Study in the USA | IDP Vietnam

Studying in the U.S. has always been the dream of students around the world, especially Vietnamese students, thanks to the top quality of education, dynamic learning environment and open career opportunities. According to statistics, in the last academic year alone, the United States attracted 1,057,188 international students, accounting for 25% of the total number of international students worldwide. If you are looking for admission requirements, costs, scholarships, or visa application procedures, this article from IDP will help you update the latest information about studying in the US in 2025.

1. Should I study in the U.S.?

According to current statistics, the US is really an ideal study abroad destination with more than 1 million international students studying here. This proves the undeniable attraction of American education through the outstanding advantages that this country brings.

1.1 High quality of education

The United States is not only an economic and scientific powerhouse, but also a world leader in education with an advanced and high-quality training system. With more than 5,000 universities and colleges, the United States is a country where many prestigious universities converge, such as Stanford University, MIT University, Princeton University, Harvard University - the school attended by former US President Obama,..., of which 7 schools are in the top 10 in the world according to the Times Higher Education ranking. Notably, in the top 100 best universities in the world, the US occupies 44 positions, affirming its outstanding position in the field of education.

Not only that, the US also trains a variety of high-quality disciplines and training programs, ready to meet all the learning needs of international students. The American education system has always been known for its high quality standards and rigorous vetting process, ensuring students are equipped with in-depth knowledge and best-practice skills.

1.2 Globally recognized qualifications

A degree from any university in the U.S. is widely recognized globally, opening up attractive job opportunities both at home and abroad. Graduating from an American university not only gives you a valuable degree, but it also equips you with the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to succeed in your career. This helps you stand out from other candidates and easily find a job with an attractive salary.

1.3 Experience a diverse and unique culture

With 50 states and 1 federal district (including 48 continental states), the United States paints an extremely diverse and rich cultural picture. When you study and live in the United States, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a diverse community, discover the unique cultures of each region, and expand your knowledge.

1.4 Opportunities to work at large corporations

As the world's leading economic center, the U.S. is home to many powerful multinational corporations, opening up countless career opportunities for international students. Owning a degree from a prestigious university in the US not only helps you improve your professional knowledge, but also creates a competitive advantage in the global labor market. Moreover, with a modern learning environment and an education system associated with practice, graduates in the US are always highly valued and have the opportunity to work at leading corporations.

1.5 Access to cutting-edge technology

The U.S. is a leader in technology, providing students with the opportunity to study and research with state-of-the-art equipment. Thanks to its strong investment in research and innovation, American education not only provides in-depth knowledge but also helps students practice practical skills.

2. Flexible study abroad system in the US

The American education system is known for its flexibility and diversity, which allows students to develop holistically. The U.S. curriculum is not bound by a fixed pathway like in some other countries, you can design your own learning path.

As early as grade 11, you can attend a Community College for 2 years, then transfer to University or choose to work before continuing your education. In particular, students can also apply for a double degree or add another certificate without orientation in the first place.

The age at which school starts and the age to graduate from high school can vary from state to state, but in general, students typically start elementary school around age 5-6 and graduate from high school at age 18.

Structure of the education system:

• Elementary School: Lasts from kindergarten to grade 5, focusing on building a foundation of basic knowledge and developing reading, writing, and calculation skills.

• Middle School: From grades 6 to 8, students are introduced to more subjects and begin to explore personal interests.

• High School: From grades 9 to 12, students prepare for college by studying core subjects and electives.

• Community College: This is a popular choice for those who want to study for two more years before transferring to university. Programs here often focus on providing background knowledge and career skills.

• University: After graduating from high school, students can attend public or private universities. Undergraduate programs typically last 4 years.

• Graduate School: Includes Master's and Doctoral programs. Master's programs typically last 1-2 years, while doctoral programs can last 3-6 years or more depending on the field of study.

3. Requirements to study in the US

To study in the US, you need to meet some prerequisites required by the US Government, specifically as follows:

3.1. English Language Requirements

English language requirements are mandatory for those who wish to study in the United States. Each level and school will have its own requirements, specifically:

• 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 not lower than 6.0 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, PhD: A minimum of IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79 is required.

However, the above score is a condition for you to be able to enter the main courses as soon as you study abroad. In addition, the U.S. government still allows students with low English proficiency to enroll and complete an English course in this country before entering the country. However, you should study English in Vietnam to both minimize costs and ensure the highest Visa pass rate. At the same time, this also helps you quickly integrate and absorb knowledge easily when studying abroad.

See more: How much IELTS do you need to study in the US?

3.2. Academic requirements

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).

