Editors: Michael Noer, Zach O'Malley Greenberg
Study: Bethany Christie, Michael Garfinkel, Robert Mundy, Charlotte O'Gerron, Noah Schifrin
Prepared jointly with the Center for collegeafability and productivity.
Studying at university costs a fortune. For four years at an elite private institution like the University of Chicago (No. 4) or Stanford (No. 3), you'll shell out a quarter of a million dollars. A degree from a more affordable place, say the College of William and Mary (No. 40) or UC Berkeley (No. 50), still costs at least $100,000, even for students living in the same state.
Is it worth it? For many students, the answer to this question is “no,” unless you are accepted into one of the most prestigious universities in America.
In Forbes' annual ranking of America's Best Universities, a collaboration with the Washington-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity, we focus on what matters most to students—quality teaching, career prospects, and low debt.
Princeton University returns to first place in the rankings for the first time since 2008. It is surpassed by Williams College, which has topped our rankings for two years in a row. Ivy League universities lead the top ten list - in addition to Princeton, these are Yale (No. 5), Harvard (No. 6) and Columbia University (No. 8). The only Ivy League member not in the top 50 was Cornell University (No. 51).
The ranking is based on five main criteria: graduate success (32.5%) - salary and fame are assessed here; student satisfaction (27.5%), which includes assessment of teachers and percentage of students remaining in the course after the first year; debt level (17.5%) - high student debt and punitive interest rates. We also took into account the four-year completion rate (11.25%), awards in various competitions (11.25%), and students who received prestigious Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, etc. scholarships, as well as the number of doctoral students.
1. Princeton University
Location: Princeton, NY New Jersey
Number of bachelors: 5203
Total annual tuition: $53,934
Interesting Facts:
In 1783, Nassau Hall, owned by the university, became the US Congress building for four months.
Charles "Pete" Conrad (Class of 1953) became the third person to walk on the surface of the Moon. He delivered the Princeton flag there on November 19, 1969.
Of the students hired immediately after graduation, 16% of the Class of 2006 landed jobs on Wall Street. Four years later, the figure was 12%.
2. Williams College
Location: Williamstown, NY Massachusetts
Number of bachelors: 2070
Total annual tuition: $57,141
Interesting Facts:
The first collegiate baseball game took place in 1859 between Williams College and Amherst College.
Among the graduates who became billionaires:
Robert Rich Jr. - 1997 release; $2.1 billion; Rich Products Company;
Chase Coleman - Class of 1997; $1.1 billion; Tiger Global fund.
The university has the second highest rate of students completing the full program in four years (91%).
3. Stanford University
Location: Palo Alto, NY California
Number of bachelors: 6988
Total annual tuition: $57,775
Interesting Facts:
Over the course of Stanford's 121-year history, 107 students have been awarded Rhodes Scholarships, 86 have received Marshall Scholarships, and 60 have received Truman Scholarships.
Some of the most innovative companies in Silicon Valley - Google, Yahoo, Cisco, Sun Microsystems - were founded by Stanford graduates.
Students who later became sports stars: Tiger Woods, John Elway (graduated in 1983), John McEnroe and others. Woods and McEnroe did not graduate.
4. University of Chicago
Location: Chicago, pc. Illinois
Number of bachelors: 5402
Total annual tuition: $59,950
Interesting Facts:
Janet Davison Rowley (class of 1944; PhD 1948) discovered in 1972 that cancer is a hereditary disease. In 2012, a new department at the university was named in her honor.
The students themselves call the university “the place where the fun ends.”
In 2008, fund manager David Booth donated $300 million—the largest gift in the university's history—to his business school, which became the Johnston School of Business. Buta.
5. Yale university
Location: New Haven, NY Connecticut
Number of bachelors: 5349
Total annual tuition: $58,250
Interesting Facts:
In 1852 on Lake Winnipesaukee, pc. New Hampshire, the first interuniversity competition in American history took place - between Yale and Harvard.
99% of freshmen choose to continue their studies.
