Study in USA — Key Facts for Nepal Students
The following data is sourced from the US Department of State, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and individual US university admissions offices. All figures are for the academic cycle unless otherwise stated.
- Country
- United States — federal republic of 50 states with over 4,000 degree-granting institutions
- Teaching medium
- English at all SEVP-certified institutions
- Academic year
- August/September intake ("Fall", main); January intake ("Spring") available at most universities
- Tuition fees — public state university (international rate)
- USD 10,000–25,000 per year (individual university fee schedules, 2025–26)
- Tuition fees — private university
- USD 30,000–60,000 per year (individual university fee schedules, 2025–26)
- Living costs (varies by city)
- USD 12,000–22,000 per year (EducationUSA published cost estimates)
- TOEFL / IELTS requirement
- TOEFL iBT 80–100 or IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall (varies significantly by institution). Top-tier universities often require TOEFL 100+ or IELTS 7.0+. Duolingo English Test and PTE Academic also accepted at many institutions.
- Student visa type
- F-1 Student Visa — applied for via the US Department of State (travel.state.gov), requires a Form I-20 from a SEVP-certified institution and SEVIS registration
- Part-time work (during studies)
- 20 hours per week on-campus during term time; full-time during official school breaks. Off-campus work generally restricted except through CPT/OPT authorization (USCIS, uscis.gov)
- Post-study work permission
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) — 12 months standard, extendable to a total of 36 months for eligible STEM graduates (USCIS, uscis.gov)
- Long-term work / PR pathway
- H-1B specialty occupation visa (employer-sponsored, subject to annual lottery) as an intermediate step; employment-based green card categories for longer-term residency, subject to per-country caps and processing backlogs. (uscis.gov)
- HOA service for the USA
- Information resource only. House of Admissions does not apply to US universities. HOA is a UK specialist. For UK applications, HOA guidance is 100% free.
Cost of Studying in USA 2026 — Nepal Students
The following cost estimates are for reference. Exchange rates are approximate; verify current rates at Nepal Rastra Bank (nrb.org.np) before any financial planning. At approximately NPR 137–140 per USD (Nepal Rastra Bank reference rate, 2025).
| Cost Item | USD (Approx.) | NPR (Approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition — Master's, public university (2 years) | USD 20,000–50,000 | NPR 27.5–69 lakhs | University fee schedules |
| Tuition — Master's, private university (2 years) | USD 60,000–120,000 | NPR 82–165 lakhs | University fee schedules |
| Living costs (per year) | USD 12,000–22,000 | NPR 16.5–30 lakhs | EducationUSA estimates |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | USD 350 | NPR ~48,000 | ICE SEVIS fee schedule |
| F-1 visa application (MRV) fee | USD 185 | NPR ~25,500 | US Department of State fee schedule |
| OPT application fee (USCIS) | USD 470 | NPR ~64,500 | USCIS fee schedule |
| Proof of funds required | Tuition + living costs (1 year, per I-20) | Varies by institution | US Department of State financial requirement |
US Master's degrees are typically 2 years, similar to many other destinations but longer than a 1-year UK Master's, meaning meaningfully higher total cost for an equivalent qualification, particularly at private institutions. This is an important factor when comparing total cost of study. See: UK vs USA comparison guide.
US F-1 Student Visa — Requirements for Nepal Students
The F-1 Student Visa is the primary visa category allowing international students to study at a SEVP-certified US institution. All information below is sourced from the US Department of State (travel.state.gov) and subject to change — always verify with the official US Department of State website and US Embassy Kathmandu before applying.
HOA does not prepare US F-1 visa applications. HOA is a UK specialist. For US visa guidance, consult the institution's international student office or a licensed US immigration attorney.
To apply for a US F-1 Student Visa, the following steps are typically required (US Department of State, travel.state.gov):
- Receive Form I-20 from a SEVP-certified US institution after acceptance
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (USD 350) and register in the SEVIS system
- Complete the DS-160 online non-immigrant visa application
- Pay the visa application (MRV) fee (USD 185)
- Schedule and attend a visa interview at the US Embassy in Kathmandu
- Provide evidence of financial capacity covering tuition and living costs for at least one year, as stated on the I-20
- Demonstrate strong ties to Nepal and non-immigrant intent (intention to return after studies)
- Provide academic transcripts, standardized test scores (TOEFL/IELTS, GRE/GMAT where required), and supporting documents
Visa interview wait times vary by season and embassy capacity. The US Embassy Kathmandu publishes current appointment availability at np.usembassy.gov.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) — USA
OPT allows F-1 student visa holders to work in the United States in a field directly related to their degree, before or after completing their studies. Source: USCIS, uscis.gov.
- Standard OPT duration
- 12 months — available to all eligible F-1 graduates regardless of major
- STEM OPT extension
- Additional 24 months — for graduates of a qualifying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degree, bringing total eligible work time to up to 36 months
- Employer requirements
- Work must be directly related to the student's field of study. STEM extension requires the employer to be enrolled in E-Verify.
- Eligibility
- Must have completed (or be completing) a degree at a SEVP-certified institution and maintain valid F-1 status. Apply through USCIS: USCIS, uscis.gov
- Long-term pathway after OPT
- Graduates seeking to remain longer typically require employer sponsorship for an H-1B specialty occupation visa, which is subject to an annual numerical cap and a randomized lottery — there is no guarantee of selection. Immigration policies change frequently — verify with USCIS or a licensed US immigration attorney.
