Studying in the United States
The US hosts more international students than any other country — over a million — across the Ivy League, world-leading public universities, and thousands of colleges. This is the complete guide: the F-1 visa, OPT and the STEM extension, cities, costs, and how admissions work.
Explore the United States
Visas
The F-1 student visa, the I-20 and SEVIS, the visa interview, and what's changing in 2026.
Cities
New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, the Bay Area, and Washington D.C.
Courses
Associate, bachelor's, master's and PhD study, and how US admissions work.
Institutes
The Ivy League, top public universities, and the wider college system.
Working
On-campus work, CPT, and OPT including the STEM extension.
Cost of living
Tuition, the cost of attendance, and living costs across the country.
Accommodation
Dorms, on-campus housing, and renting off campus.
Healthcare
Why health insurance is essential and how university plans work.
Culture
What life as an international student in the US is really like.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does the SEVIS fee cost for an F-1 visa?
Before your visa interview you must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee of $350 to register in the student tracking system, on top of the DS-160 application fee. Your SEVP-certified school first issues a Form I-20 confirming your programme and the funds you need to show. See our US student visa guide for the full F-1 process.
How much does it cost to study in the US as an international student?
Public universities typically charge international students $25,000-$45,000 per year in out-of-state tuition, while private universities (including the Ivy League) often run $50,000-$65,000 or more. On top of tuition, budget roughly $12,000-$25,000 a year for living costs depending on the city, plus housing — see our accommodation guide. Our cost of studying in the US guide breaks down tuition, living costs, and the SEVIS fee.
Can F-1 students work off campus in the US?
On campus you can work up to 20 hours per week during term; off campus generally requires CPT (training that's an integral part of your curriculum) or, after graduation, OPT — 12 months standard, extended to 36 months total for eligible STEM graduates. See our working in the US guide for the full rules on CPT, OPT, and the STEM extension.
Can international students get a work visa after OPT ends?
The main longer-term option is the H-1B visa, which requires an employer to sponsor you and is subject to an annual cap and lottery. Many graduates use their OPT or STEM OPT period to find an employer willing to sponsor them. Read more about the path from student to work visa in our working in the US guide.
Is health insurance mandatory for international students in the US?
The US has no national health service, and a single emergency-room visit can cost thousands of dollars without cover. Most universities require international students to carry insurance and automatically enrol you in their own Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), though some let you waive it with comparable cover. See our healthcare guide for how premiums, deductibles, and copays work.
How does US university admissions work for international students?
US admissions are holistic, weighing grades, test scores (SAT/ACT or GRE/GMAT), essays, and references together rather than one exam. You'll also need to prove English proficiency via TOEFL or IELTS, and your school must be SEVP-certified to issue the Form I-20 for your F-1 visa. Compare public and private options in our US universities guide and see courses and degrees for how each level of study works.
Which US cities are cheapest for international students?
Living costs vary hugely by city: New York, Boston, and the San Francisco Bay Area are among the most expensive, while the Midwest and the South are considerably cheaper. Budget roughly $12,000-$25,000 a year for living costs depending on where you study. Compare cities and rents in our US student cities guide.
Last reviewed . Rules and figures change — always confirm with the official source before applying.