MS in USA: Top Courses, Eligibility, Top Universities, Fees & Scholarships
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Masters or MS in USA, is a 2 years degree program which is available in about 70% US universities. MS in Business and Management, MS in IT, MS in Computer Science are some popular choices for international students planning for MS in USA.
In this blog, we will explore the list of the best universities in USA for MS, cost of doing MS in USA, USA MS courses, eligibility criteria and scholarships for international students to help you plan your journey!
Best Universities to Pursue MS in USA
Here’s a detailed overview of the top ranked universities in USA for MS:
| Top Universities for MS in USA | QS World Rank 2024 | Popular MS Course | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 | MS Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | 7% |
| Harvard University | 4 | MS Computational Science and Engineering | 3.2% |
| Stanford University | 5 | MS Computer Science | 6% |
| University of Chicago | 11 | MS Financial Mathematics | 7% |
| University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) | 12 | MS Computer and Information Science | 6% |
| Cornell University | 13 | MS Computer Science | 9% |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 15 | MS Mechanical Engineering | 5.6% |
| Yale University | 16 | MS Statistics and Data Science | 6% |
| Princeton University | 17 | MS Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering | 5.6% |
| Columbia University | 23 | MS Data Science | Information not available |
These top universities in USA for MS offer exceptional programs across various fields and are known for their rigorous academic standards and research opportunities.
Popular MS Courses in USA
Choosing the top Masters courses in USA can depend on various factors like your field of interest, career goals, budget, location preference, and personal strengths. Let’s check out some popular and highly regarded MS subjects in USA across different fields include:
| Course | Program | Top US Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering |
|
|
| Business and Management |
|
|
| Science |
|
|
USA MS courses usually last 1-2 years. A Master’s program in Computer Science and Engineering, however, can take up to 3-5 years to complete. Similarly, you can expect to spend up to 6 years studying medicine, depending on your specialization.
Specialized MS Courses in USA
For those looking into more specialized fields, here are a few MS courses in USA:
| Specialization | Universities Offering |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon |
| Cybersecurity | Johns Hopkins, Georgia Tech, UC Berkeley |
| Robotics | University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon |
| Biomedical Engineering | Johns Hopkins, MIT, Stanford |
Achieve your desired IELTS score to pursue the best courses for Masters in USA.
The United States is home to some of the world’s top universities for Masters, making it a top destination for pursuing a Master’s degree.
However, not all top colleges in USA for MS have the reputation and acceptance. Therefore, choose your program based on its employment prospects, average wage, and other benefits, since the US offers you a wide array of possibilities to pick from. Above all, be sure that the course and its contents pique your attention.
Eligibility Criteria to Pursue MS in USA
Different colleges and universities in the USA have varying eligibility requirements for MS programs. The program you choose can also be a determining factor.
General Requirements for USA MS Courses
To apply for any USA top universities for masters, you generally need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | A four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. |
| Standardized Tests | GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores. Some programs may also require TOEFL or IELTS scores for English proficiency. |
| GPA | A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, though top universities in USA for MS may require higher. |
| Letters of Recommendation | Usually, two to three letters from professors or professionals. |
| Statement of Purpose | An essay describing your goals, research interests, and why you want to pursue an MS in the USA. |
Specific Requirements for Indian Students
The eligibility criteria for MS in USA for Indian students are similar, with additional emphasis on competitive GRE and scores of TOEFL/IELTS exam due to high competition.
Let’s have a look at the IELTS, TOEFL and GRE requirements for the top colleges for MS in USA in a glimpse.
| Top Universities for MS in USA | Minimum IELTS
Requirement |
Minimum TOEFL
Requirement |
Average GRE
Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 7 | 90 |
|
| Harvard University | 6.5 | 100 |
|
| Stanford University | 7 | 100 |
|
| University of Chicago | 7 | 90 |
|
| University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) | 7 | 100 |
|
| Cornell University | 7 | 100+ |
|
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 7.5 | 100 | No minimum requirement. Average: 296 |
| Yale University | 7 | 100 |
|
| Princeton University | 8 | 108 |
|
| Columbia University | 7.5 | 100 |
|
Cost for Studying MS in USA
The total MS in USA cost comprises tuition, books, housing and board, and other incidentals. It is advised that international students plan their cost of living in USA to get a better understanding of the financial requirements.
