MS in USA: Universities, Deadlines, Eligibility & Fees

Masters (MS) in USA: Colleges, Courses, Deadlines, Eligibility & Fees

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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated On - Jul 12, 2024

MS in USA or Masters in USA is a 2-year degree program which is offered in around 70% of US universities. International students planning for an MS, popularly opt for courses like MS in Business and Management, MS in IT, MS in Computer Science, etc. International students willing to apply for admission to Masters in USA in 2023 need 16 years of education, along with an average GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 (80%) scale and above. 

Tuition fees for MS in USA can range from USD 25,000 to USD 63,000 (~20.52 lakhs to 51.74 lakhs INR) based on the choice of university and specialization. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary after an MS in the United States is USD 71,330. In comparison to the average for all occupations, the BLS predicts that employment of workers with a Master's degree will increase by nearly 9% between 2020 and 2030.

MS in USA

MS in USA Top Universities

MIT ranks #1 globally followed by Stanford, Harvard, Caltech, and the University of Chicago among the top 10 universities in the world. A list of the top 25 universities along with their acceptance rates for MS courses in USA are as follows:

QS World Rank 2024 University Name Popular Courses for MS in USA Tuition Fees in INR
1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MS Electrical Engineering and Computer Science USD 66,171 | INR 55,01,169
4 Harvard University MS Computational Science and Engineering USD 61,768 | INR 51,35,122
5 Stanford University MS Computer Science USD 60,816 | INR 50,55,977
10 UC Berkeley Master of Law USD 73,000 | INR 60,68,902
11 University of Chicago MS Financial Mathematics USD 72,010 | INR 59,86,598
12 University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) MS Computer and Information Science USD 38,184 | INR 31,74,451
13 Cornell University M.S Computer Science USD 29,500 | INR 24,52,501
15 California Institute of Technology (Caltech) MS Mechanical Engineering USD 63,402 | INR 52,70,966
16 Yale University MS Statistics and Data Science USD 48,300 | INR 40,15,451
17 Princeton University M.S Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering USD 60,410 | INR 50,22,224
23 Columbia University M.S Data Science USD 33,932 | INR 28,20,958
28 Johns Hopkins University M.S Applied Health Sciences Informatics USD 58,000 | INR 48,21,867
29 University of California, Los Angeles M.S Electrical and Computer Engineering USD 33,238 | INR 27,63,262
33 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor MS Mechanical Engineering USD 58,984 | INR 49,03,673
38 New York University (NYU) MS in Data Science USD 87,800 | INR 72,99,310
47 Northwestern University M.S Computer Engineering USD 60,465 | INR 50,26,797
57 Duke University MS in Interdisciplinary Data Science USD 62,620 | INR 52,05,954

To know about more universities offering MS in USA, Click here!

Top Universities for MS in USA by Acceptance Rate

Approximately 95% of universities in USA offer MS courses to prospective students. Many people wish to gain admission to MS universities in USA such as Stanford University, Harvard University, Yale, and other Ivy League institutions. All of these top USA universities have a low acceptance rate. The average acceptance rate for MS in USA is less than 6% at the majority of top universities.

Acceptance rate of top MS universities in USA

Also Check: Acceptance Rate for MS in USA

Why Study MS in USA?

There are over 2 million MS in USA courses to choose from, an option of earning through the work-study program, stay back permit post MS in USA, research opportunities along with merit-based scholarships to support education are some of the benefits that can be availed by international students in USA while pursuing a graduate degree. Some other benefits of pursuing MS in USA are:

  • STEM courses in USA are widely opted by students, because, it is in demand in USA and it gives students a 24-month work visa extension post MS in USA.
  • The USA government invests 476,452 million USD on research and development, which is 2.7% of its total GDP. Thus, pursuing an MS in USA betters the chances for research and funding it.
  • Post MS in USA there is scope for research, where students can apply for a Teaching Assistantship (TA) or Research Assistantship (RA).
    • Students can earn 500 USD to 1,200 USD monthly if they work part-time as a TA.
    • While research assistants can earn up to 1,500 USD as a stipend every month.
  • Course curriculums are divided into pre-requisites, core areas and electives for any MS in USA course. Thus, it increases the scope for pursuing research-based MS in USA by more than 30%.
  • Average scholarship offered is 10,000 USD for one year to students pursuing an MS in USA .