The university has produced five US presidents: Bush Sr. (class of 1946), Bush Jr. (1968), Clinton (1973), Ford (1941) and Taft (1878).
6. Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, CA Massachusetts
Number of bachelors: 10,305
Total annual tuition: $56,000
Interesting Facts:
Harvard faculty and students have received a total of 46 Nobel Prizes.
In 2011, after the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law, Harvard brought back reserve officer training to campus for the first time in 42 years.
The university's endowment is $32 billion, or $1,168,224 per student.
7. United States Military Academy (West Point)
Location: West Point, NY NY
Number of bachelors: 4624
Interesting Facts:
General Benedict Arnold attempted to surrender the port of West Point to the British during the American Revolution.
A limited number of international students can attend West Point, but up to $71,086 per year tuition is covered by their home government.
8. Columbia University
Location: New York, NY NY
Number of bachelors: 8127
Total annual tuition: $59,208
Interesting Facts:
Founded in 1754, it is the fifth oldest university in the country.
Barack Obama (Class of 1983) transferred to Columbia University from Occidental College.
The university has graduated nine Supreme Court judges.
9. Pomona College
Number of bachelors: 1586
Total annual tuition: $55,319
Interesting Facts:
Pomona has a unique ski-beach day tradition. Students spend half a day skiing at the Mountain High resort, an hour's drive from the university, and spend half a day relaxing on Newport Beach.
Despite high tuition costs, the university has the 11th lowest student debt rate.
Pomona is part of Claremont Colleges, an association of seven independent institutions located on adjacent campuses.
10. Swarthmore College
Location: Swarthmore, NY Pennsylvania
Number of bachelors: 1545
Total annual tuition: $55,895
Interesting Facts:
On Sunday evenings before the start of the school year, students traditionally get together and watch the film “The Graduate.”
If desired, students can attend programs at the University of Pennsylvania, which is located 20 minutes from campus.
One fifth of students choose to continue their studies and obtain a doctorate.
11. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, pc. Massachusetts
Number of bachelors: 4384
Total annual tuition: $55,270
12. University of Notre Dame
Location: Notre Dame, NY Indiana
Number of bachelors: 8452
Total annual tuition: $55,257
13. Amherst College
Location: Amherst, NY Massachusetts
Number of bachelors: 1791
Total annual tuition: $56,898
14. Bowdoin College
Location: Brunswick, NY Maine
Number of bachelors: 1778
Total annual tuition: $56,540
15. Washington and Lee University
Location: Lexington, NY Virginia
Number of bachelors: 1790
Total annual tuition: $54,843
16. Wellesley College
Location: Wellesley, NY Massachusetts
Number of bachelors: 2502
Total annual tuition: $55,300
17. University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, pc. Pennsylvania
Number of bachelors: 11765
Total annual tuition: $57,360
18. Caltech
Location: Pasadena, NY California
Number of bachelors: 978
Total annual tuition: $54,090
19. Brown University
Location: Providence, NY Rhode Island
Number of bachelors: 6380
Total annual tuition: $56,150
20. Vassar College
Location: Pokepsie, NY NY
Number of bachelors: 2386
Total annual tuition: $57,385
21. Wesleyan University
Location: Middletown, NY Connecticut
Number of bachelors: 2882
Total annual tuition: $58,371
22. Northwestern University
Location: Evanston, NY Illinois
Number of bachelors: 9466
Total annual tuition: $58,829
23. Claremont McKenna College
Location: Claremont, CA California
Number of bachelors: 1301
Total annual tuition: $57,865
24. Duke University
Location: Durham, NY North Carolina
Number of bachelors: 6680
Total annual tuition: $57,325
25. Colby College
Location: Waterville, NY Maine
Number of bachelors: 1815
Total annual tuition: $55,400
26. Boston College
Location: Chestnut Hill, NY Massachusetts
Number of bachelors: 9826
Total annual tuition: $56,728
27. Haverford College
Location: Haverfort, CA Pennsylvania
Number of bachelors: 1198
Total annual tuition: $57,712
28. Harvey Mudd College
Location: Claremont, CA California
Number of bachelors: 784
Total annual tuition: $57,968
