The United States is the most popular country in the world to study abroad. And with good reason! Would you like to benefit from a first-class education, a unique sense of community, and promising career opportunities? Then find out everything you need to know about studying abroad in the USA – from the higher education system and admission requirements to the costs. We will make sure that your dream of studying in the USA becomes a reality!
The USA is a country of superlatives – not only politically, economically, geographically, and culturally, but also in terms of education. Nowhere else in the world are there so many renowned universities. Higher education in the United States is divided into four different types of institutions: community colleges, colleges, universities, and institutes of technology. The unique combination of theory and practice at these institutions attracts young talent from all over the world who want to study abroad in the United States.
Colleges and universities in the US operate as independent institutions. They decide autonomously on the content of their programs and admission requirements. When choosing a college or university in the US, prospective students (including international students) should therefore make sure that the institution has been accredited by an official body. Accreditation acts as a seal of quality and guarantees that certain minimum standards are met in terms of facilities and teaching. Accreditation is particularly important if you do not see your professional future in the US, as a non-accredited university or college indicates a lack of educational standards and its degrees are not recognized everywhere abroad.
The autonomy of colleges and universities ensures fierce competition among educational institutions. In the battle to attract new students, they offer close support, accessible contact between lecturers and students, and small class sizes. For students who study at large, often anonymous universities in other parts of the world, such a comprehensive range of services is frequently a completely new experience. When studying in the USA, campus life is also very important, resulting in a strong sense of community among students. Students not only attend classes on campus, but often spend their entire lives there: there are apartments, shops, and a wide range of leisure activities, especially sports.
Munich Business School collaborates with selected universities in the US that are renowned for their high academic standards and international environment. Here you will find the most important information about our partner universities. Discover your options for a semester abroad or a dual degree program in the United States.
It may seem daunting at first to leave the comfort of your home and move to the USA to study. But rest assured: this courageous step will pay off! If you take a closer look, you'll quickly see that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We have listed five reasons why it is worth studying in the USA – pretty convincing, right?
If you want to study for a bachelor's degree in the USA, you can enroll at either a college, a university, or an institute of technology. A bachelor's program in the USA takes four years, unlike the three years that are common in Europe. This is because the first two years of study are more general and open, with specialization coming later. Since colleges only offer undergraduate studies, you will need to transfer to a university at the latest when you start your master's degree. Whether you choose a traditional university or an institute of technology when studying in the USA depends on your field of study. Institutes of technology offer exclusively technical degree programs. Probably the best known and most renowned technical university in the USA is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As is customary, a master's degree in the USA takes two years to complete. A distinction is made between the academic master's degree for scientific programs and the professional master's degree for career-related programs. To obtain the highest university degree in the USA – the doctoral degree – you must study for another three to five years.
Community colleges are a special feature of the US higher education system. Originally founded in the 20th century with the aim of counteracting the shortage of skilled workers, they still offer prospective students a local, comparatively inexpensive, and less regulated access to academic education. Study programs at community colleges last two years and lead to an associate degree. Community colleges see their role as preparing high school graduates for the third year of study at a college or university. For this reason, many community colleges and colleges or universities have transfer agreements that allow students who have earned an associate degree to transfer to a bachelor's program and study for two more years to complete their degree.
Most universities in the USA use a semester system with two semesters per year: a Fall Semester from August to December and a Spring Semester from January to May. Some other universities, however, use a three-part trimester system with a Fall Term from September to December, a Winter Term from January to March, and a Spring Term from March to June. What both systems have in common is that there are no lectures during the summer months, during the so-called Summer Break from May/June to August.
When studying in the US, instead of one big final exam at the end of the course, there are many small assignments that must be completed during the semester, e.g., homework, presentations, papers, or projects – similar to what you probably remember from your school days. Accordingly, the final exam and midterm exam are less extensive. All assignments are included in the final grade for the respective course.
In the USA, your grades are given in letters from A to F, with A being the best grade. To pass an exam, you need at least a D; an F for fail is considered a failure. You receive credits for each course you take while studying in the USA. Two ECTS credits from the European system usually correspond to one credit point in the US. If you are an international student studying in the US, you should earn at least 12 credits per semester at the undergraduate level and at least eight or nine credits per semester at the graduate level. Otherwise, you will not be issued the F1 visa required for studying abroad in the US.
Unfortunately, there's no sugarcoating it: studying in the US is expensive. Individual higher education institutions charge tuition fees, which are not set by the government but vary greatly depending on the higher education institution, location, and program.
On average, students pay US$55,000 per year for a bachelor's degree at a private college and US$29,000 at a state college. The costs for a master's degree at a university are often significantly higher, at over US$60,000 per academic year. Since the range of tuition fees in the US varies greatly, these figures are only a rough guide and do not represent actual values. In addition, tuition fees are of course subject to political and economic developments and change over the years. For example, the cost of a college degree rose by almost 170 percent between 1980 and 2020.
Basically, it can be said that the cost of studying in the US depends on various factors:
In addition to tuition fees, there are considerable living costs in the USA, which vary greatly depending on the region. As a general rule, life is significantly cheaper in smaller cities and in the Midwest than on the East or West Coast. Metropolises such as New York, Boston, and San Francisco are particularly expensive, with rent being a major factor. Students here can expect living costs of around $1,800 to $2,500 per month, while in more rural areas, $1,200 to $1,500 is often sufficient.
