Top Courses to Study in USA 2026
Learn everything you need to know about top courses in USA and get end-to-end expert guidance from us.
Did you know that in the USA, at the undergraduate level, students are given one year to decide which subject they wish to major in? This is unlike the other rigid course curriculum popularly followed around the globe, including India. Such a model facilitates a more informed decision-making process, allowing students to experience all the related subjects and courses in the USA that they had initially planned to study.
Moreover, the US education system also allows students to choose any minor subject that could be completely unrelated to their major subject, which facilitates an interdisciplinary learning process that produces unique graduates who become highly attractive to global employers.
US universities have set the benchmark for academic excellence across a number of academic disciplines, especially in the field of Computer Science and IT, Engineering, Science, Mathematics, Law, and Business and Management. Students from around the world choose to study the popular courses in USA and go on to build successful careers in their respective fields across the globe.
Top Courses to Study in USA
Listed here are the popular courses in USA that international students commonly choose every year for their higher studies, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Computer Science and IT
- Business and Management
- Engineering
- Health and Life Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Creative Arts and Social Sciences
Let’s take a deeper dive into what we consider to be the best courses to study in USA for international students for the current academic year.
Best Computer Science and IT Courses in USA
With the turn of the century in the early 2000s, the human civilisation’s dependence on computers and technology has significantly spiked, to an extent where our daily lives revolve around the use of technology such as mobile phones, smart TVs and computers. From ordering food and groceries online to making large deposits in stocks and bonds, technology has infiltrated our everyday lives. This was only the beginning, as with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, technology will now only become more crucial to the functioning of a normal human society.
To ensure the sustainability of such a technologically advanced and involved society, there is a need for skilled and qualified professionals in the field of Computer Science and Information Technology. As independent rankings confirm, US universities dominate the world of Computer Science and IT education. Let’s look into some facts and figures pertaining to Computer Science and IT courses in USA.
| Popular Specialisations | Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Data Science and Analytics Software Engineering Cybersecurity |
|---|---|
| Top Universities in USA | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Stanford University Carnegie Mellon University |
| Post Study Work Opportunities | 3-Year OPT through STEM Extension |
| Top Job Roles | Data Analyst/Scientist Software Developer Cybersecurity Analyst |
| Average Annual Salary (in USD) | US $80,000 - $150,000/year |
Also Read:
Best Business and Management Courses in USA
Business and Management courses in USA, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, have been recognised as one of the more “high-return” courses that students can pursue. This is mostly supported by the unparalleled global recognition and pioneering specialisations that can help students lead lucrative careers after graduation.
In today’s capitalist world, Business and Management courses in USA produce skilled and qualified graduates ready to tackle the dynamic challenges of the sector with ease. This is possible thanks to the curriculum that most business schools in USA follow, which requires their students to partake in practical case-based learning modules, allowing them to understand the intricate details of the business world. Here are some facts and figures about the top courses in USA for Business and Management.
| Popular Specialisations | MBA Business Analytics Marketing, Finance Supply Chain Management Operations Management |
|---|---|
| Top Universities in USA | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Stanford University |
| Post Study Work Opportunities | 1-year OPT; STEM Designated Business Analytics Courses can get a 24-month STEM Extension |
| Top Job Roles | Business Analyst Investment Banker Management Consultant |
| Average Annual Salary (in USD) | US $75,000 - $200,000/year |
Also Read:
Best Engineering Courses in USA
With top universities like MIT, Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley being recognised as one of the best universities for engineering in the USA as well as the world, aspirants can rest assured that choosing to study engineering in USA will be a good investment towards their career. The unique academic model that US universities follow, which focuses on hands-on research and innovation through state-of-the-art laboratories and undergraduate research opportunities, makes the USA a great option for engineering aspirants.
Like other programmes listed on this page, Engineering is also one of the academic disciplines that lead to career opportunities that are lucrative in nature, not only financially but professionally as well. Moreover, international students qualify for the 3-year OPT that is only applicable to graduates of STEM-designated courses in USA. Let’s look into certain facts and figures about the top engineering courses in USA.
| Popular Specialisations | Electrical and Computer Engineering Mechanical Engineering Civil Engineering |
|---|---|
| Top Universities in USA | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Stanford University University of California, Berkeley |
| Post Study Work Opportunities | 3-year OPT through STEM-Extension |
| Top Job Roles | Electrical Engineer Robotics Engineer Mechanical Engineering |
| Average Annual Salary (in USD) | US $70,000 - $150,000/year |
Also Read:
Best Health and Life Sciences Courses in USA
The research-intensive and innovation-focused approach that US universities follow allows for students from all over the world to pursue a career in a field they are passionate about, such as Health and Life Sciences. While most students focus solely on medicine courses such as MBBS or Doctor of Medicine (MD), the US offers opportunities that combine biology with technology and data science. Allowing for more varied career opportunities to be available in the country and for a more advanced sector to be created.