29. Colorado College
Number of bachelors: 2026
Total annual tuition: $52,150
30. Davidson College
Location: Davidson, NY North Carolina
Number of bachelors: 1775
Total annual tuition: $52,498
31. Carleton College
Location: Northfield, NY Minnesota
Number of bachelors: 2018
Total annual tuition: $56,340
32. Tufts University
Location: Medford, NY Massachusetts
Number of bachelors: 5194
Total annual tuition: $56,600
33. Vanderbilt University
Location: Nashville, NY Tennessee
Number of bachelors: 6817
Total annual tuition: $58,554
34. Dartmouth College
Location: Hanover, NY New Hampshire
Number of bachelors: 4194
Total annual tuition: $58,638
35. US Air Force Academy
Location: Colorado Springs, NY Colorado
Number of bachelors: 4413
Total tuition per year: $0
36. University of Virginia
Location: Charlottesville, NY Virginia
Number of bachelors: 15762
Total annual tuition (in-state): $23,986
(for out-of-state residents and foreigners): $48,980
37. Rice University
Location: Houston, pc. Texas
Number of bachelors: 3755
Total annual tuition: $50,171
38. Georgetown University
Location: Washington, DC
Number of bachelors: 7590
Total annual tuition: $58,125
39. Kenyon College
Location: Gambier, CA Ohio
Number of bachelors: 1658
Total annual tuition: $55,680
40. College of William and Mary
Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
Number of bachelors: 6071
Total annual tuition (in-state): $24,974
(for out-of-state residents and foreigners): $47,804
41. College of the Holy Cross
Location: Worcester, NY Massachusetts
Number of bachelors: 2905
Total annual tuition: $54,358
42. Middlebury College
Location: Middlebury, NY Vermont
Number of bachelors: 2507
Total annual tuition: $57,050
43. US Naval Academy
Location: Annapolis, NY Maryland
Number of bachelors: 4576
Total tuition per year: $0
44. Whitman College
Location: Walla Walla, CA Washington
Number of bachelors: 1596
Total annual tuition: $52,856
45. UCLA
Location: Los Angeles, USA California
Number of bachelors: 27,199
Total annual tuition (in-state): $31,556
(for out-of-state residents and foreigners): $54,434
46. Emory University
Location: Atlanta, USA Georgia
Number of bachelors: 7441
Total annual tuition: $55,992
47. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Location: Chapel Hill, NY North Carolina
Number of bachelors: 18,430
Total annual tuition (in-state): $21,315
(for out-of-state residents and foreigners): $41,140
48. Colgate University
Location: Hamilton, NY NY
Number of bachelors: 2947
Total annual tuition: $55,570
49. Lafayette College
Location: Easton, PC. Pennsylvania
Number of bachelors: 25,885
Total annual tuition: $55,720
50. University of California at Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, pc. California
Number of bachelors: 25,885
Total annual tuition (in-state): $32,632
(for out-of-state residents and foreigners): $55,510
Community colleges or community colleges are the first stage of American higher education. After high school, you can go to either a community college, a four-year college (on completion you will receive a bachelor's degree), or straight to a university (bachelor's, master's, PhD). Studying at community colleges lasts two or three years, after which the graduate receives a degree in secondary specialized education and can go to work or enter the third year of university.
The very idea of community colleges in the USA is to give young people a good education, which will be enough for work if they are not interested in going deeper into science.
Difference between community and four year college
The difference between a community college and just a college is that in the first you study for 2 or 3 years, as a result of which you receive a secondary specialized education and the right to enter the third year of university, and in the second you study for 4 years, receive a bachelor’s degree, and can continue education in graduate school or master's degree at the university.
At the same time, it is incorrect to compare two-year colleges with our technical schools, because students at a community college receive an education several levels higher in knowledge and experience. Of course, a lot depends on the student himself, but if desired, in a two-year college, on its scientific, methodological and laboratory basis, you can grow into an excellent specialist.
