Loading...
Choosing a university in the US is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. To win, you have to think like a strategist, not just a student.
Choosing degree based on job outcomes, not prestige
In your home country, a 'famous' school name might be everything. In the US, the market is different. Employers care about your skills and the school's pipeline to their industry. Prestige 'fades' quickly. A Top-20 school in a rural area might have a lower 'internship-to-offer' rate than a Top-100 school in a tech hub. Research the 'Career Outcomes Report' for your specific department.
STEM vs non-STEM implications (OPT length, employer appetite)
Non-STEM degrees give you only 12 months of work permission (OPT). STEM degrees give you 36 months (12 months + a 24-month extension). Most US companies are hesitant to hire someone who only has 12 months of work authorization. With 36 months, you have three chances at the H-1B lottery instead of one. This makes you 'cheaper' and 'lower risk' for an employer to hire.
Location strategy (job density > ranking)
In the US, networking happens at coffee shops and local meetups. If you are in a remote 'college town,' you are limited to online applications. Choose a school in a Job Hub. If you want Tech, look at San Jose, Seattle, or Austin. If you want Finance, look at NYC or Charlotte. Being within a 1-hour drive of major employers means you can attend their on-campus events and local industry mixers.
CPT friendliness of the school (huge hidden variable)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows you to work internships while you are still in school. Some schools have very strict CPT rules (e.g., you can only work after 1 year). Others are CPT Friendly and allow you to start working much earlier. Graduating with 12 months of US work experience (via CPT) puts you ahead of 90% of other graduates.
Cost vs ROI decision-making
Don't just look at the price tag, look at the Return on Investment (ROI). A $100k degree from a private school is a bad deal if the average starting salary is $60k. A $40k state school degree with an $80k starting salary is a home run. Factor in the cost of living in that city—$2,000 in rent in NYC is very different from $800 in rent in Indiana.