American university education stands out from the rest through its unique culture. When students choose to go to America for university, they expect certain teaching methods and a campus lifestyle which has been popularized by movies. However, American degrees are also known for their high tuition, and the process of getting a US visa can be difficult nowadays.

But if you’ve always wanted to go to an American university, don’t let the drawbacks end your dream! There are many American universities abroad which could be the answer to your higher education goals. 

At an American university abroad, you can expect to get a similar experience to what you would have in the US. Each school will still have its own unique flavor and culture, influenced by the country it’s in, but in a way, you get to experience two different educational and cultural systems at once and enjoy a truly multicultural learning experience.

International American universities follow the same curriculum and style of teaching as they would in the US. Undergraduate degrees take four years to complete, and the first two years include required “core” classes for a well-rounded liberal arts education. Students can usually take some time to decide on a major if they’re not sure at first what they want to study, and they can also add a minor in another subject that they’re interested in. 

The teaching method is more personal, with smaller class sizes and more emphasis on critical thinking, projects, and self-expression. Rather than just a few exams every semester, there are more assessments throughout the course. 

Beyond academics, it’s the campus life that appeals to many students. Living in dorms, being in clubs, participating in extracurricular activities and college sport teams - all these make up the US university experience, and the American universities in other countries try to replicate this. 

Some universities have the same high tuition as their parent schools in America, but others are significantly cheaper. So getting an American degree abroad can be much more affordable for international students.

American universities can be found all over the world – from Paris to Shanghai. Some are international branch campuses of US universities which are affiliated with universities in the host country, like Saint-Louis University Madrid, Temple University Japan, and George Mason University Korea. 

Others were founded as independent institutions of higher education with the goal of offering American-style education in other countries. Some examples are The American College of Greece, which is the oldest accredited US college in Europe, The American University of Rome, The American University of Paris, and The American University of Cairo. 

These universities have US accreditation as well as local accreditation. Many, like Richmond University London or Anglo-American University Prague, award degrees which are fully recognized by both the US and the host country, giving graduates an extra advantage.

Did you know that you can even get a degree from a prestigious American university outside of the US? New York University (Abu Dhabi & Shanghai), Duke University (Kunshan, China), and Carnegie Mellon University (Qatar) all have foreign campuses which offer the high quality education and research programs they are known for. Like in the US, these universities are highly selective and the tuition is generally the same as in the US.

If you want a truly global study experience, Schiller International University and Webster University let you study across their various campuses in several countries while getting your degree.

So if an American university is what you want, but being across an ocean seems too far away, explore some of these options. Think beyond the 50 United States and you might find the right American university waiting for you in Madrid, or even Tokyo.