Best Universities in the USA to Pursue STEM Courses: Indian students who dream of pursuing STEM courses abroad usually turn to the USA due to the presence of some world-class STEM universities.
For more than two centuries now, the US has been one of the most revered destinations for Indian students to pursue their higher studies. A big chunk of the international students who land on US soil is admitted to the STEM courses in US universities where the ratio of Indian students is on the higher side.
The article will walk you through some of the best universities in the USA to pursue STEM courses and a lot of information about why one should pursue STEM courses in USA.
What is a STEM Degree?
An abbreviation or short-form for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, a STEM degree are college programs that span a number of academic disciplines. Broadly, the term is used to describe areas directly related to hard sciences and have interdisciplinary and hands-on exposure across various industries. STEM courses and graduates form the foundation for innovation. STEM courses are in high demand and are being pursued by a large number of students due to their broad scope.
STEM courses are in high demand because the professions associated with them are among the most rewarding and financially rewarding in the world. The USA has traditionally been a global leader in these sectors, and colleges are including these technical courses in their curricula to ensure the country's dominance.
Know About the Universities Abroad Offering STEM Courses!
Why Pursue STEM Courses in USA?
Let's shower some light on various advantages of pursuing STEM courses in USA:
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The USA has its very own Silicon Valley in California, which is the world's largest technology and information technology centre. It is the country's largest technology platform, foundation, and centre, with access to large-scale infrastructure, advanced resources, and talented staff. It is one of the most important reasons for attracting more international aspirants to study STEM courses in USA, especially given the country's technological development.
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A dynamic student lifestyle is also a big lure for international students studying STEM at US universities. Monotony never enters the academic process since campuses provide a wide range of extracurricular interests, societies, clubs, and other activities.
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A dynamic student lifestyle is also a big lure for international students studying STEM at US universities. Monotony never enters the academic process since campuses provide a wide range of extracurricular interests, societies, clubs, and other activities. Students can also participate in community and charitable initiatives, sporting events, and other activities.
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Most major universities in the USA bring together people from various cultures under one roof. The country is well-known for attracting individuals from nearly every corner of the globe, with varied cultures, festivals, foods, and more! Indians also live, work, and study in large numbers in the USA, making it easier for Indian hopefuls to take STEM courses here.
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Studying at the best US universities for STEM courses opens up many opportunities, the most important of which are global views and viewpoints. Students have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage with individuals from diverse cultures, understand various global markets, solve problems, and ask questions with an open mind.
List of Best STEM Universities in USA
The United States is known around the world for focusing on improving global technology and is a leader in cutting-edge scientific discoveries. With the technology and scientific industries increasing, the United States is focusing on developing new visionaries who can work in these fields. This is why STEM courses are promoted at several prestigious universities in the USA.
Several of the top STEM universities in USA are featured in the table below, along with their respective QS WUR Rankings for 2023.
Best STEM Universities in the USA |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
---|---|
1 |
|
3 |
|
5 |
|
=6 |
|
10 |
|
13 |
|
=16 |
|
18 |
|
20 |
|
22 |
|
24 |
|
25 |
|
27 |
|
32 |
|
39 |
|
44 |
|
=50 |
|
52 |
|
53 |
|
63 |
Best USA Universities for STEM Courses – Engineering & Technology
Mentioned below are the top 10 best US universities for STEM courses in the field of Engineering and Technology studies for international students as per the latest and most recent QS World University Rankings by Subject of 2023:
Universities in the USA |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Engineering & Technology |
---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
1 |
Stanford University |
2 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
5 |
Harvard University |
8 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
10 |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
12 |
Carnegie Mellon University |
15 |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
17 |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
19 |
University of Texas at Austin |
23 |
Best USA Universities for STEM Courses – Natural Sciences
Apart from Engineering and Technology, here are the top 10 best US universities for STEM courses in the field of Natural Sciences studies for international students as per the latest and most recent QS World University Rankings by Subject of 2023:
Universities in the USA |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Natural Sciences |
---|---|
Harvard University |
1 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
2 |
Stanford University |
4 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
6 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
7 |
Princeton University |
10 |
University of Chicago |
12 |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
=14 |
Yale University |
=20 |
Cornell University |
24 |
Best USA Universities for STEM Courses – Life Sciences & Medicine
Last but not least, according to the most recent QS Global University Rankings by Subject for 2023, here are the top 10 best US universities for STEM courses in the subject of Life Sciences studies for international students:
Universities in the USA |
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Life Sciences & Medicine |
---|---|
Harvard University |
1 |
Johns Hopkins University |
3 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
=4 |
Stanford University |
=4 |
University of California, San Francisco |
8 |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
=10 |
Yale University |
14 |
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
15 |
University of Washington |
16 |
University of Pennsylvania |
17 |
Top STEM Majors to Study in the USA
Did you know that there are more than 300 STEM majors or specialisations available in the USA. Hence it can be a little overwhelming for aspirants to select a proper specialisation. Let's take a quick look at the list mentioned below that depicts some of the most opted STEM majors among international students to study in the USA:
Best STEM Majors to Study in the USA |
|
---|---|
Aeronautical or Aerospace |
Statistics |
Animal Science |
Pharmacology |
Agricultural Engineering |
Nuclear Physics |
Architectural Engineering |
Physics |
Astronomy |
Petroleum Technology |
Biochemistry |
Mechanical Engineering |
Biology / Biomedical Science |
Mathematics |
Chemical Engineering |
Geology |
Civil Engineering |
Forensic Science and Technology/Genetics |
Computer Programming / Computer & Information Science |
Zoology |

One-Year STEM Courses in USA
There are some prestigious universities in the USA that are offering one-year STEM courses to international students. Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, Caltech, and others are among them.
