Top USA Universities for International Students in 2025
Studying in the US is a dream to many. Every year thousands of students move to the US for a chance to learn at the best universities. The country is home to some of the best universities for international students in the US, offering world-class education and career opportunities.
When there are so many options, it might get a little bit difficult to choose which college to consider. Many international students also look for the most affordable colleges in the US for international students or the best US state for international students before making their decision.
In this article, you will find a list of the top 10 USA universities to choose from.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Being a global leader in science and technology, it focuses on real-world applications and innovations. MIT provides on-campus housing facilities, and you can also find off-campus housing in Boston within a radius of 2 km from the college campus.
Why this international student thinks MIT is great:
"MIT is a great school academically and socially. The community is very supportive and diverse. There are so many academic and extracurricular opportunities that cannot be found in many other schools. Hands down the school to go to for anybody that wants to go into STEM."
Additional stats:
• The university provides need-based financial aid for international undergraduates, though it's competitive
• Acceptance rate ~4%; 3,465 international students (2023-2024)
• Tuition fee: ~$64,000/year
• MIT's International Students Office offers visa assistance, cultural adjustment programs, and resources like language courses.
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT, TOEFL or IELTS, GRE (for graduate programs)
Stanford University
Located in Silicon Valley, Stanford is perfect for students interested in tech, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Why this international student thinks Stanford is great:
"Great University, this school is well known all over the globe and they really taught students how to be the best version of themselves. The profs and staffs were all accommodating and attentive. The cafeteria was astounding. The location of the school enables the students to travel to different locations easily and the place is easily accessible for students."
Additional stats:
• Merit-based scholarships
• Acceptance rate ~4%
• Tuition fee: ~$65,000/year
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT, TOEFL or IELTS, GRE or GMAT (depending on program)
Harvard University
This university is well recognized for its contribution to academic excellence and research. It offers programs across all disciplines, and it also has a wide network of alumni.
Why this international student thinks Harvard is great:
"There are endless opportunities for students at Harvard. I have made some of the greatest friendships with alumni, professors, and students. This university allows me to branch out into the person that I wish to become. Attending a place like Harvard opens my eyes to the many different backgrounds people originate from. There is immense culture and knowledge shared between students."
Additional stats:
• Financial aid covering 100% of demonstrated need (average aid: $60,000/year)
• Acceptance rate ~5.2%; ~1,200 international students
• Tuition fee: ~$62,000/year
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT, TOEFL or IELTS, GRE or GMAT (depending on program)
New York University
NYU is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the U.S. and globally. This is one of the best universities for finance, marketing, data analytics & business, and MBA. Housing for graduate students is available but limited and not guaranteed, but you can look for student housing in New York near NYU.
Why this international student thinks NYU is great:
"Wonderful campus with lots of support and diversity. Love the on campus activities and events, it really helps facilitate a campus spirit despite the fact that the buildings are distributed across Manhattan."
Additional stats:
• Acceptance rate ~5.8%
• Tuition fee: ~$60,000/year
• NYC's urban setting provides cultural exposure and internship opportunities
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT, TOEFL or IELTS, GRE or GMAT (depending on program)
Northeastern University
Northeastern University is known for its co-op program. The best thing about this university is that it gives you real-life experience with internships, boosting career prospects. It also offers personalized academic advising, career development, and visa support and scholarships like the Global Scholars Program.
Why this international student thinks Northeastern is great:
"I love Northeastern! Their co-op program is amazing! They have a very international student population which is represented by a lot of different clubs. It's very easy to find friends who have the same cultural background as yours! Their faculty members are incredible. So professional, knowledgeable but also human. Cannot praise them enough! "
Additional stats:
• Acceptance rate ~18%
• Tuition fee: ~$60,000/year
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT, TOEFL or IELTS, GRE or GMAT
Columbia University
This college is known for social sciences, business, and engineering. This college also helps students with needs-based financial aid, scholarships, and cultural programs.
Why this international student thinks Columbia is great:
"It's a beautiful campus that offers a great environment for learning and experiencing life in NYC. The education is excellent, and the classmates are friendly and supportive. You may face challenges along the way, but overcoming them helps you grow. I'm excited for you to experience it too. Hope to see you on campus!"
Additional stats:
• Acceptance rate ~5.8%
• Tuition fee: ~$68,000/year
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT, TOEFL or IELTS, GRE or GMAT (depending on program)
University of California, Berkeley
This college excels in science, engineering, and political science. It is one of the affordable student universities in the USA for international students. Limited scholarships are available, but public tuition is lower than private schools.
Why this international student thinks UC Berkeley is great:
"I love UC Berkeley even though I was intimidated at first. But over time, I got more comfortable with participating and got over worrying that everyone would think I was dumb if I asked a question. All of my professors and GSI's have been very smart, approachable, and available to help out at their office hours or over email."
Additional stats:
• Acceptance rate ~11%
• Tuition fee: ~$50,000/year
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT (optional), TOEFL or IELTS, GRE for most graduate programs
University of Southern California (USC)
It is a prestigious research university located in Los Angeles, California, known for its strong programs in cinematic arts, business, engineering, and communication.
Why this international student thinks USC is great:
"USC is a very good university in terms of student support, academic reputation, and resources. I was there 3 years and almost everything was perfect. I was a student in CS department of Viterbi Engineering school. I think the only problem for USC, especially Computer Science department students, is there are too many students but very limited seats in some popular courses, like Information retrieval, web technology, etc. I think this happens for most famous universities. "
Additional stats:
• Acceptance rate ~12%
• Tuition fee: ~$65,000/year
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT (optional), TOEFL or IELTS, GRE or GMAT (depending on program)
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon excels in computer science, engineering, and the arts.
Why this international student thinks CMU is great:
"Love the college experience so far. I\'m hoping it remains the same until I graduate!! The biggest concern would be to pick one activity amongst hundreds of happenings around the campus. It often makes me feel that I have very little time to do things"
Additional stats:
• Acceptance rate ~11%
• Tuition fee: ~$62,000/year
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT, TOEFL or IELTS, GRE for most graduate programs
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
UIUC is a public university with top engineering and computer science programs. It offers immigration support and scholarships like the Illinois International Scholarship.
Why this international student thinks UIUC is great:
"The communicty of UIUC is diverse and international-student-friendly. Most professors are very nice and excel in their fields. Academic staff are super friendly and responsive. Food is super great here, and life is affordable for students."
Additional stats:
• Acceptance rate ~45%
• Tuition fee: ~$40,000/year
• Exams for admission: SAT or ACT, TOEFL or IELTS, GRE
How Can Amber Help You?
amber helps you secure student accommodation of your choice on your study abroad journey. Having served 80 million students (and counting), amber is your one-stop shop for all your accommodation needs. Download the Amber app from the Google Play or App Store to book an affordable home for your adventure.
About author
Kajol. M is someone who's passionate about sharing stories, ideas, and anything that sparks a little inspiration. When not writing, you'll probably catch me buried in a book, playing an instrument, or getting lost in a playlist.