Masters in Software Engineering is aligned toward the architecture of the software system, software testing, software development, etc. To get admission to this course, international students need to have a 4 years bachelor's degree in computer science with an average academic score of GPA 3.0/4.0 along with TOEFL iBT score of 82. Some MS in Software Engineering universities in USA also requires students to submit GRE score of minimum 290.
Students will gain knowledge in the field of project management, software testing, quality assurance, etc. by pursuing a Masters in Software Engineering in the USA in top universities in USA. These skills are usually in high demand in many organizations and can fetch students high-paying jobs. They are hired by top global firms such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, etc.
Top Universities in USA for MS in Software Engineering
Given below in the table are the best universities for MS in Software Engineering in USA. Mentioned along are the application deadlines and tuition fees for these universities.
| University | Course | Deadline | Tuition Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | M.S Liberal Arts - Software Engineering | 5 January 2023 (closed) | 37,200 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | M.S Software Engineering | 15 December 2023 | 52,100 |
| University of Washington | M.S Computer Science and Software Engineering | 3 April 2023 | 25,980 |
| Boston University | M.S Software Development | 1 March 2023 (Summer) | 1 June 2023 (Fall) | 27,320 |
| University of Southern California | M.S Computer Science - Software Engineering | 15 December 2022 | 73,888 |
| University of California, Irvine | M.S Software Engineering | 15 January 2023 | 33,811 |
| Arizona State University | M.S Software Engineering | 15 January 2023 (Fall) | 15 September 2023 (Spring) | 40,245 |
| Northeastern University | M.S Software Engineering Systems | 1 June 2023 | 55,680 |
| George Mason University | M.S Software Engineering | 15 March 2023 | 48,727 |
Want to know about more colleges offering MS in Software Engineering in USA? Click Here!
What is MS in Software Engineering in USA?
Software engineering is mainly focused on technical and organizational methods, practices, and tools necessary to develop complex software systems in teams. It is often confused with computer science. Computer science is focused on the foundations of computing whereas software engineering is concerned with solving real-world problems through engineering practices spanning software requirements, interaction design, architecture, etc.
Admission to MS in Software Engineering in USA
Students who want to get admitted to a course in USA universities have to meet the minimum requirements of the universities. These requirements are specific to the university to which the students are applying.
Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Software Engineering in USA
The minimum requirements for Master in Software Engineering in USA are to have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science or any other related field. The English language Proficiency requirements are mentioned in the table below.
| University | Academic Requirements | English Language Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 4 years Bachelors degree in computer science or related field with 3.0 GPA | TOEFL iBT - 100 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Bachelors in Computer Science, Computer engineering or a related computing field. | TOEFL iBT - 84 | IELTS - 7.0 |
| University of Washington | Bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field with 3.0 GPA in the last two years of study. | TOEFL iBT - 92 | IELTS - 7.0 |
| Boston University | Bachelor’s degree in computer science | TOEFL iBT - 84 | IELTS - 6.5 |
| University of Southern California | 4 year Bachelor degree in computer science | TOEFL iBT - 90 | IELTS - 6.5 | PTE - 61 |
| University of California, Irvine | Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science | TOEFL iBT - 80 | IELTS - 7.0 |
| Arizona State University | 3.0 GPA in Bachelor’s degree | TOEFL iBT - 90 | IELTS - 7.0 | PTE - 65 |
| Northeastern University | Bachelor’s degree | TOEFL iBT - 79 | IELTS - 6.5 |
| George Mason University | Bachelor’s Degree with 3.0 | TOEFL iBT - 88 | IELTS - 7.0 | PTE - 67 |
Additional Documents for Application
Besides the academic and English language proficiency requirements there are some additional documents that are demanded by the universities for the application:
- Official Transcripts from previous institutions
- 2-3 Strong Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Work Experience (if minimum academic requirements are not met)
- CV/Resume
- Proof of financial funds
Cost of Studying MS in Software Engineering in USA
Studying in USA involves mainly two categories of expenses - tuition fees and living expenses This section covers both these costs and gives a detailed description of the same.
Tuition Fees for MS in Software Engineering in USA
The tuition fees for masters in software engineering in the best universities in USA range from 25,000 USD to 73,000 USD (20 lakhs INR to 59 lakhs INR).
| University | Tuition Fees (USD) | Tuition Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 37,200 | 30.37 lakhs |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 52,100 | 42.53 lakhs |
| University of Washington | 25,980 | 21.21 lakhs |
| Boston University | 27,320 | 22.30 lakhs |
| University of Southern California | 73,888 | 60.32 lakhs |
| University of California | 33,811 | 27.60 lakhs |
| Arizona State University | 40,245 | 32.85 lakhs |
| Northeastern University | 55,680 | 45.45 lakhs |
| George Mason University | 48,727 | 39.78 lakhs |
Cost of Living in USA
Living expenses in USA are exclusive of the tuition fees. These costs include different aspects like rent, travel, food, accommodations, etc. On-campus food and accommodation facilities are available in most of the USA universities. A brief description of these is mentioned as follows.
