A Guide for International Students

Getting a master's degree brings your education and expertise to new heights — and for international students, completing a master’s degree in the USA can be a game-changer.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2023 global professionals with a master's degree earned 35% more income than those with just a bachelor's. In America, high-quality academic programs and excellent career prospects increased the number of conferred master’s degrees by 19% from 2011-2021.

But the benefits extend far beyond finances. 

A graduate degree empowers you to enter specialized fields, hone sophisticated skill sets, and build a competitive edge in today's global job market. Perhaps most profoundly, embracing the challenges of life in a new cultural environment will stretch and expand your comfort zones to make room for the experience of a lifetime.

It’s important to thoughtfully consider your interests, values, and long-term goals when choosing a master’s degree — you’ll also need resources to guide you through your journey. Here are a few examples:

• U.S. News & World Report for college and master’s degree rankings.
• The College Scorecard for insights into alumni outcomes by major.
• Study In the States and EducationUSA for guidance on funding opportunities, visas, housing, and other practical considerations.
• A comprehensive guide, like this one, to help you put all the pieces together.

Whether you’re interested in an MBA, a specialized research degree, or a degree that will help you transform the world around you, we're here to support you every step of the way on this exciting journey.

The U.S. is known for its leadership in innovation, creativity, diversity, and most especially for its financial opportunities, making it an interesting place to live and study. Students who study here reap the benefits of all of these positive qualities and more:

Higher Earning Power  

On a global scale, there’s no shortage of master’s degree career opportunities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the 2021 median earnings of those with a master's or higher degree were $74,600, some 21 percent higher than those with a bachelor's degree ($61,600). 

We see the financial benefits of advanced education across many fields — like in computer science, where the earnings gap is particularly wide: bachelor's degree holders earn a median of $107,255 while their peers with a master's bring home an average of $118,290.

But how do master’s degree courses in USA-based institutions benefit international students?

Thankfully, salary advantages span across borders. In China, completing a master’s degree boosts your salary by nearly 80%.

And at multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies that span the globe, the master's provides a respected, portable qualification for leadership positions worldwide. Firms like Accenture, IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, and Adobe all employ master's graduates in large numbers as technical, operational and business executives across international markets.

Access to Careers Requiring Advanced Degrees

Countless roles require or strongly prefer a master's degree, such as social worker, economist, psychologist, political scientist, urban planner, and biostatistician. Many employers seek the specialized skills a graduate degree requires — and if you have one, they begin seeking you.

In globalized fields like technology and consulting, the master's serves as a recognized credential that increases employability worldwide. It demonstrates professional commitment and specialized expertise that top multinational firms value in their global talent pools — in other words, you can complete a master’s degree in USA-based industries, take it home, and then take it to the bank.

So you’ve decided to pursue your master’s degree abroad — but with so many reputable programs available in the United States, how do you choose which graduate program is best for you?

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Step 1: Submitting Required Materials

Your application is a presentation of yourself on paper — your accomplishments, interests, research,
and work experience. A strong applicant will meet all of the master’s degree admission requirements and demonstrate a determination to advance their chosen field of study.

Generally, international applications must submit an online application and application fee, transcripts,
English proficiency test scores, GRE test scores, and letters of recommendation.

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Step 2: Acquiring Your Master’s Degree Financial Aid 

Offsetting your master's degree cost is key to making your degree the most accessible it can be. To begin your scholarship search, you’ll first need to understand the different kinds of financial aid:

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Community & Support in Dallas, Texas

Living in the vibrant Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, international graduate students are surrounded by a rich tapestry of international communities and organizations that celebrate cultural diversity. These groups provide valuable support networks for students and professionals alike as they navigate life far from home.

The South Asian Community in Dallas

Did you know the Indian American community in Dallas-Fort Worth includes over 235,000 individuals?

That's roughly 3% of the Dallas metro area's total population, making it one of the largest Indian American populations in the United States. For students who want to tap into the professional community, Dallas features South Asian professionals across diverse fields like medicine, engineering, and information technology. 

The Chinese Community in Dallas

The Dallas–Fort Worth area's vibrant Chinese population, encompassing both recent immigrants and multigenerational Chinese Americans, forms an integral part of our region's diverse human ecosystem. The community boasts deep roots, with Chinese Americans settling here as early as the late 1800s. Over decades, it has continued to grow and evolve into the thriving, multifaceted community we see today.