The USA has been one of the dominant countries academically when it comes to encouraging STEM courses. Top universities in USA are constantly implementing these programs in their curriculum and updating their syllabi for advanced research and training. As a result, students from all over the world come to the USA to study STEM subjects. Professions related to the study of STEM courses in USA are among the most innovative and lucrative fields for science or technology enthusiasts.
The cost of pursuing STEM courses in USA varies around 65,000-80,000 USD. For an Indian student, this cost ranges around 48-60 lakh INR. Students with financial need can still pursue these courses by availing a limited number of scholarships for international students in USA.
- USA is placed 30th out of 64 countries in Mathematics and 11th in Science, according to the Programme for International Student Assessment.
- The number of STEM jobs are expected to grow by 8.8% between 2017 and 2029.
- Since 1990, STEM based jobs have grown by 79%. USA has witnessed a rise in employees from 9.7 million to 17.3 million.
- From 2019 to 2029, software development professions are looking forward to more development. The employment is projected to grow by 22%.
- According to last year statistics, the median hourly wage for STEM based professions is 38.85 USD.
- According to recent statistics, women represent 27% of the workforce in STEM based professions.
- The median annual wage of people in the STEM workforce in the USA is about 89,780 USD.
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Top STEM Courses in USA
The USA is one of the leading countries in the world which encourages STEM education and presents a platform for competitive education and training. The country offers more than 300 types of courses to domestic as well as international aspirants. It is very important to take into account all the factors regarding the subjects before choosing one for further education. The most popular STEM subjects that can be studied in the USA are listed below.
| STEM Courses | Top University | Average Tuition Fees in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering | California Institute of Technology | 58,364 |
| Agricultural Engineering | Purdue University | 29,132 |
| Biochemistry | University of California- Berkeley | 38,946 |
| Biology | Harvard University | 51,925 |
| Chemical Engineering | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 55,878 |
| Computer and Information Science | Carnegie Mellon University | 58,924 |
| Genetics | Harvard University | 51,925 |
| Geology | Pennsylvania State University | 35,514 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 55,878 |
| Mathematics | Princeton University | 52,800 |
| Pharmacy | University of North Carolina | 36,159 |
| Physics | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 55,878 |
| Veterinary Medicine and Public Health | University of California - Berkeley | 44,007 |
| Statistics | Stanford University | 53,529 |
| Zoology | University of California - Berkeley | 44,007 |
Several other STEM subjects are offered in the colleges and universities in the USA. Media based companies, aircraft companies, farming industries, healthcare sectors which all require the contribution of graduates from STEM subjects. Every major engineering or construction project requires STEM graduates, making it crucial to the academic world.
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Why Study STEM Courses in USA?
- STEM is the abbreviation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and includes any subject or major that fall under the mentioned disciplines. Universities all over the globe have started including STEM subjects in their curriculum to widen the areas of study and increase opportunities. The USA is the academic hub for students from all over the world and provides a plethora of STEM based subjects.
- STEM subjects provide a vast array of chances for students to explore their inner scientific and technical abilities as well as to secure employment in these fields. Every year, a large number of students visit to study in USA across STEM subjects for opening up new opportunities, whether to secure employment or to start their own business or further education. STEM graduates are required to contribute to the rising economy of the country, therefore, the brightest students from other countries emigrate there every year.
- The USA is the epicentre of groundbreaking research and advanced learning for science enthusiasts as well as students of other majors. The country offers enviable research outputs and success rates which makes it the centre of academic excellence. A lot of notable accomplishments from well known personalities who thrived in US universities are known.
- The US welcomes students from all over the globe every year for advancing in science and technology. It can be noted that more than 17% of the total STEM-based workforce in the US consists of international population. Most candidates are drawn in because of the abundance of glorious opportunities after graduating from a STEM course in the USA.
Top STEM Courses in USA for International Students
A large number of international students arrive in USA every year to pursue STEM subjects in order to strengthen their career. According to official academic statistics from the year 2021, most international students have opted for Engineering at US universities. The most sought out program is Computer Engineering to the growing popularity of the IT sectors. The courses where international students have shown their major interest in, are:
| STEM Courses | Top University | Admission Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | Carnegie Mellon University | Early decision deadline- November 1 Application deadline- January 1 |
| Mathematics and Statistics | Princeton University | January 1 |
| Chemical Engineering | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | January 6 |
| Civil Engineering | University of California Berkeley | November 30 |
| Biomedical Sciences | Johns Hopkins University | January 2 |
| Chemistry | California Institute of Technology | December 1 |
| Physical Science | University of California Berkeley | November 30 |
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STEM Courses in USA: Top Universities
There are a plethora of universities which receive several applications every year from international students due to their brand names as well as academic brilliance. The country aims to develop a scientifically and technologically developed workforce. Therefore it offers quality education across many universities and colleges for domestic as well as international participants.