There is another important difference, much more important for a foreigner, - getting into a two-year college is much easier.
And finally, the most pleasant difference is the price. You will pay three times less to study at a community college than to study at a two-year university. The entire program costs 20–30 thousand dollars.
In 2015, Barack Obama announced America's College Promise, which would make community college free for most US residents. What was meant, however, was only free education, and you still had to pay for accommodation, textbooks and insurance.
BOG Fee Waiver in California
At California community colleges, you can apply for the BOG Fee Waiver program, which covers your tuition costs if you meet three conditions:
- Are a California resident (live in the state for more than a year).
- Study for high grades (“good” and “excellent”).
- You have a low annual income.
The most convenient way to submit your application is at cccapply.org. You choose a college, enter information about yourself, and the site automatically forms an application, which is reviewed by the Governing Council. Separately, you can request financial assistance for textbooks and office supplies.
How to get into community college as a foreigner
Community colleges welcome foreigners, and admission is relatively easy for children from abroad. You need a school certificate, and sometimes they don't ask for one. In addition, you need to pass the TOEFL with a minimum of 61 points (total 120), as well as pass a test in mathematics and English. All tests are taken at home, then you send documents to college, and if you are accepted, you get a visa for three years and go to study.
If a student has weak English, choose a college with a language program for foreigners. That is, they will teach English on the spot.
Generally speaking, the United States has a large selection of community colleges. You can study to be a programmer, computer game developer, or get a basic medical course without specialization, for example, in therapeutic medicine or veterinary medicine. Many colleges teach creative students: artists, composers. The choice of specialties is very wide.
10 Best Community Colleges in the USA
1. Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, Washington)
2. Santa Barbara City College (Santa Barbara, California)
3. Lake Area Technical Institute (Watertown, South Dakota)
4. East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program & Technical Center (West Covina, California)
5. New Mexico Military Institute (Roswell, New Mexico)
6. North Central Kansas Technical College (Beloit, Kansas)
7. Valencia College (Orlando, Florida)
8. Snow College (Ephraim, Utah)
9. Saint Paul College (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
When it comes to community colleges, there is no need to be afraid of the wilderness. Often good educational institutions are located in not the most popular cities, but they have excellent educational facilities and close connections with universities. In addition, renting housing and eating out away from large cities is much cheaper.
Community College Student Visa
Children under 18 years of age receive a separate US visa and can travel independently if the purpose warrants it, so to successfully obtain a visa, you need the college to confirm enrollment and also provide documents that the child will be provided with housing (a place in a campus dormitory). In addition, the visa officer will pay attention to the financial capabilities of the parents, who must provide the child with a comfortable life in the United States.
Studying and living at a community college
The main task of a community college student in the USA is to gain enough credits. A credit is one course taken per semester. There should be at least 15 per semester. The convenient thing is that having chosen a specialization, the student remains free and determines for himself the subjects that he is interested in studying. If he changes direction during his studies, the curator will help him select new subjects, so the system is very flexible.
If the training lasts 2 years, you need to take 60 credits, which gives you the right to enter the university and get the amount necessary for a bachelor’s degree there. If college is for three years, you need to take 90 credits, and then there will be less to study at the university.
The most prestigious universities accept students with a GPA above a 4+, which is calculated from college credits. However, even a C student will not be lost. Even if you don’t work right away, the country is full of universities with lower demands.
In addition to studying, community college students engage in useful work for society: they are members of volunteer organizations, help talented children study, and take part in similar programs. Life on campus is also active: there are student leagues, clubs, sports teams, its own radio, its own little country.
In general, everyone can find a place for themselves and finally decide on the choice of their future profession, because after college they can continue their studies at the university in a related or even another specialty. Community college gives you time to make the right choices in life.
Today's youth strive to obtain higher education abroad. The reasons are simple: a diploma from a world-famous university guarantees employment in well-known companies and high earnings. But the question arises: which country’s educational institutions should be preferred?
