What are STEM courses, and why are they popular in the USA?

STEM courses refer to programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These fields are highly valued in the USA due to their focus on innovation and cutting-edge technology. STEM graduates often enjoy better career opportunities and higher salaries, which makes these courses particularly popular among international students.

What is the eligibility criteria for STEM courses in the USA?

For undergraduate STEM courses, students need 12 years of secondary education, an F-1 student visa, and English proficiency test scores (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS). For master's programs, a 3 to 4-year bachelor’s degree and similar visa and language requirements apply. Additional documents like LORs, personal essays, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher are also required.

How much does it cost to study STEM courses in the USA?

The cost of studying STEM courses in the USA ranges from 30,000 to 60,000 USD annually, depending on the university and program. For example, the tuition for Aeronautical Engineering at Caltech is around 59,000 USD, while Agricultural Engineering at Purdue University costs approximately 30,000 USD.

What are the job prospects after completing STEM courses in the USA?

STEM graduates in the USA have excellent job prospects, with many top companies actively hiring in these fields. For instance, a biochemist can earn an average salary of 190,000 USD, while computer scientists and mechanical engineers can expect salaries around 160,000 and 94,000 USD, respectively.

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List of STEM courses in USA

Are you considering pursuing STEM programs in the USA (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics)? You’re in the right place. Study STEM in the USA is highly sought after due to the quality and opportunities provided by American universities. STEM programs are in high demand, and competition for admission can be fierce. These courses have seen significant growth in the global education system, making them a popular choice for students worldwide. However, choosing the right program can be challenging, especially with over 300 STEM options available in the USA alone. The Top STEM universities in the USA are known for offering cutting-edge education and research opportunities. This blog will guide you through the key aspects of STEM education, helping you make an informed decision. Let’s dive in!

What is STEM Courses?

STEM Courses refer to degree programs that fall under Science, Technology, Engineering & Management. Various universities across the globe have started incorporating STEM courses in their curriculum to attract international students. Professions relating to STEM courses are considered to be one of the most lucrative & popular. STEM courses provide a platform for students to explore their interests & potential in the area of Science & Technology.

Why Study STEM Courses in USA?

Top Universities: US universities perform extremely well in the world university and subject rankings. Among these Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, and the University of California Berkeley, are all top-ranked universities according to QS World University Rankings.
Diversity: The United States has always been called the land of the free since people from different countries come here and settle. While Study in USA, Indian students never feel they are away from home since many Indian Students study or work here. They never miss Indian food. Hence, the USA remains as one of the hot destinations for STEM aspirants from India.
Active lifestyle choice for Students: STEM students in the USA never feel a moment of dullness or monotony in their student life since there are a ton of extracurricular activities available to them. Students can participate in sporting activities, debates, visits meetings or seminars, concerts, and parties or can even volunteer for charity work.
Silicon Valley Effect: One of the greatest reasons for the obsession with courses in the USA is California – the Silicon Valley of USA. STEM universities in the USA have uninterrupted access to the people and companies who are building the latest cutting-edge technology. This immensely benefits the students in knowing the latest technological trends.
Global job opportunities: Once you get your STEM-oriented degree after a lot of hard work, you become eligible for promising career opportunities with better pay perks. STEM degrees are preferred by employers.

Eligibility Criteria for STEM Courses

Eligibility for STEM Undergraduate courses in USA
- 12 years of secondary education from a recognized board in your home country.
- F-1 status of student visa.
- English proficiency test scores through TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo (A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or 90 on TOEFL is recommended)
- SAT/ACT is no longer a necessity but appearing for it will be beneficial.
- LOR (academic or professional)
- Personal Essay
- 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale
Eligibility for STEM Masters courses in USA
- 3 to 4 years Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- F-1 status of student visa.
- English proficiency test scores through TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo (A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or 90 on TOEFL is recommended)
- SAT/ACT is no longer a necessity but appearing for it will be beneficial.
- LOR (academic or professional)
- Personal Essay
- 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale

