Best States to Study in USA

Four Famous states to consider for your Bachelor in the USA

The United States of America is a vast country made up of 50 states and 1000s of different cities. Some of them are so different from each other, you will feel as if you are in a completely different country. It is important to find a study abroad destination that fits you – as becomes your best state to study in USA.

There are, of course, some world-famous destinations that are more well known than others. In this article, we look at four of the most well-known. We weigh up the ‘pros’ (positives) and the ‘cons’ (negatives) and give you some information to help you make up your own mind. 

We give you the universities that rank highly in the QS World University Rankings, but also our recommendations for African students. It is unrealistic to imagine that everyone can go to the very best universities. The universities Seed recommends are always world-class.

Study Abroad in Massachusetts

As home to many of the top universities in the world, Massachusetts is perhaps the most famous state of them all in educational terms. It has played a very important part in American history as well, being where many of the first European settlers arrived. Boston, the state capital, is widely recognized as the leading academic hub in the world. 

Pros 

Wonderful educational institutions- 

There are 114 colleges and universities in Massachusetts, many of them amongst the best in the world such as Harvard and MIT. The largest is Boston University and it has over 30,000 students. The smallest has fewer than 20 and is called Conway School of Landscape Design. 

Lots of places with visiting

The state is home to some very engaging visitor attractions, including – 

The Freedom Trail – visit the sites where the American Revolution against Great Britain began

Fenway Park – home to the baseball team the Red Sox and one of the few remaining traditional baseball stadiums in the USA

Martha’s Vineyard – An island off the beautiful beaches of Cape Cod. 

Harvard University – even if you don’t make it to study, it is worth a visit!

High Quality of life 

Massachusetts has a growing population as it is such a good place to live. 15% of the state’s approximately 7 million residents were born outside of the USA. It is the state with the highest percentage of the population that has a university degree. 

Cons

Winters are cold, very cold. So make sure you pack a scarf, hat, lots of jumpers, and another hat (just to be on the safe side) 

Everyone is going to assume you are super intelligent when you tell them you studied in Massachusetts – so no pressure there then!

Top Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts:

Harvard University

Boston University

MIT (Massachusetts Institute Of Technology)

Northeastern University

Berklee

Seed recommendation for African Students: Northeastern University. Why? It is the number 1 ranked university in the USA for Co-Ops and Internships – gain valuable professional experience while you study!

Study Abroad in New York

Home to one of the cities that can make a claim to being “Capital of the World ” and the largest in the USA, it is no surprise to find New York state on our list. It is a very popular place to study and every year more than 100,000 students from outside New York State – 75,000 international & 25,000 American – choose to study there.

Pros 

Home to the ‘Cultural Capital’ of the World- 

There are few places on the planet that can claim to be as home to as many cultural activities as New York City. You can find some of the most important art galleries and museums in the world. Eat at the world’s finest restaurants or pick up a slice of pizza in Little Italy. It is also home to the United Nations.

Perhaps you may delight in the shopping opportunities of 5th Avenue or SoHo. Or you may prefer to catch a Broadway show, a Hip-Hop, Punk Rock or Jazz concert, in the city that brought the music forms to the world. Many international students delight in taking selfies at the multiple locations we all know so well from TV and Movies. 

Lots of places worth visiting

There is a lot more to New York state than the iconic city, and we wholeheartedly recommend visiting;  

Saratoga Spa State Park – Considered one of the ‘gems’ in a state rich with national parks and awe-inspiring landscapes. Visitors can go hiking, trekking, biking, play golf, visit an art centre, go swimming or just take a leisurely stroll. AND there is a geyser. 

Niagara Falls – It would be a missed opportunity to study in New York State and not make it to the iconic waterfalls and take a trip on the ‘Maid of the Mist’.

Albany – The state Capital of New York is a beautiful colonial city and it is possible to visit many of the mansions. There are many other historic sites including the State Capitol.

“If you can make it there…” 

For study abroad students who have the opportunity of a work placement as part of their undergraduate studies in New York State, showing future employers work experience in that location is likely to be a big help when applying for jobs back home. 

Cons

Culture shock is real and moving straight to a place like New York City to study abroad can cause some students to lose track of their studies.

New York City is a very expensive place to Study Abroad and it is worth remembering that there are reputedly more than 800 languages spoken there.

Famous Colleges and Universities in New York State:

Columbia University

Cornell University

University of Rochester

SUNY – The State University of New York

Syracuse University

Seed recommendation for African Students: Fulton-Montgomery Community College. Why? It is an affordable community college that is part of the popular SUNY system.

Study Abroad in California

The Golden State is home to Silicon Valley, Los Angeles and San Francisco, to name but a few iconic locations. The most populous state in the country, California’s economy is so large that, if it was an independent country, it would have the world’s fifth biggest economy! It may be the ideal study abroad destination for you – especially if you are not so interested in including cold winters as part of your experience. 