Do you know which are the top universities for MS in USA? Watch the video below and get detailed information about Top 5 Universities of USA

Popular courses for MS in USA

Some of the popular programs offered along with top universities offering them are as follows: 

Program Name University Name Annual Fees for Indians (INR)
MS in Finance in USA Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 42.7 Lakhs
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 59 Lakhs
Columbia University 48.1 Lakhs
University of Southern California 19.4 Lakhs
University of California, Berkeley 47.3 Lakhs
MS in Data Science in USA Stanford University 40.3 Lakhs
Harvard University 43.2 Lakhs
Yale University 33 Lakhs
University of Pennsylvania 20.8 Lakhs
New York University 26.6 Lakhs
MS in Computer Science in USA Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 35.3 Lakhs
Stanford University 58 Lakhs
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) 19.7 Lakhs
University of California, Berkeley 19.6 Lakhs
Harvard University 41.3 Lakhs
MS in Marketing in USA Columbia University  50.8 Lakhs
University of Southern California  19.4 Lakhs
University of Texas, Austin 31.6 Lakhs
Michigan State University 21.3 Lakhs
Florida International University 23.7 Lakhs
MS in Business Analytics in USA Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 61.9 Lakhs
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 50.2 Lakhs
University of Texas, Austin 36.1 Lakhs
Arizona State University 34.7 Lakhs
Michigan State University 21.3 Lakhs

Other popular MS in USA courses

Masters in USA Requirements

Admission requirements for a Masters in USA vary depending on the university and program, but generally the eligibility for MS in USA include the following:

Requirement Description
Academic Background Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (3-4 years)
GPA Requirement GPA of 3.5 or higher (equivalent to 87% in bachelor's program)
Standardized Test GRE score of 330 or above
Application Materials Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining your academic goals and interests Research Internships/ Published Research Papers Project work/Seminar participation (showcase practical skills and communication abilities)
Recommendation Letters 2-3 Letters of Recommendation from professors or employers
Additional Information Social & Leadership Activities (optional, but can strengthen application)

Also Check: 

Test Scores Required for Admission in Masters in USA

Various standardized test scores are required from the applicants along with their applications. For pursuing Master in USA, students are required to submit standardized test scores, depending upon the choice of course. These test scores are required from the applicants to understand their aptitude and judge them academically only. In some of the universities, their submission is a mere formality.

Standardized Exam Scores for MS in USA

University GRE Scores Required TOEFL iBT Score
Stanford University 328 100
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) 316 102
University of California, Berkeley 324 90
University of Washington  300 92
New York University 310 100
University of Texas Austin 300 79
Yale University 322 100
University of Chicago Quant- 154 | Verbal- 155 104
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Quant- 169 | Verbal- 158 100
University of Minnesota Quant- 170 | Verbal- 153 79

GRE/GMAT Waiver for MS in USA Admissions

Applicants applying for any MS in USA can request for a GRE/GMAT waiver. In turn, applicants must prove their skills in terms of analysis, applying reasoning skills, command over English, quantitative aptitude, etc.

  • Only 5 out of top 12 B-Schools have a prerequisite for GMAT/GRE waiver.
  • GMAT is waived usually for online Management courses only, and not for courses offered on campus.
  • Less than 14% of students submitted the GMAT score compared to 23% of GRE score submissions.
  • GRE is waived by more than 70% of the US universities, willing to pursue an MS in USA. But they must have exceptional research and professional experience.

Checkout:  Universities in USA Without GRE

Some universities offering MS in USA admit students without these scores also. They believe that scores cannot define an applicant’s overall academic performance. The universities are mentioned below:

Also Check:  Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA

Cost for Studying MS in USA

The overall cost of attendance for masters courses in USA includes tuition, books, board and room, and other miscellaneous expenses. It is recommended that international students work on their estimated budget to study in USA. tabulated below are the cost for MS in USA, broadly divided into- Tuition Fees and Cost of Living.

MS in USA Fees for Indian Students

MS in USA Average Tuition Fee

University Name Tuition Fees in USD Tuition Fees in INR
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 66,171 55,01,169
Harvard University 61,768 51,35,122
Stanford University 60,816 50,55,977
UC Berkeley 73,000 60,68,902
University of Chicago 72,010 59,86,598
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) 38,184 31,74,451
Cornell University 29,500 24,52,501
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 63,402 52,70,966
Yale University 48,300 40,15,451
Princeton University 60,410 50,22,224
Columbia University 33,932 28,20,958
Johns Hopkins University 58,000 48,21,867
University of California, Los Angeles 33,238 27,63,262
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor 58,984 49,03,673
New York University (NYU) 87,800 72,99,310
Northwestern University 60,465 50,26,797
Duke University 62,620 52,05,954

Cost of Living in USA

Mentioned are the factors considered for expenditure in daily-life. The average expense range of students in the USA is:

Categories Annual Cost (INR)
Books and Supplies 69,147
Food 4,85,415
Apartment Housing with amenities 12,83,069
Dormitory Housing 5,68,699-8,92,984
Meal Plan for Dormitory Residents 1,86,390
Miscellaneous 4,97,093

MS in USA with Scholarships

Higher education in USA is by no means inexpensive, and international applicants should be able to finance their education to be allowed entry to the states. International scholarships are one of the best ways to save your earnings, be it in the form of tuition waivers, study grants, living stipends, etc. One of the most famous scholarships provided to students in different domains is the Fulbright scholarship. Mentioned are the varied and well-known scholarships offered to international students in USA:

Scholarship Name Benefits
New York University Wagner Scholarship 25,000 USD to 47,000 USD
Fulbright Student Program Grant funds tuition, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance
Clark University Scholarships 20,000 USD to 25,000 USD
Next-Gen Scholarship 1,000 USD
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship 50% of grant and 50% loan is offered to students from developing countries
East Tennessee State University 11,500 USD per year
Iowa State University Scholarships scholarships up to 10,000 USD
University of Oregon Scholarships 40 scholarships ranging from 7,500 USD to 30,000 USD

Apart from the above-given options, there are numerous offer waiting for you around the world by various international organizations. Aspirants may benefit from this aid for tuition fees and living allowance.