| Expense Type | Average Cost (USD) | Average Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 9,800-11,100 | 8,13,868 - 9,21,831 |
| Food | 250 per month | 20,668 |
| Transportation | 350 per month | 28,935 |
| Internet | 45 per month | 3,720 |
| Books | 1,200-1,500 | 99,207-1,24,008 |
| Health Insurance | 700 | 57,870 |
Scholarships for MS in Software Engineering in USA
Studying in USA universities can be expensive for international students. The universities in USA provide a variety of scholarships to students in financial need. Some of the popular scholarships in USA offered to international students are as follows.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Awards (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Students from developing countries with no other source of financial help for masters in the USA | Tuition fees and living expenses Awarded on a 50% grant: 50% loan basis |
| AAUW International Fellowship Prog ram | Non-American women pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies in any subject | $20,000-$50,000 |
| P.E.O International Peace Scholarship | Non-American women who have applied for graduate studies in any university in USA | $5000 can only be renewed twice |
| Inlaks Scholarship | Indian students applying for a master's or Ph.D. with a good 1st degree from a recognized university and under the age of 30 | Maximum of 100,000 USD covering the full tuition fees, one-way travel allowance, living expenses, and health insurance. |
| Foreign Fulbright Student Program | Graduate students, young professionals, and artists | Tuition, airfare, living stipend, health insurance, etc. |
Want to know about fully funded scholarships in USA? Watch the video linked below
Placements Opportunities for MS in Software Engineering in USA
Students graduating with Masters in Software Engineering get various job opportunities in USA. They work as software engineers, developers, analysts, etc., and earn a decent salary of up to 141,000 USD (1 crore 15 lakhs INR).
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | 74,229 | 60.60 lakhs |
| Software Engineer | 89,240 | 72.85 lakhs |
| Front-End Engineer | 107,320 | 87.61 lakhs |
| Back-End Engineer | 117,532 | 95.95 lakhs |
| Software Analyst | 68,089 | 55.58 lakhs |
| Systems Analyst | 89,976 | 73.45 lakhs |
MS in Software Engineering in USA: Salary Comparison by State
Different states in USA offer different salaries to Software Engineers. The top-paying states are mentioned in this section.
| State | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 138,400 | 1.12 Cr |
| California | 137,620 | 1.12 Cr |
| New York | 122,300 | 99.84 lakhs |
| Massachusetts | 119,790 | 97.79 lakhs |
| District of Columbia | 119,630 | 97.66 lakhs |
University Comparison for MS in Software Engineering in USA
The comparison of the universities below will help you decide which university is the best choice for you.
| University | Tuition Fees (INR) | GRE Required/Not | ELP Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington | 21.21 lakhs | Optional | TOEFL iBT - 92 | IELTS - 7.0 |
| University of Southern California | 60.32 lakhs | Required | TOEFL iBT - 90 | IELTS - 6.5 | PTE - 61 |
| Boston University | 22.30 lakhs | Not Required | TOEFL iBT - 84 | IELTS - 6.5 |
| Arizona State University | 32.85 lakhs | Required | TOEFL iBT - 90 | IELTS - 7.0 | PTE - 65 |
| Northeastern University | 45.45 lakhs | Not Required | TOEFL iBT - 79 | IELTS - 6.5 |
MS in Software Engineering in USA: Course Summary
| Course Type | Full-time, Part-time |
| Course Duration | 2 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | 4 years Bachelor with 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA (83-86%) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL, IELTS |
| Average Salary | 89,240 USD ( 72 lakhs INR) |
| Top Recruiters | Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, etc. |
Pursuing a Masters degree in Software Engineering in USA can be highly rewarding for international students. Aspirants can continue their higher studies after pursuing masters or can take up a high-paying job after pursuing their masters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Is Software Engineering in demand in USA?
Ans: The demand for software engineers is ever-increasing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, there will be an estimated increase of 11% for software engineers by 2029.
Ques: What is the duration of Masters in Software Engineering in USA?
Ans: The duration of a Masters in Software Engineering is usually between 12 months to 24 months.
Ques: Which top universities in USA provide Masters in Software Engineering in USA?
Ans: Harvard University, University of Washington, and Boston University are some of the best universities in USA for MS in Software Engineering in USA.
Ques: Is Masters useful for Software Engineering?
Ans: Students do not need a Masters in Software Engineering to become a software engineer. However, a masters degree in the field can help them in gaining advanced knowledge about the subject which might lead them to have a better salary package.
Ques: What is the salary of MS Software Engineering?
Ans: The average salary of a software engineer in USA is 89,400 USD which is equivalent to 72 lakhs INR. The other job roles include software developer, front-end and back-end developer, etc.
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