7 Most Popular US States for International Students in 2023

When considering pursuing your higher education abroad, the USA is a popular choice, and the reasons are obvious. Students prefer the USA for its high-ranked universities, excellent educational infrastructure, top-notch academic faculty and research-oriented programs. 

However, once you decide to study in the US, the next challenge is finding the right area where you will stay and complete your degree. Now, considering the vast geographical area of this foreign land, choosing the perfect US state can be quite a challenge. 

Therefore, to offer you better insight, in this article, we will discuss everything about the 7 most popular states in the USA for you to commence your higher education in 2023.  So, read on. 
 

The 7 most popular US states for international students

The list of popular states to study in the US is as follows:
 

1. New York

If your personality begs you to always be on the run, then New York is your best choice. Did you know that New York is widely famous as the Empire State of the US? Well, it is, and it glamorously stands out for its diversity, resilience, convenience, and inventiveness. Moreover, the city is a global business hub and houses the head offices of many international financial institutions.

This state also houses some of the best universities in the world, such as Cornell University, Columbia University, New York University, SUNY Albany, Pace University, and Yeshiva University. As a result, the year 2020/21 saw a staggering 107,000 international students attending different courses in this state.

When in New York, it is not simply about education in the USA, but it is also an excellent destination for exploring your love for books, theatre, and food. However, prepare to bear average tuition fees of around $8,467 per annum. 
 

2. California

Wouldn't it be like a dream to study in California? Until now, you might have simply strolled around the beautiful streets of California and witnessed its rich culture only by being on the other side of the big screen. Well, not anymore; choose to study in any of the top universities of the state, and experience this beautiful state for  yourself. 

International students constantly choose California for reasons like great facilities, availability of extracurricular activities, diversity, rich cultural history, and a free ticket to be a part of California's trillion-dollar infrastructure and economy. 

Moreover, did you know that California has produced graduates like Jerry Yang (founder of Yahoo) and other eminent founders like those of PayPal and Snapchat? Besides this, California is the global trendsetter and its colleges frequently serve Silicon Valley's honoured tech firms as 'feeder schools'. 

Some of the popular universities in this state include Stanford University, University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
 

3. Massachusetts

Located on the East Coast of America, this eccentric state in the US does not need much introduction. It has some of the oldest institutions for pursuing higher education, like Harvard and Boston. Additionally, this state is home to Kendall Square also known as 'The Most Innovative Square Mile on the Planet' as it has the highest concentration of entrepreneurial start- ups. This state also ranks third in per capita personal income.

The universities in Massachusetts offer courses like Electrical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Finance, Biotechnology, Defence, Management courses and much more. Some of the best universities in this state include Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University and Boston University.
 

4. Texas

Texas is located on the central coast of the US, and it ranks as the 2nd largest state in the USA. Now, if you are considering pursuing higher education in technology, then there is no better place than this business-friendly state in the US, as it is the home of tech giants like AT&T and Dell. Furthermore, it is also quite famous for its rapidly growing diversified roots in Aeronautics, Business & Insurance, Oil & Gas, and Renewable Energy. Most international students favour Texas for its pocket-friendly tuition fees and favourable climate conditions. Some of the top fields to pursue here include Electrical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Banking & Insurance, and Tourism & Travel Management. University of Texas, Texas A&M University, and the University of Houston are some of the most popular and well-esteemed universities you can opt for when in Texas. 
 

5. Illinois

The state of Illinois with its capital Chicago is one of the largest economies in America. It is home to multiple rapidly growing industries such as manufacturing & service, and agriculture. Also, did you know that US presidents like Barack Obama, Ulysses S. Grant, and Abraham Lincoln had their bases here? 

Get in touch with some of the fastest growing edtech companies and enroll in one of the top universities like the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago Urbana-champaign. 

Some of the top fields to choose from comprise Chemical Manufacturing, Agriculture, Mining, Machinery, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science Engineering. Furthermore, the cost of studying here is nominal and won't weigh you down financially. 
 

6. Michigan

This US state is majorly popular for its automobile manufacturers in Detroit, which is known as the global car capital. It is the home of major automobile companies like General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler. 

Approximately 30,000+ international student applications are submitted to different universities across Michigan annually. Furthermore, around one-fourth of these international applicants enrol themselves at Michigan State University or the University of Michigan. 

Michigan offers the best education in Manufacturing, Automobile, Food & Agriculture, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Aerospace, and Mechanical Engineering. Its top universities are Wayne State University, University of Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan State University and Lawrence Technological University. 
 

7. Pennsylvania

Did you know that William Penn founded the state of Pennsylvania? This state holds a strong political tapestry and historical significance.

In Pennsylvania, you can pursue higher education in subjects like Industrial Engineering, Food Technology, Computer Science Engineering, Management, Electrical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. Some top universities for enrolling yourself include the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania State University, Lehigh University, and Drexel University. 

If you are wondering how to get admission in the USA, get in touch with us at KC Overseas. Our experts will guide you through the process and help you complete the paperwork and other formalities. We will also provide you with assistance to clear the visa interview and any other selection tests the university may have.

In conclusion, choosing to study in the US can open multiple doors for you in the future. Your career opportunities increase, your CV looks better, and you might adapt to cultural differences and diversities much better, moulding you to become an extraordinary professional. However, you need to decide which subjects interest you the most and choose the university and state from the list above that offers the same.