Due to the global reputation of USA, students get an appreciable amount of exposure before joining a working position or expanding their knowledge in the designated domain. Prestigious universities have most of the mentioned courses in their curriculum which gives a wide range of choices for the aspirant. The most popular universities offering STEM education in the USA are listed below.
| Name of the University | Top Programs offered in the University | Admission Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering | An unweighted GPA of 4.0 (~96-100%), 1580 in SAT or 35 in ACT |
| Stanford University | Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering | A GPA of 3.96 (~93-96%) or higher, 1550 in SAT or 35 in ACT |
| California Institute of Technology | Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering | A GPA of 4 or higher, 1545 in SAT or 36 in ACT |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering | A GPA of 4.17 or higher, 1570 in SAT or higher |
| University of California Berkeley | Biochemistry, Chemistry, Clinical Psychology, Earth Sciences | A GPA of 4.27 or higher, 1330-1530 in SAT or 29-35 in ACT. |
| Arizona State University | Chemical Engineering, Nursing, Chemistry, Computer Science | A GPA of 3.0 or higher in a 4.0 scale, 1180 in SAT or 24 in ACT |
| Columbia University | Biology, Biotechnology, Mathematics, Neuroscience | A GPA of 4.12 or more, 1560 in SAT or 35 in ACT |
| New York University | Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Nursing | A GPA of 3.7 or higher, 1350-1530 in SAT or 30-34 in ACT |
| University of Dayton | Computer Science, Information Systems | A GPA of 3.8 or higher, 1120-1320 in SAT or 23-29 in ACT |
| University of South Florida | Computer Science, Nursing | A GPA of 3.8 or higher, 1300 in SAT or 29 in ACT |
Eligibility Criteria for STEM Courses in USA
The eligibility criteria differs for every university in the USA. Requirements include English proficiency test scores, standardized test scores, academic GPA, and additional course-specific documents. Each university has its own set of requirements which the candidate must abide by in order to apply. The basic eligibility requirements for enrolling in STEM courses in USA are noted below:
- F-1 status of student visa.
- Twelve years of secondary education from an institute in your home country for bachelor courses in STEM.
- A 3-4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in your home country for master’s courses in STEM.
- The applicant must submit English proficiency test scores through TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE/ Duolingo and equivalents with the minimum required scores.
- SAT/ACT is no longer a requirement for bachelor’s courses in most universities but the student can still send them for better evaluation.
- GRE/GMAT scores are required for graduate courses.
- LOR (academic and professional),
- Personal essay
- SOP for USA
- Professional experience
- Most universities require a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale (~93-96%), though it may vary.
Note: Applicants should check for additional requirements and get them fulfilled before applying to the university.
Students should visit the websites of the universities they intend to apply to and note down all the deadlines for submission of the documents. All the requirements should be checked thoroughly since they vary from university to university. After getting the letter of acceptance, the student should apply for a US visa.
STEM Courses in USA Placements
STEM provides a wide range of post-study opportunities in USA for international students after graduation. There are various internships as well as jobs which can be availed after passing a STEM course. There are courses which attract a lot of jobs and are pursued by topmost companies. The average salary of the international students pursuing STEM courses in USA ranges around 127,000 USD per annum. The average salaries and scopes for various STEM courses for the year 2021 are noted below.
| Profession | Growth Rate in 10 Years | Average Salary in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemist | 4.9% | 189,000 |
| Computer Scientist | 10.8% | 157,000 |
| Mathematician | 5.60% | 152,000 |
| Zoologist | 2.30% | 67,760 |
| Physics | 9% | 204,000 |
| Nutritional Scientist | 11% | 61,270 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 1.30% | 93,540 |
| Geologist | 6% | 174,000 |
| Chemical Engineer | 2.90% | 98,700 |
| Astronomer | 11.4% | 219,000 |
| Civil Engineer | 6% | 87,060 |
| Statistician | 22.50% | 134,000 |
Advantages of Pursuing STEM Courses in USA
To study in an academically rich and diverse country like the USA is an advantage in itself, but pursuing a STEM based course has additional benefits. Some of the most notable advantages of studying a STEM subject in the USA are a follows:
- Quality of Education: The quality of teaching offered in the US education system is commendable. It should be noted that the top 6 universities in the world for Computer Science are situated in the US. Apart from world-class resources, state-of-the-art technology, technically advanced laboratories and academically diverse campuses ensure top-notch education. Most computer science graduates from top US universities own successful startups, projects and professional companies and even work to provide employment to thousands of others.
- Rich Diversity: Students get a lot of global exposure as a result of this which helps them forge interpersonal relationships and gain an international perspective. They can empathize with problems faced by students arriving from other countries, understand their viewpoints and learn about other nations or cultures through interactions.
- Abundance of Extracurricular Activities: The USA is not only educational, but also a cultural hub for young people all over the world. Through the number of student led organizations across various college campuses, students attain leadership characteristics, personality and communication skills. Varsity sports, intercollege athletic competitions and recreational activities are important parts of university life. There are also clubs that encourage the innate talents of an individual like singing clubs, art and craft based organizations as well as social groups. Parties, concerts and volunteering activities are also very welcoming for students.
- Access to Silicon Valley: It is known that the Silicon valley is a welcoming space for tech enthusiasts and it has a lot of companies which provide ample employment opportunities. By gaining a degree in a STEM subject, a student will already develop a number of skills which will be beneficial in the near future.
- Presence of Global Opportunities: Once someone gets into one of them through rigorous hard work and gets a degree, they get a generous number of job opportunities offering tempting salaries. The digital advancement of the country is noteworthy, and people are drawn there more and more every year due to the country’s potential when it comes to exploring technological schemes. The government invests heavily in scientific research and development which require a lot of bright minds who have graduated from STEM based courses.
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- Building a startup: Developing necessary skills and business strategies are necessary tactics which must be implemented for building a business from scratch. By studying STEM subjects in the USA, students get a technical exposure required to run a company which is essentially tech-based. They are trained to form and execute quick and smart solutions, which are very useful for running a startup.
Studying STEM courses in USA gives a great headstart to candidates who are looking for global exposure as well as academic inputs based on science and technology. With the assistance of highly qualified teachers, advanced laboratories and an ethnically rich academic atmosphere, the USA promises a plethora of post-study opportunities. International students, therefore, choose the US as their first choice for studying abroad, especially for STEM based courses.
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