MS in USA: Top Universities, Courses, Eligibility, Job Prospects
GRE
An MS degree can be in different disciplines from popular engineering, science, data science, health science, chemistry, etc. International students also go for MS courses in management, IT, and finance in the USA. MS in Computer Science in the USA is a highly popular program among international students. The master's degree in the USA can be research-based course-based or a mix of both.
Candidates need to have a bachelor's degree in science or a related study program to secure admission to an MS program in the US. Students looking for a master's abroad should know how to shortlist universities for MS in USA. Also, one should be aware of the eligibility and documents required to apply for a master's in the USA.
Advantages of studying MS in the US
Let's check out some of advantages of studying an MS in the USA in the following section:
- Top universities: US is home to a maximum number of top universities in the world offering MS courses. So, one gets to study in the most prestigious educational institutes.
- Range of specializations: US universities offer an array of courses and specializations to choose from. Apart from popular engineering and technology, one can also pursue courses in management and finance or other science programs.
- Practical and real-world knowledge: US universities are known to provide opportunities to work within the industry while studying, so, students gain real-world experience. CPT and OPT are popular among international students on F1-visa. This allows them to work while studying and post-study work after completing their graduation.
- Multicultural environment: As the US is the most preferred education destination, so, students from different regions and cultures come here to study. So, one gets to experience different cultures and work with people from different backgrounds.
Also Read:
Popular MS Specializations in the USA
When we talk about the MS in the USA the first thing that strikes us is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses. There are engineering, management, finance, computer, IT, and science courses offered by US universities. Below we have mentioned popular MS specializations in the USA.
- MS in Computer Science
- MS in Pharmacy
- MS in Data Science
- MS in Business Analytics
- MS in Management Information Systems
- MS in Embedded Systems
- MS is Power Engineering
Read: Top 10 MS specialisations from US
Top Ranking MS Universities in the USA
Below we have given the list of top universities in the USA according to the QS World University Rankings 2023-24.
| University |
QS - World University Rankings 2024 |
THE - World University Rankings 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#1 |
#5 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#4 |
#2 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#5 |
#3 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#10 |
#8 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#11 |
#13 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#12 |
#14 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#13 |
#20 |
| California Institute of Technology (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#15 |
#6 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#16 |
#9 |
| (Shiksha Grade: A++) |
#17 |
#7 |
Popular MS Courses in the USA
Below we have mentioned some of the popular MS programs along with the top universities offering these courses.
| Course |
University |
|---|---|
| MS in Computer Science in USA |
|
| MS in Finance in USA |
|
| MS in Business Analytics in USA |
|
| MS in Data Science in USA |
|
Read:
- MS in Data Science in USA: All you need to know
- MBA in USA: All you need to know
- MS in Business Analytics in USA
Eligibility criteria to study MS in the US
Candidates need to have a relevant bachelor's degree to apply to an MS program in the US. You specifically need not have a bachelor's of science degree to secure admission to an MS program, however, you still require an undergraduate degree in the MS field you have chosen to study.
- A bachelor's degree from a recognized institute (preferably a 4-year bachelor's degree)
- English language proficiency proof: IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo scores GRE or GMAT scores (depending on the course)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- 2-3 Letters of recommendation (LORs)
Read:
- How to get admission in USA for MS
- SOP for MS in USA – Guidelines for Top Universities
- Studying in the USA without a GRE
Cost of Studying MS in the US
The cost of MS in the USA may vary per US university and the subject opted by the applicant. However, the average first-year tuition fee in the USA is INR 23.51 L and the average living expenses for one year in the USA is INR 8.75 L. The total one-year cost of studying in the USA is INR 32.26 L including tuition fees and living expenses.
(Source: studyabroad.shiksha.com)
Note: The average first-year tuition fee is based on 4441 MS courses in the USA.
Note: The average first-year living expense is based on 1082 colleges in the USA.
Job Prospects after MS in the USA
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median wages range between $50k- 100k, whereas, the average pay for a bachelor's graduate is around $40k. According to Payscale, the average base salary for a master's degree graduate in the USA is $79k annually. As per Statista, graduates with a master's degree in engineering have the highest starting average salary in the USA.
| Job Title |
Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer |
$93,172 |
| Data Scientist |
$98,257 |
| Project Manager |
$77,280 |
| Data Analyst |
$70,363 |
(Source: Payscale)
Projected starting salaries for master’s degree graduates in the US in 2022 by Statista.
| Discipline |
Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Science |
$82,384 |
| Engineering |
$85,096 |
| Business |
$71,021 |
| Math & Sciences |
$78,937 |
(Source: Statista)
Even the jobs and salaries denote that STEM courses dominate the master's degrees awarded in the USA. Check out Popular Job Sectors in USA
Read: What is the scope of a Masters in Finance in USA?
Have more queries? Write to us in the comments below or apply for Shiksha Topper Counselling Service to get into top US universities for MS.
Q: What is the qualification required to write GRE exam?
Q: What are the GRE requirements?
According to the Educational Testing Service (ETS), there are no set eligibility requirements for taking the Graduate Record Examination. Students from any educational background can appear for the exam as there is no age limit as well. All you need to do is complete the GRE registration for the exam and select the slot and dates to appear in the exam.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Who is eligible to appear for GRE Exam?
There is no official eligibility for GRE exam. Students of any age and with any educational background can appear in the Graduate Record Examination.
However, students who wish to pursue their Masters or other PG courses take the examination, so it is recommended that test-takers should have a valid UG degree. Unless there is no point in appearing in GRE exam.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Can I get admission in USA without GRE?
Most of the Universities in the USA accept international student applicants without GRE scores. Apart from MS courses, US universities allow students to study PhD courses without GRE. There are many popular universities as MIT-Massachusetts Institute of Technology accept applications in its popular Electrical Engineering and Computer Science courses without GRE scores.
Q: Do i need a degree to appear for GRE? Can i appear as a final year student?
No, you don't need a degree to appear in the GRE exam. Many final year students apply and appear in the GRE exam as there are no specific GRE eligibility criteria about educational background. However, you need to have a valid degree at the time of PG admission in your desired course to study.
Q: Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
A postgraduate in English Literature from Jamia Milla Islamia, Niha has been associated with the education industry as a student counsellor for the past eight years now. Her expertise in customer service, communicat... Read Full Bio
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
The Graduate Record Examination conducting body ETS has not set any official minimum qualification for the GRE Exam. However, students must have a graduate degree from a valid university to apply for various PG programmes. The GRE is mainly famous among students for a Master’s degree in business, MBA, law, or more. A certain score in the UG examination is not required for GRE eligibility.