There are more than 4100 colleges and universities in USA and it is a difficult task to choose an appropriate institute for yourself in your desired program.
There are numerous factors that need to be measured carefully before choosing to which institute to apply. Here a list of criterion you want to use to evaluate and sort through all of the options.
Following's a list of common criteria:
o Degrees offered
o Majors/minors
o Location (rural or urban setting, climate, proximity to an airport)
o Size of the student population (from small at 1,000 to large at 35,000+)
o Public vs. private
o Cost (tuition, room and board, etc.)
o Financial assistance packages and employment options for international students
o Campus resources (labs, libraries, computer access, etc.)
o Graduation rate/time
o Placement success/internship and co-op programs
o Accreditation status
o Class size
o Faculty reputation
o Faculty contact/classes taught by full-time qualified faculty
o Quality/reputation/ranking
o Degree of pressure to excel
o Safety (campus, community)
o Student body (ethnic and racial diversity, international representation, gender, etc.)
Social life (Greek organizations, clubs, sports, school spirit, etc.)
Religious affiliation
Housing options (dorms, apartments, off-campus options)
Education USA Advising Centers
Another way to select an institute in USA is the Education USA Advising Centers which can be found in almost every country all around the world. These centers are the ideal point to research about the education providers in USA.
Centers generally have a library with directories, university catalogs, introductory guides, handouts, and reference books to assist you in applying to study in the United States. Many centers have developed guides, videos, and websites specifically tailored to students applying from your country. Many also have computer-based college search packages to help you choose the best colleges for you. Most important of all, they have trained staff who can answer your questions in person or by mail, by telephone, and, in most cases, by e-mail.
Advising Centers in Pakistan
1. The U.S. Educational Foundation in Islamabad Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Adviser Name(s): Educational Advisor
Email: advising@usefpakistan.org
Phone: 92-51-8431300 | Fax: 92-51-8431555
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1128 Islamabad
Center Hours: Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 17:00
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Center Website: www.usefpakistan.org
2. The U.S. Educational Foundation in Karachi Pakistan
Karachi, Pakistan
Email: advisingkarachi@usefpakistan.org
Phone: +92-21-3-581-0671-5
Center Hours: Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 17:00
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Center Website: www.usefpakistan.org
3. US Consulate General Lahore
Lahore, Pakistan
Adviser Name(s): Mrs. Anwar
Email: anwarl@state.gov
Phone: +-92-42-36034256 | Fax: +92-42-36034220
Mailing Address: U.S. Consulate 50, Sharah-e-Abdul Hameed Bin Badees,(Old Empress Road) Lahore 54000 Pakistan
Walk-Up Address: Same as mailing address
Center Hours: Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 16:30
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Center Website: www.lahore.usconsulate.gov
Accreditation and Recognition of Degrees
Accreditation helps to guarantee that the school is of high quality and that you will receive the programs and services that the school describes in its promotional materials. If you are planning to study in the U.S., it is important to know if the school in which you plan to enroll is accredited. There are agencies in US who recognized different colleges and universities according to the quality of their coursed offered and these agencies are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Education USA advising centers can advise you regarding recognition of U.S. degrees in your country and tell you whether a U.S. degree-offering institution is appropriately accredited.
Accrediting Agencies Recognized in U.S.
The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education recognizes choose accrediting agencies as trustworthy authorities regarding the quality of education or training offered by the institutions or programs they accredit. Accreditation by a recognized accrediting agency is part of the requirements for institutions to participate in federal student aid programs. The Secretary and the Department are not responsible for accrediting institutions of higher education. Accrediting agencies accredit institutions, colleges, universities, and programs.
Note: The U.S. Department of Education does not have the power to accredit private or public basic or secondary schools, and the Department does not recognize accrediting bodies for the accreditation of private or public elementary and secondary schools. However, the U.S. Department of Education does recognize accrediting bodies for the accreditation of institutions of higher (postsecondary) education. If an accrediting body which is recognized by the Department for higher education also accredits elementary and secondary schools, the Department's recognition applies only to the agency's accreditation of postsecondary institutions.
Important: Accrediting agencies may freely seek recognition from the Secretary only if the schools and institutions the agency accredits need the Secretary's recognition in order to participate in some federal program, such as the federal student financial aid programs.
