With so many U.S. cities to choose from, countless undergraduate and graduate applicants each year struggle with the geographical aspect of college selection.
Where is the best place for international students to study? QS, the authoritative ranking organization, has released a new list: QS Best Student Cities 2022!
In the U.S., Boston edged out New York as the top student city, ranking 9th globally, while New York failed to crack the top 10, landing at 16th worldwide and 2nd in the U.S.!
Other top-ranked cities include Los Angeles and San Francisco. San Francisco moved up one spot to 24th globally, while Los Angeles slipped from 25th to 31st, ranking fourth in the U.S.
Ranking Indicators
The ranking is based on the following indicators:
1. Rankings of the city's universities in the QS World University Rankings
2. Student population, number of international students, international student ratio, and cultural diversity
3. Student appeal: including safety, air quality, climate, and overall quality of life
4. Employer activity: the popularity of the city among global employers, employment benefits for young people, etc.
Boston
Let's start with Boston, which tops the U.S. list. Boston is undoubtedly one of the world's most renowned academic hubs, with the highest density of universities in the world!
Home to MIT and Harvard, along with other top-tier institutions and brilliant scholars, Boston excels in the university rankings indicator for good reason.
Currently, about 20% of students in Boston are international, drawn from all over the world, creating a vibrant and culturally inclusive atmosphere that scores highly. The city's public transportation is also very convenient.
However, as expected, Boston's shortcoming lies in affordability, i.e., the cost of education. Tuition at these top U.S. universities is at least around $34,800 per year. Yet, elite institutions like Harvard and MIT have various financial aid policies for international students.
Moreover, Boston currently ranks second globally in employer activity, making it an excellent choice for both study and career. Over 500 international employers operate and recruit in Boston, far exceeding other top-ranked cities.
New York
Now, let's talk about New York. For many Chinese students, New York is undoubtedly their dream study destination. Walking its streets, you can feel commerce, culture, music, art, and more woven into every corner of this metropolis.
New York was one of the highest-scoring cities in the 2020 QS World University Rankings, with few cities rivaling its concentration of world-class institutions. Columbia University ranks 18th globally, and NYU closely follows at 39th.
New York is a world leader in nearly every imaginable field. It is not only the financial capital of the U.S. but also one of the world's financial hubs. Wall Street, the dream destination for countless finance professionals, lies in southern Manhattan.
New York also topped the 2022 PayScale list of Best Cities for Employment in the U.S., and in the 2022 World's Best Cities ranking, it surpassed London to claim first place.
So why isn't New York ranked higher in the QS Best Student Cities? A major reason is its low affordability score: high tuition fees, coupled with relatively high overall living costs, make New York one of the world's most expensive study destinations.
San Francisco
Ranked third, San Francisco neighbors the renowned tech innovation hub of Silicon Valley. It is home to Stanford University (ranked 2nd globally) and UC Berkeley (28th), making it one of America's most iconic and visited cities.
Although tuition at elite San Francisco universities is as high as other top U.S. schools, the cost of living is generally lower than in New York.
As one of the world's top 10 financial centers, the San Francisco Bay Area is home to hundreds of innovative companies, especially in tech, including Apple, Facebook, and IBM, making it a dream city for countless STEM students.
As a result, San Francisco frequently ranks among the best U.S. cities for STEM employment, often placing in the top three for STEM job opportunities and STEM-friendly environments.
This also gives San Francisco a high employer activity score, ranking 11th globally. This indicator is based on surveys of local and international employers, asking which cities produce the most talented and employable graduates.
Los Angeles
Finally, let's discuss Los Angeles, home to three universities ranked in the world's top 150: Caltech (CIT), UCLA, and USC.
As the second-largest U.S. city after New York, Los Angeles is the cultural and financial center of Southern California, thriving in commerce, science, fashion, medicine, sports, and technology.
Moreover, as the birthplace of Hollywood, LA is packed with galleries, museums, theaters, and performance venues, often touted as the 'Creative Capital of the World.' This helped Los Angeles score high on student appeal—after all, who hasn't fantasized about bumping into a Hollywood star on its streets?
In this year's ranking, Los Angeles also scored particularly high on employer activity. Data shows strong local employer demand for graduates of UCLA, Caltech, USC, and other top LA universities.
Tips for Fall 2023 College Selection
QS's annual Best Student Cities ranking provides a practical reference for college selection. After all, you'll be living in that city for a year or two, and the local climate, safety, and cultural vibe will affect your academic journey.
Especially for those planning to stay and work in the U.S. after graduation, the city you choose becomes even more crucial, as it directly impacts your job prospects.
School choice also requires careful consideration. Coveted offers from investment banking, consulting, and the Big Four are often closely tied to 'Target Schools'—institutions that top employers prioritize for recruitment and resources.
Target Schools typically have exclusive online application portals, and companies send teams to campus recruitment events. Students can submit resumes through internal school websites and are more likely to secure interviews.
Finally, the choice of major is key. A program that fits you will guide you toward a clear direction.
When narrowing down ideal programs, it's also important to allocate your school tiers wisely. Don't shoot only for reaches or settle solely for safeties. Your selection structure should be an inverted pyramid, ensuring a good chance at each level.
Fall 2023 applications are almost here! Have you started preparing? If you haven't finalized your school list, now's the time to hurry—early preparation and early application are the keys to landing that dream offer~
