Global / International
A student guide to colleges and universities with a global focus, including study-abroad programs, international campuses, and U.S. schools that recruit internationally.
For students open to institutions and programs beyond a single U.S. region - or beyond the U.S. entirely.
Not every student's college search is bound to one part of the country - or even one country. This guide is for students who are open to institutions with a global focus: schools with strong study-abroad pipelines, international student populations, globally-oriented programs, or campuses and partnerships outside the U.S. This guide covers what to look for in a globally focused school and how to research your options.
What You'll Find in This Track
Globally focused schools include institutions known for international programs, exchange partnerships, and globally-minded curricula, across every area of interest - from education and health sciences to fine arts, business, and culinary arts. Looking globally means U.S. students can discover programs and institutions they might not encounter through a typical regional search, and international students can find U.S. institutions actively looking to recruit from abroad.
Researching Global and International Programs
- Ask how study abroad actually works. Find out what share of students study abroad, whether credits transfer automatically, and whether financial aid follows you overseas.
- Look for exchange partnerships. Direct exchange agreements often let you pay your home school's tuition while studying at a partner university abroad.
- International students: check support services. Ask about international student advising, visa support, English language programs, and scholarships open to non-U.S. citizens.
- Consider degrees abroad. Universities in many countries offer full degree programs taught in English, sometimes in three years and at lower tuition than in the U.S.
Who This Guide Is For
Students who are open to institutions beyond a single U.S. region, interested in study-abroad opportunities, or considering international schools.
International students considering U.S. institutions, and U.S. students considering international ones, will both find these questions useful when comparing schools.
Counselors and teachers working with students who haven't settled on a region, or who are specifically interested in global programs, can use this guide to broaden the search beyond the four standard U.S. regions.
Next Steps
Our 2026-2027 fairs have been cancelled, but we are working on a new way to connect students with colleges. Get notified and we will let you know as soon as we have news.
Looking for a specific U.S. region instead? Browse by region or by area of interest.