From cutting-edge research and innovation opportunities to strong career prospects in an evergreen sector such as Healthcare, the US stands tall when it comes to the medical sector. Additionally, students graduating from Health and Life Science courses in USA also qualify for the 3-year OPT that is limited to graduates of STEM programmes. Listed below are some facts and figures you should know about when choosing to study any one of the top courses in health and life sciences in USA.
| Popular Specialisations | Public Health Health Informatics Pharmaceutical Sciences Biotechnology |
|---|---|
| Top Universities in USA | Harvard University Johns Hopkins University Stanford University |
| Post Study Work Opportunities | 3-year OPT through STEM-extension |
| Top Job Roles | Health Informatics Specialist Biotechnologist Public Health Analyst |
| Average Annual Salary (in USD) | US $60,000 - $120,000/year |
It should also be noted that while many international students also enrol in the USA for medicine courses like Doctor of Medicine (MD), the overall number of seats reserved for international students is extremely limited, while the competition for those seats are extremely high.
Also Read: Study Master's in Clinical Psychology in USA
Best Mathematics and Statistics Courses in USA
With the introduction of AI and Data Analysis, mathematics has long since become a subject that only academicians opt for. The skills and knowledge a degree in mathematics and statistics courses in USA instils are key to the development and sustainability of AI tools and machine learning software. Moreover, graduates of the course can create complex financial models that help investment banks and hedge funds to squeeze more out of their investments.
This unique position that graduates of Mathematics and Statistics courses in USA come to be, allows them to pursue career paths that provide exceptionally high return on their initial investment. Moreover, all courses for mathematics and statistics are considered under the STEM programmes and therefore, qualify their graduates for the 3-year OPT, which is available to a limited number of international students. Check out some important facts and figures regarding the best courses in USA for mathematics.
| Popular Specialisations | Applied Mathematics Statistics Actuarial Science |
|---|---|
| Top Universities in USA | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Stanford University Harvard University |
| Post Study Work Opportunities | 3-Year through STEM-extension |
| Top Job Roles | Quantitative Analyst Actuary Data Scientist |
| Average Annual Salary (in USD) | US $80,000 - $200,000/year |
Also Read: Study Master's in Data Science in USA
Best Creative Arts and Social Sciences Courses in USA
While it may not be one of the traditional choices for international students to choose a career in this field, creative arts and social science courses in USA offer a lot of opportunities, not just in the country but around the world as well. The interdisciplinary approach that the US higher education system follows allows students to create unique profiles that attract global players to their professional profiles.
Moreover, critical and analytical thinking is the core belief of the American philosophy. Such a direction in development and growth instils skills such as creative and critical thinking skills towards problem solving, which is a highly attractive quality for employers from around the world. In fact, Creative Arts and Social Science courses in USA have been known to become pathways towards powerful careers, with some even being labelled as STEM-designated courses. Here are some facts and figures all international students must know about creative arts and social science courses in USA.
| Popular Specialisations | Economics Journalism Architecture |
|---|---|
| Top Universities in USA | Harvard University Stanford University University of California, Berkeley |
| Post Study Work Opportunities | 1-year OPT; 3-year OPT through STEM-extension available for STEM-designated courses |
| Top Job Roles | Architect Journalist Financial Analyst |
| Average Annual Salary (in USD) | US $55,000 - $130,000/year |
Note: The salary ranges provided above represent the potential salaries of graduates in the field and the not the actual salary. The salaries mostly represent the entry to mid-level earning potential of the graduates. Meanwhile, the list of top universities in USA for the field have been taken from QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
Also Read: Study Master's in Architecture in USA
How to Select the Right Course in USA?
Now that we know about the best courses in USA that international students can pursue this academic year, it is important to understand the methods that help us choose the right course for us. Outlined here are some ways you can choose the right course for you:
- Define Your Career Goals: The first step in choosing the right course is to define the career goals and aspirations you wish to achieve. This is easily the most important step that any student should take when deciding the right academic path.
- It is important to take your time and understand and define the professional and personal aspirations that you wish to achieve.
- Align Your Career with the Right Course: Depending on your career goals, it will become extremely easy to narrow down your academic options. For instance, if you wish to build a career around computers and AI, then we know that Computer Science and Information Technology are the academic disciplines for you.
- However, at this point, it is also important to define the academic degree programmes you wish to pursue, i.e. Bachelor’s, Master’s and/or a Phd.
- This will further help you narrow down your course options and thus help you make the right choice.
- Align Your Academic Strengths to the Right Course: While you may have decided upon different courses in USA to pursue this year, it is important align your academic strengths to those courses. You can achieve those by attempting standardised tests such as the SAT/ACT for UG courses and/or the GRE and GMAT for PG courses in USA. It is also important to ensure that your academic background aligns with the programme requirements specified by universities for different academic disciplines, especially at the graduate level.
- Budgeting and Planning Your Finances: A crucial step towards your pursuit of one of the best courses in USA requires a properly thought-out and budgeted financial plan. Studying abroad, especially as an Indian student, is a major step as it requires immense investment to carry out. From covering the tuition fees to your daily, monthly and annual expenses, the costs can quickly add up. Therefore, it is important to look out for scholarships and financial aid opportunities for international students that can significantly improve their financial situation.
Now that you know about the top courses to study in USA and how you can select the right course for you, it should be easier for you to make an informed decision for the academic year you wish to apply. Taking a planned approach to your admissions to the best courses in USA will allow you to avoid and tackle any challenges that can come up during the application process. And equipping yourself with appropriate information, such as the top courses for international students in the USA, the top universities in the country, the scholarship opportunities and even the overall costs of studying in USA, is extremely important. To know more about studying in USA and how you can make the best decision possible, connect with AECC Counsellors today and get expert guidance.