One way to study in the US more cost-effectively is to not pursue a full bachelor's or master's degree in the US, but instead spend a semester abroad. Since you take fewer courses and earn fewer credits during a semester abroad in the US than you would during a full degree program abroad, you save a lot on tuition fees, as most universities calculate fees based on the number of credits earned. If your university in your home country has a partnership with a US university, you can save a lot of money. In this case, the universities reserve a certain number of places for students from the partner university at reduced rates. You can also take advantage of a wide range of external funding opportunities for international students – more on this in the next section. So your dream of studying abroad in the US doesn't have to be ruined by the high tuition fees! Contact the International Office at your university to find out about the options for studying in the US for a semester.
Don't want to miss out on an American degree? Then the Dual Degree (two-degree) program might be right for you. You will first study for two semesters in a master's program at Munich Business School and then spend two more semesters at the Metropolitan College of the renowned Boston University in the USA. After successfully completing your studies with a master's thesis, you will have two degrees: a German Master of Arts from Munich Business School and an American Master of Science from Boston University!
With Munich Business School (MBS), your dream of studying abroad in the USA can come true! At MBS, stays abroad are an integral part of the bachelor's and master's programs. Here, internationality is not only taught, but also lived. Of course, the USA is also represented in MBS's global network of partner universities. Get an overview of the universities in the USA where you can study with MBS.
“How can I possibly afford to study in the US?” Due to high tuition fees, this question often dominates discussions about studying abroad in the US and has certainly prevented some students from realizing their dream. But it doesn't have to be that way! Of course, you will need financial support from your family or your own savings to study in the USA. However, there are also external options that can help you finance at least part of your tuition fees and living expenses. Here is an overview:
If you want to study in the USA, it's not enough to just have the necessary funds. To ensure that your application and entry into the USA are successful, you need to take care of a few academic requirements and legal matters in advance. We have listed the most important points for you:
You know you want to study abroad, but where should you go? The whole world is at your feet and you are spoiled for choice. North or south? A prestigious university that will give your career a real boost, or a semester abroad that feels more like a vacation than hard work? Ideally, you want it all. How can you possibly decide?
Our info pages will help you find the right destination and university for your study abroad adventure – whether in Europe, the US, or overseas:
Studying in the USA is a dream for many young adults – and with good reason! At the same time, studying abroad in the USA is a big step that needs to be well planned and financed. To give you a better overview and provide you with the best possible support in organizing your stay, this FAQ section provides answers to frequently asked questions about studying abroad in the USA.
Of course! As long as you meet the relevant admission requirements, you can study in the US as a foreigner. This means that you must have the appropriate educational qualifications (high school diploma for a bachelor's degree, bachelor's degree for a master's degree, master's degree for a doctoral degree) and very good English skills, which you must confirm with a recognized test. Universities in the US often also require participation in academic aptitude tests. Particularly in the case of international students, great importance is attached to good grades, appropriate eligibility, and personal motivation. Once the US university has admitted you to study in the US, you must obtain a visa and international health insurance before you leave. In addition to these admission requirements, you also need to be able to finance your studies in the US.
On average, students pay US$55,000 per year for a bachelor's degree at a private college and US$29,000 at a state college. However, there is no general answer to this question. How much it costs to study in the US depends, among other things, on which university you want to attend and how long you want to study in the US. Your field of study also has an impact on the costs. It is generally cheaper to study in the US for a semester or a year than to complete an entire degree program. You may be able to save a lot of money if your home university in Germany has a partnership with a university in the US.
There are various ways to obtain a scholarship to realize your dream of studying in the USA. In the USA, it is common for universities themselves to award a number of scholarships, including so-called lump-sum scholarships for international students. These are usually aimed at students who are completing their entire degree in the USA. In addition, there are various public, private, and church organizations where you can apply for a scholarship. Among the best-known scholarship providers for the USA are the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and the Fulbright Commission. They are a good place to start if you only want to study in the USA for a limited period, such as one semester. The awarding bodies decide how much the scholarship will be and whether it will cover 100% of your studies in the USA. In general, you have a better chance of receiving funding if you have very good grades in school or university, have performed well in the admission and language tests, are socially committed or have a special talent, and can convincingly explain your goals for studying abroad in the USA in your motivation and recommendation letters.
Colleges are widespread in the USA. They are one of three types of higher education institutions and offer bachelor's degree programs. Community colleges are a special feature of the US higher education system. With their two-year study programs, they prepare students for the third year of study at a college or university. Compared to colleges and universities, community colleges are relatively inexpensive and less strictly regulated in terms of admission criteria. However, the degree they award, known as an Associate Degree, is only recognized to a limited extent.
Colleges and universities are two common types of higher education institutions in the USA. At a college, students typically study for four years to earn a bachelor's degree. Universities also offer bachelor's degree programs, but they go further by providing master's and doctoral programs. The main difference between a college and a university lies in the range of degrees offered. If you want to pursue a master's or doctoral degree in the USA, you must attend a university.
Elsenheimerstraße 61
80687 München Germany