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Understanding the American Education System

The American education system offers a rich field of choices for international students. There is such an array of schools, programs and locations that the choices may overwhelm students, even those from the U.S. As you begin your school search, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the American education system. Understanding the system will help you narrow your choices and develop your education plan.

The Educational Structure

Primary and secondary school.

Prior to higher education, American students attend primary and secondary school for a combined total of 12 years. These years are referred to as the first through twelfth grades.

Around age six, U.S. children begin primary school, which is most commonly called “elementary school.” They attend five or six years and then go onto secondary school.

Secondary school consists of two programs: the first is “middle school” or “junior high school” and the second program is “high school.” A diploma or certificate is awarded upon graduation from high school. After graduating high school (12th grade), U.S. students may go on to college or university. College or university study is known as “higher education.”

Grading System

Just like American students, you will have to submit your academic transcripts as part of your application for admission to university or college. Academic transcripts are official copies of your academic work. In the U.S. this includes your “grades” and “grade point average” (GPA), which are measurements of your academic achievement. Courses are commonly graded using percentages, which are converted into letter grades.

The grading system and GPA in the U.S. can be confusing, especially for international students. The interpretation of grades has a lot of variation. For example, two students who attended different schools both submit their transcripts to the same university. They both have 3.5 GPAs, but one student attended an average high school, while the other attended a prestigious school that was academically challenging. The university might interpret their GPAs differently because the two schools have dramatically different standards.

Therefore, there are some crucial things to keep in mind:

You should find out the U.S. equivalent of the last level of education you completed in your home country.
Pay close attention to the admission requirements of each university and college, as well as individual degree programs, which may have different requirements than the university.
Regularly meet with an educational advisor or guidance counselor to make sure you are meeting the requirements.

Your educational advisor or guidance counselor will be able to advise you on whether or not you must spend an extra year or two preparing for U.S. university admission. If an international student entered a U.S. university or college prior to being eligible to attend university in their own country, some countries’ governments and employers may not recognize the students’ U.S. education.

Academic Year

The school calendar usually begins in August or September and continues through May or June. The majority of new students begin in autumn, so it is a good idea for international students to also begin their U.S. university studies at this time. There is a lot of excitement at the beginning of the school year and students form many great friendships during this time, as they are all adjusting to a new phase of academic life. Additionally, many courses are designed for students to take them in sequence, starting in autumn and continuing through the year.

The academic year at many schools is composed of two terms called “semesters.” (Some schools use a three-term calendar known as the “trimester” system.) Still, others further divide the year into the quarter system of four terms, including an optional summer session. Basically, if you exclude the summer session, the academic year is either comprised of two semesters or three quarter terms.

The U.S. Higher Education System: Levels of Study

First Level: Undergraduate

"The American system is much more open. In Hong Kong you just learn what the teacher writes on the board. In America, you discuss the issues and focus more on ideas."

Paolo Kwan from Hong Kong: Studying English and Business Administration at Sierra College in California

A student who is attending a college or university and has not earned a bachelor’s degree, is studying at the undergraduate level. It typically takes about four years to earn a bachelor’s degree. You can either begin your studies in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree at a community college or a four-year university or college.

Your first two years of study you will generally be required to take a wide variety of classes in different subjects, commonly known as prerequisite courses: literature, science, the social sciences, the arts, history, and so forth. This is so you achieve a general knowledge, a foundation, of a variety of subjects prior to focusing on a specific field of study.

Many students choose to study at a community college in order to complete the first two years of prerequisite courses. They will earn an Associate of Arts (AA) transfer degree and then transfer to a four-year university or college.

A “major” is the specific field of study in which your degree is focused. For example, if someone’s major is journalism, they will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. You will be required to take a certain number of courses in this field in order to meet the degree requirements of your major. You must choose your major at the beginning of your third year of school.

A very unique characteristic of the American higher education system is that you can change your major multiple times if you choose. It is extremely common for American students to switch majors at some point in their undergraduate studies. Often, students discover a different field that they excel in or enjoy. The American education system is very flexible. Keep in mind though that switching majors may result in more courses, which means more time and money.

