STEM Courses in USA: Top Universities, Eligibility & More

Epicenter of technological evolution, top infrastructure supporting research, world-class education, lucrative jobs, and a lot more reasons for studying STEM programs in the USA. Let’s go through them all!

Top universities

Talking about the rankings of top universities in the 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 the US also have a dedicated career team that is very useful to help you land a high-paying job.

World-Class Education

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

Silicon Valley

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

Diverse Student Body

One of the most well-known features of universities in the US 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 the experience of a lifetime.

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

• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Biomedical Sciences
• Computer Science
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics and Statistics

Top 5 STEM accredited universities in the USA, you ask? Here’s what they look like ⬇️

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• California Institute of Technology

• Harvard University

• Stanford University

• University of California Berkeley

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ranked #1 university worldwide, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the most coveted institution worldwide. Home to personalities like Buzz Aldrin and Richard Feynman, the university is naturally most well-known for its programs in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc.

Harvard University

Undoubtedly the most-sought-after university in the US, Harvard is a leader in STEM programs related to Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. 

Suggested: How to Get into Harvard University?

Stanford University

Right after Harvard, if there is any university one would know about in the US, more often than not it will be Stanford. The university is highly sought-after for its programs in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Biological Sciences. 

University of California Berkeley

UCB is a public university, offering rigorous programs in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. The university ranks in the top 10 in all categories. It has a relatively higher acceptance rate than other universities on this list.

California Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology in Pasadena is one of the most prestigious institutions in the field of STEM. The university has 46 alumni and professors Nobel laureates, bringing home 47 Nobel prizes to the university to date.

Looking for a specific course you wish to pursue and want to see the best universities for that subject? You get that too!

Still can’t find the university that suits your aspirations? It is a task to find the perfect list of universities for you. But not here! With Yocket’s College Finder, you get a list of universities that match your profile the best! 

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With the most sought-after program comes eligibility criteria to meet. 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 look like:

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 the 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 the 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 fulfil 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 the 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.

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.

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 of around USD $125,000 - USD $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.

Let’s take you through some of the most popular positions for which STEM graduates are hired and their average annual salaries:

Naturally, pursuing STEM abroad has one of the highest ROIs on your study abroad venture. 😉

Not only are universities providing the best STEM courses in the 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. Definitely, STEM education in the USA is challenging and will put your skills to the test at every level but it does not have to be difficult to pursue - not at all when you are a Premium Yocketer. With a holistic counselling process that is curated JUST FOR YOU, getting into the top universities in the US with the best STEM program becomes nothing short of a cakewalk. 

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