Master in the USA, or MS in the USA, is a 2-year degree that is offered at around 70% of US universities. The US MS program focuses primarily on STEM courses (Science Technology Engineering Management). Students from abroad who are looking for an MS often choose courses such as MS in Business and Management or MS in IT.
Students from abroad who wish to apply to the USA for master's degrees in 2022 will need to have 16 years of education and a GPA of at least 3.0 (or 80%) on a scale of 4.0 or higher. You must also meet the TOEFL score requirements. This cost is approximately 9.76 to 75.1 lakh INR for an Indian student who plans to study MS in the USA. It depends on which university you choose and what specialization you choose.
MS in USA Top Universities
MIT is ranked #1 worldwide, followed by Harvard, Caltech and Stanford. The University of Chicago is ranked among the top 10 universities around the globe. Here is a list of the 25 top universities in America, along with their acceptance rates to Masters's programs:
Name of the University |
QS Ranking 2023 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). |
1 |
Stanford University |
3 |
Harvard University |
5 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech). |
6 |
University of Chicago |
10 |
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). |
13 |
Princeton University |
16 |
Yale University |
14 |
Cornell University |
20 |
Columbia University |
22 |
Johns Hopkins University |
24 |
University of Michigan Ann Arbor |
25 |
UC Berkeley |
27 |
Northwestern University |
32 |
New York University (NYU). |
39 |
University of California, Los Angeles |
44 |
Duke University |
50 |
Carnegie Mellon University |
52 |
University of California, San Diego |
53 |
Brown University |
63 |
University of Texas (UTAUS). |
72 |
University of Washington |
80 |
University of Wisconsin (UW–Madison). |
83 |
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign |
85 |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
88 |
The Acceptance Rate of Top Universities in America for MS
Prospective students can find MS programs at approximately 95% of American universities. Many people want to be admitted to MS universities in the USA, such as Harvard University, Yale and Stanford University. The acceptance rates for top US universities are low. At the majority of top universities, the acceptance rate for MS courses is lower than 6%.
Name of the University |
Acceptance Rate (for MS) |
Avg fees in INR |
University of Michigan Ann Arbor |
26% |
15.62 lakhs |
Cornell University |
11% |
15.18 Lakhs |
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). |
9% |
41.60 Lakhs |
Yale University |
7% |
31.77 Lakhs |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). |
7% |
13.06 Lakhs |
University of Chicago |
7% |
42.40 Lakhs |
Princeton University |
5.5% |
30.96 Lakhs |
Harvard University |
5% |
17.60 lakhs |
Stanford University |
3.95% |
51.28 Lakhs |
Why study MS in the USA?
International students can avail of more than 2 million MS courses in the USA. They also have the option to earn through the work-study program or stay back permit post-MS. There are also research opportunities and merit-based scholarships that support education. Other benefits include:
- Students choose STEM courses in USA because it is highly in demand and gives them a 24-month extension of their work visa post-MS.
- Research and development account for 2.7% of the US government's total GDP. The US government spends 476,452 millions USD. A master's degree in the USA will increase your chances of funding and research.
- There is potential for research after MS. Students can apply for Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Research Assistantships (RA).
- Part-time TAs can earn students 500 USD to 1,200 USD per month.
- Research assistants can receive up to 1,500 USD per month as a stipend.
- Pre-requisites, core subjects and electives are all part of the MS course curriculum. This increases the potential for research-based MS by over 30%
- Students pursuing a Master's degree at any one of the USA universities are eligible for a scholarship worth 10,000 USD per year.
Popular MS Courses in the USA
These are some of the most popular programs that top universities offer.