Second Level: Graduate in Pursuit of a Master’s Degree

Presently, a college or university graduate with a bachelor’s degree may want to seriously think about graduate study in order to enter certain professions or advance their career. This degree is usually mandatory for higher-level positions in library science, engineering, behavioral health and education.

Furthermore, international students from some countries are only permitted to study abroad at a graduate level. You should inquire about the credentials needed to get a job in your country before you apply to a postgraduate university in the USA.

A graduate program is usually a division of a university or college. To gain admission, you will need to take the GRE (graduate record examination). Certain master’s programs require specific tests, such as the LSAT for law school, the GRE or GMAT for business school, and the MCAT for medical school.

Graduate programs in pursuit of a master’s degree typically take one to two years to complete. For example, the MBA (master of business administration) is an extremely popular degree program that takes about two years. Other master’s programs, such as journalism, only take one year.

The majority of a master’s program is spent in classroom study and a graduate student must prepare a long research paper called a “master’s thesis” or complete a “master’s project.”

Third Level: Graduate in Pursuit of a Doctorate Degree

Many graduate schools consider the attainment of a master’s degree the first step towards earning a PhD (doctorate). But at other schools, students may prepare directly for a doctorate without also earning a master’s degree. It may take three years or more to earn a PhD degree. For international students, it may take as long as five or six years.

For the first two years of the program most doctoral candidates enroll in classes and seminars. At least another year is spent conducting firsthand research and writing a thesis or dissertation. This paper must contain views, designs, or research that have not been previously published.

A doctoral dissertation is a discussion and summary of the current scholarship on a given topic. Most U.S. universities awarding doctorates also require their candidates to have a reading knowledge of two foreign languages, to spend a required length of time “in residence,” to pass a qualifying examination that officially admits candidates to the PhD program, and to pass an oral examination on the same topic as the dissertation.

Characteristics of the U.S. Higher Education System

Classroom Environment

Classes range from large lectures with several hundred students to smaller classes and seminars (discussion classes) with only a few students. The American university classroom atmosphere is very dynamic. You will be expected to share your opinion, argue your point, participate in class discussions and give presentations. International students find this one of the most surprising aspects of the American education system.

Each week professors usually assign textbook and other readings. You will be expected to keep up-to-date with the required readings and homework so you can participate in class discussions and understand the lectures. Certain degree programs also require students to spend time in the laboratory.

Professors issue grades for each student enrolled in the course. Grades are usually based upon:

Each professor will have a unique set of class participation requirements, but students are expected to participate in class discussions, especially in seminar classes. This is often a very important factor in determining a student’s grade.
A midterm examination is usually given during class time.
One or more research or term papers , or laboratory reports must be submitted for evaluation.
Possible short exams or quizzes are given. Sometimes professors will give an unannounced “pop quiz.” This doesn’t count heavily toward the grade, but is intended to inspire students to keep up with their assignments and attendance.
A final examination will be held after the final class meeting.

Each course is worth a certain number of credits or credit hours. This number is roughly the same as the number of hours a student spends in class for that course each week. A course is typically worth three to five credits.

A full-time program at most schools is 12 or 15 credit hours (four or five courses per term) and a certain number of credits must be fulfilled in order to graduate. International students are expected to enroll in a full-time program during each term.

If a student enrolls at a new university before finishing a degree, generally most credits earned at the first school can be used to complete a degree at the new university. This means a student can transfer to another university and still graduate within a reasonable time.

Types of U.S. higher education

Xujie Zhao from China: Studying Computer Networking at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston

1. State College or University

A state school is supported and run by a state or local government. Each of the 50 U.S. states operates at least one state university and possibly several state colleges. Many of these public universities schools have the name of the state, or the actual word “State” in their names: for example, Washington State University and the University of Michigan.

2. Private College or University

These schools are privately run as opposed to being run by a branch of the government. Tuition will usually be higher than state schools. Often, private U.S. universities and colleges are smaller in size than state schools.

Religiously affiliated universities and colleges are private schools. Nearly all these schools welcome students of all religions and beliefs. Yet, there are a percentage of schools that prefer to admit students who hold similar religious beliefs as those in which the school was founded.

