MS in Computer Science from USA is a 1-2 year course offered by around 400 universities across the country. International Students looking to pursue a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the USA need to have a 4 years bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of study. To get into top Computer Science Colleges in USA, you will also need a competitive GRE score (though waivers are offered by certain colleges), and language proficiency scores.
Pursuing a master’s in the US can be an expensive affair. MS in Computer Science in US costs around 13,500 USD to 141,000 USD for the total program (tuition only). Living in the US can cost anywhere from around 1500 USD to 2000 USD a month. To cover up these expenses, one can always explore scholarships available to Indian students in the US. Admissions to US universities offering MS CS may seem tough, with the high returns on investment and a pool of CS-IT firms to look out for. The average starting salary earned by computer science graduates is around 64,111 USD/annum.
Top Universities for MS in Computer Science in USA
The USA is the hub of most of the tech giants like Amazon, Google, Facebook and many more, and thus the top computer science colleges in USA providing Masters in Computer Science are among the best universities in the world. Mentioned below are the top universities which provide MS in computer science from the USA along with their QS World Ranking,2021, and fees structure.
| University | QS 2021 | Courses Offered | Total Program Cost(in USD) | Duration (in Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | #1 | M.E in Computer Science MSc. in Computational for Design and Optimization | 109,864 | 2 |
| Stanford University | #2 | MSc. in Computer Science | 69,674 | 2 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | #3 | MSc. in Computer Science | 58,442 | 2 |
| University of California, Berkeley | #4 | MSc. in Computer Science | 13,272 | 1 |
| Harvard University | #7 | MSc. in Computer Science M.E in Computer Science | 117,460 57,000 | 2 |
| Princeton University | #13 | MSc. in Computer Science | 120,080 | 2 |
| University of California, Los Angeles | #13 | MSc. in Computer Science | 64,908 | 2 |
| University of Washington | #17 | MSc. in Computer Science Engineering | 15,000 | 1 |
| Columbia University | #18 | MSc. in Computer Science | 60,540 | 1 |
| New York University | #20 | MSc. in Computer Engineering | 98,208 | 2 |
| Georgia Tech | #24 | MSc Computer Science | 40,000 | 1.5 to 2 |
| Cornell University | #25 | MSc Computer Science | 117,172 | 2 |
| University of Texas, Austin | #29 | MSc. in Computer Science | 50,432 | 2 |
| University of Illinois- Urban Campaign | #31 | MSc. in Computer Science | 34,648 | 2 |
| University of Pennsylvania | #34 | MSc. in Scientific Computing | 113,572 | 2 |
| University of Southern California | #44 | MSc. in Computer Science MSc. in Computer Engineering | 51,590 | 2 |
| Yale University | #46 | MSc. in Computer Science | 141,000 | 2 |
| UCSD | #46 | MS Computer Science | 64,214 | 2 |
| University of Michigan | #50 | MSE in Computer Science and Engineering | 52,960 | 2 |
| Boston University | #51-60 | MS in Computer Science | 58,560 | 2 |
Universities in the USA provide the best higher education quality in the world as it spends around 1.3% of its GDP only in Higher Studies, as per the recent study by OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development).
Why Study MS in Computer Science in USA?
The US has been the top choice for international students intending to study abroad, making it the home to more than about a million overseas students.
- The top 15universities in USA are among the top 50 computer science colleges around the globe, according to the QS World Ranking, 2020.
- According to the Global R&D Funding Forecast 2019, the USA is going to invest around 2 Trillion USD for research purposes, and it is expected that by mid-2020.
- Artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and the software sector will dominate the R&D landscape.
- Computer graduates in the US earn an average pay of 85,000 USD/Year as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- As projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that new job positions in the field of computer science and technology are going to increase by 16% by the year 2028.
- States like New York, California, Michigan, and Massachusetts have a high demand for computer graduates with an average yearly pay of more than 95,000 USD.
MS in Computer Science from USA: Course Description
Computer Science is the study of computer frameworks with a specialized and appropriate methodology. Master in Computer Science from USA offers a wide scope of specializations for the students looking to study in the USA.