Program Name |
University Name |
Annual Fees for Indians |
MS in Finance in the USA |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
42.7 Lakhs |
University of California, Los Angeles |
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 the USA |
Stanford University |
40.3 Lakhs |
Harvard University |
43.2 Lakhs |
|
Yale University |
33 Lakhs |
|
UPenn |
20.8 Lakhs |
|
New York University |
26.6 Lakhs |
|
MS in Computer Science in the USA |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
35.3 Lakhs |
Stanford University |
58 Lakhs |
|
Carnegie Mellon University |
19.7 Lakhs |
|
University of California, Berkeley |
19.6 Lakhs |
|
Harvard University |
41.3 Lakhs |
|
MS in Marketing in the 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 the USA |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
61.9 Lakhs |
University of California, Los Angeles |
50.2 Lakhs |
|
University of Texas, Austin |
36.1 Lakhs |
|
Arizona State University |
34.7 Lakhs |
|
Michigan State University |
21.3 Lakhs |
There are also other popular master's programs in the USA
MS Biomedical Engineering |
MS in Public Health |
MS in Management |
MS in Artificial Intelligence |
Master's in Architecture |
MS in Cyber Security |
Masters in USA Requirements
International students must meet many requirements in order to obtain higher education in the USA. Many documents such as supporting documents, test scores, proof of subjects, mark sheets, transcripts and other documentation are required. International students applying for admission to universities in the USA should submit these documents.
- Bachelor's degree in the relevant field for 3-4 years
- A GPA of 3.5 or more is equivalent to 87% in bachelor
- GRE score of 330 and above
- Statement of Purpose
- Research Internships/ Published Research Papers
- Project work/Seminars
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation
- Social & Leadership Activities.
For admission to the Masters program in USA, you must submit a test score
Along with their applications, applicants must submit standardized test scores. Students must submit standardized test scores depending on the course they choose to pursue a Masters degree in USA. The applicants must submit these test scores to be able to assess their academic ability and understand their aptitude. Some universities only require their submission.
Top Universities in the USA for MS
University |
GRE Scores Required |
Stanford University |
328 |
Carnegie Mellon University |
316 |
University of California, Berkeley |
324 |
University of Washington |
300 |
New York University |
310 |
University of Texas Austin |
300 |
Yale University |
322 |
University of Chicago |
Quant- 154 | Verbal- 155 |
University of California, Los Angeles |
Quant- 169 | Verbal- 158 |
University of Minnesota |
Quant- 170 | Verbal- 153 |
GRE/GMAT Waiver to MS in USA Admissions
GRE/GMAT waivers can be requested by applicants for any MS in the USA. Applicants must then prove their ability to analyze, apply reasoning skills, command of English, and quantitative aptitude.
- This was necessary for admission to top B-Schools. Only 5 of the 12 schools had a prerequisite for GMAT/GRE exemption.
- The GMAT is usually waived for online Management courses, but not for on-campus courses.
- Compared to 23% submissions of GRE scores, less than 14% students submitted GMAT scores.
- More than 70% of US universities waive the GRE for students who want to study in the USA. They must also have outstanding research skills and professional experience.
These scores are not required for admission to all universities. These universities believe that scores do not define an applicant's academic performance. Below are the universities:
- University of Phoenix
- Kansas State University
- Virginia State UniversityVirginia State University
- Boston University
ToEFL iBT Requirements For International Students
To be eligible for MS admissions in the USA, students must submit scores from TOEFL and IELTS to prove their English proficiency. In comparison to IELTS-trained students, more than 70% of TOEFL applicants choose to take the test. English language tests can also be divided into separate parts. Below is a table that shows the differences between the two types of tests.
University |
TOEFL iBT scores |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
90 |
Stanford University |
100 |
Harvard University |
105 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech). |
No minimum requirement |
University of Chicago |
90 |
Princeton University |
100 |
University of Pennsylvania |
100 |
Cornell University |
100 |
Yale University |
100 |
Columbia University |
100 |
Document checklist for MS in USA
It is very complicated to apply for MS admissions in the USA. International students must submit a list of documents to be admitted. These are the documents that are required to be admitted to the USA for MS admissions:
- Transcripts should be sealed in an envelope and stamped or signed by the HOD/Principal.
- Notes: Attested by the HOD/Principal from previously attended institutions.
- CV: A current CV must be submitted in the correct format. It should include details about the work experience and the research level.
- Statement of purpose: The SOP for MS should be completed well in advance and submitted with the application. It should include information about the applicant, their goals and the expectations for the course.