3. Community College

Community colleges are two-year colleges that award an associate’s degrees (transferable), as well as certifications. There are many types of associate degrees, but the most important distinguishing factor is whether or not the degree is transferable. Usually, there will be two primary degree tracks: one for academic transfer and the other prepares students to enter the workforce straightaway. University transfer degrees are generally associate of arts or associate of science. Not likely to be transferrable are the associate of applied science degrees and certificates of completion.

Community college graduates most commonly transfer to four-year colleges or universities to complete their degree. Because they can transfer the credits they earned while attending community college, they can complete their bachelor’s degree program in two or more additional years. Many also offer ESL or intensive English language programs, which will prepare students for university-level courses.

If you do not plan to earn a higher degree than the associate’s, you should find out if an associate’s degree will qualify you for a job in your home country.

4. Institute of Technology

An institute of technology is a school that provides at least four years of study in science and technology. Some have graduate programs, while others offer short-term courses.

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The U.S. Educational System

One of the most attractive features of the U.S. higher education system is the flexibility it provides through the number and diversity of institution types it encompasses.

This diversity offers students options to specialize in a variety of academic disciplines and even gain employment training.

Nearly 4,000 accredited institutions make up U.S. higher education in the United States. Unlike many countries, U.S. higher education institutions are not centrally organized or managed, but are accredited on a national or regional level by independent accrediting bodies.

A variety of institution types offer higher-education degrees. Liberal arts institutions, for example, offer courses in the arts, humanities, languages, and social and physical sciences. The majority of liberal arts institutions are private. Private colleges and universities are funded by a combination of endowments, gifts from alumni, research grants, and tuition fees. Private colleges and universities are usually smaller than public institutions and can have a religious affiliation or be single-sex schools.

Not sure what certain U.S. higher education words mean? Click here for definitions.

Minority serving institutions (MSIs) are colleges and universities that are accredited and serve minority populations. See the links below for additional information about the different types of MSIs in the United States.

Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-serving Institutions
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Hispanic-serving Institutions
Tribal Colleges and Universities

Community colleges are another option and provide two-year associate degree programs to prepare students to continue studies for an undergraduate degree or help them gain occupational skills for immediate employment. State colleges and universities, also called "public universities," were founded and subsidized by U.S. state governments to provide a low-cost education to residents of that state. Public universities generally offer access to research opportunities and classes in a wide variety of fields of study. These universities tend to be very large and generally admit a wider range of students than private universities. Each student's interests will guide his/her choice among the many possibilities.

Regardless of the institution type, in the United States, students typically earn credits for courses they take and these credits count towards the completion of a program. Courses are often divided into "core" subject areas to provide the foundation of the degree program and "major" courses to provide specialization in a subject area. Students can also take "elective" courses to explore other topics of interest for a well-rounded educational experience.

The U.S. academic calendar typically runs from September to May and can be divided into two academic terms of 16-18 weeks known as semesters. Alternatively, some schools may operate on a quarter or trimester system of multiple terms of 10-12 weeks.

With the variety of available U.S. higher education options, students are sure to find the right fit for their academic, financial, and personal needs.

More questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.

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Eighth-grade math and reading proficiency fell between 2019 and 2022 to the lowest rates in at least 15 years..

The share of eighth graders at or above a proficient reading level dropped from 34% to 31%. For math, it dropped from 34% to 26%.

The public-school student-teacher ratio dropped from 15.9 in fall 2019 to 15.4 in fall 2020 and remained unchanged in 2021.

This is partly due to declining school enrollment during the pandemic . Several factors affect the student-teacher ratio, including class sizes, the number of classes educators teach, and the number of special education teachers.

Public schools spent an average of $16,280 per student in the 2020–2021 school year, more than any previous year after adjusting for inflation.

This was up 3.5% from the previous school year, the largest single-year increase since 1988-1989. Expenditures in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 included funds allocated through pandemic relief legislation such as the CARES Act . Many factors influence per-pupil spending, including salaries, benefits, and supplies across functions such as instruction, administration, and operations and maintenance.