The UK offers a comparable Graduate Route Visa: a flat 2 years of unrestricted work rights post-graduation (3 years for PhD graduates), with no job offer, employer sponsor, or lottery process required (UK Home Office, gov.uk/graduate-visa, 2026). This is a meaningful structural difference from the US OPT-to-H-1B pathway, where long-term continuation depends on a random lottery outcome. HOA can guide you to UK universities for the Graduate Route — 100% free.
Popular Programmes in USA for Nepal Students
These programmes have historically attracted high numbers of Nepali students at US institutions, partly due to favourable OPT extension eligibility for STEM fields. This list is for reference only.
Computer Science & IT
MS Computer Science, Data Science, AI/ML, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering (STEM OPT eligible)
Business & MBA
MBA, MS Finance, Business Analytics, Marketing, International Business
Engineering
Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering (STEM OPT eligible)
Healthcare
Public Health, Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Biomedical Engineering
Sciences
Biotechnology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Life Sciences (STEM OPT eligible)
Law & Social Sciences
LLM, International Relations, Public Policy, Psychology, Economics
UK vs USA — Key Differences for Nepal Students
HOA specialises in UK admissions and can guide Nepal students through this comparison. The following is a factual overview of key differences. Full analysis available at the UK vs USA comparison guide.
UK vs USA — Side by Side
United Kingdom — HOA Specialisation
- Graduate Route Visa: flat 2 years, no lottery, no sponsor needed
- IELTS waiver (MOI) at 25+ universities for TU/KU/PU graduates
- Master's duration: typically 1 year (lower total cost)
- Tuition: £9,000–£28,000/year (~NPR 17.5–54.6 lakhs at NPR 195/GBP)
- Chevening Scholarship — fully funded
- HOA guidance: 100% free — 153 partner universities
United States — Reference Information
- OPT: 12–36 months; H-1B continuation is lottery-based
- No MOI route — TOEFL or IELTS generally required at all institutions
- Master's duration: typically 2 years (higher total cost)
- Tuition: USD 10,000–60,000/year (~NPR 13.7–82 lakhs at NPR 137/USD)
- Fulbright and university merit scholarships — competitive, varies widely
- HOA does not apply to US universities
Considering UK Universities Instead?
House of Admissions places Nepali students in 153 UK universities — free of charge. 99% UK visa success rate (internal tracking data, 2016–2026). Offices in Putalisadak, Kathmandu and Trade Mall, Chipledhunga, Pokhara.
Frequently Asked Questions — Study in USA from Nepal
No. House of Admissions (HOA) is a UK-specialist education agent. HOA provides admissions support, visa preparation, and scholarship guidance exclusively for UK universities. For US universities, HOA provides factual reference information to help Nepali students compare the UK and USA — but does not submit applications to American institutions. For UK university applications, HOA's service is 100% free.
Tuition fees at US universities range widely: approximately USD 10,000–25,000 per year at public state universities for out-of-state/international rates, and USD 30,000–60,000 per year at private universities, depending on the institution and programme. Living costs are estimated at USD 12,000–22,000 per year depending on the city. Total annual cost: approximately USD 22,000–82,000. Sources: individual US university fee schedules and the US Department of State EducationUSA cost estimates.
Most US universities require a TOEFL iBT score of 80–100 or an IELTS Academic score of 6.5–7.0 for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, though top-tier institutions may require higher scores (TOEFL 100+, IELTS 7.0+). Some universities also accept the Duolingo English Test or PTE Academic. Requirements vary significantly by institution and programme; check directly with the university admissions office.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 student visa holders to work in the United States in a field related to their degree. Standard OPT provides 12 months of work authorization. Graduates of an eligible STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degree can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, bringing total eligible work time to up to 36 months. Source: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), uscis.gov.
After OPT, graduates who secure employer sponsorship may transition to an H-1B specialty occupation visa, which is subject to an annual numerical cap and a randomized lottery selection process. Long-term permanent residency (green card) typically requires further employer sponsorship through employment-based immigrant visa categories, a process that can take several years depending on category and country of origin. Source: USCIS, uscis.gov. Always verify current eligibility with a licensed US immigration attorney.
Key differences: (1) Post-study work — UK Graduate Route Visa gives a flat 2 years (3 for PhD) with no employer sponsor required; US OPT gives 12 months standard or up to 36 months for STEM degrees, but transitioning to longer-term H-1B status depends on an annual lottery with no guaranteed outcome. (2) MOI route — 25+ UK universities accept a Medium of Instruction letter instead of IELTS for TU/KU/PU graduates; the USA generally requires TOEFL or IELTS for all applicants regardless of prior English-medium education. (3) Course duration — UK Master's degrees are typically 1 year; US Master's degrees are typically 2 years, meaning higher total cost. (4) HOA expertise — HOA specialises exclusively in UK admissions and cannot apply to US universities. See the full UK vs USA comparison at houseofadmissions.com/study-in-uk/compare/uk-vs-usa-nepal/.
An F-1 Student Visa requires: a Form I-20 issued by a SEVP-certified US institution; payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee; a completed DS-160 online visa application; evidence of financial capacity to cover tuition and living costs for at least one year; a valid Nepali passport; visa interview at the US Embassy in Kathmandu; academic transcripts and standardized test scores; and a statement of intent to return home after studies (demonstrating non-immigrant intent). Source: US Department of State, travel.state.gov. Requirements vary by individual circumstance.
Frequently cited US universities for international students include Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (QS World Ranking #1, 2025), Harvard University (#4), Stanford University (#6), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and the University of California, Berkeley — among the most internationally recognised research universities globally. Rankings sourced from QS World University Rankings 2025. Note: HOA does not partner with US universities and provides this information for reference only.
Sources & Further Reading
Explore UK Study Options — HOA Free Guidance
Page last updated: · Source data: USCIS / US Department of State