Destination guide · checked Oct 2026

Study in the USA

Thousands of universities and colleges, flexible degrees, and up to three years of work after a STEM degree through OPT. What the F-1 route involves as of October 2026, and what has changed.

Explore programs in the US →

Student visaF-1Form I-20 from an SEVP-certified school
Bachelor’sUsually 4 yearsBroad first years, then a major
Master’sCommonly 1–2 yearsDepends on the program
Main intakeFall (Aug–Sep)Some programs also start in spring
Work after studyOPT, 12 monthsPlus 24 months for STEM degrees

What changed in 2025–26

Checked 31 October 2026. Rules are changing quickly: confirm with your university’s international office before you act.

  • “Duration of status” rule on hold. DHS published a final rule on 17 July 2026 replacing duration of status with fixed admission periods. On 14 September 2026 a federal court postponed its effective date, and USCIS says it is following the previous rules until further notice.
  • OPT fees proposed. Under a rule DHS proposed on 8 October 2026, SEVP-certified schools would pay $70,000 before recommending a student for initial OPT and $30,000 for subsequent OPT, including STEM OPT, and schools may pass the cost on to students. It is a proposal to watch, not a rule in effect: public comments close on 9 November 2026.
  • Tighter CPT guidance. In August 2026 ICE told schools to authorise Curricular Practical Training only when the work is required for all students in that degree.
  • H-1B changes. A weighted selection process for H-1B registrations took effect on 27 February 2026. A $100,000 payment on certain new H-1B petitions is not being collected while a June 2026 court order stands.
  • Online presence review. The State Department reviews the online presence of F, M and J visa applicants and asks them to set their social media profiles to public.
Why study here

Choice, flexibility and time to work after you graduate

A huge range of institutions

From community colleges to large research universities, with programs in almost every subject and at every level.

Flexible degrees

Undergraduates often take a broad mix of courses before choosing a major, and can add a minor in a second subject.

Work after you graduate

OPT allows up to 12 months of work at each degree level, and graduates of degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend it by 24 months.

Graduate funding

Many graduate programs, especially PhDs, offer teaching or research assistantships that can cover tuition and pay a stipend. They are competitive and set by each program.

Live from official data

Programs in the US

Programs at US institutions in our database, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Counts update as the data does.

Explore all programs →Browse universities
Bachelor’s programsBrowse →Master’s programsBrowse →Doctorate programsBrowse →Certificate & diploma programsBrowse →

Programs by subject

A few universities to start with

A sample from our directory, not a ranking. See every university in the US.

Live numbers couldn’t load just now. You can still explore programs in the US or browse universities.

Student visa

The F-1 visa, step by step

The F-1 is the visa for full-time study at a US university or college. Fees as of October 2026.

  1. Get admitted and receive your Form I-20

    Only a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can issue an I-20. Check your name, program dates and the estimated costs on it.

  2. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee: $350

    Pay it online before your interview and keep the receipt: you must show proof of payment at your visa interview.

  3. Apply for the visa

    Complete the online DS-160 form, pay the $185 visa application fee and book an appointment at a US embassy or consulate.

  4. Go to your interview

    Take your passport, Form I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, financial evidence and academic documents. Officers look for readily available funds for at least your first year and a credible plan of study.

  5. Travel

    An F-1 visa can be issued up to 365 days before your program start date, but you can enter the US no more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20.

Work

Working during and after your degree

As an F-1 student you can only work in the ways below. Your school’s Designated School Official (DSO) is your first point of contact.

On campus

20 hours a week

While school is in session, and full time during breaks and the annual vacation.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Off-campus work that is an integral part of your curriculum, authorised by your DSO. It usually needs one full academic year first, unless your graduate program requires it immediately. ICE’s August 2026 guidance says CPT should be authorised only when the work is required for every student in the degree.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

12 months per degree level

File Form I-765 up to 90 days before and no later than 60 days after your program end date, and within 30 days of your DSO’s recommendation. The USCIS fee is $470 online or $520 on paper. You can be unemployed for up to 90 days in total.

STEM OPT extension

+24 months

If your degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and your employer uses E-Verify, with a Form I-983 training plan. The unemployment limit rises to 150 days in total.

After OPT

Longer-term work generally needs an employer-sponsored visa such as the H-1B, which has an annual lottery. If your employer files a timely H-1B cap petition, the cap-gap extension can extend your status and work permission, typically until 1 April.