However, each level, discipline and school will have its own requirements for academic ability. For example, for some of the top universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Stanford University,... you will have to complete and pass entrance exams such as GRE (The Graduate Record Examination), SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)... Therefore, you should find out on the website of the school you want to attend to capture the information in the clearest way.

3.3. Financial conditions

The United States is a country with a relatively expensive standard of living, so the financial conditions to study in the United States are also more demanding than other countries. To complete the application for a U.S. student visa, you need to go through financial proof procedures to ensure that you and your family can afford to cover the entire process of studying abroad.

Generally, you will need to prove an account balance that is at least or more than the tuition and living expenses of the first year of study using Form I-20. However, to increase your chances of proving financial success, you should have an account balance that is about 1.5 times the required tuition amount.

The average cost for each level of study or region is different, so you can refer to the conditions for studying in the US for more detailed information!

3.4 Age to study in the U.S.

One of the special features of the American education system is that there is no age limit for international students. This means that you can study in the U.S. at any level of education, from Elementary, High School to Undergraduate and Graduate, as long as you meet the entry requirements. However, if you want to attend university, you need to be at least 17 years old and have completed a high school program. See more: What is the age to study in the US?

The procedure for applying for a U.S. student visa is relatively complex and multi-process, so you should refer to the following:

4.1. Papers and dossiers to be prepared

First, to apply for a US student visa, you need to prepare the following documents and documents:

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!

4.2. U.S. Student Visa Application Process

Although the procedure for applying for a Visa to study in the US is quite complicated, the process of applying for a Visa is relatively clear with the following steps:

Above is the 4-step process of applying for a visa to study in the US, The application review process will take between 2 - 2.5 months. Therefore, please prepare all the required documents as well as be comfortable and confident to overcome you!

5. Application for an invitation letter to study in the US

5.1 What do you need to apply to study in the U.S?

A complete U.S. study abroad application includes the following documents:

• The application form is issued by the school.

• Copy of passport.

• Transcripts or transcripts of grades learned are translated into English.

• English language certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo,...)

• Confirmation of international standardized tests, if any, such as SAT, ACT,... Depending on the school, it may or may not be required.

• Individual essays required by each school: Topics required by each school.

• Letter of Recommendation: A mandatory condition for each university, written by teachers in the school to better understand your personality and ability to contribute to your old environment. Generally, colleges in the U.S. will not require letters of recommendation.

Thus, the application to study in the US is relatively complicated compared to other countries, and the requirements for verification documents and qualifications are also stricter than in most Asian countries. However, the higher the ranking, the more complex the requirements, so you need to thoroughly research the requirements of your school.

5.2 Deadline for applying to study in the U.S.

Studying in the U.S. is a well-planned journey, especially in terms of application time. Each school in the U.S. can apply different forms of admission, with its own deadlines for submitting applications and announcing results. Here are the admission forms of schools in the US:

Early Decision (ED)

This is an option for those who have clearly defined their desire to study at a specific school and are willing to commit to admission if accepted. If you are accepted, you are required to withdraw your application from other schools.

• Application Deadline: Usually in November (ED I) or January (ED II).

• Time to receive results: In December (ED I) or February (ED II).

Early Action (EA)

EA is also an early but non-binding admission round. When choosing this form, you can still choose other fields if your application is approved.

• Application deadline: Around October or November.

• Time to receive results: Around December or January.

Regular Decision (RD)

RD is the most common form of admission that most schools in the U.S. apply. The advantage of this form is that you can apply to multiple schools at the same time without being bound by commitments. The application preparation time is also longer, helping you to complete your personal essay, letters of recommendation, and other documents more thoroughly.

• Application deadline: Mainly in December or January.

• Time to receive results: Around March or April.

Rolling Admissions (RD)

RD is a flexible form of enrollment adopted by some American schools. This form allows you to apply continuously until you meet the quota. Moreover, you will get the results in no time.

• Application deadline: Not fixed; the sooner you submit, the higher the chance.

• Time to receive results: Only a few weeks after submitting the application.

6. Latest Cost of Studying in the USA

To have the opportunity to study and experience the US, you need to prepare the following fees:

6.1. Tuition fees to study in the US

The United States promulgates general standards for tuition fees, so the tuition fee depends on the regulations of each school. Tuition fees will vary based on many factors such as the location of the school, the ranking of the school, and the field you are studying. The expected tuition fee is as follows:

• High school: 20,000 - 50,000 USD/year

• College: 7,000 - 12,000/year

• Undergraduate: 12,000–50,000 USD/year

• Master's Program: 15,000–35,000 USD/year

• Doctoral Program: 20,000 - 40,000 USD/year

The above fee is for reference only because it depends a lot on different factors.