Accrediting agencies recognized by the Secretary meet certain criteria; the institutions accredited by those agencies meet standards that address the quality of an institution and its programs. An accrediting agency that meets the Department's criteria for recognition is determined to be a reliable authority in measuring the quality of education or training provided by the institutions it accredits in the United States and its territories. Agencies that meet these criteria are placed on the Department's
List of More Educational departments
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (AZ/MO)
o Abilene Christian University (TX)
o Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (GA)
o Academy of Art University (CA)
o Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin (TX)
o Adams State College (CO)
o Adelphi University (NY)
o Adler School of Professional Psychology (IL)
o Adrian College (MI)
o Agnes Scott College (GA)
o Air Force Institute of Technology (OH)
o Air University (AL)
o Alabama A&M University (AL)
o Alabama State University (AL)
o Alaska Bible College (AK)
o Alaska Pacific University (AK)
o Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (NY)
o Albany Medical College (NY)
o Albany State University (GA)
o Albertus Magnus College (CT)
o Albion College (MI)
o Albright College (PA)
o Alcorn State University (MS)
o Alderson-Broaddus College (WV)
o Alfred Adler Institute (MN)
o Alfred University (NY)
o Alice Lloyd College (KY)
o Allegheny College (PA)
o Allen College (IA)
o Allen University (SC)
o Alliant International University (CA)
o Alma College (MI)
o Alvernia University (PA)
o Alverno College (WI)
o Ambassador University (TX) (closed spring 1997)
o Amberton University (TX)
o American College (PA)
o American College of Education (IL)
o American Indian College of the Assemblies of God (AZ)
o American InterContinental University (IL)
o American International College (MA)
o American Jewish University (CA)
o American University (DC)
o American University of Puerto Rico (PR)
o Amherst College (MA)
o Amridge University (AL)
o Anderson University (SC)
o Anderson University (IN)
o Andover Newton Theological School (MA)
o Andrews University (MI)
o Angelo State University (TX)
o Anna Maria College (MA)
o Antillean Adventist University (PR)
o Antioch College (OH) (suspended operation June 2008; planned re-opening in 2012)
o Antioch University–Midwest (OH)
o Antioch University–New England (NH)
o Antioch University–Los Angeles (CA)
o Antioch University–Santa Barbara (CA)
o Antioch University–Seattle (WA)
o Appalachian Bible College (WV)
o Appalachian State University (NC)
o Aquinas College (MI)
o Aquinas College (TN)
o Aquinas Institute of Theology (MO)
o Arcadia University (PA)
o Argosy University (IL)
o Arizona State University (AZ)
o Arizona State Polytechnic Campus (AZ)
o Arizona State University–West Campus (AZ)
o Arkansas Baptist College (AR)
o Arkansas State University (AR)
o Arkansas Tech University (AR)
o Arlington Baptist College (TX)
o Armstrong Atlantic State University (GA)
o Art Academy of Cincinnati (OH)
o Art Center College of Design (CA)
o Art Center Design College (AZ)
o Art Institute of Atlanta (GA)
o Art Institute of Colorado (CO)
o Art Institute of Dallas (TX)
o Art Institute of Houston (TX)
o Art Institute of Pittsburgh (PA)
o Art Institute of Portland (OR)
o Art Institute of Seattle (WA)
o Asbury College (KY)
o Asbury Theological Seminary (KY)
o Ashford University (IA)
o Ashland University (OH)
o Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (MO)
o Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (IN)
o Assumption College (MA)
o Athens State University (AL)
o Atlanta Christian College (GA)
o Atlantic Union College (MA)
o Auburn University (AL)
o Auburn University at Montgomery (AL)
o Augsburg College (MN)
o Augusta State University (GA)
o Augustana College (IL)
o Augustana College (SD)
o Aurora University (IL)
o Austin College (TX)
o Austin Graduate School of Theology (TX)
o Austin Peay State University (TN)
o Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (TX)
o Ave Maria University (FL)
o Averett College (VA)
o Avila University (MO)
o Azusa Pacific University (CA)
o Babson College (MA)
o Bacone College (OK)
o Baldwin-Wallace College (OH)
o Ball State University (IN)
o Baltimore International College (MD)
o Baker College (MI)
o Baker University (KS)
o Bank Street College of Education (NY)
o Baptist Bible College (MO)
o Baptist Bible College (PA)
o The Baptist College of Florida (FL)
o Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences (TN)
o Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (TX)
o Bard College (NY)
o Barnard College (NY)
o Barry University (FL)
o Barton College (NC)
o Bastyr University (WA)
o Bates College (ME)
o Bauder College (GA)
o Bay Path College (MA)
o Baylor College of Medicine (TX)
o Baylor University (TX)
o Beacon College (FL)
o Becker College (MA)
o Belhaven College (MS)