After your program or OPT ends you have 60 days to leave, change status or start a new program.

Money

Proof of funds, tuition and living costs

Figures are in US dollars. Tuition and living averages are national averages for 2025-26, not quotes for any university.

Proof of funds

Your Form I-20 lists your school’s estimated costs for one academic year. State Department guidance asks consular officers to see readily available funds for at least the first year, and credible sources for the remaining years, such as family support or an education loan.

See our education loans guide.

Tuition (2025-26 averages)

$31,880 public, out-of-state$45,000 private nonprofit

Average published tuition and fees at four-year colleges (College Board). International students at public universities usually pay the out-of-state rate. Graduate tuition varies more widely: check each program.

Housing and food (2025-26 averages)

$13,900 public$15,920 private nonprofit

Average housing and food at four-year colleges (College Board). Your I-20 shows your school’s own estimate, and city costs vary a lot.

Visa costs

$535

The $350 SEVIS fee plus the $185 visa application fee, before travel, health insurance and any OPT filing fee later.

Intakes and timing

When to start, and how to plan for fall 2027

The main intake is fall (August or September). Some programs also admit students for spring (January). Every university and program sets its own deadlines.

Now to early 2027

Shortlist programs, take your English test and any GRE or GMAT, and line up transcripts and recommendations.

Application deadlines

Apply by each program’s deadline. For fall entry these can be as early as December, especially for PhDs and funding.

After admission

Accept an offer, receive your I-20, pay the SEVIS fee and book your visa appointment.

Up to 30 days before

Travel. You can enter the US no more than 30 days before your program start date.

Where to study

Cities with many universities

These metro areas are home to large numbers of universities and colleges. Living costs differ hugely between them, so factor the city into your budget.

BostonNew YorkChicagoLos AngelesSan Francisco Bay AreaDallasHoustonPittsburghPhiladelphiaWashington, DC

States with the most programs in our data

Find US universities that fit you

The finder ranks US programs by how well they match your grades, budget and STEM goals. A counsellor can help with the I-20, funds and your visa interview.

Sources

Every rule, fee, amount and date on this page was checked against these official sources on 31 October 2026. Live program counts come from our database of official data; see credits and data sources. Rules change: confirm with official sources and your university before you apply.

  1. Study in the States (DHS), Students and the Form I-20 (checked Oct 2026)
  2. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I-901 SEVIS Fee (checked Oct 2026)
  3. U.S. Department of State, Student Visa (checked Oct 2026)
  4. U.S. Department of State, Fees for Visa Services (checked Oct 2026)
  5. U.S. Department of State, Foreign Affairs Manual 9 FAM 402.5 (Students and Exchange Visitors) (checked Oct 2026)
  6. Study in the States (DHS), Financial Ability (checked Oct 2026)
  7. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, SEVP: Employment (checked Oct 2026)
  8. Study in the States (DHS), Training Opportunities in the United States (CPT) (checked Oct 2026)
  9. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Broadcast Message 2608-02: Guidance for DSOs regarding Curricular Practical Training (August 2026) (checked Oct 2026)
  10. Study in the States (DHS), F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) (checked Oct 2026)
  11. Study in the States (DHS), STEM OPT Extension Overview (checked Oct 2026)
  12. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (last updated 22 July 2024) (checked Oct 2026)
  13. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (filing windows; court order alert of 14 September 2026) (checked Oct 2026)
  14. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Fee Schedule (Form G-1055) (checked Oct 2026)
  15. Study in the States (DHS), Maintaining Status (60-day period after completing a program) (checked Oct 2026)
  16. Study in the States (DHS), H-1B Status and the Cap-Gap Extension (checked Oct 2026)
  17. Study in the States (DHS), DHS publishes proposed rule establishing fees for Optional Practical Training (7 October 2026) (checked Oct 2026)
  18. Study in the States (DHS), DHS publishes final rule establishing a fixed time period of admission (July 2026) (checked Oct 2026)
  19. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, H-1B Specialty Occupations (status of the $100,000 payment) (checked Oct 2026)
  20. Federal Register (govinfo), Weighted Selection Process for H-1B registrations, final rule of 29 December 2025 (checked Oct 2026)
  21. College Board, Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2025 (2025-26 figures) (checked Oct 2026)
  22. College Board, Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2025, full report (Table CP-1: housing and food) (checked Oct 2026)