Best Courses to Study in USA 2026: Highest-Paying STEM & Non-STEM Fields

Choosing the best course to study in USA in 2026 is the single biggest decision that determines your career, salary, and visa prospects. Indian students studying STEM courses in USA earn $80,000–$150,000 per year after graduation and qualify for 3 years of OPT work authorization. The highest-paying courses include Computer Science ($120K avg), Data Science ($115K), Artificial Intelligence ($130K), Cybersecurity ($105K), and Petroleum Engineering ($140K). But the "best" course isn't always the highest-paying — it's the one that matches your background, career goals, and OPT/H-1B eligibility. This guide from EEC — 27+ years of experience and 50,000+ students placed — ranks every course by salary, demand, and immigration advantage.

Top STEM Courses in USA for Indian Students — Salaries & Demand (2026)

STEM courses dominate the best courses to study in USA for Indian students list because they unlock the 3-year STEM OPT work permit and lead to the highest salaries. Over 75% of Indian students in USA pursue STEM fields, and for good reason — the average STEM salary is 45% higher than non-STEM. Here is every major STEM course ranked by salary and job outlook:

Computer Science remains the undisputed #1 choice for Indian students. An MS in Computer Science from USA leads to average starting salaries of $120,000/year, with top performers at FAANG companies earning $150,000–$200,000 including stock options. Data Science and AI/ML are the fastest-growing fields, with job openings projected to increase 36% and 23% respectively through 2034. Cybersecurity is another high-demand field — with over 700,000 unfilled positions in USA, graduates are practically guaranteed employment.

Best Non-STEM Courses in USA for Indian Students (2026)

Not every Indian student wants (or should pursue) a STEM degree. Non-STEM courses like MBA, Economics, Public Health, and Architecture also offer strong career prospects in USA — though with standard 12-month OPT instead of 3 years. Here are the best non-STEM courses in USA:

*Many MBA programs now offer STEM-designated concentrations (Business Analytics, Finance with Quantitative focus, Technology Management) that qualify for 3-year STEM OPT. If you're pursuing an MBA, always check whether the program has a STEM CIP code. Universities like NYU Stern, MIT Sloan, Duke Fuqua, and UT Dallas offer STEM-designated MBA tracks. This is a game-changer for Indian students who want both business education and extended work authorization.

Complete List of Courses with 3-Year OPT (STEM OPT Eligible)

The courses with 3-year OPT in USA are those classified under STEM CIP codes by the Department of Homeland Security. This is the single most important factor for Indian students planning to work in USA after graduation. Here is the comprehensive list of STEM OPT eligible fields:

The DHS expanded the STEM OPT eligible list in 2022 to include 22 new fields, bringing the total to 400+ CIP codes. Notably, Business Analytics (CIP 30.7101), Data Analytics (CIP 30.7001), and Financial Analytics are now STEM-eligible — meaning Indian students studying these "business" courses get the same 3-year OPT as Computer Science students. Always verify the specific CIP code of your program on SEVP's official list before enrolling. For more details, read our complete OPT, STEM OPT & H-1B guide.

All Courses Ranked by Median Salary — Complete 2026 Table

Here is every popular course for Indian students ranked by median salary after graduation in USA, from highest to lowest:

The salary gap between STEM and non-STEM is significant — the top-5 STEM courses all earn $100,000+ (₹83 Lakhs+), while non-STEM courses average $62,000–$78,000. However, salary alone shouldn't drive your decision. Consider the total cost of studying in USA, job market demand, your aptitude, and long-term career trajectory. A student who loves Public Health will perform better and advance faster in that field than someone who chose Computer Science purely for the salary.

“I almost chose CS because everyone said it pays the most. EEC\u2019s counsellor helped me realise my strength was in Data Analytics — I got into Georgia Tech, landed a job at Deloitte at $105K, and now lead a team. Best decision I ever made.”

— Sneha R., MS Business Analytics, Georgia Tech

Best Courses in USA After 12th — By Stream (Science, Commerce, Arts)

For Indian students going to USA after 12th, the course you choose should align with your 11th-12th stream. Here are the best options by stream:

After 12th Science (PCM/PCB)

Science students have the widest options for best courses in USA after 12th. PCM students should target Engineering, Computer Science, or Mathematics. PCB students can pursue Pre-Med, Biomedical Sciences, or Biotechnology. All STEM bachelor's degrees qualify for 3-year OPT after graduation.

