Understanding the US Education System: Features, Levels & Other Details
Talk to Expert
The US Education System provides a variety of choices for international students. Early childhood education in the US is followed by primary school (popular as Elementary School in the United States), Middle School, Secondary School (popular as High School in the United States), and post-secondary education. Many students pursuing their higher studies in the US must be surprised to know that the US has no educational system.
The federal government can influence education only through the funding it offers, but this is limited. However, when starting the search for the best educational institution for their child, an individual should know about tutoring in the U.S. There are some of the awarded and known as the best student cities in USA for Indians also to pursue higher education. This will help parents arrange their children’s education accordingly. The USA is one of the best places to get higher education; choosing the best institution for your education is most important. The blog below will help parents by briefing them on the US education system.
Understanding the US Education System
The US education system follows a hierarchy. Different stages covered in the US Education System are elaborated below; understanding the US education system for international students is crucial if they are looking for admissions. The hierarchy is as follows:
| US Education System Division | Institutions Involved | Age Group of Students |
|---|---|---|
| US Education System Level 1: Primary Education | Elementary School | 4 - 10 Years |
| US Education System Level 2: Secondary | High School | 11 - 14 Years |
| US Education System Level 3: Higher Secondary | Sophomore | 15 - 18 Years |
| US Education System Level 4: Graduation | University or College | 18+ Years |
| US Education System Level 5: Post-Graduation/Masters | 22+ Years |
To delve deeper, the US education system for international students understanding includes some major stages. Some of them covered under the US Education System are:
- Elementary school
- Middle School
- High school
- Post-secondary (college), also known as the sophomore
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
As you can see above, the multiple stages of the education system of the USA have to be qualified, one after the other, to reach the next level of study. Under the US education system, the school grades in USA are also different. The school grades in USA as they are denoted, are as follows:
- 9th graders in USA schools are referred to as 'Freshman'.
- 10th graders in USA schools are called 'Sophomores'.
- 11th graders in US schools are referred to as 'Juniors'.
- 12th graders in US schools are called 'Seniors'.
Accreditation & Quality Assurance in the US Education System
Accreditation is the process used by the US Education System to ensure that the institutes meet and maintain the minimum standard of quality education. Schools, Post-secondary Institutions, and other institutions participate in accreditation. Federal and state governments acknowledge accreditation as the component by which institutional and automatic authenticity is guaranteed. In other words, certification by a recognized accrediting authority is accepted as the U.S. likeness to other countries abroad.
Types of Accreditation in the US Education System
The following types of accreditation are offered to institutions in the USA, which can help students gain a certificate or degree which would also be recognised worldwide:
- School-Level Accreditation
- Post-secondary Accreditation
- Federal Recognition & Approval
- Diploma Mills & Fraud
- Other Quality Assurance Provisions
Accreditations help students gain quality education and get credits to help employers understand the course credits earned.
Types of Higher Education Institutions in the USA
Various higher education institutions in the USA are recognised for offering high-quality education. Check out the following higher education institutions authorised to offer higher education as part of the US Education System:
1. State College or Universities in USA
These colleges or universities are supported and run by a state or local government and are essential to the US education system. The US is comprised of 50 states, and each state runs at least one university or college to provide quality higher education to students at low rates. E.g. The University of California or Texas A&M University.
2. Private College of Universities in USA
A branch of the government in the USA runs these colleges and universities. They are always in demand among international students to study in USA. These private U.S. universities and colleges are smaller in size than state schools. They are also an important part of the US education system for international students.
3. Community Colleges in USA
Community colleges offer two-year certification or associate degrees, which are transferable. Generally, Community college graduates transfer to universities or four-year colleges to complete their degrees. They are allowed to share the credits earned in the community college in USA. Pathway programs are necessary for UG admissions in the US education system for international students, thus, community colleges help bridge the gap.
4. Technology Institutes in USA
Technology Institutes offer at least four years of education to students in science and technology. Some institutes have graduate programs while others offer short-term courses to students. Again a significant part of the US education system.
5. Ivy Leagues in USA
The Ivy League schools in USA are the most popular set of institutions, inter-college athletic groups of eight US universities. Ivy league schools in USA are the most difficult universities for admissions in USA and usually record a very low acceptance rate. But are still considered prestigious institutions in the US education system.
