• Bachelors : Commonly called a “college degree,” the undergraduate bachelor's degree typically takes four years to complete and is comprised of 120-128 semester credit hours (60 of which may be transferred from an associate degree at a community college.
• Masters : Usually Masters degree in USA will take 1-3 years. Non-thesis degrees will take less duration than thesis-based degrees. In some universities you can finish MS in 1 year. Some may take upto 3 years based on the time taken for your thesis.
• Doctorate : In the USA a PhD can take as long as eight to 10 years, but for most students studying full time, it usually takes five to six years. Students who already have a masters degree in an appropriate subject might find that they are able to complete their PhD in four or five years, rather than in five or six years.
  

On an average, a student spends approximately $10,000–$12,000 per year on living expenses. But this amount entirely depends on the location where a student inhabits. Many students choose to share their accommodation with fellow college mates to share rentals and other expenses. Choosing to commute using college bus cuts down your overall expenses further.

Costs of undergraduate degrees in America vary wildly between institutions. Yearly fee could range between $25,000 to $35,000 for public or private universities.

The average cost of postgraduate fees per year for international students at both public and private universities ranges from $12,000 to $25,000 and upto 35,000 to $40,000 for some professional degrees. Cost of pursuing a PhD in USA could range from $28,000 to $40,000.

Almost all universities have scholarship programmes, most of which are open to applications from international students – although you may need to take SAT or ACT tests. According to the Fulbright Commission, more than 600 American universities offer scholarships worth $20,000 or more to international students. Applies to undergrad applicants.

An international student can also apply for scholarships through global organizations and through the federal government. Two of the best known government-funded scholarships, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, accept applications from international students each year. Applies to undergrad applicants.

Graduate school scholarships are available through organizations, companies, states, and more. They can be need-based or merit-based, but you have to apply for them. Grants for graduate school are like scholarships in that you don't have to pay them back.

The nonprofit Institute of International Education maintains an online database of scholarships, fellowships and grants for prospective international students. The database includes information about both undergraduate and graduate-level funding opportunities. Prospective international students can narrow their search by such parameters as desired academic field and the U.S. state in which they would like to study. https://www.iie.org/

International students can work in the USA while studying but there are some restrictions. Students are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. On-campus jobs are student oriented such as working in the library, cafeteria, or student center. Students can work for upto 20 hours a week during regular college time and upto 40 hours a week during the summer break.

Working while studying can be a great opportunity to earn money while in the US, and international students can expect to make at least minimum wage. Although this will not be enough to fund all of your education it can certainly help offset the cost. Before participating in Work Study is important to also make sure you understand the demands of your courses and manage your schedule.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization for F-1 visa non-immigrant foreign students in the United States while enrolled in a college-level degree program. CPT must be work training that is necessary to complete a degree program. Not all degree programs will have required CPT, but it’s often found in practical courses such as business and engineering where students can learn more putting their studies into practice in the workplace. Required CPT can be either paid or unpaid, with many competitive companies not providing a salary as the experience itself will look excellent on your resume.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT. Click here for detailed information and latest updated on OPT: https://www.uscis.gov/opt

If you have earned a degree in certain science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, you may apply for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT employment authorization if you:

• Are an F-1 student who received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List (PDF),
• Are employed by an employer who is enrolled in and is using E-Verify and
• Received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.
  

International students must be able to listen, read, write and speak English well, or they will not be successful at a U.S. college or university. Most U.S. colleges and universities require international students to demonstrate their English language skills, usually by taking an English language proficiency test.

• Your first language is English
• You were educated in a country where the native language is English
  

The most popular English language tests are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The TOEFL is the most popular test for studying in the U.S. The IELTS is used to test English language skills for studying, migration and work. The TOEFL tests American English while the IELTS tests British English. The TOEFL is available in Internet-based (iBT) and paper-based (pBT) versions.

Each college sets its own standards for each test. Generally, the most prestigious U.S. colleges require at least a seven on the IELTS, an 80 on the iBT or a 550 on the pBT. Other colleges typically require at least a six and a half on the IELTS, 75 on the iBT or a 510 on the pBT. A six on the IELTS is labeled as competent, a seven as good, an eight as very good and a nine as expert. On the TOEFL iBT, a 60 is competent, 94 is good, 110 is very good and 118 is expert. Students who do not score at least in the competent range might be offered conditional admission, which requires them to take additional English classes.

Entrance exams for master's degree programs vary depending on the type of program you plan to enter. Some tests are general exams that are accepted by all graduate school programs, while others are specific to a certain type of graduate or professional school. Read on to learn more about the various types of admissions tests you may want to consider taking if you are applying to graduate school. Before registering for any of these tests, it is important to validate the need to complete the test with the schools you are considering. In general, most non-professional graduate programs accept the GRE. Some schools may not require any exam, particularly for very strong applicants or those who have already completed an undergraduate program at the school in question. Entrance exams for master's degree programs are just one facet of your application; schools will also examine your transcripts, recommendations, and other factors when making an admissions decision.

It is called an I-20. The I-20 is a multi-purpose document issued by a U.S. government-approved educational institution certifying that a student has been admitted to a full-time study program and has demonstrated sufficient financial resources to stay in the United States. The I-20 is officially titled the “Certificate of Eligibility” because it allows an individual to apply for an F-1 student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

Once you are enrolled in a U.S. school, the Admissions Department or International Student Office will most likely send you a "pre-departure orientation" packet. Options for where to live are generally included in this information.

• Leasing an Apartment : Ask new friends and other students if they have any suggestions for a good apartment. Check classified advertisements in the local newspaper (Sundays usually have more apartment listings than other days of the week). If all else fails, contact a real estate agent for assistance - though beware of unspecified fees for the service. Before committing to a lease, or an agreement to rent an apartment, spend some time in the area to decide if it feels safe and convenient to places like school buildings and grocery stores. Read the lease carefully before signing. You will learn, for example, that the landlord is not responsible for your possessions if they are stolen or destroyed, so you may consider purchasing "renter’s insurance." If you do not understand any part of the lease agreement, ask the landlord, a friend, or someone from the international student office to explain it to you. Once you do find off-campus housing, be aware that your rent may well not include utilities. You will need to request that the companies turn on the electricity and telephone service when you arrive. The landlord can provide you with the appropriate contact information
  
• Homestays : Homestays are a viable option for students under the age of 18, especially those who are nervous about leaving home and living in a new country. In a homestay arrangement, you will be placed with an American family within 20 to 45 minutes from your campus. You will have your own room, and meals will be provided. Living with an American family will allow you to fully immerse yourself in American culture as you adapt to the life of the family with whom you are living. You can benefit of the comforts of home and of a family life, even though you are far from home and in an entirely new country.