Introduction
You have chosen to study in the USA for good reasons like lower cost of living, better career prospects, multicultural environment, climate, and more.
However, we assume you're finding it tough to choose the top cities to study in the USA for international students.
Choosing the best and most affordable cities for studying in the USA can make a big impact on your study abroad experience. There are many factors to consider when choosing where to study in the USA.
If you are an international student seeking help in choosing the best place to study in the United States, keep reading this blog.
This detailed blog on how to choose where to study in the USA will help you decide which is the best city to study in the United States and discover more about the best course options and top-ranked universities in the USA.
How to Choose Where to Study in the USA For International Students?
After selecting the study abroad destination, the next step is to begin with selecting the city where you want to study, later followed by university and course selection.
Well, to select the right city to study in the USA, here are some of the factors that you need to consider:
Climate
The climate of the USA is diverse. From tropical conditions in South Florida and Hawaii to alpine and arctic conditions in Alaska, the climates and weather varies greatly by season and location in the United States.
To give an example, California is one of the most sought-after cities to study in the USA due to excellent quality education, wide career opportunities, and more. But, the city is also known as the “cool, grey city of love” due to heavy fog. The beautiful climate of California makes it a picturesque city.
Next, if we talk about Arizona, it has 300 sunny days a year, which makes it an ideal destination for biologists, artists, filmmakers, and extreme sports enthusiasts.
Moving towards the northern areas of the USA, the weather here can be quite cold, and many cities like Flagstaff experience snowfall and winter highs around 6°C.
Culture
If you are interested in being part of a community with fun and entertainment or interested in involving yourself in outdoor activities, you must look at the off-campus culture of the city.
Unlike this, if you prefer small classes, interested in group discussions, you must look at the on-campus culture of the city.
Apart from these, consider the part-time opportunities, and academic and athletic excellence of the universities present in the cities to make the overall study abroad experience exceptional.
Community Size
When choosing a city in the USA, identify if the city you are considering can help you grow professionally and find employment.
For instance, if you wish to make a career in the tech field, San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Silicon Valley are the best places to choose due to being the tech hub of the USA.
Similarly, cities like Massachusetts, Atlanta, Georgia, Cleveland, Ohio, Chicago, and Boston are great options for students in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
Employment Opportunities
When choosing a city in the USA, identify if the city you are considering can help you grow professionally and find employment.
For instance, if you wish to make a career in the tech field, San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Silicon Valley are the best places to choose due to being the tech hub of the USA. Similarly, cities like Massachusetts, Atlanta, Georgia, Cleveland, Ohio, Chicago, and Boston are great options for students in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
Lifestyle
The next thing to consider is lifestyle. Check whether the destination you have chosen offers the lifestyle you prefer.
Lifestyle in the USA is completely different from what it was in India. From language and culture to food, everything is going to change.
Hence, research about the different lifestyles in cities of the USA and choose the one whose lifestyle aligns with your requirements.
Affordability
The cost of study in the USA is one of the significant factors to consider. When choosing from the cities to study in the United States, make sure to calculate the cost of living expenses, including accommodation, transportation, utilities, etc.
In addition to this, look out for part-time job opportunities which can help you manage daily expenses.
Best Places To Study In USA For International Students
Considering various factors like university rankings, appeal, student diversity, affordability, and job opportunities, we have listed below the 8 top student cities to study in the USA for international students.
Boston
Why Study In Boston, USA?
➱ Surrounded by the world’s greatest students and scholars
➱ Home to the world’s most prestigious universities
➱ Ideal for students interested in arts, culture, and classical music
➱ Famous for pubs, bars, and sports
➱ Ranked 10th in the QS Best Student Cities index
➱ Ranked 3rd in the world for employer activity
Chicago
Why Study In Chicago, USA?
➱ Wealthiest cities and economic hub of the USA
➱ Home to the world’s most esteemed universities
➱ Offers diverse culture, beautiful architecture, and entertainment options
➱ Comparatively has a lower cost of living
➱ Has earned a strong ranking for employer activity
San Francisco
Why Study In San Francisco, USA?
➱ Home to Ivy League schools and many prominent universities
➱ Renowned as a tech hub by having companies like Apple, IBM, Google, Facebook, etc.
➱ Offers lower living costs
➱ Has a pleasant lifestyle, welcoming people, and a wonderful climate
➱ Ranks high in employer activity
Los Angeles
Why Study In Los Angeles, USA?
➱ 2nd largest cities in the United States
➱ Wide job opportunities
➱ Home to top-ranked universities
➱ Best place to study arts
New York
Why Study In New York, USA?
➱ Renowned as the best student city in the USA
➱ World’s best and top-ranked universities are in New York
➱ Ranks 18th in QS Best Student Cities index
➱ Offers multiple internship and career opportunities
Atlanta
Why Study In Atlanta, USA?
➱ Home to prestigious universities, museums, and art institutes
➱ Ranked as one of “Forbes Best Big Cities” for career prospects
➱ Famous for great restaurants and music
➱ Has a high employment rate
Washington DC
Why Study In Washington DC, USA?
➱ Heart of American politics and commerce
➱ Home to the country's most iconic buildings and monument
➱ Boasts a rich and fascinating history
➱ Offers plenty of jobs, internships, and research opportunities
San Diego
Why Study In San Diego, USA?
➱ One of the safest cities in the USA
➱ Known as a higher-education powerhouse
➱ Has excellent weather all year round
➱ Home to some of the best public and private universities
Best Courses To Study In USA For International Students
The USA offers international students a wide range of course options, some of the best one includes:
- Business and Management
- Mathematics and Computer Sciences
- Engineering
- Physical and Life Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Communication & Media Studies
- Medicine
- Physics
- Data Science and Business Analytics
- Finance
Best Universities In The USA For International Students










Bottom Line
Choosing where to study in the USA can feel overwhelming. However, with these key factors in mind, you will be able to choose the best cities to study in the USA.
To ease the task, we have also added the list of top cities you can consider to study. We hope this guide will help you find the place that’s right for you.
Take Your Next Step To Study In The USA
If you have chosen the place to study in the USA, it’s time to move towards the next step!
Being a trusted study abroad consultant in India, we are well-versed in the entire study abroad process. For the last 16+ years, we have been helping students fulfill their study abroad dream through our comprehensive services and guidance.
Contact our expert counselors today to begin your hassle-free study abroad journey.