With its unmatched focus on research, innovation, development, and openness to international students (receiving the majority from India), the USA provides uncountable career opportunities to Indians in STEM and social sciences, humanities, and languages. Furthermore, with outstanding professors, globally praised syllabus, and bright career options in enterprises and research, multiple American universities are among the top. These universities are well-known not only for their UG and PG degrees but also for their PhD programs. So, today, we will share all you need to know about PhD in the USA.
Why PhD in USA?
- The PhD in the USA takes a longer duration, between 4 to 6 years, meaning that you will have more time to concentrate on your subject rather than being forced to perform your dissertation part right from the beginning.
- The US colleges, schools, and universities continue to be at the top of the ranking tables. Because of the investment in research output and skills necessary for pursuing a PhD.
- Universities in the US receive many international students each year, forming a massive global community. You will be embraced with open arms, regardless of whatever and wherever you study.
- AFTER GERMANY, the USA was the second country to embrace a modern PhD course. Furthermore, its organised doctorate training increasingly impacts PhD studies in the United Kingdom and Europe.
- Regardless of your end goal after the PhD, student life in the USA and beyond will always have something good for you due to 50 states, six time zones, and about 100s of higher education institutions.
PhD Universities in USA
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- The University of California Berkeley
- The University of Columbia
- The University of Wisconsin
- Yale University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Princeton University
- The University of Chicago
Best PhD Courses in USA
- PhD in Physical Therapy.
- PhD in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology.
- PhD in Education in Health Professions.
- PhD in Community Health Sciences – Medical Education.
- PhD in Medical Science – Critical Care Medicine.
- PhD in Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation.
- Doctor of Medicine.
- PhD in Bioengineering.
- PhD in Environmental Science & Engineering.
- PhD in Astrophysics.
- PhD in Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering.
- PhD in Microsystems Engineering.
- Doctorate in Electrical & Computer Engineering.
- Doctor of Philosophy – Law.
- PhD in Law and Criminology.
- PhD in Law / MPhil / MJur.
- Doctor of Philosophy Integrated (Law).
- PhD in Theory and Research – Journalism, Media, and Culture.
- PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Also, Read:
TOP Masters Courses in the USAMBA Stem Courses in the USA
1 Year Diploma Courses In the USA
PhD Duration in USA
A PhD degree in America usually lasts between 4 and 6 years. However, some students might take eight years to complete the program. Furthermore, the years of coursework are divided into two brackets – 1 to 4 years of course work and 2 to 4 years of dissertation studies. Typically, the academic year in the USA is divided into two teaching semesters – August to December and January to May.
Cost of Studying PhD in USA for Indian Students
The studying costs for a PhD in the USA are estimated between 28000 to 40000 USD (2097999 to 2997142 INR) per year. However, universities might waiver a significant portion of the tuition fees for deserving students. You should also note that the fee structure for private and public universities differs, with the latter being almost free of cost. Furthermore, many scholarships are also available to help students compensate for their PhD costs.
Tuition Fees
S.NO |
University Name |
Tuition Fees (Approx.) (in USD) |
1 |
Harvard University |
50928 |
2 |
Stanford University |
10593 to 54315 |
3 |
The University of California Berkeley |
5721 |
4 |
The University of Columbia |
65949 |
5 |
The University of Wisconsin |
3410 (Wisconsin resident) and 4610 (non-Wisconsin resident) |
6 |
Yale University |
45700 |
7 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
1390 to 9715 |
8 |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
1300 per semester (after partial waiver) |
9 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
56364 |
10 |
Princeton University |
56010 |
11 |
The University of Chicago |
32400 to 66096 |
Cost of Living in USA
If you want to study PhD in the USA, you also need to know the various expenses you must manage. Besides your university tuition fees, you need to compensate for other costs, including entertainment, cell phone, internet, etc., as an Indian student.
The below table breaks down these expenses into multiple brackets for your reference.
Kind of Expenses |
Amount in USD (Monthly) (Approx.) |
Accommodation |
200 |
Electricity |
20 |
Groceries |
150 |
International Calling Cards |
15 |
Home Internet |
15 |
Cell Phone |
50 |
Restaurant Meals |
75 |
Entertainment |
100 |
Car Insurance |
100 |
Petrol for Car |
75 |
Weekend Activities |
100 |
Shopping |
100 |
PhD Requirements in USA
- Application form for PhD.
- Fee receipt.
- A minimum of 2 to 3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs).
- Statement of Purpose (SOP).
- Updated resume or CV.
- Records of all the degrees completed.
- Proof of scholarship funding.
- Passport copy.
- Some universities might request work experience of at least 2 to 3 years. However, it is not mandatory.
- A personal interview may also be requested, usually conducted by the supervising board of the program.
PhD in USA for Indian Students with Scholarship
S.NO |
Scholarship |
Description |
Amount in USD (Approx.) |
1 |
Yale University Scholarships USA |
Deadline as per the course, open to all |
50000 |
2 |
Fulbright Scholarships |
Deadline from February to October-2022, open to all |
35000, varies for PG and PhD students |
3 |
AAUW International Fellowships |
Deadline in December, only for females |
20000 |
4 |
Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship |
Deadline in December, only for females |
10000 |
5 |
Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowship |
Deadline in February, open to all |
15000 |
6 |
HHMI International Student Research Fellowships |
Deadline in February, open to all |
43000 |
7 |
Josephine De Karman Fellowship Trust |
Deadline in January, open to all |
25000 |
8 |
NCITD International Trade Scholarships |
Deadline in March, open to all |
1000 |
9 |
Campbell Fellowships for Transformative Research |
Deadline in November, only for females |
4500 |
10 |
IBM PhD. Fellowship Awards Program |
Deadline in November, open to all |
6000 to 25000 |
How to Apply for PhD in USA?
STEP 2: Perform research on the PhD program, that way, you will shortlist the best course.
STEP 3: PhD programs involve research work with faculty. So we would advise you to pick the one whose work interests you the most.
STEP 4: PhD can get pretty expensive, so you should always look for universities with scholarships and teaching assistantships to aid your costs. Consider the location, cost of living, and non-academic opportunities before choosing a university.
STEP 5: Before applying, keep the documents ready, especially bachelor's / master's degree, GRE (or GMAT), TOEFL (IELTS or another equivalent), LORs, academic records, and SOPs.
STEP 6: Finally, complete your online application, mail all the requested documents to the college and university of your choice, and wait for the result.
STEP 7: Done
Suggested Reads: SOP for PhD for Indian Students
FAQ
Can I work while pursuing a PhD in the USA?
Working during your study program purely depends on the student visa you have applied for. If you have applied for an F-1 student visa, you can work strictly only on-campus and part-time for 20 hours/week during the semester and work full-time during holidays and breaks.
How much does it cost to do a PhD in the USA?
A PhD in the USA costs between $28,000 to $55,000 annually.
What are the requirements to do a PhD in the USA?
The following requirements are:
- Fully-filled application form.
- An updated Resume.
- Educational Transcripts in English.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Letter of Recommendations.
- Score certificate of English Language Proficiency exam.
Is pursuing a PhD in the USA difficult?
No, pursuing a PhD is not difficult in the USA. Rather it demands dedication and motivation to complete the study successfully.
We hope you got valuable information from this blog. If you wish to enrol in the best PhD course and university, AECC India is here for you. Our team will ensure you get the best PhD experience in the USA. Contact us today.