You can choose and argue for a long time, but the facts are inexorable: the majority of places in the rankings of the most prestigious universities in the world are firmly held by US universities. 75% of all Nobel laureates living today teach in American colleges and universities. International students who excel in academics, sports, music or dance can receive scholarships to study in the United States, covering up to 100% of the course fee. All these facts have become the reason that more and more of our compatriots are choosing American universities and colleges to continue their education.
How does the entire education system work in the States?
The entire system of higher education in the United States is built on the basis of colleges and universities, and the only difference is that a college often provides basic higher education in 2 years, and a specialized one in another 2, while the university is more aimed at obtaining master's and doctoral degrees in already chosen specialty. Also, at US universities, scientific research is necessarily conducted, and there is graduate school, which cannot be said about colleges.
How do universities differ from each other?
All American universities are divided into private and public. Public universities are usually run by states, and are in no way connected to each other by a single system of higher education in the United States, as in our country. Each university has its own curriculum, which, however, includes several compulsory subjects that are included in the first two years of study. Education is paid everywhere, but in fairness it is worth noting: it is still possible to get a free higher education in the USA. To do this, the student needs to prove himself, show excellent knowledge, or have significant success in sports or music. Such gifted students are supported in every possible way, giving them scholarships that can pay for their entire education. 
Which educational institutions are considered the best?
The best universities in the USA belong to the so-called Ivy League. These are eight private higher educational institutions, the education in which is rightfully called the best in the world. These include Harvard University in the USA, Yale, Princeton, Columbia University and other lesser-known universities. Getting an education at one of the League's institutions is considered very prestigious, as it opens up enormous career prospects.
How to enter American universities?
Absolutely anyone can get a higher education in the USA: all you need is to have the required amount for training and pass entrance exams, which can be either for a general course or for specific subjects. When admitting an applicant, many factors are taken into account: grades from a school certificate, recommendations from high school teachers, achievements in sports, and the talents of future students are also important. If you are thinking about how to enroll in a US university, then you should remember that to enter any college or university in America you need to submit a written or electronic application, have a high school diploma, and also be sure to provide your language exam results TOEFL. Many also require the results of passing the SAT exam, an analogue of the Unified State Exam, which can be taken in Russia via the Internet. To enter any university you will need: 
- Application from a foreign student;
- Motivation letter;
- Document confirming payment of registration fees (on average up to $90);
- A copy of the document, certified by a notary, with a list of all grades received during the last year of study at the university;
- Certificate with TOEFL/IELTS test results;
- Notarized translation of a certificate or diploma of higher education (bachelor);
- Letters of recommendation from teachers. It would be better to have several letters from mentors in different fields (literature and mathematics, physics and drawing);
Continuation of studies at American universities
If you decide to obtain an academic degree in the United States after receiving basic higher education in Russia, then you will be required to undergo a nostrification procedure for your diploma. The question of how to confirm a diploma in the USA worries many people who graduated from a university in their homeland and continue their studies in the States. This procedure is carried out by agencies that accept a written application and a copy of the diploma. The commission evaluates your diploma, decides which grades can be counted and makes a verdict on the recognition of your diploma. Sometimes the degree of the diploma is downgraded. For example, you completed a master’s degree in your home country, but your education is recognized at the bachelor’s level. This is normal practice, since the levels of universities in the USA and Russia are very different.
How can you study remotely?
If you want to improve your level of education by graduating from one of the universities in America, then you have this opportunity. Some US colleges offer distance learning opportunities. This is a unique chance to get higher education in another country in the world without leaving Russia. This system is also called the education of the future, since with its help everyone can complete distance learning in the USA using modern means of communication. By submitting your documents, you can be enrolled in a college or university, where you will be assigned a professor. You will also have your own mentor here in Russia, with whom you can consult. You will need to complete 12 courses of 2.5 months each to obtain your master's degree. Moreover, you will take all exams, tests and coursework directly to an American university using e-mail. Thus, the best US universities become available to you without leaving your home.