- Letters of recommendation: At least two to three letters of recommendation must be submitted. You can submit them online or offline, depending on the method of submission.
- Financial Statement: A bank statement must not be older than three months and show sufficient funds to support at least one year's worth of studies.
- If an applicant applies for admission to the USA, they will need to have health insurance.
- Passport required to prove identity for visa application
To avoid any last-minute rushes, these documents should be prepared before being submitted.
Studying MS in the USA: What is the cost?
For master's programs in the USA, the total cost includes tuition, books and board, as well as other miscellaneous costs. International students should plan their budget for studying in the USA. It is possible to divide the cost of MS in the USA into three main categories: pre-arrival cost, tuition fees, and cost of living.
Indian Students Pay MS Fees in the USA
University |
Average Fees (INR/Year). |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
57.8 Lakhs |
Stanford University |
61.39 Lakhs |
Harvard University |
41.86 Lakhs |
California Institute of Technology |
44.98 Lakhs |
University of Chicago |
45.55 Lakhs |
Princeton University |
45.81 Lakhs |
University of Pennsylvania |
45.13 Lakhs |
Cornell University |
30.35 Lakhs |
Yale University |
37.43 Lakhs |
Columbia University |
16.61 Lakhs |
Cost of Living in the USA
These are the main factors that influence daily-life expenditures. It is also given the average monthly expense range and the estimated contribution to each item.
Expense |
Average Annual Cost (INR). |
Accommodation |
10.30 - 13.21 Lakhs |
Food and Beverages |
3.83 Lakhs |
Transport |
0.85 Lakhs |
Utility bills |
1.87 Lakhs |
Health Insurance |
3.18 - 7. lakhs |
Personal Expenses |
1.87 Lakhs |
MS in USA with Scholarships
The cost of higher education in the USA is not cheap. International applicants must be able to afford their education to gain entry into the US. The cost of a master's degree in the USA varies depending on the institution and the specialization. A professional degree usually costs more, but students will need to pay around 30.000 USD for tuition fees.
International scholarships can be a great way to save your earnings. They come in many forms: tuition waivers and study grants, as well as living stipends. The Fulbright scholarship is one of the most well-known scholarships available to students from different fields. The many and varied scholarships available to international students studying in the USA are also mentioned.
Scholarship Name |
Organization |
Benefits |
New York University Wagner Scholarship |
University |
From 25,000 to 47,000 USD |
Fulbright Student Program |
Government |
Grant funds tuition, airfare, living stipend, health insurance |
Clark University Scholarships |
University |
From 20,000 to 25,000 USD |
Next-Gen Scholarship |
Next-Gen Foundation |
1,000 USD |
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship |
Trust |
Students from developing countries are eligible for 50% grant and 50% loan |
East Tennessee State University |
University |
11,500 USD annually |
Iowa State University Scholarships |
University |
Scholarships up to 10,000 USD |
University of Oregon Scholarships |
University |
40 Scholarships ranging in price from 7,500 USD up to 30,000 USD |
There are many international organizations that offer opportunities around the globe, in addition to the ones mentioned above. This aid may be of benefit to aspirants for tuition fees or living allowance.
Top Universities in the USA that offer MS Programs
MS students feel intimidated by the variety of jobs that are available after only 3 to 5 weeks of their admission. There are two options for finding jobs: university partnerships with different companies or on-campus employment. You can search for employment opportunities via Indeed or LinkedIn in the United States. Annual job fairs can make it easier to find employment. For students, the average salary after completing a Master's degree in the USA can reach 74,000 USD.
University |
Graduate Employability Ranking 2022 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
1 |
Stanford University |
2 |
University of California, Los Angeles |
3 |
Harvard University |
5 |
Cornell University |
9 |
A visa is granted to approximately 1.6 million students from abroad. They can stay in the USA after completing their MS in any STEM course. There are nine major MS fields, which are further subdivided into 781 specialty areas in the USA. The US graduate schools stand out because of their wide variety of specializations and graduate employability rankings.