Of the students who started high school in 2011, 24% completed a four-year college degree by 2021. Another 13% had enrolled in a four-year college within one year of high school graduation but had not completed their degree.

Among Black and Hispanic students who entered high school in 2011, the percentage who earned a four-year degree by 2021 was lower than the overall student rate — less than 15% for either group.

The median student loan balance per household decreased between 2019 and 2022, but it dropped most for Black-led households, falling 25% to $27,070 in 2022.

However, prior to 2022, it had been increasing faster for Black-led households than households overall. Black-led household student loan balances rose 66% between 2010 and 2019, compared to 41% for all families.

Forty-eight percent of the population ages 25 and older has a college degree.

Asian Americans have the nation’s highest levels of education; as of 2022, two-thirds had at least an associate degree.

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On average, people whose highest level of education is a bachelor’s degree earned $1,493 per week in 2023, roughly 66% more than workers with a high school diploma.

Earnings for workers with some college or an associate degree have fallen since 2000, while increasing for all other educational attainment categories. Earnings for people without a high school diploma are up most, $708 per week (up 11%), but remain $462 per week (39%), lower than overall median earnings.

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US Education System

US education system is quite similar to that in other countries. It consists of three main stages: primary education (kindergarten and elementary school), secondary education (middle school and high school), and further education (tertiary or higher education).

Compulsory education in the country includes elementary school, middle school, and high school education. It is for children from the age of 5 to the age of 18. The first year of compulsory education is associated with the elementary school, also known in the US as primary school, grade school or grammar school. Elementary education is followed by secondary education. The secondary school in the US is often divided into junior high school (middle school) and senior high school (high school).

Post-secondary education in the US, represented by tertiary education and higher education sectors, is optional. The post-secondary education sector in the US offers a wide range of programs, including non-degree programs that lead to certificates and diplomas and associate, bachelor, first professional, master, advanced intermediate, and research doctorate degrees.

Primary School

Primary education in the US is for children from the age of 5. Its first stage is associated with attending a kindergarten. Elementary school includes grades from K to 6. After elementary school, students have to attend middle or junior high school. Most of the elementary schools in the US are coeducational, which means that classes are mixed boys and girls.

The curriculum of elementary school varies depending on the organization, educational aims of individual schools and local communities. To pass from one grade to another, a student in the US has to gain specified skills. It means that the promotion is based on student’s achievements. Most of the US schools today use testing as a mean of determining whether a child is ready to move to the next grade. There are some exceptional cases when a student is required to repeat a year.

The main aim of the primary education in the US is to provide a child with instruction in the fundamental skills, including reading, writing, mathematics, social studies such as history and geography, crafts, music, science, art and physical education. The last few years of elementary school also include learning foreign languages. Nevertheless, there are some schools and districts where foreign language classes start at the high school only.

Each student of the elementary school in the US is given some homework. It is worth to mention that the amount of homework in the US is much lower in comparison to many other countries. Nevertheless, the amount of homework increases with higher grades.

Successful students of elementary schools in the US can take part in Gifted Education Programs created for those who do not see regular curriculum as challenging.

Secondary School

Depending on a district, secondary school students can attend a middle school until grade 8 before transferring to a senior high school to study until grade 12, or attend a combined junior-senior high school. The same to primary school sector, secondary education in the US is coeducational. It is worth to mention that in comparison to most high schools in the world, high schools in the US are quite larger. Regional high schools in the country often have a population of over 2000 students.

Secondary school curriculum generally includes learning such subjects as English, mathematics, general science, health, physical education and social studies or social sciences. In some high schools, students are tracked for academic subjects and the most successful students have an opportunity to take enriched classes in several academic subjects. Such notion is known as the ‘fast track’. It is interesting to know that the best students can also take some college level classes available at the last two years of high school.

In addition to mandatory subjects mentioned before, each student can choose some optional subjects known as ‘electives’. Those ‘electives’ supplement student’s future education and career plans. For example, students who have plans to go on to college or university elect courses with an emphasis on academic sciences, higher mathematics, advanced English literature, composition, social sciences and foreign languages. Generally, secondary schools offer a wide range of subjects from which students can choose a program which will lead to college or university entrance, as well as a career in business or industry.

