PhD in USA for Indian Students, Admission Requirements, Cost
Applicants can review this article to learn more about PhD in USA for Indian Students. It includes details on best universities, and reasons for choosing PHD in USA.
Supriya Shrivastava23 May, 2024
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PhD in USA for Indian Students : A PhD program from the United States of America is often regarded as a popular doctoral degree that shows the applicant's research and academic achievement. PhD programs in the United States for Indian students, particularly those from top colleges, provide for high-quality research and, as a result, better employment opportunities.
Students have to show their English proficiency by submitting IELTS (7 to 7.5) and TOEFL scores (90 to 100). When obtaining a PhD in the United States, you have 10 years to complete your thesis, even though the program lasts six years. PHD can be expensive, a PhD in the United States provides a high return on investment, with a salary ranging from USD 59,506 to USD 92,179.PhD in USA for Indian Students: Overview
The United States is undoubtedly one of the most popular places of study for international students, particularly for its PhD programs. One of the primary reasons for the high number of PhD applicants in the United States is the availability of a diverse choice of courses. Here is an overview of PhD in USA for Indian Students.| PhD in USA for Indian Students: Overview | |
| Popular PhD Courses in the USA | Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Ph.D. in Business Administration, Ph.D. in Applied Physics and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering |
| Degree Requirement | 4-year Bachelor’s degree Or Master’s degree in a relevant stream from a recognized university |
| GPA Requirement | 2.7-3.9 on a scale of 4 (80-94%) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS: 7.0 to 7.5 overall score | TOEFL iBT: 90 to 100 overall score |
| Annual Tuition Fees | USD 24,800 to 80,390 (INR 2.05 to 66.66 lakhs) |
| Annual Salary Range | USD 59,506 to 92,179 (INR 49.29 to 76.36 lakhs) |
| Top Recruiters | Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Microsoft, PayPal, Deloitte, and EY, among others. |
Top Ranking Universities in USA
Courses for PhD in USA for Indian Students
The PhD program's duration varies according to the field of study and the student's academic background. A PhD program typically takes 4 to 8 years to complete after getting a bachelor's degree. Students with a master's degree may be able to complete the program in a year or two less time, depending on their previous coursework and research experience. Some popular PhD in USA for Indian Students:| Courses for PhD in USA for Indian Students | ||
| Stream | Popular Programs | Popular Universities |
| Engineering | Aeronautics and Astronautics, Biochemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, | MIT, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University |
| Business and Management | Economics, accounting, marketing, finance, organization, and management | Yale University, UC Berkeley, Harvard University, and Stanford University |
| Science | Computer science, applied physics, biological and biomedical sciences, cell biology, environmental health science, and mathematics. | Princeton University, MIT, University of Michigan, The University of Arizona, and Stanford University |
| Humanities | American Studies, History, Philosophy, Medieval Studies, Music, Religious Studies, and Italian Studies | Yale University, University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and Stanford University |
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PhD in USA for Indian Students Admission Requirements
Admission to most universities in the United States stays open in December and January. Students must submit applications before the deadline. You can review the sections below to find out about the eligibility criteria and other requirements for obtaining a PhD in USA for Indian Students.Documents Requirement
As entrance requirements differ by subject of study, it becomes very challenging to group this data into a single piece of general information. However, the majority of PhD universities in the United States use the following eligibility criteria:- A four-year Bachelor's or Master's degree.
- A GPA of at least three out of four.
- Two academic and one professional letter of recommendation (LOR)
- A purpose statement (SoP) of between 500 and 750 words
- Updated resume or CV
- A valid passport
- F-1 or J-1 US Student Visa
- Student Visa
Note : IELTS is an English proficiency test for students from non-native English-speaking countries. Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking are the four areas in which the IELTS exam evaluates a candidate's proficiency in the English language. This test is very simple if you choose PW IELTS Online Coaching .
English Test Requirements
To get admission to PhD programs in the United States, students must know the IELTS Band Requirement for USA and also have a minimum GPA of 2.7 to 3.9, depending on the university. Students must also have IELTS or TOEFL scores for English language proficiency. The different requirements for PhD admission in the United States in some of the major universities are tabulated below:| English Language Proficiency | |||
| University | Grade/GPA | IELTS Score | TOEFL Score |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 3.8-3.9 | 7.0 | 100 |
| Harvard University | 3.0 | 7.5 | 100 |
| Stanford University | B | 7.5 | 100 |
| University of California, Berkeley | 3.0 | 7.0 | 90 |
| University of Chicago | 3.25 | 7.0-7.5 | 90-104 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 3.0 | 7.0 | 100 |
| Cornell University | 2.7 | 7.0 | Speaking: 27+, Reading: 20+, Listening: 15+, Writing: 20+ |
| California Institute of Technology | 3.5 | - | - |
| Yale University | 3.7 | 7.5 | - |
| Princeton University | 3.8 | - | - |
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Why Choose a PhD in USA for Indian Students?