6.2. Living expenses

In addition to tuition fees, you will have to pay for living expenses. In the US, living expenses are also relatively expensive, estimated as follows:

The above expenses are not fixed but are highly dependent on personal needs and purposes. However, the cost of living in the US is quite expensive compared to other countries such as New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea.

To find out more detailed information about the fees that you need to pay during the process of studying in the US, you can refer to How much does it cost to study in the US?

The American curriculum trains with a variety of disciplines, almost all majors have them, but not all majors develop. Here are the top 5 best-rated majors in the United States, specifically as follows:

• Computer Science: The most advanced major in the United States, suitable for IT and technology enthusiasts with extremely high starting salaries, but also higher selectivity than other majors.

• Communication: This major is the leading development advantage today, opening up many career opportunities in fields such as business, advertising, journalism, event organization,...

• Politics: It may sound very strange to international students, but it is extremely interesting. This major opens up opportunities to work in professions such as lawyers, politicians, journalists,...

• Business: The potential of this industry is extremely open, you can work for large businesses or start your own business with a fairly generous salary.

• Economics: Economics majors will be trained in more macro knowledge, students will be able to cultivate knowledge of the laws of commodity exchange and consumption,...

In addition, you can learn about 5 popular majors when studying in the US so that you can better understand each industry as well as the opportunities for each industry, thereby choosing the most suitable career for yourself.

8. Scholarships and policies for international students in the U.S.

If you and your family are facing financial worries, you can refer to the US scholarships and policies for American students below!

8.1. Outstanding Scholarships to Study in the USA

Every year, countless students and students from other countries flock to the United States to study and work, so the US Government and schools in this country also open a lot of scholarship packages to encourage international students, you can refer to the following table:

APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP

Above are the types of scholarships at different levels for international students in the US that you can refer to, but each type of scholarship will have its own requirements, so you need to research them carefully to apply.

See more: High-value scholarships to study in the US 2025

8.2. Policies for International Students in the U.S.

Generally, U.S. students are not allowed to work part-time during their studies like other countries for international students to achieve the highest results. However, if you are an international student doing work on campus, you will be accepted.

Jobs that can be referred to are:

• Library supervision: 13.75 USD/hour.

• Teaching assistant: 12 - 16 USD/hour.

• Department office assistant: 15-16.5 USD/hour.

• Research assistant: $15 - $16 per hour.

In addition, according to the innovative policies in recent years, international students who want to work part-time outside the campus need to apply for OPT or CPT.

9. Career opportunities after studying in the U.S.

Studying in the U.S. opens up great career opportunities for international students because Bachelor's degrees in the U.S. are widely recognized around the world, and the value of the degree is higher than in other countries. When studying abroad in the US, in addition to academic knowledge, students can also experience and train in extracurricular activities to improve their practical knowledge.

For those of you who want to settle and work in the US, the opportunities are also relatively open for you, but you need to be really competent in your expertise. The United States has industries that are experiencing a shortage of human resources, such as healthcare, architecture, computer engineering, programming, and agriculture,... You can study the above industries to further expand your career opportunities and find a job in the US.

For those who want to return to Vietnam, it is not surprising that American students are always sought after by domestic employers with a starting salary of 1,000-2,000 USD/month. Not only that, you can completely choose to work at multinational companies or start a business with the knowledge accumulated while studying. Many people who study in the U.S. are successful when they return home.

Free Study Abroad Counseling in the USA

Studying in the United States is the dream of many of you, but many of you are worried about the high cost of studying and living. However, your dream of studying in the United States can become a reality if you plan your financial information. Here are some suggestions to help you study in the US more economically:

Extra work

Although the part-time work policy for international students in the US is somewhat stricter than in many other countries, students can still find job opportunities on campus to both gain experience and cover living expenses. Some of the common positions that international students can work in include:

• Library Monitoring: about $13.75/hour

• Teaching assistant for general classes: 12–16 USD/hour

• Office assistants: from $15 to $16.5 per hour

• Research assistant: about $15-16 per hour

In addition, according to the innovative policies in recent years, international students can apply for an off-campus work permit through programs such as OPT (Optional Practical Training) or CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

Choose a low-cost school

Choosing a school also affects your total cost of studying in the U.S. Public or medium-sized universities in California not only ensure the quality of education but also affordable tuition. Here are some schools with reasonable tuition fees that you can refer to:

• California State University, Long Beach

• San Francisco State University

• California State University, Fresno

• Humboldt State University

These schools all have tuition fees ranging from $17,000 to $23,000 per year, significantly lower than well-known private universities.

