MS in USA (or Masters in USA) is a 2-year degree program which is offered in around 70% of US universities. MS in US primarily includes STEM courses programs. 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 to for admission to Masters in USA in 2022 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 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:

University Name Popular Courses for MS in USA Tuition Fees in INR
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MS Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 62.45 lakhs
Stanford University MS Computer Science 46.20 lakhs
Harvard University MS Applied Computation 42.27 lakhs
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) MS Mechanical Engineering 45.42 lakhs
University of Chicago MS Financial Mathematics 47.03 lakhs
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) MS Computer and Information Science 26.82 lakhs
Princeton University M.S Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 48.69 lakhs
Yale University MS Statistics and Data Science 37.45 lakhs
Cornell University M.S Computer Science 24.13 lakhs
Columbia University M.S Data Science 39.78 lakhs
Johns Hopkins University M.S Applied Health Sciences Informatics 46.74 lakhs
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor MS Mechanical Engineering 41.55 lakhs
UC Berkeley Master of Law 56.30 lakhs
Northwestern University M.S Computer Engineering 64.54 lakhs
New York University (NYU) MS Nursing 33.23 lakhs
University of California, Los Angeles M.S Electrical and Computer Engineering 27.19 lakhs
Duke University MS Quantitative Financial Economics 48.53 lakhs

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 for MS in USA colleges

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:

  • 3 to 4 years bachelor's degree in relevant field
  • 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelor
  • GRE score of 330 or above
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Research Internships/ Published Research Papers
  • Project work/Seminars
  • 2-3 Letter of Recommendation
  • Social & Leadership Activities.

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 Masters 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

University Average Fees (USD/Year) Average Fees (INR/Year)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 70,110 57.8 lakhs
Stanford University 74,460 61.39 lakhs
Harvard University 50,775 41.86 lakhs
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 54,560 44.98 lakhs
University of Chicago 55,250 45.55 lakhs
Princeton University 55,565 45.81 lakhs
University of Pennsylvania 54,735 45.13 lakhs
Cornell University 36,810 30.35 lakhs
Yale University 45,395 37.43 lakhs
Columbia University 20,145 16.61 lakhs

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:

  • Accommodation: 75,000 - 1.50 lakhs INR (Monthly)
  • Meals: 2,000 – 3,000 INR (one-meal)
  • Transportation: 7,000 – 22,000 INR (Monthly)
  • Personal Expenses: 22,000 – 45,000 INR (Monthly)
  • Health Insurance:  34,000 – 54,000 INR (Monthly)

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.

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

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 is the cost to do MS in USA?

Ans. The cost of studying MS in USA ranges from 14,000 to 120,000 USD (11.6 lakhs to 99.3 lakhs INR) depending on the university of choice and the program which you opt. These are majorly the tuition costs, additionally you will be required to have around 10,000 USD (8.3 lakhs INR) to support your living expenses in USA. 

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?

Ans. For MS in USA, international applicants must hold a 16-years education qualification- 4-years bachelor's or equivalent in relevant subject with at least 80% or more. Alongside this, you must clear English langauge proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL and fulfill the minimum requirements for your university. You are also required to have GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT scores depending on which course you have opted for.

Ques. What is the duration of MS in USA?

Ans. MS in USA is usually a 1-year full-time program. However, some courses may take up to 2-3 years to complete.

Ques. What is the salary after MS in USA?

Ans. Post completion of MS in USA, you can land an average salary of 52,000 to 65,000 USD (43 lakhs to 53.8 lakhs INR) a year. Students must note that the salary package varies depending on the sector and job role you land in. 

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. 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. 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.