The most prestigious areas of education in the United States of America
As you know, any education is obtained in order not to have financial difficulties in the future, having received a prestigious job. Based on the offers on the labor market, the most profitable and justified investments will be in medical education in the USA, as well as in all courses related to jurisprudence. America is a country of courts and lawyers, which means that a good lawyer will not be left without work. 
The same is true with doctors: medical services in the States are quite expensive, since clinics are mostly private. Doctors earn a lot of money, which means medical education will always be in demand. In order for a doctor to practice independently, he needs to study for 10 to 15 years, and only then does he receive the right to open his own business or start working in a hospital. A similar situation awaits those who decide to obtain a legal education in the United States. The only difference will be the duration of training, which for future lawyers is 7 years, after which it is necessary to pass an exam for the right to conduct your own practice. Having received this right, the doors of the most prestigious and expensive law firms in the world will open before you.
Separately, it is worth mentioning music education in the USA. Already from the 8th grade of secondary school, children study music as one of the specialized subjects, and later enter colleges where there are faculties that provide higher music education. Among the most famous universities in this area, it is worth noting the Music Institute in Hollywood, Tanglewood College of Music, and, of course, Berklee College of Music.
Prices for studying at American universities
Despite the widespread opinion about the fabulous price of higher education in the United States, the cost of studying at universities is comparable to prestigious educational institutions in Russia. However, the quality of education in American universities will be much higher, and will provide great prospects in terms of subsequent employment and career. On average, the cost of a year of education ranges from $17,000 per year in US colleges to $30,000 per year for gaining knowledge at a university. The most expensive specialties can cost more than $50,000. These are medicine, IT, law and various business areas.
Most Popular Universities in the United States
Yale University in the USA is one of the oldest universities in the country. Member of the Ivy League and the Big Three (along with Harvard and Princeton). The teaching staff consists of practicing scientists, as well as lecturers who are the best representatives of business, politics and science. The average cost of training per year is about $44,000, depending on the specialization. 
Northwestern University in the USA is the largest university in the country, teaching more than 20 thousand students. Has a budget of over $9 billion, allowing for the introduction of many new training programs. The university founded the Nemmers Prize for achievements in mathematics, awarded annually to the most prominent scientists. The cost of studying at the university starts from $40,000.
Cornell University in the USA is one of the members of the Ivy League, which means it is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Located in Ithaca, New York. It is noteworthy that among the graduates of this institution there are 43 Nobel laureates. 23 thousand students receive knowledge in 14 main areas. The cost of a year of training is approximately $65,000.
Duke University in the United States is ranked among the top 15 universities in the country and the top 30 in the world thanks to its medical and business schools. Studying at this university is also not free - the initial cost is approximately $38,000, but the university provides many programs and grants for training, so almost 50% of students pay only part of the course cost.
The University of Notre Dame in the USA is famous for its business school. Regularly ranked among the top 20 universities in the country, it has many famous alumni, including Kandolisa Rise and Phil Donahue. About 10,000 students receive education in 5 main areas. The approximate cost of a year of study at this university starts from $36,000, but scholarships are available for gifted students. 
Bard College USA is a private college whose main focus is the humanities and arts. Due to its small size, this university has 260 teachers for 2050 students, so the quality of education is at a very high level. Each student is given attention, trying to reveal all the facets of young people. The approximate amount you need to pay for a year of study is $61,000.
The United States Naval Academy is the primary military school providing officers to the United States Navy and Marine Corps. It is very difficult to enter there, since the majority of applicants must have recommendations from US congressmen. One of 8 federal universities in the country. It imposes very strict requirements on applicants, since obtaining a military education in the United States is considered prestigious.
- There is no such rich and varied extra-curricular and leisure program as in traditional American boarding schools. The focus is on academic development, pre-university preparation – both in subjects and in the English language. The same applies to personal development, education of etiquette standards: it is assumed that high school students have already learned the rules of behavior in society, can behave well-mannered and correctly, take care of themselves and coexist comfortably with their peers.
