How to Choose Where to Study in the United States

July 18, 2024

The United States is the world’s most popular destination for international students for good reason. From liberal arts colleges to institutes of technology, it’s home to over a third of the world’s top 100 universities. As you choose where to study in the US, keep in mind that, some communities may fit your lifestyle better than others. After all, you can’t study all the time! The climate, culture, and size of your community, both on- and off-campus, can affect your student experience, too.

These top-ranked American universities offer international students a top-tier experience, from dedicated campus services to innovative programs.

Climate

America is both a big place and a land of climate extremes. So you know what to expect—and what to pack—it’s good to know what the weather is often like in different regions across the US.

Here’s a quick look at a few different destinations within these regions:

The West

California is popular with international students because of its excellent academic institutions, thriving industries, and welcoming cities. But before you sign up for four years in San Francisco, it’s good to know that the fog which blankets the Bay Area is so well-known and regularly occurring that it has its own Instagram account. Students looking for a study abroad experience where they can finish class, then enjoy a warm and picture-perfect evening, could be better suited to schools in central or southern California.

Further north, in Washington and Oregon, temperate rainforests thrive in cool, rainy weather. However, due to the mountain ranges running through these states, the climate is much warmer and drier in cities on the eastern side of the mountains.

The Southwest

Arizona is perfect for sun-seeking students. It has 300 sunny days a year, and its deserts attract biologists, artists, and extreme sports enthusiasts alike. Even here, however, northern areas can be chilly. It will snow in cities like Flagstaff, and winter highs are around 43°F (6°C), compared to highs of 68°F (20°C) in Arizona’s capital, Phoenix.

The Southeast

If you plan to study accounting or finance, institutions in Atlanta are definitely worth considering. As the emerging fintech capital of the world, Georgia’s capital city has hot, humid summers and cool winters thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Want to study in Georgia or other southern states like Florida or Louisiana? Make sure your housing has effective air conditioning! Also, check sites that share housing reviews from past students for candid opinions.

Here are some more helpful tips for living off-campus.

The Midwest

Midwestern states like Michigan and Illinois have several excellent post-secondary institutions. Here, students experience all four seasons as these states’ weather is shaped by the nearby Great Lakes. This “lake effect” means some regions have cooler summers and warmer winters compared to others. That said, watch out for lake effect snow, where cold winds moving over the warmer lake water condense and cause heavy snowfall!

The Northeast

Most of the Northeastern US has a humid continental climate. That means more rain than you might find in the Southwest or Midwest regions, and large differences in temperature between the summers and winters, especially further inland. However, states like Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland are considered subtropical, so if you’re studying in places like Baltimore or Washington D.C., be sure to bring lightweight clothes in natural fabrics like cotton to stay cool over the hot summer months! (Parts of the Northeast have serious winters, too, but we recommend picking up winter clothing after you arrive in the US.)

From seasonal beverages to top winter clothing picks, here’s our team’s take on how to enjoy your first winter in the US.

Culture

Think about the experience you’d like to have as an international student:
Would you like to live on- or off-campus?

What hobbies or sports would you like to continue or start?
Does easy access to entertainment options (concerts, pro sports, festivals) matter? Would you rather be close to outdoor activities? Or, are you hoping for both?
Do you plan to work part-time? If you’d like to work in your field, look at what the area’s local industries are.
Is it important to have access to specific food (i.e. halal, kosher)?

Answering these questions can help determine where you’ll thrive.

Also, consider on-campus culture. If you don’t like crowds and prefer small classes where you can participate in discussions, you might fit in at one of the US’s excellent liberal arts colleges. Equally, if the words ‘school spirit’ spark joy, and attending events like football’s Rose Bowl is part of why you’d like to study in the US, look at the Big Ten universities. These institutions balance academic and athletic excellence—and have student bodies of over 30,000.

Try attending a virtual college or university fair to learn about campus culture. Wondering what to ask? We’ve got you covered with this list.

Community Size

Per Nerdwallet, the average cost of living for a single person was just over US$44,300 in 2023. However, expenses will vary depending on where your college or university is, if you’re living on- or off-campus, and lifestyle choices like transportation and diet.

Students in smaller communities often have a lower cost of living. Meanwhile, students in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Boston will likely have even higher expenses. That said, enrolling in a specific program or access to exclusive work experience opportunities in these cities can make the extra cost worth it.

As you decide, think about your ties to your home country’s culture. If attending religious or cultural services is important, larger communities might be your best option. In a larger city, you’ll likely find other international students from your country, expat communities, or restaurants with meals that remind you of home. Equally, if you’d like to immerse yourself in American culture (and cuisine), many small communities are very welcoming.

Lots of international students thrive in college towns. USA Today describes college towns as “American cities whose economy and culture are widely impacted by the local universities and colleges, and are considered by many to be idyllic places to live. They tend to be affordable, culturally vibrant communities, with healthy economies and a young, well-educated population.” From Boulder, Colorado to Ann Arbor, Michigan, these mid-sized cities are a great place to learn and grow.

As an international student in the US, choosing where to live and study can feel intimidating. By keeping the three Cs (climate, culture, and community size) in mind, you’ll be able to choose a college or university in a city that fits your needs.