Admission process for STEM Courses in the USA

Let’s see how you can apply for admission to STEM programs in USA:

Prepare a list of STEM universities you want to apply to and check their eligibility criteria, admission requirements & deadlines.
Complete the online admission form available on the university website for international students and submit it along with the required fees within the specified deadline dates.
Gather and submit all the required documents to the university to support your application.
After you receive the confirmation of your application, you can track the status of your application through the university website.
If your application is accepted, you’ll receive correspondence from the university with the offer letter. Be sure to respond to the email regarding the acceptance letter and complete the enrollment process on time.
After you receive the letter of acceptance from your choice of STEM universities in USA, apply for an F-1 Student visa.

Documents Required for STEM Courses in the USA

Academic mark sheets
Passport photocopy
CV/Resume
Letter of Recommendation
English language proficiency test scores
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Two Reference Letters

STEM Courses in the USA – Cost of Studying

The cost of pursuing STEM Courses in USA varies from 30,000 to 60,000 USD (INR 25 lakhs – 50 lakhs). A limited number of scholarships are also available for financially constrained students. Let’s see the Average Tuition fees for some of the Top STEM Courses in USA

STEM Courses	Top University	Average Tuition Fees
Aeronautical Engineering	California Institute of Technology	59,000 USD (approx.)
Biochemistry	University of California, Berkeley	39,000 USD (approx.)
Chemical Engineering	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	56,000 USD (approx.)
Agricultural Engineering	Purdue University	30,000 USD (approx.)
Computer and Information Science	Carnegie Mellon University	59,000 USD (approx.)
Mechanical Engineering	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	56,000 USD (approx.)
Zoology	University of California, Berkeley	44,000 USD (approx.)
Statistics	Stanford University	54,000 USD (approx.)
Pharmacy	University of North Carolina	36,000 USD (approx.)
Mathematics	Princeton University	53,000 USD (approx.)
Physics	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	56,000 USD (approx.)
Genetics	Harvard University	52,000

STEM Courses for International Students in the USA – Job Prospects

STEM Courses in USA provide a wide range of job prospects to international students after graduation. There are also many top STEM courses that attract a lot of jobs and are chased by top MNCs. Let’s see the Average salaries for some of the STEM Courses in USA for International Students:

STEM Profession	Average Salary in USD (approx.)
Biochemist	1,90,000
Mathematician	152,000
Physics	205,000
Computer Scientist	1,60,000
Zoologist	68,000
Mechanical Engineer	94,000
Chemical Engineer	99,000
Statistician	134,000
Geologist	174,000
Civil Engineer	87,000
Astronomer	2,20,000
Nutritional Scientist	61,000

Best STEM Courses in the USA for International Students

There are a total of more than 300 STEM courses in USA. While it is not possible to cover each one of them, let’s see the list of some of the Best STEM Courses in USA for International Students:

Computer Science
Physical Science
Civil Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Mathematics & Statistics

Top STEM Colleges & Universities to Study in USA

STEM University	Top STEM Colleges & Universities in USA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	1
Stanford University	3
Harvard University	5
California Institute of Technology	6
University of Chicago	10
University of Pennsylvania	13
Columbia University	19
Princeton University	20
Cornell University	21
Johns Hopkins University	25

Best Stem Management Courses in USA

Lets see the top STEM MBA Courses in USA

Business School	Tuition Fees for Students	Top Programs Offered
Harvard Business School	80,000 USD	Management Science Track in Full-Time MBA
Ross Business School	75,000 USD	Business Analytics in Full Time MBA
Booth School of Business	75,000 USD	Management Science Track in Full Time MBA
Wharton Business School	80,000 USD	Business Analytics, Energy, Statistics majors in Full Time MBA

Final Thoughts!

STEM graduates enjoy better salaries and are more marketable than non-STEM graduates. A STEM degree opens a wide range of opportunities for students after completing their graduation. STEM courses for Indian and international students in the USA are lucrative degrees to acquire for a bright career. Hope you liked this blog! Please share it!