STEM Programs in USA: STEM Courses in USA, Universities, Eligibility & More

STEM is an abbreviated term used to refer to courses related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. There are a variety of specializations that come under these 4 broad subject areas and can be chosen according to your interests. STEM programs in USA are one of the most desired among international aspirants for several reasons which makes it a hard nut to crack when it comes to getting into top universities. 

There is so much to consider for STEM education USA right? Well, you do not have to worry about finding out about all of it on your own. We have prepared a guide with complete details on STEM degrees in USA including what are the best STEM courses in USA, top STEM approved universities in USA, eligibility criteria, placements and answers to your most commonly asked questions regarding STEM programs in USA.

Why Study STEM Courses in USA?

There is not one but many reasons for studying STEM programs in USA. Here are some reasons why international students are inclined towards pursuing STEM degrees in USA:

• Top universities: Talking about the rankings of top universities in USA, institutions perform extremely well both in world rankings and subject rankings. Among these Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of California Berkeley, etc. occupy one of the top 10 positions in all categories of QS rankings.

• Scope of STEM courses: There is abundant scope both in terms of jobs and research after pursuing STEM courses. Universities in US also have a dedicated career team that is very useful to help you land a good job.

• World-class education: US fulfills its promise to provide unmatched quality of education with state-of-the art facilities, expert faculty and global opportunities. Education from US is recognized and valued by institutions and employers around the world which is why international students are drawn towards studying in US.

• Added advantage of Silicon Valley: US is home to the largest hub for IT i.e. its Silicon Valley in California which is a major added advantage for aspiring IT professionals. This is what gives US the access to highly developed infrastructure, resources and skilled labour.

• Diverse student body: One of the most well-known features of US universities is the diversity in the student body. The student population represents the culture of different countries and you will find it easy to adjust to the social environment, make new friends and gain experience of a lifetime.

List of STEM Courses in USA

Some of the most sought after specializations for STEM degrees in USA are in Engineering, Medicine, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Take a look at the top STEM courses in USA list discussed below:

1. Chemical Engineering
2. Civil Engineering
3. Biomedical Sciences
4. Computer Science
5. Chemistry
6. Physics
7. Mathematics and Statistics

Top STEM Colleges & Universities in USA

Here is a list of top 5 STEM accredited universities in USA:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• California Institute of Technology

• Harvard University

• Stanford University

• University of California Berkeley

Let us take a look at the insights about the top STEM approved universities in USA:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ranked no.1 university worldwide, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the most coveted institution worldwide. It's understandably high standards are only achieved by top students. The university is most well-known for its programs in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc.

• California Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology, located in Pasadena is also a prestigious institution ranked among one of the top 10 universities worldwide. As the name suggests, the university is one of the top 5 for its offerings in Physics, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

• Harvard University

Harvard University is a leader in STEM programs related to Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. It is the 1st ranked US Uni with perfect scores for research and employability.

• Stanford University

Located in Stanford, the university ranks 3rd worldwide and is highly sought after for its programs in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Biological Sciences among others. Stanford University is very selective in terms of admission too with an acceptance rate of only 5%.

• University of California Berkeley

University of California Berkeley is a public university and the first campus of the University of California system. The university offers rigorous programs in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics and ranks in the top 10 in all categories. It has a relatively higher acceptance rate than other universities discussed above.

Take a look at the table below to get complete details regarding the top universities offering the best STEM courses in USA along with their QS subject rankings:

Eligibility Criteria for STEM Programs in USA

The basic eligibility criteria for STEM programs in USA are discussed below. While the exact admission requirements such as GPA, English language test scores or entrance test scores may vary from university to university, here is what the general eligibility criteria looks like:

• Educational qualifications

• Entrance tests to study STEM degrees in USA

• Proof of English language proficiency

• Work experience

• Student visa to study in USA

Take a look at the details of eligibility criteria for various STEM programs in USA:

• Educational Qualifications

Entry to bachelor’s level STEM programs requires completion of high school education with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. For admission to master’s level STEM courses, a standard 3 or 4 year bachelor’s degree is required. The minimum requirement for admission to STEM approved universities in USA is a GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 i.e. above 90% in Indian standards.

• Entrance Tests to Study STEM Degrees in USA

Entrance tests for admission to STEM bachelor’s degrees in USA include SAT or ACT which are generally not required by US universities anymore. If you are planning to apply for a master’s degree, you will have to submit GRE or GMAT scores.

• Proof of English Language Proficiency

Submitting scores of English language proficiency tests is a must for seeking admission to US universities as international students. You can submit IELTS, TOEFL or any other accepted test scores to fulfill this requirement. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or 90 on TOEFL is recommended. However, requirements may vary depending on the competitiveness of the program.

• Work Experience

Although not a mandatory requirement at most universities, some prior professional experience is highly recommended for pursuing STEM courses in USA in certain fields and getting an edge over the other applicants.

• Student Visa to Study in USA

Finally, an F-1 student visa is the most important document which you must have before entering the US. Therefore, complete your application process as early as possible to have enough time for visa processing.

Admission Process for STEM Programs in USA

Applying to one among the list of STEM courses in USA is nothing different for students who have a general idea about the process for applying to universities abroad. Here is how you can apply for admission to STEM programs in USA:

1. Prepare a list of universities that you wish to seek admission to and go ahead to check its eligibility criteria, deadlines, admission requirements, etc.
2. Complete the online application for international students available on the university website and submit the necessary application fee within the specified deadlines.
3. Gather and submit all relevant documents to support your application.
4. After receiving a confirmation of your application, you can track the status of your application through the university website.
5. If accepted, you will receive an official correspondence from the university with your acceptance letter. Make sure you reply to the email to confirm your acceptance and complete the enrollment process on time.
6. You can apply for a F-1 student visa to study at STEM accredited universities in USA after receiving your letter of acceptance.

STEM Courses in USA Placements

Careers in STEM are one of the most rewarding options as there is always a need for skilled professionals. You can expect to be hired for job titles with lucrative packages with average annual salaries around $125,000-130,000 in various sectors especially after completing a postgraduate program. There is a huge scope to grow even financially with the increasing years of experience.

Here is a table with some of the most popular positions for which STEM graduates are hired and their average annual salaries:

Not only are universities providing the best STEM courses in USA ranked high in terms of education, teaching and similar parameters but also known for their graduate employability rankings. In fact the top 4 out of 5 positions in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022 are occupied by US universities namely Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California Los Angeles and Harvard University. Definitely, STEM education USA is challenging and will put your skills to test at every level but at the same time it will transform you into a dynamic individual. 

Frequently Asked Questions about STEM Programs in USA

Ques. What are the best STEM courses in USA?

Ans. The best STEM courses in USA include Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Biological Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Architecture, etc.

Ques. Which among the list of STEM programs in USA is the highest paying?

Ans. Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Computer Science are among some of the highest paying fields among the list of STEM programs in USA.

Ques. How much is the average tuition fee for STEM degrees in USA?

Ans. The average tuition fee for STEM degrees in USA is between $30,000-55,000 per year.

Ques. What are the top STEM accredited universities in USA?

Ans. Among the top universities providing STEM courses in USA list are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Stanford University, California Institute of Technology and University of California Berkeley.

Ques. Can commerce students pursue STEM degrees in USA?

Ans. Yes, commerce students can definitely pursue STEM degrees in USA and are in fact quite popular among international students. Some of the most popular STEM programs in USA for commerce students include MS in Management, MS in Finance, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Marketing, MS in Economics, etc.