The United States is huge. Its size, its culture and its influence in the world are all gigantic. The state of Alaska alone is about the size of Western Europe. It’s also by far the largest Anglophone country in the world. This makes the United States the ideal place to study abroad.
USA is vast, diverse and fiercely innovative
Summarizing the United States can be tricky. From the beating urban hubs of New York, Miami, Boston and Los Angeles, to the vast, wide open plains and peaks of Montana, to the volcanoes and hidden valleys of Hawaii, there’s just so much to see, do and experience. It’s this versatility that makes it the perfect place to study, regardless of what your major is, or your interests are.
The diversity of the United States also adds to it. The country has a long history of immigration – and this makes its more than 336 million inhabitants one of the most diverse populations in the world.
The United States is made up of 50 states, plus the District of Columbia. Each state has its own unique character, traits and sights and sounds to explore. As well as influences from all over the world, the States stretch from the Atlantic, to the Pacific, to the Gulf of Mexico – an entire continent of adventure in just one country.
A top study abroad destination
The United States consistently ranks high in the top 10 places to study abroad, especially when it comes to access to higher quality teaching. The American higher education system also allows you to explore your interests as it lets you earn qualifications through amassing credits from standalone courses, as well as by following set programs. You can do this at some of the best schools in the world, including; MIT, Harvard, Yale, UCLA and Columbia. These are but a handful of the world-leading schools in the United States.
The US is also home to highly-specialized technical and vocational schools. For example, you can study arctic science in Alaska, seed agriculture (plant production) in Wyoming or astronautical engineering in Florida.
Education System
Compared to other higher education systems around the world, higher education in the United States is largely independent of government regulation and is highly decentralized. This means that students are granted a wide variety of choice. Pick from public or private schools, schools with small or large student populations, or religiously affiliated schools.
Types of programs in the US
Associate degrees
An associate degree program is designed for students interested in learning a skill or trade and typically takes two years to complete.
This degree option is ideal for individuals who want to enter the workforce quickly or are looking to change careers. Associate degrees are usually offered at local community colleges where tuition and access are cheaper.
Bachelor's degrees
Bachelor’s degrees, on the other hand, are offered at nearly every university in the US and take 3-4 years to complete.
Acceptance into a Bachelor's program in the US often requires you to demonstrate prior academic achievements, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, English language proficiency (if you're not a native speaker), and even sports achievements (if you're applying for an athletic scholarship).
Postgraduate degrees (Master's and PhD/Doctorate)
Master’s and doctorate degrees, also known as postgraduate degrees, are the most competitive degrees and require that a student has a Bachelor's or Master's degree, respectively.
The length of study varies, but Master's programs usually last 1-2 years, while PhDs take 3-6 years to complete.
Master's and Doctorate students often gain practical experience and teaching opportunities through the university.
MBA degrees
Pursuing an MBA in the US will teach you how to work on real-world case studies, test your limits, cooperate with diverse groups, and master your interpersonal and business communication skills.
Business and Management degrees are the 4th most popular category of study programs in the US, with around 160,000 international students in the US being enrolled in Business and Management programs as of December 2024.
In the United States, more students attend community colleges than any other higher education form.
Choose the UK, where you get four countries for the price of one. Read on to find out more about studying in the UK.
Our Go Global MBA Scholarship of up to $7,000 is open to anyone starting an MBA degree abroad in Fall 2027.