Each student in the US receives a high school diploma after the successful completion of the 12th grade. It is worth to mention that the process of graduation is associated with all stages of compulsory education, including even pre-school education. Starting from high school, graduation is associated with ceremonies that celebrate the new stage of student’s life with caps, gowns, diplomas, and speeches by staff and students. Such ceremonies are known in the US as ‘commencements’. Americans are very enthusiastic about life-cycle events and that is why commencements usually mean great celebrations. Nearly every student of American school dreams to be chosen as the ‘valedictorian’. It is considered as an honor for students to give the valedictorian oration or farewell speech at the graduation ceremony.

Post-Secondary Education

After a student completes 12 years of elementary and secondary education, it is possible to go directly to work or to continue the study. All those who want to continue their study have to receive high school diploma or to pass General Education Development tests (GED).

The higher education sector in the USA is represented by such educational institutions as four-year colleges, universities, community colleges, professional institutes, and performing and visual arts schools. It is important to know that post-secondary educational institutions in the US differ from their overseas counterparts in a number of ways. The most notable difference is represented by the grading system. The higher education sector in the US offers an enormous diversity of subjects, programs, and college degree levels.

There are four-year colleges where students can get a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts studies, as well as there are universities which offer the same programs. Both four-year colleges and universities also offer undergraduate programs. Big universities offer undergraduate programs specialized majors, such as business, science, technology, engineering, math, pre-med, fine arts, and design. Degrees and graduate programs in these and other majors are also available in universities. There is also a chance to get a combined bachelor/master degree offered by big universities. While normally the completion of such programs takes six or eight years, combined programs last for five years. Such programs are available in the fields of teaching, law, medicine, and business.

There are also post-secondary institutions in the US that do not grant bachelor’s degrees. These are two-year community colleges and specialized professional institutes.

Specialized professional institutes offer training courses in such fields as computer technology, fashion design, cosmetology, physical therapy, business studies, fine art, photography, audio/visual technology, and theater arts.

Two-year community colleges offer college level courses in a variety of subjects, starting from philosophy to pre-med. Education is such colleges is often less expensive than education if four-year colleges or universities. Two-year colleges provide their students with associate’s degree known as the ‘degree instead of bachelor’s’. After a student completes two-year college program, it is possible to continue education and to apply for a four-year college or university.

Facts About Education in the US

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The Education System of the United States of America: Overview and Foundations

Reference work entry
First Online: 01 January 2022
pp 1015–1042
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Paul R. Fossum 3

Part of the book series: Global Education Systems ((GES))

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Prevailing discourse in the USA about the country’s teachers, educational institutions, and instructional approaches is a conversation that is national in character. Yet the structures and the administrative and governance apparatuses themselves are strikingly local in character across the USA. Public understanding and debate about education can be distorted in light of divergence between the country’s educational aspirations and the vehicles in place for pursuing those aims. In addressing its purpose as a survey of US education, the following chapter interrogates this apparent contradiction, first discussing historical and social factors that help account for a social construction of the USA as singular and national system. Discussion then moves to a descriptive analysis of education in the USA as institutionalized at the numerous levels – aspects that often reflect local prerogative and difference more so than a uniform national character. The chapter concludes with summary points regarding US federalism as embodied in the country’s oversight and conduct of formal education.

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The Education System of the United States of America

School Education Systems and Policies in South Asia

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Fossum, P.R. (2021). The Education System of the United States of America: Overview and Foundations. In: Jornitz, S., Parreira do Amaral, M. (eds) The Education Systems of the Americas. Global Education Systems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41651-5_14

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What Type Of Education System Does The United States Have?

It is common for American children to take a bus to school.

The United States has one of the world’s highest literacy levels with a literacy level of 100% seen in both males and females and a reading literacy level of 99% in persons above the age of 15 years. The perfect literacy level is attributed to the American education system which is one of the most diverse systems in the world. Basic education is mandatory and enforced by law in all states. Data from the US government in 2000 showed that 76.6 million Americans were in the various stages of the education system between kindergarten and graduate school. Education is critical and important in the United States with post-graduate education being among the primary factors determining individual wealth and class.