o Bellarmine University (KY)
o Bellevue University (NE)
o Belmont University (TN)
o Belmont Abbey College (NC)
o Beloit College (WI)
o Bemidji State University (MN)
o Benedict College (SC)
o Benedictine College (KS)
o Benedictine University (IL)
o Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (MA)
o Bennett College (NC)
o Bennington College (VT)
o Bentley College (MA)
o Berea College (KY)
o Berkeley College (NJ)
o Berklee College of Music (MA)
o Berry College (GA)
o Bethany University (CA)
o Bethany College (KS)
o Bethany College (WV)
o Bethany Lutheran College (MN)
o Bethany Theological Seminary (IN)
o Bethel College (IN)
o Bethel College (KS)
o Bethel University & Seminary (MN)
o Bethel University (TN)
o Bethesda Christian University (CA)
o Bethune-Cookman University (FL)
o Biblical Theological Seminary (PA)
o Biola University (CA)
o Birmingham-Southern College (AL)
o Black Hills State University (SD)
o Blackburn College (IL)
o Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing (IL)
o Bloomfield College (NJ)
o Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania (PA)
o Blue Mountain College (MS)
o Bluefield College (VA)
o Bluefield State College (WV)
o Bluffton University (OH)
o Boise State University (ID)
o Boricua College (NY)
o Boston Architectural College (MA)
o Boston College (MA)
o Boston Conservatory (MA)
o Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis (MA)
o Boston University (MA)
o Bowdoin College (ME)
o Bowie State University (MD)
o Bowling Green State University (OH)
o Bradley University (IL)
o Brandeis University (MA)
o Brandman University (CA)
o Brenau University (GA)
o Brescia University (KY)
o Brevard College (NC)
o Brewton-Parker College (GA)
o Briar Cliff University (IA)
o Briarcliffe College (NY)
o Bridgewater College (VA)
o Bridgewater State College (MA)
o Brigham Young University (UT)
o Brigham Young University–Hawaii (HI)
o Brigham Young University–Idaho (ID)
o Brown University (RI)
o Bryan College (TN)
o Bryant College (RI)
o Bryn Athyn College of the New Church (PA)
o Bryn Mawr College (PA)
o Bucknell University (PA)
o Buena Vista University (IA)
o Burlington College (VT)
o Butler University (IN)
o Cabarrus College of Health Sciences (NC)
o Cabrini College (PA)
o Caldwell College (NJ)
o California Baptist University (CA)
o California College of the Arts (CA)
o California Institute of the Arts (CA)
o California Institute of Integral Studies (CA)
o California Institute of Technology (CA)
o California Lutheran University (CA)
o California Maritime Academy (CA)
o California Pacific University (CA)
o California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (CA)
o California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (CA)
o California State University–Bakersfield (CA)
o California State University–Channel Islands (CA)
o California State University–Chico (CA)
o California State University–Dominguez Hills (CA)
o California State University–East Bay (CA)
o California State University–Fresno (CA)
o California State University–Fullerton (CA)
o California State University–Long Beach (CA)
o California State University–Los Angeles (CA)
o California State University–Monterey Bay (CA)
o California State University–Northridge (CA)
o California State University–Sacramento (CA)
o California State University–San Bernardino (CA)
o California State University–San Marcos (CA)
o California State University–Stanislaus (CA)
o California State University System (CA)
o California University of Pennsylvania (PA)
o Calumet College of Saint Joseph (IN)
o Calvary Bible College & Theological Seminary (MO)
o Calvin College (MI)
o Cambridge College (MA)
o Cameron University (OK)
o Campbell University (NC)
o Campbellsville University (KY)
o Canisius College (NY)
o Capella University (MN)
o Capital University (OH)
o Capitol College (MD)
o Cardinal Stritch University (WI)
o Caribbean University (PR)
o Carleton College (MN)
o Carlos Albizu University (FL/PR)
o Voorhees College (SC)
o Wabash College (IN)
o Wagner College (NY)
o Wake Forest University (NC)
o Walden University (MN)
o Waldorf College (IA)
o Walla Walla University (WA)
o Walsh College (MI)
o Walsh University (OH)
o Warner Pacific College (OR)
o Warner University (FL)
o Warren Wilson College (NC)
o Wartburg College (IA)
o Wartburg Theological Seminary (IA)
o Washburn University (KS)
o Washington Bible College/Capital Bible Seminary (MD)
o Washington & Jefferson College (PA)
o Washington & Lee University (VA)
o Washington Adventist University (MD)
o Washington Bible College (MD)
o Washington College (MD)
o Washington State University (WA)
o Washington State University–Spokane (WA)
o Washington State University–Tri-Cities (WA)
o Yale University (CT)
o Yeshiva University (NY)
o York College (NE)
o York College of Pennsylvania (PA)
o Young Harris College (GA)
o Youngstown State University (OH)
& many more
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