Home to half of the world’s top universities, the United States of America (US) is one of the most popular study destinations for international students. Over a million students from around the world study in the US every year, drawn to the high quality of education, highly accredited professors, and the high standard of living.
The United States of America is the world’s third largest country in size and nearly the third largest in terms of population. Located in North America, the US is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east side and the Pacific Ocean on the west side of the country. It shares its northern border with Canada and its southern border with Mexico. Due to the large size of the US, its geography is extremely diverse including forests, deserts, beaches, mountains, and large bodies of water in and around the country.
The US consists of 50 states, a federal district (Washington, D.C.), five major territories, and various minor islands. Washington, D.C., formally known as the District of Columbia, is the capital of the United States. Each state and territory also have their own capital cities. More than 10 US cities are listed amongst the top 100 QS Best Student Cities (2025). The top student cities (and the state they are in) in America are: Boston (MA), New York (NY), Los Angeles (CA), San Francisco (CA); Chicago (IL), Philadelphia (PA), Washington (DC), Atlanta (FL), Pittsburg (PA), San Diego (CA), Seattle (WA), Durham (NC).
Map showing all 50 US states and territories
Due to the large size of the US, it has a wide variety of weather conditions across the country at any given time. In general, the US has a continental climate, with cold winters (often frigid) and hot summers (sometimes very hot), with a different season duration depending on a region’s proximity from the equator and from the sea. However, there are some exceptions. The weather on the west coast, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, and in its southmost regions, have mediterranean and tropical climates respectively. The mountainous areas, on the other hand are cold in winter and remain cool in summer, whereas its desserts are mild in winter and extremely hot in the summer. The deserts are mostly found in the southwestern regions of the US. You can find out more about the climate of cities in the U.S. by visiting the U.S. Climate Data website.
According to the US Census Bureau's Population Clock, there are over 340 million people living in the US. This makes the US the third most populated country in the world, following China and India respectively. California is the most populous state with 39.5 million citizens, followed by Texas with a population of 28.7 million. Their most populous city is New York City with a population of 8.4 million. To put it in perspective, if California were a country, it would be the 36th most populous country in the world, slightly larger than Iraq and Poland. Cultural Diversity The Pew Research Centre has stated that in 2015, 45 million of the population has immigrated to the US since 1965. Immigrants are primarily from Asia and Latin America. It's estimated that immigration will increase to 19% of the population by 2060. According to the US Census Bureau, nearly 25% (~7 million) of the American population identify themselves as a racial minority. The largest racial minorities are Latin Americans, followed by African Americans.
English is the primary language spoken in the US. Spanish, Chinese, and Native American are among the top other languages spoken throughout the US.
Although the US is a predominantly Christian and Catholic country, there are many mosques, temples, and synagogues across the country. The freedom to practice one's religion is among the most important rights in the United States.
The United States has a renowned reputation of having some of the best higher education institutions in the world. Well-known institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford consistently rank amongst the best universities in the world. Post-secondary institutions in the United States make up more than half of the top 20 institutions in the Times Higher Education 2025 World University Rankings.
The US is home to many prestigious colleges and universities that can offer international students a first-class education and research opportunities, in some of the best facilities in the world. Based on data from Open Doors, in 2023 the most selected fields of study were Math and Computer Science, Engineering, and Business and Management.
With over 4,500 US universities offering undergraduate degrees, students have a lot of study options to suit their interests and aspirations. Students at American colleges and universities can explore numerous different subject matters. In fact, they are expected to take different courses and explore their interests in their first two years of study before declaring their choice of major at the end of the second year.
Covering 10 million square kilometers, the United States is the third largest country in the world. The US is home to four distinct regions; the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, and the West. Within those regions, students have the opportunity to visit one of 62 national parks spanning across 28 states. Some of the most popular ones to visit are Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Glacier, Sequoia, and Joshua Tree. Some of the most popular states people choose to live in are California, New York, Texas, and Florida. Whether students want to experience east coast charm, southern hospitality, or the bright lights of hollywood, international students can find an area to live that suits them.
The US is a culturally diverse country. According to the Census Bureau, every 666 seconds a new immigrant moves to the US. Americans speak over 350 languages throughout the country. The US has often been referred to as a 'melting pot' because of the vast cultural influences from Native Americans, Latin Americans, Africans, and Asians. This diversity means that customs and traditions vary widely across regions, providing a unique opportunity for international students to experience a variety of cultural practices and perspectives.
Students can apply for work in the US through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) on an F1 visa, which allows them to work for up to 12 months after graduation. Alternatively, they can choose to return to their home country. More information regarding working after graduation can be found in our Post-Graduation Work in the United States article.
US institutions are well-equipped to support international students, with dedicated international student offices that offer guidance on everything from visa regulations to cultural adjustment. Orientation programs, academic advising, and social events help students acclimate to their new environment and make the most of their time in the US.
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