Choosing the right program of study

Instead of applying directly to universities with a 4-year study period, you can choose the route to start with a community college. This is an economical study abroad option with tuition fees of only about 9,000–12,000 USD/year. After completing the first 2 years of study, you can transfer to year 3 at prestigious universities. This route not only helps to significantly save tuition fees but also reduces academic pressure in the early stages of adaptation.

Depending on the type of visa, the length of time you will be allowed to stay in the U.S. is completely different. If you are studying in the US on an F1 visa, the maximum time you can stay is 60 days, while for M1 and J1 it is only 30 days. To have the opportunity to settle down permanently after graduating from studying in the US, you can refer to the following ways:

• Work visa: There are many different types of visas, and the length of stay is also different, but this method is not easy for new graduates because you need to be guaranteed by a company.

• OPT Program: The program requires you to complete a maximum of one year in the field that you are studying. If you want to settle after graduation, you need to apply for OPT immediately after completing your course. If you complete the course with distinction, you will receive an H-1B sponsorship and eventually have the opportunity to transition to a green card.

• EW or EB5 investment program: This may be the easiest way for international students; you can easily get a green card, but it will cost a lot of money, and the prerequisite is that you need to make sure you can put down an investment equivalent to $500,000 (after which this amount will be refunded).

12. Experience studying in the USA

To be able to study in the US, you can refer to the experiences of alumni who are advised by IDP to study in the US as follows:

• Experience in finding and choosing a school: You should make a table to compare schools; first, you need to see the location of the school you want to study; you need to answer the question of what major you want to study. You should take personality tests to find out your strengths and choose your favorite major.

• Student visa interview experience: You can refer to and outline frequently asked questions when going to the interview, which can be found here. You should answer briefly, accurately, and correctly on the record to feel more trusted by the consulate. In addition, you should prepare a detailed study plan to convince the interviewer. In particular, you should be mentally prepared to be as comfortable and confident as possible.

• Scholarship hunting experience: You should find out about scholarships through official scholarship websites and apply for scholarship positions that are really suitable for you. In addition, you can go to the centers to find the most appropriate scholarship, and the path to achieving the scholarship is also shorter when there is a direct guide.

In addition to the above sharing, you can refer to 8 experiences of studying in the US from international students to be able to have a more objective view of the reality of life in the US from those who came before you.

13. Answers to questions about studying in the US

The journey to be able to study in the US is relatively arduous, so there are questions about studying in the US as follows:

1. Is it possible to study in the US without IELTS?

Studying in the U.S. may not require IELTS depending on the school and region you attend, but you will need to take a compulsory one-year English course before you can enter the school.

2. Which university in the US has the cheapest tuition for international students?

Universities in remote urban areas and in low-cost states will have cheaper tuition fees, such as:

• College of Southern Nevada: $11,340/semester

• California State University, Fresno: $33,614/year.

• Arkansas State University: $ 12,744 USD/year

• University of Cincinnati: $30,010 / year

• Central Michigan University: $19,200/year

• Southern Arkansas University: $15,010/year

3. Which state is best for international students?

In the US, there are 5 best states for international students because of the business and development, specifically:

• California

• New York

• Texas

• Massachusetts

• Illinois

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

4. Can I work part-time while studying in the US?

As mentioned above, international students are only allowed to work part-time on campus but are not allowed to do other jobs during their studies.

5. How many years does it take to study in the US?

Depending on each level of study, major, curriculum, and school, there will be separate periods of time. On average, the study abroad period will last from 2 to 5 years.

In general, studying in the US has always been a dream for many people because of the world's most advanced education system, along with a variety of disciplines and scholarships to support international students. However, the competitiveness of these support packages is very high, so you should look for counseling centers to save time searching and get advice on the most perfect route.

Prepare your application to study in the USA with IDP!

With a team of American study abroad consultants with more than 50 years of experience, IDP will help you choose the right major and course for your own strengths and orientation. In addition, IDP consultants will also assist you in applying for admission, tracking your progress, receiving a confirmation letter from the school, and registering for the IELTS test with many attractive offers

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 the events of the American Study Abroad Festival to have a direct conversation with the university's 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.

IDP is a leading study abroad counseling center with more than 55 years of experience in the field of study abroad counseling in Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland, helping Vietnamese students realize their dreams of studying in the US. To make your journey to conquer your dream of studying in the U.S. more convenient, contact the IDP 19006955 hotline for support.

Contact IDP to start your study abroad consultation today!