by Interstride
If you are interested in studying STEM, it’s important as an international student to consider which institutions will best support you in securing employment related to your degree post-graduation. This ranking will help you identify the top US universities and colleges with the most international alumni that are employed through the STEM OPT program.
International graduates with a STEM degree can extend their one-year eligibility to work (under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program) by an additional two years. This means, as an international student studying STEM, you can work up to a total of three years in the US after graduation while still on a student visa. Meanwhile, non-STEM majors are only eligible to work for one year before they have to secure another temporary visa (i.e., H-1B visa).
A school with a high number of alumni employed on STEM OPT may indicate a student population that shares similar interests in STEM fields, and may offer a rich network of peers, alumni, and employers to support you in career success. If your goal is to remain in the US after graduation and maximize your employment opportunities, consider studying STEM.
Top 10 US schools with the most international students employed on STEM OPT
- Northeastern University
- University of Texas at Dallas
- New York University
- University of Southern California
- Columbia University
- University of Texas at Arlington
- Arizona State University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- University of California, Berkeley
Get the full list of rankings
Create a free account now to see the complete list of the top 100 US universities with the most international students on STEM OPT. With an account, you can also access more rankings of the top 100 US schools with the most international students, international staff and faculty, international students employed on OPT, and international alumni receiving green cards through US employers.
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About the rankings
Interstride’s University Rankings show the top 170+ universities in the US based on international student outcomes: employability. As an international student, you are making an important investment in your education. Choosing the right program and institution that fits who you are and your goals are key. What comes after your studies is especially important: career outcomes. We’re here to help you identify universities that are supporting international students like you to achieve your dreams in the U.S.
How we created this ranking
Data for Interstride’s 2022-2023 University Rankings for International Students come from 2021 records from the following sources:
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- US Department of Education (DOE)
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Visit our methodology page for more detailed information about how we created these rankings.