US Education System vs India
Check out the difference between Indian and American Education systems given in the table below:
| Indian Education System |
US Education System |
|---|---|
| No flexibility |
Flexibility in selecting subjects |
| Stress on academic performance |
The stress of exploring the concepts |
| More focus on theoretical learning |
Sports and extracurricular activities are given due importance |
| Use of traditional teaching methods |
Use of the latest technological methods in teaching |
| More focus on rote learning |
Critical thinking is focussed here |
| A more competitive environment |
A collaborative environment |
Thus, based on the pointers given above, it can be noted that there is a huge difference between the US education system and the Indian education system.
Pros of the US Education System
There are a couple of positive points to study under the American education system. Check out the pros of studying in the US education system below:
- Diversity
The US offers a range of courses and majors in the English language to international students. Students can choose any area to study from top Universities in the USA. The US Education system has many diverse programs that attract students from all over the world.
- Flexible Education
The US education system is one of the most diverse systems for international students who want to study abroad. US universities offer the program with proper practical knowledge. Students get up-to-date facilities and technologies at universities in the United States.
- Students Life
Because of the high academic standards, most US Universities attract students worldwide. Students will get to meet with top-notch professors who offer them better knowledge.
Cons of the US Education System
Apart from the pros of the US education system, there are a few cons as well, and they are as follows:
- Tuition Fees
One major cons of the US Education system is its high tuition fees for the high standard of quality education. The education cost in the USA is the highest in the world because of some popular universities it has like MIT, Harvard University, Stanford University, etc.
- Admission Process
Students have to follow a complicated admission process to get into US Universities. They must have strong academic records to be eligible for the top universities. US universities ask for admission tests such as the SAT or ACT for UG admissions, the GRE or GMAT for PG admissions, and language proficiency test scores for TOEFL or IELTS. Check out the SAT Accepting Universities in USA.
- Social Benefits
The major cons of studying in the US are the finite accessibility to benefits like social security, healthcare, etc. the government offers to US citizens.
Q: Â What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
Q: Â Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: Â What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Â Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?
The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.
Q: Â What is the maximum and minimum score in GRE to get admission for MS in USA?
GRE is a popular standardised test for getting admission in MS program in the world. However, there are many universities in the USA that offer admission to MS courses without GRE scores. There is fixed minimum or maximum GRE score for admission. However, even if your GRE score is below the average for a particular program, you may still be considered for admission if you have strong qualifications in other areas. It is adviseble to check university website for the exact information.
Q: Â How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: Â What are the academic requirements for the University of New Hampshire?
The academic requirement at the University of News Hampshire vary as per the level of course and the programme applying for. Below are the minimum academic requirement of the University of New Hampshire as per the level of course:
- For the undergraduate course students must have a B or B+ grades or higher on average in their high school transcripts.
- For the graduate course, students are required to attain a minimum of 3.0 GPA in relevant bachelor's degree from an recognised univeristy or institute along with some standarized test scores as applicable to the course.
- International students are also require to submit the English language test scores.
Q: Â Why should I choose to study at Missouri S&T?
Missouri University of Science and Technology is one of the top choices among international students due to the university's world-class programs, an impressive return on investment, vibrant campus life, and more. As per the reviews posted by students on Shiksha, the university has obtained the following stars:
| Parameters | Stars (Shiksha Reviews) |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3.7 |
| Safety | 4.7 |
| Student Life | 4.2 |
| Quality of Faculty | 4.2 |
| Part-time Work | 4.2 |
| Permanent Immigration | 3.8 |
| Post-study Jobs | 3.7 |
| Value for Money | 3.7 |
| Internships | 3.3 |
| Indian Food | 3.2 |
| Public Transportation | 2.0 |
Also, Read
Thus, it is considered one of the best education systems in the US, attracting millions of applications annually for admission to its university. If applicants are intrigued by the US education system and wish to study in the US, they can sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling, and our expert counsellors will call back.
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
Having Worked as an Academic Manager in Experiential Marketing earlier, Kalyani made her move to the study abroad vertical in 2017.Passionate about education and wanting to make a difference, Kalyani holds a B.Com d... Read Full Bio
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
Comments
(3)
S
2 years ago
A
a year ago
M
3 years ago
P
3 years ago
Hi MAhesh, Cloud Computing, MIS, Software Engineering, Human Computer Interaction and Data Science are some of the subjects that can be taught in Computer Science. However, subjects can vary from university to university. Please refer to the list of universities that offer MS in CS in USA and look
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.