- Very small classes: on average 6 people, mini-groups of only 2-3 people. This helps to practice the most practice-oriented approach, to pay maximum attention to each student, which is so important when mastering a complex high school program
- Tuition price: on average, the cost of studying at an international college in the USA is 1.5-2 times lower than at a university in a similar specialty (see below for details on available areas). Of course, such a cost of education is a significant plus for Russian schoolchildren
- Practice-oriented programs: all are compiled and regularly updated taking into account the changing requirements of society, admissions committees at universities and potential employers, which increases the chances of subsequent employment and successful enrollment. Much attention is paid to the practical application of knowledge, internships and work practices, work in real production (if we talk about diploma or bachelor's programs, certificate courses)
- If you want to transfer from program to program, you will not need to take a large number of exams: it will be enough to confirm your high academic performance (report card) and a good level of English (international certificate /).
What programs can you study at international colleges in the USA?
In general, the programs available to foreign and American students are divided into two blocks:
- Pre-university preparation
Here are well-known British standards (GCSE, A-level), and preparation according to / programs, and the American in-depth Advanced Placement (AP) course, and a universal fast course. Look at the list offered by the college you like and compare it with the requirements of the university you choose - this will make your choice easier. Schoolchildren also have the opportunity to take accelerated academic courses: they usually take 2-6 months and are also aimed at improving their academic and language level.
- Professional education
This can be a professional diploma or certificate (regular level or Advanced), a bachelor's degree (takes 3-4 years). The certificate allows you to immediately start working, but usually from junior positions, but a bachelor’s degree is valued in the same way as a bachelor’s degree from universities, that is, it is the first full-fledged stage of higher education.
What should you consider when choosing an international college in the USA?
We have prepared a list of the main points that you should go through with our specialist to choose the right international college in America:
- Think about what specialty you want to study at university, whether it has any special areas and which one interests you most
- View rankings of US international colleges - our specialist will help you here, providing you with the latest international rankings and a list of the best colleges. Choose not just the most famous, elite and expensive ones - pay attention to ensure that the profile of the university or faculty matches your chosen specialty as best as possible
- Check if there are partnership programs between a certain college or universities - this will greatly facilitate subsequent admission and transfer (especially for business areas)
- If your chosen college supports vocational education programs (certificate, diploma, or bachelor's), don't pass up the opportunity! For a very large number of professions, the education received at an international college will be quite sufficient for a full-fledged and successful work activity. Let's name just a few areas: finance, design, tourism and hotel business, hospitality industry, makeup and fashion, accounting, economics, information systems, banking, management, international relations. Maybe you can find some great professional development courses?
- Decide what is more important to you – a public or private college. Everything is simple here - the principle is the same as in boarding schools: private ones provide a richer and more diverse infrastructure, but public ones cost significantly less. In general, the educational level is high in both options.
Among the international colleges in the USA, which have long and successfully established themselves among Russian schoolchildren and foreign students, we can note the educational institutions of the international CATS College network - for example,. CATS standards are very high and known all over the world - with their help, thousands of high school students become students of leading universities on the planet. It is especially worth noting specialized preparatory programs for specialties with the highest possible competition - for example, veterinary medicine, medicine, dentistry, pharmaceuticals. Together with our specialist, we will be able to select other options for you - there are many offers, and several of them will definitely be suitable for you!
Prestigious US universities and higher education in America annually attract foreign and Russian students with the quality of educational services. If you have found information about that, then the next step is to get acquainted with the prices for educational programs. The cost of training directly depends on the rating of the chosen university, as well as the chosen specialty. The most expensive are the specialties where studies involve conducting scientific research (medicine, dentistry and others).
The price of higher education at American universities varies from $30,000 to $60,000 per year in the most rated ones. As for US colleges (community colleges), the cost usually starts from 10,000 USD per academic year without accommodation.
US universities for foreigners, including students, are a stepping stone to a future successful career. Having acquired academic knowledge and practical skills at the university, every graduate can count on a prestigious job.
