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. Coupled with a relentless drive for innovation and excellence, this density of higher education institutions is bearing fruit: no other country has more Nobel Prize winners than the USA. The unique combination of theory and practice at US universities attracts young talent from all over the world who want to study in the USA.
Unlike in Germany, 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 Germany, such a comprehensive range of services is frequently a completely new experience. When studying in the US, you also experience a strong sense of community among students. This stems from the fact that campus life in the US is very important. 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.
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?
Study where Barack Obama and other Nobel Prize winners studied! According to U.S. News & World Report 2024-2015, 40 of the world's top 100 universities are located in the US, including Harvard University, MIT, and the universities of the University of California system. America's elite universities have joined forces in the Ivy League.
The university system in the USA allows you to take time to decide on a major. You have two years to try out different subjects and explore your academic interests. In addition, there are a variety of complementary courses in the humanities and social sciences. Who knows, maybe you will discover a hidden talent during this orientation phase?
Can't get the campus life depicted in Hollywood movies out of your head? Then dive right in and let yourself be swept away by the many possibilities! Since most of life, including housing and iconic university sports, takes place on campus, a close-knit community develops and you, as an international student, will quickly find friends.
Studying abroad will help you grow enormously, both professionally and personally. You will gain a broader perspective, engage with new research topics, and automatically improve your English skills. By meeting lots of new people from all over the world, you will also grow as a person and increase your intercultural competence.
Studying in the USA is characterized by a high degree of practical relevance and strong networks in industry. You will not only learn dry theory, but will also be encouraged to apply your acquired knowledge in practice – whether in case studies, project work, or internships, putting you in the starting blocks for your career even before you graduate.
Colleges are the most common type of higher education institution in the US. Students can complete their undergraduate studies here and obtain a bachelor's degree after four years. The reason why it takes four years to obtain a bachelor's degree in the US, rather than three as in Germany, is that the first two years of study are more general and open, with specialization coming later.
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.
Studying in the USA without a high school diploma
Think you can't study in the USA without a high school diploma (Abitur)? Think again! At community colleges, you can study even without a high school diploma. When applying, however, make sure that you can transfer to a college or university after receiving your associate degree so that you can complete your bachelor's degree after two more years. This are important details to keep in mind, as the associate degree alone is not recognized in Germany.
Unlike colleges, universities offer not only bachelor's degrees, but also master's and doctoral programs. A master's program usually lasts two years and concludes with either an academic master's degree for scientific programs or a professional master's degree for career-oriented programs. This distinction also applies to the highest university degree in the US – the doctoral degree – which requires an additional three to five years of study.
Institutes of technology function like universities, with the difference that they offer exclusively technical programs. The most well-known and prestigious technical university in the US is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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:
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:
They are divided into merit-based scholarships (for applicants with outstanding academic achievements), need-based scholarships (for applicants with limited financial resources and outstanding academic achievements), sports scholarships (for students with exceptional athletic achievements) and lump-sum scholarships for international students. These scholarships are generally intended for students who are studying full-time in the US. If you are studying in the US for a shorter period of time, for example as part of a semester or year abroad, you can apply for a scholarship from a number of public, private, or church organizations. Among the best-known scholarship providers for the US are the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and the Fulbright Commission.
So check directly to see if you meet the relevant requirements. If so, your tuition fees in the US will be covered up to €5,600 for a maximum of one year. You will also receive a monthly grant and subsidies for travel, health insurance, and living expenses. Half of the BAföG for studies abroad is a grant and the other half is an interest-free loan, which means that you must repay half of the money you receive after completing your studies. The subsidy for tuition fees is exempt from repayment.
After one year, it is also possible to find employment off campus under certain conditions. A part-time job can help you offset some of the high costs of studying in the US. At the same time, you will immerse yourself even more deeply in US campus life and experience the country and its people up close – a very unique experience. However, make sure that your studies do not suffer as a result of your part-time job, as every semester you spend studying in the US means additional costs.
If you only want to study in the USA for one or two semesters, you can apply for a KfW student loan or, if you are already enrolled in a master's program, a education loan of the German federal governement. The latter is also suitable for financing a complete master's degree in the USA. An education fund that explicitly focuses on studying abroad is the Fonds der Deutsche Bildung.
Before signing a contract, you should carefully compare the providers and be aware that these financing models are loans and that you will have to repay the money you receive (plus interest). You can find more details on how student loans and education funds work on our blog.
If you want to study in the US, it's not enough to just have the necessary funds – you also have to meet certain (academic) requirements. These include:
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 in the USA.
Of course! As long as you meet the relevant admission requirements, you can study in the US as a German citizen. 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 are the most common type of higher education institution in the USA. Students can study there for four years to obtain a bachelor's degree. Universities also offer bachelor's degree programs, but they also offer master's and doctoral programs. The difference between a college and a university therefore lies in the degrees that can be obtained there. If you want to study for a master's degree in the USA, this is only possible at universities.
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