USA Scholarships

Top Placement Universities for MS in USA

MS students are intimidated about various jobs to be taken up after 3 or 5 weeks of their admission. Jobs can be availed through either the university partnerships with various companies or on-campus employment. Employment options can be explored via LinkedIn or Indeed in the US. Seeking employment can be easier through annual job fairs as well. The average salary post-Masters in USA for students can go up to 74,000 USD.

Job Profile Annual Median Salary (in USD) Annual Median Salary (in INR)
Statistician 84,060 69.6 lakhs
Mathematician 103,010 85.3 lakhs
Software Developer 103,560 85.7 lakhs
IT Manager 139,220 1.15 crores
Computer and Information Research Scientist 114,520 94.8 lakhs
Biochemist 91,190 75.5 lakhs
Database Administrator 87,020 72 lakhs
Mechanical Engineer 85,880 71 lakhs
Civil Engineer 84,770 70.1 lakhs

Top Recruiters in USA for MS Graduates

Also Check: Jobs after MS in USA
Around 1.6 million international students are given a visa in the USA, to stay back post MS in USA in any of the STEM courses. There are 9 major fields of MS in USA, which are further divided into 781 specializations. The wide range of specializations, graduate employability rankings, and technically advanced curriculums is what make the graduate schools in USA stand out across the globe.

Checkout: 

FAQ’s

Ques. What are the best college for MS in USA?

Ans. Some of the world-ranking USA universities for MS in USA are

  • Stanford University
  • Harvard University
  • Yale University 
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Columbia University
  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • New York University

Ques. What is the cost to do MS in USA?

Ans. The cost of an MS program in the USA can vary significantly depending on several factors. Here's a breakdown to consider:

  • Tuition Fees: The cost ranges from USD 20,000 to USD 60,000 per year. Public universities generally have lower tuition fees than private universities, especially for out-of-state students.
  • Living Expenses: This includes costs like housing, food, transportation, and utilities. Major cities and coastal areas tend to be more expensive than smaller towns. A ballpark estimate for living expenses could be USD 1,000 to USD 2,500 per month.
  • Health Insurance: Health insurance is mandatory for international students. University health insurance plans typically range from USD 500 to USD 1,000 per year.
  • Books and Supplies: The cost of textbooks and other course materials can vary depending on the program. A general estimate could be USD 500 to USD 1,000 per year.

Ques. Which exam is required for MS in USA for Indian students?

Ans. International applicants are required to submit test scores of exams like GRE (300+), IELTS (7.0), and TOEFL (96-100), LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, etc. IELTS & TOEFL are mostly required by international students belonging to non-native English speaking countries. Other competitive exams may or may not be required based on the course you opt for and the university of choice

Ques. Who is eligible for MS in USA?

The eligilbilty requirements to study in MS in USA fir an intewrnational students are mentioned below: 

Requirement Description
Academic Background Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (3-4 years)
GPA Requirement GPA of 3.5 or higher (equivalent to 87% in bachelor's program)
Standardized Test GRE score of 330 or above
Additional Information Statement of Purpose outlining goals and fit for the program. Letters of Recommendation from professors or employers. Official transcripts from your undergraduate institution. Research experience (publications, internships).

Ques. What is the duration of MS in USA?

Ans. The duration of an MS program in the USA typically ranges from  1.5 to 2 years for full-time study. Here's a table summarizing the typical duration ranges:

Program Type Duration Range (Full-time)
Course-based 1.5 years
Thesis-based 2 years (or longer)
Research-based 2-3 years

Ques. What is the salary after MS in USA?

Ans. The salary you can expect after an MS in the USA can vary significantly depending on several factors like Field of Study,Specialization,Location, Experience. Here's a table with some examples of average starting salaries for MS graduates in various fields:

Field of Study Average Salary (USD)
Software Engineer 105,590
Data Scientist 111,000+
Computer Systems Analyst 93,740
Mechanical Engineer 99,320
Civil Engineer 97,120
Financial Analyst 88,870
Marketing Manager 83,010

Ques. What earns more salary – MBA in USA or MS in USA?

Ans. MBA graduates from USA earn a rather higher salary when compared with MS in USA graduates. Though salaries offered to MBA graduates in US in higher, so is the cost of pursuing MBA when compared with MS courses. 

Ques. How can I get funding for MS in USA?

Ans. Yes, a variety of scholarships are available for pursuing MS in USA. Awards offering students with a complete tuition waiver are available for pursuing MS in USA. 

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