How to enter a university in the USA, America? What documents and knowledge does the applicant need?
In order to enroll in an English university, you will need not only a standard list of documents, but also certain language and academic knowledge.
Basic list of required documents:
- copy of international passport;
- for a bachelor’s degree – a school certificate and/or completion of the Pathway program;
- for master's degree – bachelor's degree +, if necessary, completion of the pre-Masters program;
- TOEFL certificate;
- SSAT exams (depending on the American university);
- letters of recommendation from English and mathematics teachers, sometimes from the school principal or dean;
- motivation letter;
- Skype interview or personal visit to an educational institution;
- additional documents on an individual basis to increase the chances of a positive decision by the admissions committee.
The higher education system in the USA: structure, features, rating
Prestigious US universities and higher education in America open up broad career prospects for foreign and Russian students, employment opportunities abroad, and work in top positions in international companies. Selecting the optimal program requires an understanding of the organization of the higher education system in the United States. American postsecondary educational institutions are divided into 4 categories.
- Universities, consisting of several faculties and colleges, accept applicants for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral courses.
- Colleges focused on bachelor's training in a wide range of specialties, duration of study - 4 years.
- Technical educational institutions presenting a wide range of programs, duration of study - from six months to 4 years.
- Community colleges (community-college), offering two-year educational programs for local and foreign students, after which it is possible to enroll in the 2nd year of a bachelor's degree in other educational institutions in America.
Education in American universities is divided into a number of stages, after each of which the student receives a degree and profession sufficient for work:
- associate degree - a degree after completing a 2-year community college course;
- undergraduate (Bachelor of Science/Art diploma) - after completing a 4-year course at a college or university;
- graduatee (master's diploma) - as a result of 2 years of master's study in one of the programs - professional or academic.
- PhDD (Doctor of Philosophy Diploma) - the result of defending a research work, required to pursue a career in an academic environment, duration - from 4 to 6 years.
US universities are divided into private and public:
- State universities, as a rule, have a larger number of students, tuition fees are cheaper, and there are many programs to support talented students;
- private universities are usually smaller in size, better developed infrastructurally, offer a wide selection of creative and sports development programs, and the price of courses is much higher than in public ones.
The list of prestigious US universities includes both public and private universities: University of Michigan, University of California at Berkeley, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, California Technological University (Calteh).
Leading US universities: the best of the best
Prestigious US universities, higher education in America for foreign and Russian students are available in different categories of educational institutions presented on our website. The oldest and most prestigious universities are included in the famous Ivy League:
- Harvard;
- Princeton;
- Yale;
- Brown University;
- Columbia University;
- Cornell;
- Dartmouth College;
- University of Pennsylvania.
Educational centers are no less popular, the list of which is presented below. Each of them has its own leading industry; diplomas from these institutions are highly valued in the global labor market:
- Northwestern University of the USA (mathematics is the most developed field);
- Duke University (medicine);
- University of Notre Dame (business);
- Bard College (Arts and Humanities);
- United States Naval Academy;
- Oregon State University (business education, agricultural sciences).
The best educational institutions in America offer international and local students a balanced course developed by world-renowned teachers - students will learn from outstanding professors. Profile courses are also taught by practitioners: heads of large corporations, researchers, world leaders (managers).
Statistics show that graduates of well-known US universities find well-paid jobs in their specialty in the first six months after completing their studies: the employment rate in Ivy League institutions exceeds 95%.
Universities in America: features of studying at US universities
Prestigious US universities, higher education in America for foreign and Russian students offers the most comfortable conditions of stay and learning: they can live on campus, freely use academic resources and infrastructure.
At American universities, there are specialized departments for Russians, bachelors and masters of other nationalities, in particular career guidance - specialists help foreigners find work while still studying. Part-time work provides an opportunity to reduce the financial costs of training.
American universities organize English language courses for foreign students: the programs provide an opportunity to improve language skills for a better perception of educational material in specialized disciplines.