Pros 

The home of the global Tech industry – 

If you see yourself working in the digital world in the future, you may want to consider studying at one of the many fine higher education institutions in California. With Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and many others as ‘neighbours’, the courses and programs at Californian universities and colleges have evolved to meet the demands of local industry. Choosing to study there is the first step to equipping yourself with the skills and contacts in the industry that seem set to dominate the 21st century. 

Lots of places worth visiting

California is a vast state with huge distances between cities and towns. Like most places in America, people travel by road in California, and you may hire a car with some friends for a weekend. Here are some ideas for your Californian Study Abroad Road Trip;  

San Francisco – Enjoy the mystic beauty of San Francisco as the sun streams in from the Pacific Ocean – or perhaps the clouds. The streets of the city are alive with action and taking a cable car is an unmissable experience – plus, the streets are steep! A cosmopolitan city that offers entertainment to suit all budgets.  

Yosemite National Park – Breathtaking wilderness scenery surrounded by sheer granite cliffs and domes that were carved by glaciers millions of years ago.The park has 800 miles of hiking trails and is home to the emblematic Yosemite Falls, an amazing 2,425-foot waterfall, and Half Dome, the sheer-faced granite mountain.

Hollywood, California – No Study Abroad trip to the sunshine state would be complete without a visit to Los Angeles to seek out the stars. Selfies are not optional when doing the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

Cultural Diversity 

California truly is a multicultural state, perhaps more so than any other in the United States. African students, like other international students, find this environment to help them to adapt to life in a new country. People are very diverse and open minded in this inclusive American community.   

The world’s biggest education system

Everything about California is big! The Californian Community College system is the world’s biggest. 2.5 million students (one third of all community college students in the USA) study in California

Cons

Cities like Los Angeles and San Diego are huge and spread-out, like much of the state. Students who go there may realise they should have picked a smaller town to study abroad.

Famous Colleges and Universities in New York State:

Stanford University

University of California- Berkeley

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

University of Southern California

University of California- Los Angeles

Seed recommendation for African Students: Santa Rosa Junior College. Why? As well as being extremely affordable, Santa Rosa is a very safe and homely town for international students. We have also seen lots of great success stories among students from Africa.

Study Abroad in Florida

The Sunshine State is famous the world over and is very popular with international students from African countries. It has a tropical climate and so there is not too much need for scarves and gloves as is the case in other parts of the USA. Florida also has some of the lowest tuition fees in the country, another factor in it’s popularity with international students. 

Pros 

A Growing Economy – 

As well as being a state that is growing in popularity with international students, the economy of Florida is also growing. As the American higher education system meets the needs of industry, there are many courses related to the Floridian growth sectors. 

This includes a strong focus on tourism, international trade, and agriculture to name a few. All subject areas that may be of interest to African students seeking to enhance their career prospects at home by going to university in the usa for a bachelor’s degree. International students in Florida, may find internships in hospitality, business management, or even a culinary internship aboard a cruise ship or at a famous theme park. 

Lots of places worth visiting

Florida relies on tourism and so there is a lot to see and many places to visit. If you like beaches and sunshine, it is a state you should definitely have on your shortlist. Students frequently take weekend trips to tourist destinations with friends when they study abroad in Florida. Here are some places you cannot miss

South Beach, Miami. Miami Beach has a vibrant, colorful atmosphere that few places in the world can match. From the art deco architecture along Ocean Drive to sun worshippers on South Beach, Miami’s tip draws everyone from retirees to the young and the young at heart. But just remember those trendy restaurants and dance clubs don’t come cheap.  

Walt Disney World, Orlando – Even if Disney is not your thing, the cultural spectacle of meeting the cast of Disney movies is part of the American experience. The park draws more than 50 million visitors every year; if you study abroad in Florida, you have the opportunity to be one. 

Key West – The southernmost point in the continental United States is located on this island in the Florida Keys. Famous for its free-spirited locals, colourful conch-style homes, and coral reefs. The Ernest Hemingway Museum and Home are popular with bibliophiles, between boat tours and margaritas.

Cost of Living 

Florida is another multicultural state, and one where students can find cheaper prices than others. Not only are there a huge range of international shops and communities, general living costs in Florida are lower than in other major states. Easy access to cheap year-round fruit and vegetables is popular with international students studying in Florida. 

Cons

Miami is an expensive American city that speaks Spanish better than it speaks English. While classes would all be in English, if you are not a Spanish speaker, there may be other student cities for you to consider ahead of Miami.

Famous Colleges and Universities in Florida:

University of Florida

University of Miami

Florida State University

University of Tampa

University of South Florida

Seed recommendation for African Students: The University of Tampa. Why? The University of Tampa is a small private university renowned for its business school, the Sykes College of Business. It offers a range of very affordable MBA and Masters of Science programs.