These universities are offering one-year STEM courses in a variety of disciplines or fields of study, including Astronomy, Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Botany, Behavioral Sciences, Biomedical Technology, Biochemistry, Civil Engineering, and Chemistry, to mention a few.
Find Out the Right STEM Course to Study in the USA!
Eligibility Criteria to Study STEM Courses in USA
Though the eligibility criteria and requirements vary among the best universities in the USA to pursue STEM courses for international students, enlisted below are some general requirements that you must know about:
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You must have completed 10+2 from a recognised educational board.
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You must possess 3-4 years of formal Bachelor's degree in your respective field of study from a recognised university.
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You should have obtained an F-1 USA student visa status.
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A competitive GRE/GMAT score is also required along with scores of the English language proficiency tests like TOEFL, PTE Academic, Duolingo or IELTS.
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GPA on a scale of 3.0 to 4.0.
Document Checklist to Study STEM in USA
Here is a quick checklist of all the important documents that you will be needing at the time of admission into a STEM course at any US university:
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All official academic transcripts of the past education qualifications
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Resume/CV or Portfolios
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Official Passport
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Passport-sized photographs
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Scores in English language proficiency tests
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Scores in entrance exams
USA Universities for STEM Courses Without GRE
The GRE exam is one of the most important prerequisites for US universities for granting admissions to international students in STEM courses. Having said that, several universities have started admitting applicants without GRE scores. Here is a small list of some of the best universities in the USA to pursue STEM courses without the GRE exam:
Top Universities in USA to Pursue STEM Courses without GRE |
Top STEM Courses |
---|---|
Masters in Applied Mathematical Economics and Psychology Masters in Computer Engineering |
|
Actuarial Science Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Agricultural and Biological Engineering Aviation |
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Masters in Computer Science Masters in Artificial Intelligence Masters in Programming Language |
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MS /PhD Pure & Applied Mathematics MS in Computational Science |
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Microbiology Computer Modeling Genomics in Medicine Systems Neuroscience Biotechnology |
Career Prospects After Studying STEM Courses in USA
STEM graduates can take advantage of the attractive job opportunities in the USA. STEM jobs offer good salary packages that are similar to the standard of living in the USA. The list below includes potential job opportunities as well as their estimated average income in USD.
Job Prospects |
Estimated Average Yearly Income in USD |
---|---|
Biochemist |
189,000 |
Geologist |
174,000 |
Computer Scientist |
157,000 |
Statistician |
152,000 |
Mathematician |
134,000 |
IT Managers |
94,000 |
Materials Engineer |
94,000 |
Nuclear Engineer |
93,000 |
Chemical Engineer |
90,000 |
Epidemiologist |
88,000 |
Mechanical Engineer/Civil Engineer |
87,000 |
As a result, when it comes to pursuing courses and specialisations in the Science and Technology stream, studying STEM courses in USA takes the lead in providing a world-class education. The US universities indeed encourage international students to pursue STEM courses in the USA. Nonetheless, the government has imposed a wide range of regulations and provisions in favour of international students to attract them to study at the best US universities and pursue their STEM education.
Hope this article helps you find the ideal STEM course for you! You can write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com in case you still have doubts or seek admission to US universities offering STEM courses.
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