Find out the latest information and conditions for studying in the US in 2025 | IDP Vietnam

1.1. Age conditions

The question "How old can I study in the US?" is always a concern of parents who have planned for their children to study in the US early. The US has no age limit for international students. Once officially admitted to any school or educational institution, you can apply for a visa and enroll from the Primary to Postgraduate level.

According to experience in the field of study abroad counseling and practical assessment from IDP experts, 16 years old is the most suitable age for parents to send their children to study overseas in the United States at the high school level. At this age, children will easily learn and adapt to life and culture. Studying abroad early will help students easily catch up with teaching methods and be confident to study at top universities in the US.

1.2. English Language Requirements

One of the necessary conditions to study in the U.S. is the ability to communicate in English. If English is not your first language, you will be required to take an English proficiency test and take English courses before entering the main program.

• High school: IELTS certificate at least 5.0 with 4 skills, achieving over 45 points in the SLEP (The Secondary Level English Proficiency) test or through the entrance English test of your school.

• Undergraduate: IELTS minimum score of 5.0 for all 4 skills or TOEFL score of 68. However, in order to be able to enroll in a high-ranked school or have more options, you need to ensure IELTS 6.5 or higher.

• College: Requires a lower score, with 5.5 IELTS or 61 TOEFL.

• Master's and Ph.D. levels: A minimum of IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 79 is required.

Each school will have different English test score requirements, so you need to refer to the school you want to apply to to find out their required score.

1.3. Conditions on academic ability

Normally, in order to be able to attend schools in the US, you need to achieve a minimum grade point average of 6.5 (above average). However, due to the high level of competition when studying in the US, to increase your chances of success, you should prepare some beautiful academic records and need to have a good score (above 7.5).

1.3. Financial conditions

The tuition fee for studying in the US will depend on factors in particular such as the level of education, the city you choose, and the school you want to attend. If you choose more famous universities, the tuition fee will be quite expensive. In addition, public schools in the US will have more affordable tuition than private schools.

Here are the estimated tuition fees when studying in the US:

In addition to tuition fees each year, you will also need to pay for living expenses including rent, housing, food, transportation, and entertainment expenses during your time studying in the United States. The average annual cost of education, including tuition and living expenses, typically ranges from around USD 35,000 per year. Tuition fees can increase significantly in some private schools.

Here is the estimated cost of living when studying in the US:

See more: How much money does it cost to study in the US? Updated 6 types of expenses

After meeting the entry requirements for academic ability and foreign language proficiency, you need to understand the basic documents to apply for a US student visa.

You can refer to the very simple procedure for applying for a US student visa from A to Z to learn carefully about the documents you need to prepare and the actual visa application process!

Studying in one of the leading developed countries will be a launching pad that opens up you with a lot of useful knowledge and job opportunities in the future. To understand the conditions for studying in the US, prestigious universities in the US, or majors with high job prospects in the future, do not hesitate to contact IDP for direct support.

With a team of American study abroad consultants with more than 55 years of experience, IDP will help you choose the right major and course for your own strengths and orientation. In addition, IDP counselors will also assist you with your application for admission, track your progress, and receive a confirmation letter from the school.

In particular, you will be able to practice the interview process, complete your application to study in the US with a visa pass rate of up to 95% and equip yourself with skills before going to study abroad. You can attend IDP study abroad fairs held throughout the year to have a one-on-one conversation with school representatives, review applications on the spot, and hunt for scholarships to study abroad with a value of up to 100%.

In addition to the existing offices in cities, you can consult through an online IDP office and access all online services anywhere.

Contact IDP to start your study abroad consultation today!

See more: Why should you choose to study in the US?