Historical Background Of The US Education System

The education system in the United States was first conceptualized during the period when the nation was under British colonial authority. In 1635, the first public school was opened named the Boston Latin School and is currently the oldest school in the United States. Soon afterwards, in 1639 the first free public school was established in Dorchester, Massachusetts known as the Mather School with its expenses being catered for by the taxpayers. The first curriculum to be developed was made up of basic arithmetic and literacy which was predominantly taught within homes or churches. The colony of New England had one of the highest literacy levels in colonial American as its residents embraced education to enable them to read the Bible. Massachusetts Bay Colony was the first colony to have education compulsory by law and set a precedent that other colonies quickly followed. Literacy levels in South Colonies were not as widespread with the planter class favoring private tutoring over the establishment of public schools. In South Carolina and Georgia, private tuition was widespread with private tutors marketing their skills in local newspapers. During this period, the school enrollment was predominantly made up of male students all of whom were white.

In the 17th century, all textbooks were imported from England because no local printers existed at the time. This situation changed in 1690 when Boston publishers began local printing of the “New England Primer” which became the first locally printed textbook. In the 18th century, institutions of higher education such as colleges and universities were few and all were meant for the education of ministers with doctors and lawyers being trained through apprenticeship. Harvard College was established in 1636 by the colonial government aimed at training young men to become ministers. By the 19th century, the American education system had grown in leaps and bounds with the 1840 census showing that 55% of all children in the United States attended education institutions. The enrollment increased in the turn of the 20th century as more states made education compulsory by law that by 1910, 72% of all children in the US attended school.

Stages Of Education In The Education System Of The US

The formal education system practiced in the United States is divided into five major categories which are comprised of Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University, and Graduate School.

The average enrollment age for Preschool in the United States is four years. In Preschools, teachers emphasize the individuality of children where their individual strengths and weaknesses are identified. Children are also trained to develop their self-expression skills through interactive activities. Preschool is the lowest category in the education system and offers basic literacy skills as well as developing social skills.

Elementary School

After going through Preschool, children then graduate to Elementary School. Elementary School is the institution which provides children with basic primary education between the age of 4 and 14. Elementary School is divided into five levels which include (from the lowest to the highest) kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade. The curriculum taught in Elementary School is determined by school district boards with individual school districts having distinct curriculums and encompasses arithmetic, language proficiency, social studies, and sciences. Teachers in Elementary Schools are required to have attained a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics showed that in 2009 public elementary schools in the US had 3.5 million students.

Middle School

After graduating from Elementary School, children then enter into Middle School which comprises of 5th grade through to 8th grade. The age range of children in Middle School is between 10 years and 14 years. Upon completing the four years of Middle School, students then graduate to High School.

High School

The curriculum taught in High School revolved around “core subjects” which vary across states with most states having English, Mathematics, Social studies, and sciences as core subjects. Many high schools also teach elective course which include performing arts such as drama, visual arts such as painting, journalism, foreign languages, and vocational education. However, the availability of these elective courses in a school is primarily dependent on the financial situation of the school. The age range of children in High School is between 15 years and 18 years. Upon completion of High School education, successful students are awarded a high school diploma which certifies that they are ready for tertiary-level education.

College And University

The next level is known as undergraduate education which features students from the age of 19 years up to the age of around 22 years. Undergraduate education in the United States constitutes four years of studying where upon completion a student is awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in their area of study. The four years are named as follows (from lowest to highest level) freshman year, sophomore year, junior year, and senior year.

School Dropouts In The US

Data from the government show that high school dropouts are responsible for 75% of all reported criminal activities. This worrying statistic is more profound in the country’s Black population where 60% of all African-American dropouts being incarcerated. The school dropout rate in the United States is alarming with about 3 million students dropping out of high school annually.

Issues Facing The US Education System

The diverse education system in the United States is one of the most expensive in the world with the annual budget of the entire education sector being estimated to be around $1 trillion with over $500 billion from public learning institutions. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development reported that the United States government spent more in learning institutions located in affluent neighborhoods than in institutions situated in poor neighborhoods.