Doctor of Philosophy or PhD is the highest degree that offers expert knowledge in the preferred field of study. It is a 4-6 year full-time program that involves years of extensive research, rigorous course work, and a dissertation. Some universities offer stipends to meet living and research expenses while pursuing the program. These stipends vary based on the field of specialisation and other factors. 

The United States of America (USA) is one of the most desirable study abroad destinations to pursue master’s programs such as PhD. So, if you are planning to pursue a PhD in the US, this guide will help you as it covers some interesting information such as popular PhD programs, top universities in the USA, the cost of PhD in the USA, and more.

Key Highlights

• Benefits of studying PhD in the USA
• Top PhD programs in the USA
• Top PhD universities in the USA
• PhD requirements in the USA for international students: Eligibility criteria
• Cost of studying PhD in the USA for Indian students

Benefits of studying PhD in the USA

• Internationally recognised curriculum, unparalleled focus on research & development, and innovation attract international students to US universities for PhD programs.
• Over 280 universities in the US offer a PhD degree program. Among them, 15 universities are ranked in the top 50 academic institutions of the world. 
• As on March 2023, the unemployment rate in the US is as low as 3.5%. This indicates the presence of abundant job opportunities for PhD graduates in the USA. Moreover, the best talents easily get jobs at prestigious US universities with attractive packages.

Top PhD programs in the USA
The US universities offer PhD degrees in a wide range of streams that students can choose as per their preferences. Some of the popular PhD programs in the USA are as follows:

• PhD in Data Science in the USA
• PhD in Computer Science in the USA
• PhD in Management in the USA
• PhD in Biotechnology in the USA
• PhD in Engineering
• PhD in Economics
• PhD in Humanities
• PhD in Public Health
• PhD in Mathematics
• PhD in Education

Listed below are some of the top US universities, along with their Global Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023.

S.No.	Name of the University	QS Rankings 2023	THE Rankings 2023
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1	5
2	Stanford University	3	3
3	Harvard University	5	2
4	California Institute of Technology	6	6
5	University of Chicago	10	13
6	University of Pennsylvania	13	14
7	Princeton University	16	7
8	Yale University	18	9
9	Cornell University	20	20
10	Columbia University	22	11

PhD requirements in the USA for international students: Eligibility criteria
In general, most US universities require international students to meet the following requirements for a PhD degree:

• A 4-year bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in a relevant stream from a reputed university
• Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3 out of 4
• Work experience will work in your favour
• A personal interview

Some important documents you need to submit with the application form are as follows:

• Fee receipt
• Academic transcripts
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores
• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores
• 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Research statement (highlighting research interest and possible directions students might like to pursue. It is not mandatory.)
• Writing samples (covering application essays on a relevant topic, though not mandatory)
• Updated resume or CV
• A valid passport

Kindly note that the PhD requirements may vary from one US varsity to another. Therefore, check with your university before applying.

Cost of studying PhD in the USA for Indian students
The cost of PhD programs in the US may vary based on the university chosen and the preferred field of study. The cost of studying includes tuition fees and the cost of living. On average, the tuition fee ranges from USD 26,000 to USD 60,000 (~INR 21,53,000 to INR 49,70,000) annually.

The cost of living includes accommodation, transportation, food, and other related costs. The monthly cost of living in the USA ranges from USD 1,500 to USD 2,000 (~INR 1,24,000 to INR 1,65,000).

PhD is one of the toughest degrees but equally rewarding too. So, if you are planning to study in the USA but facing financial hiccups, you can opt for student loans. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer hyper-personalised study loans with benefits like 100% finance, flexible repayment options, and quick sanctions. Contact us to know more about a study loan for abroad courses!