After 12th Commerce

Commerce students often overlook USA, but fields like Business Analytics (STEM-designated), Accounting, Finance, and Economics offer excellent career prospects. The smartest move for Commerce students is choosing a STEM-designated Business program for 3-year OPT.

After 12th Arts / Humanities

Arts students can pursue Psychology, Communications, Political Science, or Liberal Arts in USA. While salaries are lower than STEM, USA offers unmatched opportunities in media, public policy, international relations, and creative industries. Many arts graduates transition into tech-adjacent roles (UX Design, Content Strategy, Product Management) that pay $70K–$100K.

Best MS Programs in USA — University Recommendations by Subject

For graduate students, choosing the right MS program in USA is about matching your profile to universities where you have a realistic chance of admission AND strong career outcomes. Here are EEC's expert-curated recommendations:

MS Computer Science — Tiered Recommendations

Dream (GPA 9+, GRE 330+): MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley.
Target (GPA 7.5–9, GRE 315–330): Georgia Tech, UIUC, Purdue, UT Austin, UMich.
Safe (GPA 6.5–7.5, GRE optional): ASU, UT Dallas, SUNY Buffalo, University of South Florida, University of Dayton.

MS Data Science / AI — Tiered Recommendations

Dream: Stanford, CMU, MIT, Columbia.
Target: NYU, Georgia Tech, University of Washington, UT Austin.
Safe: Indiana University Bloomington, ASU, Northeastern, Stevens Institute.

MS Electrical Engineering — Tiered Recommendations

Dream: MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Caltech.
Target: Purdue, Georgia Tech, UIUC, Texas A&M.
Safe: UT Dallas, University of North Dakota, Wichita State, SUNY Buffalo.

Emerging Fields to Study in USA in 2026 — Future-Proof Your Career

Beyond traditional courses, several emerging fields in USA offer massive growth potential for Indian students who want to be ahead of the curve. These fields are new enough that competition is lower, but demand is skyrocketing:

1. Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is projected to be a $450 billion industry by 2035. Universities like MIT, Caltech, UChicago, and University of Maryland offer specialised quantum computing programs. Graduates earn $120K–$160K at companies like IBM, Google Quantum AI, Microsoft, and D-Wave. This field requires a strong Physics or Mathematics background and is ideal for students with a B.Tech in ECE or Physics honours.

2. Green Energy & Sustainability Engineering

The US Inflation Reduction Act has pumped $370 billion into clean energy, creating thousands of jobs in solar, wind, battery technology, and carbon capture. Programs in Environmental Engineering, Renewable Energy Systems, and Sustainability Science are booming. Starting salaries range from $70K–$100K, with rapid growth as the green transition accelerates.

3. Health Informatics

Health Informatics combines healthcare with IT — designing electronic health records, medical AI systems, and telehealth platforms. It's STEM-designated at most universities (3-year OPT) and pays $80K–$110K. Ideal for students with a background in IT, Computer Science, or healthcare. Top programs: Stanford, Columbia, Indiana University, University of Michigan.

4. Space Technology & Aerospace

With SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA, and 100+ space startups, the US space industry is hiring aggressively. MS in Aerospace Engineering or Space Systems graduates earn $85K–$130K. Note: some aerospace roles require US citizenship or permanent residency for security clearance, so focus on commercial space companies and satellite technology, which hire international graduates on OPT and H-1B.

How to Choose the Right Course — A Decision Framework

With so many options, how do you choose the best course to study in USA for your specific situation? Use this 5-step decision framework:

The best course to study in USA for Indian students in 2026 is ultimately the one where your background, interests, and career goals intersect with strong job market demand and immigration-friendly policies. STEM courses dominate because they deliver the highest salaries AND 3-year OPT, but non-STEM courses like MBA and Economics also offer excellent careers — especially with the right university and specialisation. Don't make this decision alone. Book a free consultation with EEC and let our USA specialists — who have guided 50,000+ Indian students since 1997 — help you find the perfect course, university, and career pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Courses in USA