Students should be aware that PhD programs in the United States generally last four to six years. In other words, instead of spending as much time on the thesis as PhD students in other nations do, students will have more time to concentrate on their topic. We have listed reasons why you should pursue your PhD in the United States: Quality of education Many popular colleges in the United States are known for providing high-quality education and research. Pursuing a PhD at an excellent college can give you access to world-class teachers, resources, and cutting-edge research possibilities. Diverse academic community The United States is a melting pot of cultures, and academic life is no different. Pursuing a PhD in the United States allows you to interact with a greater number of students and teachers, expanding your viewpoints and improving your academic experience. Career Opportunities Pursuing a PhD in the United States could lead to a range of professional opportunities. The United States is home to numerous popular companies and research organizations, allowing PhD graduates to work on interesting projects and progress their careers. Funding Opportunities PhD students in the United States have access to a variety of funding options, including scholarships, grants, and internships. This can help reduce the financial challenge of completing a PhD while allowing students to concentrate on their research. Research Facilities PhD research can be supported by the broad range of research facilities and resources available in the USA. This can include access to specialized equipment, libraries, and archives, which are necessary for performing world-class research.Cost of PhD in USA for Indian students
Students seeking admission to PhD programs in the United States must have sufficient income to pay for their studies in the United States. According to several top universities that offer PhD programs, the total cost of attending school in the USA ranges from USD 70,573 to 1,26,163. The following table shows the university-wise distribution of the average tuition costs for pursuing a PhD in the United States:| Cost of PhD in USA for Indian Students | ||
| University | Tuition Fee (USD) | Fee for Indian Students (INR) |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 80,390 | 66.66 lakhs |
| Harvard University | 54,032 | 44.76 lakhs |
| Stanford University | 58,746 | 48.67 lakhs |
| University of California, Berkeley | 37,022 | 30.67 lakhs |
| University of Chicago | 70,056 | 58.04 lakhs |
| University of Pennsylvania | 46,600 | 38.60 lakhs |
| Cornell University | 24,800 | 2.05 lakhs |
| California Institute of Technology | 63,402 | 52.53 lakhs |
| Yale University | 48,300 | 40.01 lakhs |
| Princeton University | 62,400 | 51.69 lakhs |
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PhD in USA with Scholarship
Students at universities in the United States are given several scholarships and fellowships to help them with their finances. The table below lists many scholarships granted by US colleges.| PhD in USA With Scholarship | |||
| Scholarship | Awarded by | Eligibility | Award Value (USD) |
| Capitol Fellowship | United States Capitol Historical Society (USCHS) | Students enrolled in a doctoral program | 30,000 |
| Dissertation Year Fellowship | Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire | Students in the completion stage of their Ph.D. program | 15,000 |
| Newkirk Fellowship | National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) | Students must be enrolled full-time in a university graduate program having common interest with HAO research goals. | Varies |
| Guru Gobind Singh Fellowship Competition | University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) | For graduates of Indian and Pakistani enrolled in PhD programs at UC. | 30,000 |
| Graduate Research Assistant Program | Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) | Current graduate students working on doctoral dissertation with a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale | Varies |
| Research Awards in Educational Advancement | CASE Research Awards | Students working on doctoral dissertation | Varies |
| NVIDIA Research Graduate Fellowship | NVIDIA | Candidates must have completed the first year of their PhD | 50,000 |
| Google PhD fellowship | Full-time graduate students pursuing a PhD in the research areas represented by the fellowships | Tuition fees+books+stipend | |
Placements After PhD in USA
After finishing their Ph.D. program at a university in the United States, students are offered a variety of job opportunities based on their area of study and research. The average salary provided for the following job profiles ranges from USD 59,506 to 92,179.| Placements after PhD in USA for Indian Students | ||
| Profession | Salary (USD) | Salary for Indian Students (INR) |
| Assistant Professor | 74,670 | 61.85 lakhs |
| Business Analyst | 67,503 | 55.92 lakhs |
| Biomedical Scientist | 83,047 | 68.79 lakhs |
| Professor | 92,179 | 76.36 lakhs |
| Economist | 89,130 | 73.83 lakhs |
| Research Associate | 59,506 | 49.29 lakhs |
PhD in USA for Indian Students FAQs
Q1 - Is post-graduation necessary for pursuing PhD in USA?
Ans - For the majority of universities, postgraduate or master's degrees are not required to study for a PhD in the United States. Applying to these universities requires only an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (85%).
Q2 - What is the salary after PhD in USA?
Ans - Graduates of PhD programs in the United States can earn an amazing average annual salary ranging from USD 55,200 to USD 101,100 (INR 45.5 Lakhs to INR 83.4 Lakhs).
Q3 - Can I work while pursuing a PhD in USA?
Ans - Individuals looking for a PhD in the United States may work up to 20 hours per week on a part-time basis. They may begin full-time work during vacations or holidays.
Q4 - How many years is PhD in USA?
Ans - Students enrolled in US colleges have ten years to complete their doctoral thesis, even though the course lasts six years.
Q5 - What is the minimum GPA score requirement to pursue PhD in the USA?
Ans - A GPA of three is often required by US universities in order to pursue a PhD.
Q6 - What is the US visa requirement for pursuing PhD in the USA?
Ans - International students will need to apply for an F-1 visa to pursue a PhD in the United States.
Q7 - Can I work after completing my PhD in the USA?
Ans - You can work in the US after your PhD, but you must apply for an employment visa because your F-1 visa will expire 60 days after your PhD in the US ends.
Q8 - Do I need a master's to do a PhD in the USA?
Ans - In the United States, the master's degree usually goes along with the PhD program. So, if you have completed your bachelor's degree, you are qualified to apply for a PhD in the United States. If you have already completed your master's degree, this gives you an advantage while applying for a PhD.
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