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International students often choose to attend colleges in the United States because they are globally recognized for their high-quality education, flexible courses of study, better career options and opportunities for income growth, access to cutting-edge research, and campuses that welcome a diversity of cultures as well as the ability to improve English language skills. A degree from a United States institution is a universally valued asset, allowing graduates to pursue careers in any industry across the globe.

Here is a rundown of some of the many benefits of pursuing a degree in the U.S.:

1. Quality of Education

The U.S. has some of the best and most recognized schools in the world. In the most recent ranking¹ of 2,250 colleges across 104 countries by U.S. News & World Report, seven out of the 10 Best Global Universities were located in the U.S. U.S. News’s methodology² focused on global and regional research reputation, and number and percentage of publications that are the most cited, among other factors. Times Higher Education, another widely respected global ranking site, also listed U.S. universities as seven out of its top 10 institutions, and 42 out of its top 100 institutions, in its World University Rankings 2025³, which include more than 2,000 colleges from 115 countries. The THE methodology ranks universities across five key areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

Illinois Institute of Technology was ranked #98 Best National University and #29 Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, and #1 in Illinois for Best Salaries of Graduates by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025 rankings.⁴

2. Better Career/Income Growth and Opportunities

Both during school and upon graduation, many academic institutions in the United States are focused on getting their graduates employed. They regularly hold career fairs and often host career workshops with guest speakers from prominent organizations, and also have expansive alumni networks that branch into Fortune 500 companies across the globe, which are some of the highest-paying employers in the world.

Perhaps more importantly, many colleges in the U.S. focus on experiential learning, including internships and work experience opportunities for students while they are pursuing their degrees. This, if anything, is a true strength of Illinois Tech, which has multiple programs and even courses that encourage working within industries while completing coursework. In particular, their Elevate program offers guaranteed access to experiential learning opportunities for its participants, creating a one-stop platform for learners to identify experiential learning opportunities on campus and integrate hands-on learning throughout their college experience. Additionally, Illinois Tech’s Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) Program, which is more than 20 years old, allows students across majors to work together to engage in projects for industry sponsors with mentorship from working professionals.

There is a reason that, in addition to the rankings listed above, Illinois Tech was also ranked first in Illinois and #32 in the nation for lifting students from families in the bottom 20 percent of income to the top 20 percent by Opportunity Insights; first in Illinois and 20th in the nation for high earnings and economic mobility in a college rankings tool created by the New York Times (2023); first in the µç³µÎÞÂë region for occupational earnings power by The Brookings Institution; second in Illinois for 10-year post-college earnings by Crain’s µç³µÎÞÂë Business, PayScale, The Equality of Opportunity Project, and the New York Times.⁷

3. Flexible Courses to Study/Ability to Explore Majors

Those who attend college in the U.S. have a great deal of flexibility when choosing a major. While many educational institutions across the globe require students to declare a major in their first year, if not prior to enrollment, students at many, if not most universities, in the U.S. do not have to declare a major for years after they start attending courses.

Illinois Tech’s Discover+ program⁵, for instance, allows students to explore different majors of interest while completing general education requirements, while also being advised by a team of professional academic advisers. Experienced professional advisers guide students through their first two years, helping them to select courses they’re interested in, navigate different opportunities, and find the best fit before declaring a major at the end of their second year.

4. Excellent Support System/Well-Funded Classroom Environment

Colleges in the U.S. have a well-funded administrative support system for students of all nationalities. For example, services at Illinois Tech include (free of charge) English Language Services, peer tutoring, career services which provides students with high-quality coaching, expansive experiential-learning opportunities, a worldwide alumni network, health and wellness services to support both physical and mental health, and more for all students.

For international students specifically, Illinois Tech’s Office of Global Services provides advice and guidance on U.S. immigration regulations, as well as additional domestic and international programming to enhance and streamline international student immersion. It should be noted that the U.S. has a very liberal education visa system that allows the rest of the world to come to the country for education.

5. Vibrant Campus Life/Diverse Cultures/Improve Language Skills

Life on a large U.S. campus is multicultural, with learners from across the globe converging and forming numerous student organizations, sponsoring events, and engaging in celebrations that engender an intercollegiate atmosphere. The primary language used in the country is English, offering learners opportunities to perfect their language skills, though they will also likely have the opportunity to speak the languages of their home countries in social settings.

Illinois Tech has more than 170 student organizations representing numerous countries, cultures, and interests, and holds more than 650 student events each year. For international students just learning English, the university’s English Language Services will help them integrate and learn at their own pace.

6. Advancement in Technology/Well-Funded Cutting-Edge Research

The U.S. is the world’s leader in research and development—and universities in the U.S. play a huge role in that achievement. According to the National Science Board’s latest report on research and development⁶, which is conducted every decade, the U.S. is the global leader in R&D performance, with a full 28 percent of all global research and development in 2019, with higher education listed as the second-largest performer of research in the country.

Students who come to Illinois Tech—a university that focuses heavily on STEM fields, and is µç³µÎÞÂë’s only tech-focused university—will have the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research and innovation while pursuing their degrees. The university is home to the country’s first industrial nuclear reactor and the nation’s first functional microgrid. Many students have initiated startups both before and after graduation, contributed to widely-cited publications, and attended professional conferences to engage with thought leaders in their fields.

Want to Learn More?

If you would like to explore Illinois Tech’s many pathways to a degree in the U.S., you can request information, or explore their Office of Global Services website.

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