Popular STEM Degree Courses in USA

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Subhashri Roy
Updated on Apr 05, 2023 05:20 PM IST

Planning on pursuing a STEM degree in the US? While US is the top country to study STEM courses, picking the right STEM field can be tricky. Here are the top 10 STEM fields in the US along with the universities offering courses in those fields.

Popular STEM Degree Courses in USA

According to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange 2020, close to 52% of international students in the US pursued majors in STEM fields. With a growing global demand for STEM graduates not only in the US but all around the world, more and more international students have been leaning towards pursuing STEM fields.

Apart from a nice paycheck, STEM graduates are offered great opportunities in research and technological innovation and are also allowed to work in cutting-edge fields such as medicine, robotics, petroleum, microbiology, and environmental science. Texas A&M University, Louisiana State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Kansas, and the University of Dayton are some of the leading higher education institutions in the US that offer STEM degree courses.

STEM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, equips students with skills and knowledge aimed at making them more employable and industry-ready. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 STEM degree courses in the United States along with the universities that offer them.

Our experts have helped numerous students to get admitted to their desired US colleges for STEM courses. Consult Them and initiate your study abroad in the US admissions process.

Planning to Study STEM in USA! 

Benefits of Studying STEM Courses in USA

Even before you start assessing the best STEM majors to pursue in the US, here are some reasons to take the step. Explore how studying STEM degree courses in USA can benefit you:

  • Quality Education: USA is home to the best universities and the courses offered by these institutions are highly regarded. There are over 200 US universities included in the top 500 universities of the world. Additionally, the country is home to prestigious institutions like MIT, Ivy League, New York University, California Institute of Technology, etc.

  • Employability Quotient of Degrees: The syllabus of each of the courses in the US is designed to include the concepts, theories, dictums, and their practical application in real life. This includes internships, simulating projects, research works, group discussions, etc. These methods make the degrees highly employable, that is graduates can easily find quality jobs after completing their courses.

  • Lucrative Salaries: The employability and qualification quality of the courses make it easier for the graduates to negotiate hefty salaries for themselves, even when freshly graduated. Moreover, many universities have placement programs designed for students. You can also enquire and negotiate additional perquisites and benefits offered by the universities.

  • Direct Access to Silicon Valley: Silicon Valley is a famed and prestigious settlement dominated by technological and IT companies in the US. You can get direct and easier access to the valley and its varying perquisites by studying STEM courses in the US. You will find it easier to apply and get accepted in job profiles when applying as a US university graduate.

  • Tailored Course Design: The best part of US STEM courses is that you get to choose the structure for your degree. You are allowed to choose different course combinations in STEM studies and also include your hobbies or extracurricular courses in your degree combination.

Popular STEM Courses in the USA

The US universities offer several STEM programs to students. It ranges from Biology to Pharmacology, from Statistics to Nuclear Physics. You can check out the video given below to find out the popular STEM degree courses in the USA.

The US universities are committed to the advancement of technology that makes the world a better place. They provide extraordinary technical education and hands-on experience that helps students to create change and achieve success in their careers. It creates a pathway for research, corporate, non-profit and start-up ecosystems while harnessing technology and innovation for the betterment of humans. There are more than 300 Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) courses which are offered in the USA. A few of them are listed below:

Name of STEM Course Average Annual Salary (in USD) Projected Job Growth Rate (10 years)
Civil Engineering 87,060 6%
Biochemistry 1,05,940 4.90%
Forest Engineering 1,46,219 5.50%
Surveying Engineering 66,440 1.90%
Geographic Information Science & Cartography 65,470 15.50%
Statistics 1,14,000 22.50%
Mining and Mineral Engineering 98,420 5.50%
Computer Software Engineering 1,11,620 0.80%
Palaeontology 1,05,830 13.90%
Computer Science 1,11,780 10.80%
Mathematics 1,04,870 5.60%
Network and System Administration 87,070 0.80%
Zoology 67,760 2.30%

Plant Sciences

70,630 4.70%
Physics 1,22,220 9%
Petroleum Technology 1,37,720 3%
Ocean Engineering 98,970 6.40%
Nutritional Sciences 61,270 11%
Nuclear Physics 79.970 6.70%
Meteorology 95,380 8%
Mechanical Engineering 93,540 1.30%
Geology 92,040 6%
Forensic Science & Technology 62,490 1.70%
Chemical Engineering 1,14,470 2.90%
Astronomy 1,11,090 11.40%
Agriculture Engineering 79,090 7.80%

Popular US Universities Offering STEM Courses

The US universities are committed to the advancement of technology that makes the world a better place. They provide extraordinary technical education and hands-on experience that helps students to create change and achieve success in their careers. It creates a pathway for research, corporate, non-profit and start-up ecosystems while harnessing technology and innovation for the betterment of humans. Check the list of popular universities in the US offering STEM courses:

