Guide to Study PhD in USA

A PhD in USA is one of the most popular courses to study in the United States. The duration of a PhD program in the USA is usually 4-6 years. In addition, the cost of pursuing PhD in the USA is around 20,760 USD - 141,000 USD for international students. 

A PhD in USA is very different from one from the UK or EU in that a PhD from the USA has a structured degree program that has a combination of comprehensive training and independent research. The standard of training and professional development resulting from America’s rigorous approach to graduate education makes their PhD programs stand out from the rest of their international counterparts.

PhD in USA: Highlights
Colleges/Universities	4,500+
No. of Nobel Prizes	383
Oldest University	Harvard University (1636)
International Student Population	976,853
PhD Length	4-6 years
Tuition Fees	USD 28,000-40,000
Academic Year	August to May

Top Universities in the USA to Pursue PhD

The table below shows the top universities (as per the World University Rankings by Times Education) to pursue PhD in USA:

University	QS World University Rankings 2022	Total Tuition Fees in USD
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	#1	53,448
Stanford University	#3	56,946
Harvard University	#5	20,760
California Institute of Technology	#6	Fully funded
University of Pennsylvania	#13	41,000-43,000 (course specific)
Yale University	#=14	Fully covered
Columbia University	#19	65,000
Princeton University	#20	58,790
University of Michigan	#=23	12,691-25,575
John Hopkins University	#25	33,534-65,000
Northwestern University	#30	149,512
University of California, Berkeley	#32	80,990-141,000
University of California, Los Angeles	#40	71,000-262,000
University of Arizona	#268	53,600-134,400
New York University	-	124,304
Duke University	#52	84,314 (for 4-years)

Why Study PhD in USA?

There are many benefits of pursuing a PhD in USA. Given the sheer size of international students pursuing PhDs in America, which is close to 1 million, it comes as no surprise that the USA is a premier destination for PhD studies. Following are the major reasons to study PhD in USA:

• Best Institutions for Research
• Focus on Fundamentals
• Forefront of Innovation
• Scope for Ample Opportunities
• Accreditations and Rankings

Best Institutions for Research

The table above gives a glimpse into the quality and reputation of research institutions in the USA. The United States of America has continuously dominated the top echelons of the Global League Tables. Furthermore, the USA is known for investing substantially in research output and expertise.

Focus on Fundamentals

Unlike pursuing a PhD in countries like the UK and some EU nations, a PhD in America takes longer to finish, as institutions stress understanding the fundamentals of each subject before even getting to the dissertation project. A detailed understanding of the subject will form the basis for a student’s research in American institutions.

Forefront of Innovation

The USA is undoubtedly at the forefront of innovation, being the country with one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. One cannot deny that the USA is the first mover of trends in almost all domains. The USA is also the trendsetter for graduate studies, given the sheer volume of higher education institutions offering research-based programs to students. The USA was the second country after Germany to structure its approach for doctoral training.

Scope for Ample Opportunities

On average, students take 8 to 10 years to finish their PhD studies, which is a long time. The course duration can provide ample exposure to a PhD student in the USA, which can prove to be a valuable experience for international students looking for a global perspective. Furthermore, the USA is a melting pot for many cultures, and diversity is celebrated across the many institutions in the USA.

Accreditations and Rankings

There is no official body for accrediting all the universities in the USA since there is no government body given the size of the federal structure of the USA. Instead of a governing body, many accreditors are responsible for accreditation at the regional and national levels. The US Government maintains a database containing all the universities and programs that have been accredited.

The United States of America has some of the best universities in the world. The USA is home to 30 of the Top 100 universities globally as per the OQ Global Rankings 2021. According to the World University Rankings of 2021 by Times Education, the USA has 19 of the 30 best universities in the world offering PhD programs. The number of international students pursuing their PhD in the States is also sizable, amounting to approximately 1 million PhD students in America.

PhD Courses in the USA

There are a wide variety of PhD programs that universities across the USA offer. The names of some of the most popular subjects that students pursue their PhD in are as follows:

• Biological Sciences
• Education
• Anthropology
• Engineering
• Sociology
• Psychology

PhD Method of Study in USA

Unlike those in the UK and some EU countries, a PhD in USA is not a pure research degree. The American graduate education system follows a modern approach where the program defends the student's substantial thesis. The PhD program in the USA has regular classes for students, assessments and an organized and comprehensive program in the initial years of the course.

Once students clear the first stage of assessment and exams, they will be required to confirm the final dissertation topics for their field of research.

Course Structure: Stage 1

The first stage of the PhD program is taught like a Master's program. The first stage has core classes in the form of regular classes and continuous assessments. This stage also has electives that a student can take at their discretion. In addition, students may opt for one or more electives which might help them in the later stages of their course.

Depending on the nature of the program, students will have the option of selecting classes. In addition, some PhD programs have requirements in terms of personal and professional activities like learning a foreign language, volunteering placements and completing work.

Course Structure: Stage 2

Once the coursework is completed, students will be considered as fully realized PhD candidates. Students that opt to stay after the Master's program will be eligible to pursue their doctoral dissertation. This is the 'capstone project' stage of the PhD program.

Students will then have to research topics and areas of their subject and develop their research proposal. The student will be required to submit an outline of their dissertation, methodology and bibliography included within the scholarship parameters.

Course Duration

For full-time students, a PhD usually takes between 4 and 6 years to complete. Students generally take the first four years to work on their program's coursework and two years to work on their dissertation. The classes will be conducted in 2 sessions during an academic year - the Fall semester from August to December and the spring session from January to May.

Applications for PhD in USA

Unlike places like the UK and EU, where students are expected to have a prior understanding of the subject before applying - PhD programs in the USA assume the student does not have prior knowledge of the subject matter, where the course work is designed to keep undergraduate students in mind. Students can apply to up to six universities simultaneously. There is no centralized organization in the USA to help students with the same.

Admissions for PhD in USA

For universities in the USA, the deadlines for PhD applications are usually between December and February. Institutions usually get back to students on their applications in April. It is recommended that students begin their applications well in advance so that they (and the university) can have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Eligibility Requirements for PhD in USA

PhD admission requirements in US vary based on the university and the field of study. But in general, most universities in the US require the below from international students applying for PhD degree there:

• Completed application form
• Resume
• Transcripts for your university degree or courses
• Statement of Purpose
• GMAT or GRE scores
• Recommendation letters
• English language test, such as IELTS or TOEFL
• Application fee

Fees and Funding

PhD programs usually cost between USD 28,000 and USD 40,000 a year. Sending in an application in advance can give ample time for the aspirant to arrange funds for their preferred PhD program. International students can avail themselves aid in the form of tuition fee waivers and scholarships by the US Government, as well as their own. There are also non-government scholarships that students can avail.

Living Expenses

On average, students spend between USD 6,000 and USD 14,000 a year on accommodation alone. This is exclusive of the tuition fees. However, students may opt for on-campus accommodation, which is expensive compared to taking up private residences or living in homestays. Apart from tuition fees and accommodation costs, students also have to account for their living expenses.

Generally, the average living expenses amount to between USD 10,000 and USD 25,000 on living expenses in the USA. The living expenses have been detailed in the table below:

Particulars	Expenses (in USD)
Study material and stationary	500 - 1,000
Travel expenses	500 - 1,200
Food and beverages	2,500
Clothing expenses	500
Miscellaneous expenditure	500
Health Insurance	1,500 - 2,500
Transportation costs	500 - 1,000