Studying in U.S. universities is an unmatchable experience. Every year, students all over the world apply for admission in the United States. Over 1.12 million international students were enrolled in 2025, making it one of the top global destinations for higher education.

However, choosing from 50 U.S. states as an international student is a complex step. Each state has its own laws and regulations that can affect your future career. That’s why apart from a top-tier university education, students also consider other factors like safety, job opportunities, and affordable cost of living. 

If you’re looking to apply to the United States but finding it challenging to choose a state, we’ve got you covered. At CounsellingX, we give you access to 200+ expert counsellors who are alumni of top U.S. universities, where you wish to study, and have secured 30+ successful placements each. You can book a free 1-on-1 consultation call with a counsellor of your choice and get personalised guidance on the best U.S. states according to your academic needs and career goals. 

Top 7 U.S. States for International Students in 2026

We analysed data from Open Doors, considering all factors such as quality education, world-famous tech hubs, safety, and endless career opportunities for international students. As an international student looking for U.S. states to apply to in 2026, this guide will help you.

From New York’s buzzing energy to California’s innovation powerhouses, from business-oriented and sunny Florida to affordable Texas, we’ll walk you through the top 7 student-friendly, culturally exciting, and safe U.S. states. Ready to pick your next study destination? Here’s a quick summary for you:

1. California

California is one of the top destinations for international students in the United States. Over 138,000 international students chose it for higher education. And you can see why.

Top U.S. universities like Stanford, UCLA, and UC Berkeley are located in California. They aren’t just famous, but are ranked the best educational institutions in the world. Apart from excellent universities, the state's diverse cultural landscape also makes it a popular choice for students worldwide.

China and India lead as the primary sources of the student population, with 37.5% and 18.4% students, respectively. Over 400 international students received Fulbright program scholarships in the 2024/25 academic year. California’s international student expenditure is estimated to be $6 billion, making it the highest GDP state among U.S. states.

If you’re into business, tech, engineering, science, or the arts, you can secure internships and programs from giants like Google, Meta, Netflix, and Apple. California is a multicultural state with beautiful beaches. Popular cities like San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose are student-friendly destinations and have a highly supportive community. 

1. New York

New York is known as the “Empire State”. It is a symbol of the “American dream”. New York isn’t just about Times Square or yellow taxis, it’s a buzzing hub for education, commerce, and culture.

New York is home to over 127,000 international students from across the globe. Over 600 of these students have secured a Fulbright scholarship. Around 38.2% of international students come from China, 21.5% from India, and 4.7% from South Korea. Most of these students study in renowned educational institutions like NYU and Ivy League universities like Cornell and Columbia University.

Whether you’re into business, arts, international relations, or medicine, New York offers every career path. If you want to become an entrepreneur, a filmmaker, or a software engineer, the career opportunities are endless. Popular student cities are New York City and Buffalo.

1. Texas

Texas is the most affordable and welcoming place to study in the United States for 2026. With over 80,000 students worldwide, Texas ranks among the top three states in the United States for international students. Students from diverse backgrounds apply to Texas universities. Out of 80,000 international students, India leads with 38.5% majority, China with 12.2% and Mexico brings 5.8% students to Texas. 

Texas is renowned for its friendly Southern charm, delicious cuisine, low cost of living, events like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, vibrant cities, top-ranked universities, and numerous job opportunities. Texas is famous for its thriving music and art scene, which is why it is also called the “Live Music Capital of the World”.

Top-ranked universities include the University of Texas, Rice University, and Texas A&M University. Apart from quality education, there is more to explore in Texas. 

Whether you’re into engineering, healthcare, computer science, or finance, Texas will offer you an opportunity to achieve your goals. Major student cities include Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston, which are hubs of business, technology, energy, and healthcare. It means graduating students would have access to several internships, full-time jobs, and networking opportunities.

1. Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a popular state to study in for international students in 2026. Also called “Education Capital of the U.S.”, it is famous for academic excellence and real-world innovation. It is home to over 75,000 students from 150 different regions of the world. The majority of these students, aka 29.1% come from China, 28.1% from India, and 3.4% from South Korea. In 2025, over 360 students were also awarded Fulbright scholarships.

