dollars (USD).
United States Study Guide
Why United States Stands Out
Education
Bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees at US universities that may take students from other countries
STEM
24 more months of work after study if your degree is in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM)
Work
Paid work linked to your course, during and after study
Funding
Assistantships (paid teaching or research jobs at the university), university awards and Fulbright (for students from Pakistan)
USD 185
Visa application fee
USD 350
Student record fee (SEVIS I-901 fee)
20
Hours a week you may work on campus while classes run
Why Choose United States for Your Studies?
Wide choice of courses
Bachelor's, master's and PhD courses, including many STEM fields.
Key Benefits
Work during and after study
Jobs on campus. Curricular practical training (CPT), work that is part of your course. Optional practical training (OPT), paid work in your field after study, with 24 more months for STEM.
Key Benefits
Funding options
Assistantships, university scholarships and Fulbright (for students from Pakistan).
Key Benefits
United States at a Glance
Essential information about United States to help you get oriented for your study abroad journey.
Language
Courses are taught in English. Most universities ask for an English test.
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Main intake
Fall (August), with some courses in spring (January)
Student visa
F-1, with Form I-20 from your university
USD 185
Visa application fee
USD 350
Student record fee (SEVIS I-901 fee)
20 hours a week
On-campus work while classes run
24 more months
STEM work extension
Top Universities in United States for International Students
| University | Top Programs | Int'l Students |
|---|---|---|
| Purdue University (opens in a new tab) | Computer science, engineering | - |
| Northeastern University (opens in a new tab) | Computer science, AI, data science, engineering | - |
| University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) (opens in a new tab) | 93 master's and PhD courses | More than 4,500 students from other countries |
| Arizona State University (ASU) (opens in a new tab) | Engineering and many master's and PhD courses | - |
- MS in Computer Science
- MS in Data Science
- MS in Artificial Intelligence
- MS in Cybersecurity
Master's in the US for International Students
What to expect from a US master's: tests, documents, start dates and work after study.
Key Advantages of MS in United States:
STEM work extension
Graduates with a STEM degree may apply for 24 more months of work after study.
Assistantships
Paid teaching or research jobs at the university. Some come with tuition waivers (you do not pay tuition).
Language Requirements
UT Dallas: IELTS 6.5, or TOEFL 80 for tests on or before 26 January 2026 (old 0 to 120 scale) or 4 for tests after (1 to 6 scale). Northeastern Khoury: TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.5 (recommended).
Computing
- MS in Computer Science
- MS in Data Science
- MS in Artificial Intelligence
- MS in Cybersecurity
August start (fall), the main one
Example: Purdue computer science, 1 December 2026 for a Fall 2027 start
• Most courses start in fall. Fall means a start in August or September.
January start (spring)
Example: Northeastern computer science college (Khoury), for students outside the US, 1 November for Spring 2027
• Some courses start in spring
Application Tips:
- • Apply on each university's website
- • Check the deadline on your course page
Admission Requirements for Studying in United States
Everything you need to know about eligibility criteria, required documents, and application processes for United States universities.
| Course Level | Academic Requirements | Language Requirements | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Arizona State: grade point average (GPA, your marks average) of 3.00 out of 4 and a finished school diploma | Arizona State engineering: IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105 (both are English tests) | Some courses may consider SAT or ACT scores (tests some courses ask for) |
| Master's | UT Dallas: a four-year bachelor's or the same level of degree. A three-year degree is looked at as a whole. GPA of 3.0 out of 4. | UT Dallas: IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 80 for tests on or before 26 January 2026 (old 0 to 120 scale), or 4 for tests after (1 to 6 scale). | GRE (Graduate Record Examinations, a test some courses ask for) only if the course asks |
Choose courses
Check each course page for its deadline, tests and documents.
Take your tests
An English test, and the GRE if your course asks for it.
Apply
Apply on each university's website and pay its application fee.
Show proof of money
Your university then sends you Form I-20, the form you need for your visa.
Get your visa
Pay the student record fee (SEVIS I-901 fee). Fill in the online visa form (DS-160). Pay the visa fee if you must pay it before your interview. Then go to the interview.
Costs and Scholarships for Studying in United States
Get a comprehensive overview of tuition fees, living expenses, and scholarship opportunities for international students in United States.
| Program Level | Public Universities | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's at Purdue | USD 32,104 a year | - |
| Master's at Purdue, regular course | USD 29,194 a year | - |
| Master's in computer science (Northeastern) | - | USD 31,721 for 2026-27 |
Fulbright Program (Pakistan)
Value:
Tuition, books, air tickets, money to live on and health insurance
Eligibility:
For students from Pakistan who apply for a master's or a PhD, in any subject except clinical medicine (treating patients)
Assistantships (paid teaching or research jobs)
Value:
Pay and no tuition fee (for example at the University of Illinois)
Eligibility:
Mostly students in master's and PhD courses; ask your department
Financial Aid Tips for United States
- Show money for one year: Your university checks your proof of money before it sends your Form I-20.
- Add health insurance: Many universities charge for it every semester (half a school year). At Arizona State you must pay it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about studying in United States as an international student.
It depends on the university. At Purdue, a graduate course for an international student costs USD 29,194 a year in 2026-27 for classes and student fees. Housing and food are USD 16,734 for the 2026-27 academic year, on or off campus (an estimate).
Each university sets its own amount for one academic year. Your university checks it before it sends Form I-20. Arizona State asks for USD 69,132 for most master's courses in 2026-27.
The F-1 student visa. You need Form I-20, the paper your university sends after you are admitted. The visa application fee is USD 185. The student record fee (SEVIS I-901 fee) is USD 350. SEVIS is the US government's record of international students.
From 15 September 2026, students are admitted for the length of the course on their Form I-20, up to 4 years. They get 30 days to arrive before it starts and 30 days to leave after it ends. Students already in the US on 15 September 2026 keep 60 days.
Yes. You can work on campus, at your university, up to 20 hours a week while classes run. Other work needs approval first. One kind is curricular practical training (CPT), work that is part of your course.
Optional practical training (OPT) is paid work in your field, up to 12 months for each higher degree level. STEM graduates (science, technology, engineering, maths) may apply for 24 more months. On 8 October 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed an OPT fee. It is a proposal.
Some universities may accept it. UT Dallas looks at a three-year degree as a whole. Purdue computer science needs a four-year bachelor's or a degree of the same level.
Check each deadline. Fall means a start in August or September. Purdue computer science closes on 1 December 2026 for a Fall 2027 start. Northeastern's computer science college (Khoury College) closes on 15 June (Fall 2027) for students outside the US.
Still have questions?
Our education counselors are here to answer all your queries about studying in United States.
Your Complete United States Study Guide
Navigate through our comprehensive resources to guide your educational journey in United States from start to finish.
Why the US, how school works there, courses and start dates.
Eligibility, tests, documents and deadlines.
Class fees, living costs, proof of money, scholarships and jobs.
Visa, housing, insurance and your checklist.
Your first weeks, telling your university where you live, and following your visa rules.
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