The US is a renowned education hub recognised for its exceptional education system, innovative research initiatives, and high-quality education provided by well-ranked universities. If you plan to pursue your PhD degree in the USA, you can access an academic environment that fosters innovation and analytical thinking. Let’s understand everything about a doctorate in the USA.
Key highlights:
- Benefits of Pursuing a PhD in America
- Well-Ranked Universities
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Enhanced Career Opportunities
- A PhD in the USA for Indian Students: Course Overview
- Some Popular fields in PhD in America
- Popular Universities Offering PhD Programmes in the USA
- Eligibility Criteria for a PhD in America
Benefits of Pursuing a PhD in America
Well-Ranked Universities
The US is home to some of the best universities, known for their research-intensive courses and invigorating study environments. PhD courses in the USA will enable you to develop hands-on experience, access state-of-the-art infrastructure and participate in various research activities.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)
CPT and OPT are two types of practical training available to international students in the US. CPT should be a part of your programme, and OPT will be related to your major. With CPT, you can work part-time for 20 hours or less per week. With OPT, you can work 20 hours per week. Additionally, if you hold a STEM degree, you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. A PhD in America for Indian students can unlock the CPT and OPT options.
Enhanced Career Opportunities
With a PhD in the USA for Indian students, you will gain deeper insights into your chosen field of study, and a PhD will also give you a chance to work with domain experts and leaders. Some popular career avenues are Researcher, Scientist, Consultant, Professor and Educationist.

A PhD in the USA for Indian Students: Course Overview
The duration of the PhD Courses in the USA will depend on the university and programme, and can range between 4-8 years for full-time programmes and 8-10 years for part-time courses. The Doctorate Degree in the USA will also include 2-4 years of work focused on the dissertation. Since this is a research-based degree, you will be expected to choose your research topic and work out the rationale behind the thesis.
The cost of PhD in the USA will depend on several factors, such as whether you study at a public or private university. At public universities, the annual cost ranges between approximately $10,000 and $13,000. At private universities, the PhD degree cost in the USA ranges from ~$40,000 to ~$44,000.
Some Popular fields in PhD in America
- Education
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Engineering
- Biological Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
- Health Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Business Management and Business Administration
- Chemistry
Popular Universities Offering PhD Programmes in the USA
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of Chicago
- Stanford University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Michigan
- Boston University
- Brown University
- New York University
- Rice University
- University of Iowa
- Cornell University
- Georgetown University
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Emory University
Eligibility Criteria for a PhD in America
- To pursue a PhD, you need to showcase excellent scores in your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. For admission into PhD Programmes in the USA, you need to complete 16 years of education.
- To demonstrate your English proficiency, you will need to take English language tests, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- Most universities will require the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). If you have an engineering background, some universities may waive these entrance exams.
- Universities can also expect you to share your academic research projects, internship experience or published papers (if any).
So, if you are all set to pursue your higher education in the US, don’t let anything stop you. With a student loan for study abroad programmes, you can achieve all your academic aspirations.
At Avanse Global Finance, we offer student loans in USD, which saves you from foreign exchange conversion fees. It will enable you to focus on your higher education in the US and leave the finance-related worries behind. If you have any queries or doubts, please remember we are just a call away.