Top 10 U.S. Universities with the Highest ROI for International Students in 2026

Investing lakhs of money and expecting a good return is something that everyone expects. Many students explore and research different countries to get the highest return on investment (ROI). We also conducted the same research and created a list of 10 US universities that provide the highest ROI. Students can expect around USD 65,000 to USD 75,000 income within 3-5 years. This makes studying in the U.S. not just an academic decision but a long-term financial strategy.

QS World Rankings 2026 of Top 10 US Universities

Before starting off with numbers, let’s first know the ranking of the universities. These rankings will provide you with an idea these universities stand on the global level. 

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How do These US Universities Impact You?

Many students often debate that these days, skills matter rather than a degree. But university and skills affect personality and even shape your entire career trajectory. Here's how: 

Higher Earning Potential:

Top universities expose you to better individuals, provide good opportunities and experiences. It even helps you get a good starting salary and long-term earning potential.

Stronger Professional Networks:

Top universities motivate you to participate in workshops, alumni networks, internships, and career fairs, helping students connect with global employers.

Real-World Learning:

Universities organize co-ops, research internships, and fieldwork to make graduates industry-ready, thus increasing their employability.

Global Recognition:

A US degree is recognized worldwide, giving students a competitive edge in international job markets.

Innovative Campus Environments:

Access to state-of-the-art labs, start-up incubators, and cutting-edge research prepares students for leadership roles in technology, healthcare, and more.

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Top 10 US Universities Providing Better ROI

We have done the research and interviewed the alumni to uncover the reality. Thus, made this list, which covers most of the parts that you require while making a decision. 

1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA):

UCLA offers a vibrant campus in Los Angeles, making it a hotspot for students interested in tech, film, and entrepreneurship.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 62,000

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  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 15,411 (in-state), USD 49,119 (out-of-state/international)
  • 
    Graduate: USD 13,883 to USD 28,883 (in-state), USD 29,185 to USD 44,185 (out-of-state/international)

   
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  Popular Streams: Engineering, Film, Computer Science, Life Sciences

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  Benefit: Excellent networking and internship opportunities, close to Silicon Beach and Hollywood.

2. Johns Hopkins University:

Known for its pro-research labs, Johns Hopkins leads in medicine, public health, and engineering.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 73,000

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  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 68,300
  • 
    Graduate: USD 65,000 to USD 70,000 (varies by program)

   
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  Popular Streams: Medicine, Public Health, Biomedical Engineering

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  Benefits: Access to USD 2.5 billion in research funding, perfect for aspiring scientists and healthcare professionals.

3. Rice University:

Rice is a small, prestigious university located in Houston, Texas, offering close faculty mentorship and a collaborative student environment.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 70,000

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  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 62,874
  • 
    Graduate: USD 55,000 to USD 65,000

   
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  Popular Streams: Engineering, Physics, Energy Studies, Business

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  Benefits: Close to Houston’s Energy Corridor and Texas Medical Center, providing easy access to internships.

4. Northeastern University:

Northeastern is globally recognized for its co-op program, where students gain paid work experience before graduating.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 67,000

• 
  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 65,503
  • 
    Graduate: USD 30,000 to USD 60,000

   
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  Popular Courses: Computer Science, Business Analytics, Cybersecurity

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  Benefits: Students complete up to 18 months of paid internships through the co-op system.

5. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor:

The University of Michigan is one of the top Public Ivy schools and a favorite among recruiters for its well-rounded programs.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 74,400

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  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 16,178 (in-state), USD 57,740 (out-of-state/international)
  • 
    Graduate: USD 29,000 (in-state), USD 62,000 (out-of-state/international)

   
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  Popular Courses: Business, Engineering, Medicine

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  Benefit: A large alumni network across Fortune 500 companies and top graduate schools worldwide.

6. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC):

UNC is a Public Ivy known for its liberal arts education and public health programs.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 59,000

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  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 8,998 (in-state), USD 39,338 (out-of-state/international)
  • 
    Graduate: USD 12,000 (in-state), USD 30,000 (out-of-state/international)

   
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  Popular Courses: Public Health, Journalism, Liberal Arts

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  Benefits: Access to the Research Triangle, home to major biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

7. New York University (NYU):

NYU is a top choice for students looking to work in finance, media, or the arts, located right in New York City.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 65,000

• 
  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 66,388
  • 
    Graduate: USD 40,000 to USD 70,000

   
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  Popular Streams: Business, Arts, Media, Computer Science

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  Benefits: Proximity to Wall Street, Broadway, and global media hubs makes NYU a networking powerhouse.

8. University of Texas, Austin (UT Austin):

UT Austin combines academic excellence with an affordable cost, especially for Texas residents.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 68,000

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  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 11,678 (in-state), USD 41,070 (out-of-state/international)
  • 
    Graduate: USD 12,000 (in-state), USD 22,000 to USD 30,000 (out-of-state/international)

   
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  Popular Streams: Engineering, Business, Computer Science

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  Benefits: Located in Austin, a tech hub, with many students landing jobs at Apple, Google, Tesla, and Dell.

9. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC):

UIUC is a leader in STEM education, especially engineering and computer science.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 66,500

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  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 17,640 (in-state), USD 36,760 (out-of-state/international)
  • 
    Graduate: USD 14,000 (in-state), USD 30,000 (out-of-state/international)

   

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  Popular Streams: Engineering, Computer Science, Business

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  Benefits: Known as the birthplace of the modern web browser and a pipeline to Silicon Valley.

10. University of Wisconsin–Madison:

UW–Madison is famous for its research programs, social sciences, and liberal arts education.

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  Average Salary (10 years post-graduation): USD 62,000

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  Tuition Fees:

  • 
    Undergraduate: USD 11,216 (in-state), USD 40,612 (out-of-state/international)
  • 
    Graduate: USD 12,000 (in-state), USD 25,000 (out-of-state/international)

   

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  Popular Streams: Sciences, Social Sciences, Political Science

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  Benefits: A beautiful lakeside campus combined with world-class research makes Madison a well-rounded student experience.

Quick Comparison: Tuition, Courses & ROI

Conclusion

Sometimes QS World Ranking isn't relevant to our future goals; however, if you are planning to study in the US, then you can consider these 10 universities. These universities are a blend of world-class education, career readiness, and high ROI. If you have doubts, then you can ask them of the old alumni, just sign up on the GD Connect. However, if your concern is the tuition fees, then head towards our Check Your Eligibility.

Whether your goal is to enter Silicon Valley, Wall Street, Hollywood, or public service, these schools provide the education, networks, and support systems needed to succeed globally.

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