Top U.S. Universities Offering the Best Career Prospects and Green Card Opportunities for International Students

A recent ranking highlights the U.S. universities providing the most favorable career outcomes and green card prospects for international students, focusing on key metrics like tuition costs, salaries, and permanent labor certification rates. Released by F1 Hire, a data analytics company specializing in employment outcomes for international talent, the F1 Hire Career Outcome University Ranking assesses which institutions offer the best return on investment for overseas students.

According to F1 Hire, the ranking is designed to “provide an objective benchmark of return on investment in university choices, allowing international students to better understand the financial and career outcomes linked to their education.” The company evaluated 275 U.S. universities, relying on four core criteria: average salary post-graduation, salary-to-tuition ratio, the ratio of international students who apply for permanent residency (PERM), and the total number of PERM applicants. These factors were used to determine the green card approval rates and return on investment, offering a unique perspective on how well universities prepare international students for long-term success in the U.S.

The top institutions based on these criteria are San Jose State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, Princeton University, and Central Michigan University. Central Michigan University’s fifth-place position was a standout, as it typically ranks lower in conventional U.S. News and World Report rankings. However, the university’s strong green card approval rate has propelled it into the top five for international students seeking job stability and residency in the U.S.

California leads as the state with the most universities listed in the top 25, thanks to its Silicon Valley economy and high-tech industry opportunities. Three public universities and two University of California campuses, alongside three private institutions, place California as an attractive region for international students aiming for high salaries and strong career outcomes.

Among the prestigious Ivy League schools, seven of the eight made it into the top 25 of F1 Hire’s ranking. These include Princeton University at fourth place, Harvard University at ninth, Cornell University at 16th, University of Pennsylvania at 19th, Dartmouth College at 20th, Columbia University at 21st, and Yale University at 23rd. The high rankings of these Ivy League institutions are attributed to their elevated average salaries, selective admissions, and extensive resources, which contribute to their strong employment outcomes for international graduates.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the top 10 universities, their scores, and annual tuition costs for international students:

F1 Hire, which launched this ranking in 2023, includes only institutions with a minimum of 500 international students, aiming to reflect the schools that have the capacity and resources to support significant numbers of international enrollees. “As consumers of education services, international families deserve an objective benchmark before making expensive decisions about studying in the U.S.,” explained F1 Hire CEO Andrew Chen, in an interview with The PIE News.

Chen further remarked on the importance of including lesser-known universities that aren’t often recognized for their career outcomes, particularly for international students. “Many lesser-known, non-AAU universities consistently achieve positive career outcomes and deserve recognition,” he noted. This includes institutions such as Northern Illinois University, which has an incoming student GPA average of 3.4 out of 4, and Central Michigan University, which admits students with SAT scores ranging from 960 to 1210 and an average GPA of 3.5. These universities are ranked 273rd and 259th respectively in U.S. News among public universities, yet they stand out in this ranking due to their focus on career and residency outcomes.

The U.S. remains the world’s most popular study destination for international students, hosting over one million students from more than 200 countries and territories. In this global context, the U.S. continues to attract students, including approximately 21,900 from Vietnam, positioning Vietnam as the fifth-largest contributor to international student enrollment in the United States.

U.S. universities, however, come with high costs. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the average annual expense—including tuition and living costs—ranges from $11,000 to $43,000 according to U.S. News data.