Consider U.S. College Costs, Reputation Before Applying

Studying in the U.S. is a great experience – but think twice about the cost.

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Outline your career objectives and weigh benefits against costs to determine if studying in the U.S. is right for you.

As an international student, there are four questions to ask yourself as you consider applying to the American school system or a selective U.S. university: Where do you want to live? Where do you want to work? What are you studying? What will you get for your dollar?

Let's consider a selective school to be one with an acceptance rate of about 20 percent or less – so think of schools like the ones in the Ivy League, or others like the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyUniversity of California—Berkeley and University of Chicago.

Of course, obtaining a degree from any well-respected university is "worth it" in some regard – but what about the price tag? Can you justify spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on an undergraduate degree in an area of study that is nearly just as comparable to a less-selective school back home?

[Get tips about finding the right school for you.]

Consider applying to a selective school if you have a desire to work and live in the United States after graduation and if the program offered at the selective school is particularly exemplary or not offered back home.



Additionally, a master's degree carries much more weight than a bachelor's degree does, so for her situation it was a sensible choice. After graduating, she worked in the States for some time.

If you plan on returning to your home country permanently after graduation and aren't interested in living or working in the States, studying in the U.S. may not be worth it unless you receive a full-ride scholarship.

[Learn where international students get the most aid.]

Often, employers back home won't know how selective U.S. schools compare with the ones within their borders unless the American school is particularly famous, so your degree won't necessarily give you an edge if it isn't at a "well-known" school.

By this, I mean a school with an international reputation – not just a strong reputation within the U.S. There are many great schools in the United States that are selective but are too small to be recognized on a global scale.

These schools are usually small, private liberal arts colleges in the United States that are selective and incredibly expensive but are virtually unknown at an international level. In my opinion, these types of schools are not worth the money, especially for international students who want a degree and a school name they can take anywhere.

[See the World's Best Universities rankings.]



If you are an international student accepted to a selective, well-known U.S. school and the tuition is financially feasible for you, I guarantee you will not regret accepting the opportunity. The social and intellectual benefits will change your life forever.

Kate Irwin, from Canada, is currently studying English and creative writing at the University of California—Berkeley.