The most prestigious universities in Massachusetts include Ivy League institutions such as Harvard University, MIT, Boston University, and Tufts. International students can pursue ground-breaking research opportunities and world-class education in the Bay State. Apart from quality education, students can also discover Massachusetts’s culture, visit scenic beaches like Cape Cod, and explore historic sites like Boston’s Freedom Trail.

Whether you’re interested in education, medicine, science, public policy, law, or data, Massachusetts offers hands-on research and access to industries such as biotech, AI, and healthcare. Boston and Cambridge are popular not only for their campuses, but also for the innovative global enterprises, startups, nonprofits, and hospitals. 

Massachusetts is an expensive but safe place for international students. Small towns like Amherst offer more affordable living options. With its rich history, friendly communities, and cold winters, most students consider it their second home.

1. Illinois

Fifth on the list is Illinois. It is popular among international students for its blend of academic excellence, affordable cost of living, and cultural diversity. In 2025, over 60,000 students enrolled in different universities, out of which 31.2% were from India, 27% from China, and the remaining students came from Nigeria, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Top-ranked universities in Illinois are the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Chicago is a major destination for global students. It is relatively more affordable than major US cities like San Francisco and New York, but still is expensive than rural areas of Illinois.

Apart from quality education, students can explore Chicago museums, jazz clubs, deep-dish pizza, and iconic architecture. It’s a lively place to study and live. 

Chicago is also the major business and financial hub in the state of Illinois. Whether you’re into marketing, finance, engineering, or research and development, Chicago offers a wide range of job opportunities for international students.

1. Florida

If you’re looking for sunny climates, affordable study options, and exciting career opportunities, Florida is the ideal state. It is among the U.S.'s most dynamic regional economies. In 2025, over 60,000 international students were enrolled in different Florida universities. Florida has a lot to offer: top-quality education from world-famous universities, low tuition costs, exciting jobs, pleasant weather all year round, and diverse cultures.

Top Florida universities include the University of Florida, the University of Miami, and Florida State University. It is also relatively affordable and cost-friendly than other states like California or New York. Cities like Gainesville and Tallahassee are popular student destinations.

Whether you’re into fintech, engineering, healthcare, aerospace, tourism, marine sciences, or research and development, Florida has multiple internships and job opportunities available for you. Both part-time and full-time jobs are available for international students.

Apart from quality education, Florida’s warm climate, sunny beaches, and vibrant nightlife attract students from across the world. Florida’s community is student-friendly and highly supportive of non-native talent.

1. Michigan

Also called the “Great Lake State”, Michigan is home to over 38,000 international students. Most students come from China, India, and South Korea. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are over 100 colleges and universities in the state of  Michigan.

Top universities like the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University are known for academic excellence. Michigan is relatively affordable compared to other U.S. states, especially in cities like Ann Arbor and East Lansing.

Whether you’re interested in business, engineering, automotive, or the tech industry, Michigan offers excellent job opportunities in these sectors for international students. 

Apart from quality education, Michigan has a lot else to offer. International students can also engage in various activities, such as boating, biking, camping, fishing, golfing, and kayaking. Michigan is popular for its lakes, forests, and beautiful snowy winters. It provides a peaceful and relaxing environment for students.

Get Personalised Help From a Counsellor in the United States

Each state in the USA offers unique academic, cultural, and job prospects to international students. Climate, safety, and cost of living also vary from state to state. The choice of state depends on your unique educational and career goals. Top universities in each state offer various programs, which you’d have to research and choose based on your interests.

Choosing a specific U.S. state to apply to as an international student can be a challenging task. CounsellingX has brought you access to 200+ counsellors. Unlike typical admission agencies, we do things differently. Our counsellors are alumni of top US universities you dream of studying in. We take a step-by-step approach to your academic goals and create a customised path to document collection, application, and admission process. You can book a free 15-minute consultation call with a counsellor of your choice and begin your journey of studying in the United States.