Students dreaming to study in USA after 12th comprise a rapidly increasing percentage of college and university applicants annually. The number of international applicants to the US has drastically increased in the past decade. There are hundreds of thousands of educational immigrants each year. As a result, getting into top universities in the US is a highly competitive field.
If you’re a fresh school graduate planning on getting started with your college applications, this article is a comprehensive guide to study in USA for Indian students after 12th.
Why Should You Study In US After 12th?
According to data, on average, around 160,000 Indian students apply to study in the US annually. This number grows exponentially each year. There are various reasons why the United States educational system attracts students from all over the world.
The American Dream runs especially strong in Asian countries, with India being one of the foremost. For families trying to set up their children for success, students seek the best educational infrastructure and assistance. The dream to study in USA for Indian students checks all the following criteria:
The USA is home to the best and the most advanced educational institutes, colleges and universities. It comprises 33% of the universities and colleges ranked in the 100 universities in the global QS ranking.
The education system in the US is known for being flexible and expansive, which is one of the biggest benefits to study in USA after 12th. Students can curate their educational programs to fit their interests and professional aspirations.
One of the biggest reasons to study in USA for international students is the multicultural landscape of the country. The racial and ethnic diversity makes it an ideal place for Indian students to find community in the universities.

Types Of Graduate Schools In The US
If the reasons above piqued your interest to study in USA after 12th, it is worthwhile to understand the kinds of graduate schools students can apply to according to their abilities and requirements. This is because colleges and universities in the US vary in kind depending on the type of education and professional training they offer. Some graduate schools can focus on liberal arts, while others focus on vocation, business, or engineering. They are also categorized in terms of years, degrees and funds.
Two-Year Colleges
These colleges mostly offer Associate Degrees and are community and county-oriented. The local government generally funds them. They are known for being inexpensive and accessible and often focus on providing educational opportunities to students with lower SAT scores.
Four-Year Colleges
These are mostly undergraduate institutions that offer Bachelor’s degrees in Arts and Sciences. Depending on the degree, Four-year colleges can be great options for students looking to study in USA after 12th.
Liberal Arts Universities
Colleges for Liberal arts in the US are sites of great historical importance. These are undergraduate institutions that emphasize interactive teaching programs and instructions. They generally have smaller class strengths and, to foster interactive teaching, often have classes conducted by teaching assistants.
Universities
These offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. They are research-oriented and offer a plethora of master’s programs as well as doctorate programs. These include both public and private institutions.
State colleges and universities
These institutions generally charge lower tuition and have much larger student enrollments. They are subsidized through state funds. They are also known for being less selective of their student pool.
Most Popular Courses To Study In USA After 12th Arts
If the graduate school structure in the US matches your requirements, the next step is to look at courses in USA after 12th. US arts programs are some of the most diverse and flexible globally, with much scope. The following is a list of the most coveted courses to study in USA after 12th arts:
1. Bachelor’s in English
2. Journalism and mass communication
3. Graphic Design and Visual Arts
4. Film studies
5. Sociology
6. Linguistics
7. Political Science
8. Anthropology
9. Animation
10. History
The top universities offering courses in these subjects are listed below:
| University | Best courses | Global QS Rank 2024 |
| Stanford University | English, Linguistics, Social Studies | 5 |
| Yale University | Film Studies, Anthropology, Photography | 16 |
| Dartmouth College | Music, Graphic design | #=237 |
Most Popular Courses To Study In USA After 12th Science
Suppose you’re a student aspiring to build a career in applied sciences. In that case, the universities in the US have globally acclaimed research institutes and programs to enable students to explore their propensity for research to the fullest. The following are some of the most popular subjects to Study in USA after 12th science:
1. Medicine
2. Biotechnology
3. Zoology
4. Chemistry
5. Civil Engineering
6. Automotive engineering
7. Molecular science
8. Computer science
9. Bachelor’s of surgery
10. Mechanical engineering
11. Astrophysics
Some of the top universities in USA for the above subjects are listed ahead:
| University | Best courses | Global QS Ranking 2024 |
| Cornell University | Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Computer Science and IT | 13 |
| Masachusett’s Institute of Technology | Aerospace engineering, Architecture, Molecular science | 1 |
| Harvard University | Marine Sciences, Zoology, Earth sciences | 4 |

Most Popular Courses To Study In USA After 12th Commerce
If the above lists were informative, but you’d rather pursue commerce, the US has some of the best universities that offer diverse and flexible courses in the stream of commerce. The following are the most popular purses to study in USA after 12th commerce:
1. Marketing
2. International Relations
3. Law
4. Business Math
5. Business Administration in Global Business
6. BBA in communications
7. MBA
8. Accountancy
9. Finance
10. Bachelor’s in Economics
The above mentioned courses are among the best courses to study in USA and are offered by the following universities:
| University | Best courses | Global QS ranking 2024 |
| University of California, Berkeley | Business Administration, Business Entrepreneurship, Accountancy | 10 |
| Arizona State University | Finance, Management technology | 179 |
| Texas A&M University | Agribusiness, Accountancy, Finance | =134 |
Application And Scholarships For International Students
The application process for international students can often be more complicated than that of domestic students. While universities often have a unique set of requirements that they seek in their student pool, ACT and SAT exams are standardized. To qualify, international students may also have to apply for TOEFL or other English language proficiency tests. Considering the steep cost of studying in the US for private institutions, there are several US scholarships for Indian students.
Some of the best scholarships for Indian students after 12th are listed as follows:
1. Cornell University Tata Scholarship
2. American University Global Leader Scholarship
3. Clark Global Scholarship Program
4. Rotary International Ambassador scholarship
Conclusion
Foreign applications for freshly graduated students can be intimidating and complicated to navigate. That’s why you should contact our team of best study abroad consultants in India. Whether you’re applying to the US or looking to study in Australia from India, our team of consultants is best equipped to help arrange your applications and guide you to land your target universities with the best scholarships.
As the top overseas education consultants in India, we have the resources to help you find the correct universities, build the most compelling curriculum vitae and apply in the right cycles to maximize your chances.
If this article helped you gain some insight into US applications, consider reading our comprehensive guide to study in Australia for Indian students.
Alternatively, make applying for a visa less complicated in this guide to document for Australia student visa.




