You ever get that itch for adventure, but also wanna pad your resume and maybe, just maybe, become a more interesting person? Yeah, that’s what college study abroad is all about—getting those credits, but with a passport in hand and stories your friends back home won’t believe.
So, 2025 is shaping up to be wild for U.S. college study abroad programs. Schools are basically in a global arms race: who’s got the coolest program, the best scholarships, the wildest destinations? I rounded up the 10 universities that are absolutely crushing it on the study abroad front. If you’re thinking about going international, start here.
Image Alt Text: College students lost in a European city, probably eating gelato or something
Why Go Abroad in 2025?
First off, your Insta feed will thank you. But for real, studying abroad isn’t just about taking selfies in front of the Eiffel Tower. It’s about picking up actual life skills—like, real-deal cultural awareness, language chops, and the kind of street smarts you can’t fake in a job interview. Employers eat that stuff up. Some survey said 60% of bosses would rather hire someone with international experience. (Seriously, Google it: QS Global Employer Survey.) And the options? Endless. Semester abroad, two-week trip, virtual exchange—whatever fits your vibe (and budget).
Top 10 U.S. Universities for Study Abroad
- New York University (NYU)
NYU is basically the Beyoncé of study abroad. Over 400 programs in 110 countries, so if you wanna go somewhere, odds are they’ve got it. Full tuition applies, sweet scholarships (like $8k Global Pathways per semester), and programs that range from traditional exchanges to internships around the globe. If you don’t find something here…dude, are you even trying? - Texas A&M University
Howdy, world traveler. Texas A&M isn’t just about boots and barbecue—they’ve got 400+ programs, global field trips, and the Globetrotter Grant ($2,000 to help you not go broke). Their programs mix tough academics with serious fun. - University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
Keep Austin weird—and global. UT Austin’s got exchanges all over (including Australia, shout-out to the kangaroos), plus scholarships galore for first-gens. Even virtual options, because hey, sometimes you wanna study abroad in your pajamas. - Indiana University (IU)
A third of grads here have studied abroad. That’s wild. With 380+ programs in 70 countries (including, like, epidemiology in Peru—if you’re into that), you can totally customize your adventure. - University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison)
Badgers go global. UW-Madison has 260 programs, including a London launch for first-years, and enough scholarships and support to make it actually doable for normal humans. - University of Virginia (UVA)
UVA sent 1,100+ students abroad in one year. Their exchanges hit everywhere from Italy to South Korea, and they even have virtual internships. No passport? No problem. - Goucher College
Kinda wild: Goucher requires everyone to study abroad. No hiding from global experiences here. Lots of quirky, faculty-led trips that’ll make your grandma jealous. - University of Chicago
UChicago is for the nerds who wanna see the world. 83 programs in 32 cities, most led by actual professors and packed with cultural deep-dives—think Paris, Barcelona, and probably a lot of existential discussions. - University of Delaware
UD’s an OG—they literally invented the American study abroad program back in 1923. 100+ programs, 40 countries, and affordable short-term trips, so you don’t need a trust fund to go. - Syracuse University
Syracuse’s “GO” programs mix short hops with deeper dives abroad. (Sorry, you’ll have to look up the deets—ran out of space.)
How To Pick the Right Program
Honestly? Ask yourself: Do you want beach days or city chaos? Are you a foodie or more of a museum nerd? Money’s a thing too, so check scholarships. And don’t forget to stalk the school’s Instagram—real talk, those pics reveal a lot.
Ready to bounce?
If you’ve got questions—or just want to swap travel horror stories—hit us up.
Bottom line: The world’s out there, and college is probably the easiest time you’ll ever have to see it. Don’t sleep on these programs. Pack your bags, get your shots, and go make some memories you’ll never be able to explain to your parents.