The cost of doing MS in USA is listed here, roughly broken down into tuition and living expenses.
| University Name | Tuition Fees
(in USD) |
Tuition Fees
(in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| New York University (NYU) | 87,800 | 73,40,365 |
| UC Berkeley | 73,000 | 61,03,037 |
| University of Chicago | 72,010 | 60,20,270 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 66,171 | 55,32,110 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 63,402 | 53,00,613 |
| Harvard University | 61,768 | 51,64,005 |
| Stanford University | 60,816 | 50,84,415 |
| Northwestern University | 60,465 | 50,55,070 |
| Princeton University | 60,410 | 50,50,472 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 58,000 | 48,48,989 |
| Yale University | 48,300 | 4038037 |
| University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) | 38,184 | 31,92,307 |
| Columbia University | 33,932 | 28,36,825 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 33,238 | 27,78,805 |
| Cornell University | 29,500 | 24,66,295 |
Scholarships to Cover Masters in USA Cost
Even if the USA offers excellent educational opportunities and promising job paths, the country’s higher standard of living is a major factor in the decision of many international students to study there.
For example, the average cost for pursuing a Master of Science in US is $49,000 – $93,000, a Master of Business Administration in USA is $59,500 – $114,000 and an MS in Finance in USA is $49,000 – $103,000 approximately.
To ease the financial burden, many US top universities for MS offer scholarships and financial aid to international students. The 3 most popular scholarships to cover Masters in USA cost are:
- Fulbright Scholarship – This scholarship offers financial aid to international students in all fields of study except medicine. It covers tuition, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.
- AAUW International Fellowships – The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers fellowships for women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the U.S. The fellowship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and dependent child care.
- Erasmus Mundus Scholarships – They are prestigious awards funded by the European Union to support students worldwide in pursuing joint master’s degrees across various universities in Europe and partner institutions globally.
The table below provides a summary of the eligibility criteria, application process, stipend and deadline of these 3 scholarships.
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Application Process | Maximum Amount Offered | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Scholarships | Bachelor’s degree | Commission/Embassy application, tests, recommendations | $35,000 | January |
| AAUW International Fellowships | Women, non-US citizen/resident, bachelor’s equivalent | Online application, transcripts, recommendations | $20,000–$50,000 | November 15 |
| Erasmus Mundus Scholarships | Bachelor’s degree, strong academics, program requirements | Apply to program consortium, transcripts, recommendations, language proof | €18,000 | Mid-January |
Scholarships Specific to Indian Students
For masters in USA for Indian students, the top 3 scholarships are:
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships – They support exceptional Indian students for graduate study at top universities in the U.S., U.K., and Europe. The scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, and one-way travel.
- Tata Scholarships for Cornell University – They provide financial aid to Indian students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies at Cornell University. The scholarship ensures that Cornell University can enroll the best and brightest Indian students regardless of their financial circumstances.
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships – They support Indian students to pursue an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business. The fellowship covers tuition and associated fees.
An overview of these three scholarships’ requirements for qualifying, the application procedure, the stipend, and the deadline is given in the table below.
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Application Process | Maximum Amount Offered | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships | Indian citizen, under 30, exceptional academics | Online application, transcripts, recommendations, interview | USD 100,000 | Jan 15, 2025 (Tentative) |
| Tata Scholarships for Cornell University | Indian citizen, financial need, strong academics | Apply to Cornell & indicate financial aid need | USD 25 million (Total) | Jan 15, 2025 (Tentative) |
| Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships | Indian citizen, return to India commitment, strong academics/work | Stanford GSB & Fellowship application, essays, etc. | USD 150,000 | Not Available |
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Top Work Placements after Masters in USA
Choosing a university for a Master of Science (MS) program in the USA involves considering not only the academic reputation but also the placement opportunities and support services offered to students.
Here’s a detailed table summarizing the top placement universities for MS in USA, along with typical job profiles for graduates and their annual median salaries in both USD and INR.
| University | Job Profile | Average Starting Salary | Annual Median Salary | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Data Scientist | $94,600 | $120,000 | ₹10,032,372 |
| Stanford University | Software Engineer | $105,590 | $130,000 | ₹10,868,403 |
| University of California, Berkeley | Electrical Engineer | $81,900 | $110,000 | ₹9,196,341 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Robotics Engineer | $77,000 | $115,000 | ₹9,614,356 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Aerospace Engineer | $76,249 | $118,000 | ₹9,865,165 |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Computer Scientist | $74,974 | $108,000 | ₹9,029,134 |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | Mechanical Engineer | $80,530 | $105,000 | ₹8,778,325 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Cybersecurity Analyst | $82,000 | $112,000 | ₹9,363,547 |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Biomedical Engineer | $61,020 | $102,000 | ₹8,527,516 |
Pursuing an MS in the USA offers immense opportunities for academic and professional growth. With some of the best universities in USA for MS, you can choose from a wide range of masters subjects in USA and benefit from world-class facilities and research opportunities.
Therefore, by carefully selecting from the top universities in USA for MS, you can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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