Florida

Texas

California

University of Central Florida

Texas Southern University

California State University

Florida Institute of Technology

University of Texas at Dallas

University of California- Berkeley

Florida State University

University of North Texas

California Institute of Technology

Florida Atlantic University

Texas State University

University of California- East Bay

University of Miami

Trinity Valley Community College

Stanford University

University of South Florida

Texas Christian University

San Diego State University

Florida International University

Baylor University

San Jose State University

Florida A&M University

University of Texas at Austin

University of California, Riverside

Nova Southeastern University

University of Texas at San Antonio

University of California, Davis

Florida Atlantic University

University of Texas at Brownsville

University of California, Los Angeles

Common Requirements to Pursue STEM Courses in USA

To be considered to pursue any STEM Degree course at the universities in the USA, as an international student you need to satisfy the following:

  • Eligibility Criteria

  • Documentation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Common eligibility criteria for international students applying for STEM degree courses in the USA are as follows:

  • Have a 3 or 4-year bachelor's degree in related STEM subjects to pursue master's.

  • Complete secondary education with the required GPA (3.5 to 4.0) in STEM-related subjects.

  • English Proficiency Test Score submission if not from a country with English as the native language. Accepted tests are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo English Test.

  • Submit GRE (295-320) scores as required by the university.

  • Possess a valid US F-1 Student Visa.

  • Possess a valid passport.

  • Make a proper and complete application.

Documentation Criteria

To make a complete and proper STEM application, you shall require the following documents on a common basis:

Related Articles:

Best Countries to Study a STEM Degree

STEM Scholarships in the US for International Students

Benefits of Studying STEM Courses in USA

All About Pursuing a STEM Degree Abroad: Scope, Advantages, Job Prospects

Best Universities in the USA to Pursue STEM Courses

Eligibility to Pursue STEM Courses in the USA

STEM OPT Extension in USA

In comparison to other courses pursued in the USA, the STEM OPT extension is 24 months of training in the country that is provided to students of US F-1 visa that are directly related to the courses studied in US universities. Earlier, it was 17 months and the rules changed in 2016. 

Eligible students who hold degrees in STEM courses in the USA can participate in an initial post-completion OPT for 12 months. Then they can apply for an extension on STEM OPT for 2 years more. However, students may not get the opportunity to apply for STEM OPT extensions during the 60 days grace period after completing an initial period of regular post-OPT completion. Also, know the difference between OPT and CPT

Conditions to Get a STEM OPT Extension

To get a STEM OPT extension, F-1 visa students must first complete the initial period of regular OPT. Here are some of the conditions to fulfil for OPT extension of STEM courses:

  • Must have an eligible degree in the STEM field from an accredited Student and Exchange Visitor Program certified school when the student submits their STEM OPT extension application to USCIS.

  • Must also pursue STEM OPT extension through an employer who is enrolled in USCIS’s E-Verify employment eligibility verification program.

  • Select a STEM OPT employer that provides formal training and learning objectives.

  • Must work a minimum of 20 hours a week per employer. 

STEM Courses for Commerce Students

Though the acronym STEM is suggestive of the fact that the courses are mostly in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics stream, other commerce and management fields also are included in the STEM fields. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM Designated Degree Program List contains 4 Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services programs that are considered STEM courses and are eligible to receive a STEM OPT extension. STEM MBA courses in USA are popular among Indian students.  Detailed information regarding the STEM-designated courses for commerce students is given below: 

  • Management Science: Management science programs are focused on training students to successfully analyse and solve complex business problems. It emphasises the use of quantitative methods, analytical tools and computer models which help them attune to the business needs of the industry. Being a STEM-designated program, it allows students to stay and work in the USA for three years. 

  • Business Statistics: The business statistics courses cover descriptive statistics, probability distribution, non-parametric statistics and hypothesis testing. The program emphasises on application of statistical tools and concepts to real-world problems using actual data. Students can stay back in the USA for three years after completing this course. 

  • Actuarial Science: A degree in actuarial science offers students broad exposure to business and economic principles along with an opportunity to intensify their knowledge in mathematics. They get an understanding of probability, loss models, life contingencies, etc. One can get a STEM OPT extension after studying actuarial science in the USA. 

  • Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other: This program focuses on the application of statistical modelling, data warehousing, programming, data mining, forecasting and operation research techniques to analyse business problems. 24 months of STEM OPT extension after normal OPT is guaranteed.

STEM education and curriculum in the USA build competencies that are required in the 21st century such as critical thinking, creative collaboration and problem-solving. Together, they prepare students for the future market to face global challenges. They offer several challenges, projects, and fun and educational activities. These provide building block ideas for the courses and open up vast potential for students. 

Studying abroad shall allow you to choose and tailor your courses as per your desires. You can connect with our experts for more information. One way to reach out is by writing to us at abroad@collegedekho.com.

Explore All STEM Programs Offered in USA !

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