Specializations like Artificial Intelligence, information technology, programming, ethical hacking, virtual and augmented reality are few of the popular areas that have high demand in the software market.
Computer Science and technology are involved in each and every field today, be it the field of software, engineering, financial markets, biological research or designing, computers are the one-stop solution to modern problems.
MS in Computer Science in USA: Course Highlights
| Courses Available | Master of Science(MSc.) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering Master of Engineering(M.E) in Computer Science |
| Eligibility | 3.0 GPA on scale of 4.0 GPA. 83-86% |
| Entrance Exams | IELTS: 6.5-7.5 TOEFL iBT: 87-102 GRE:292-328 |
| Duration | 1-2 Years |
| Course Type | Full Time |
| Tuition Fees | 13,200- 141,000 USD for the total program |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Amazon, Facebook, Google, Cognizant, Cisco Systems Inc., Booz, Allen & Hamilton Group etc. |
| Average starting Salary | 64,111 USD/annum |
MS in Computer Science in USA Admissions
MS in computer science from USA is one of the popular courses, thus there are certain qualification criteria for getting admitted to the top USA universities. There are proficiency tests of the international level that are needed to be cleared. These tests likewise incorporate English Language Proficiency (for example IELTS, TOEFL) and GRE.
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Eligibility Criteria for MS in Computer Science from USA
Eligibility Criteria vary from university to university, but the overall entry requirements for MS in computer science from USA are somehow based on the common entrance exams.
MS in Computer Science is a mainstream course, thus its popularity is quite high and this results in a tough competition, which is again an important perspective for entry requirements.
Some of the basic requirements are mentioned below:
- Undergraduate degree equivalent to bachelors in computer science in USA or relevant technical field with aggregate marks of 3.0 GPA out of 4.0 GPA.
- This is equivalent to 83-86% and the grade equivalent is B.
- GRE score is one of the important criteria, average marks vary between 292-328.
- Students need to have good scores in ELPs like IELTS and TOEFL.
Now let us have a look at a table described below, which deals with the university-wise cut-off marks for GRE and ELPs.
| University | IELTS Cut-off | TOEFL Cut-off | GRE Cut-off | Brochure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Accepted | 90 | Accepted | Brochure |
| Stanford University | Accepted | 89 | 328 | Brochure |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 7.5 | 102 | 316 | Brochure |
| University of California, Berkeley | 7 | 90 | 324 | Brochure |
| Harvard University | 7 | 90 | 292 | Brochure |
| Princeton University | 7 | 100 | Accepted | Brochure |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 7 | 87 | Accepted | Brochure |
| University of Washington | 7 | 92 | 300 | Brochure |
| University of Columbia | 7 | 100 | Accepted | Brochure |
| New York University | 7 | 90 | 310 | Brochure |
| University of Texas, Austin | 7 | 90 | 300 | Brochure |
| University of Illinois- Urban Campaign | 7 | 102 | 316 | Brochure |
| University of Pennsylvania | 7 | 100 | Accepted | Brochure |
| University of Southern California | 6.5 | 90 | Accepted | – |
| Yale University | 7 | 100 | 322 | Brochure |
International students must keep track of admission deadlines for studying top US universities.
USA Student Visa
The USA Student Visa is the world’s 3rd most applied visa, which has an acceptance rate of around 88%. There are commonly 3 types of student visas available for international students, depending on the duration and type, of course, an individual prefers to pursue in the US.
- F-Visas: These visas are provided to international students who wish to pursue any full-time academic degree from a licensed American University, where the duration of the course is more than that of 90 days.
- M-Visas: These visas are generally provided to international students who want to pursue any non-academic courses or vocational training in any US accredited university or college.
- J-Visas: These are generally provided to international students who are willing to take part in any exchange program. The stay for these visas is less than that of F and M type visas.
Required Documents
- Complete Admission Form
- Payment Receipt of the admission form
- Academic Transcripts
- Scores of standardized exams to study in USA, like IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
- Degree Certificates
- Copy of Passport
- Letter of recommendation
MS in Computer Science in USA: Costs
The college-wise fee details have already been discussed in the above section, but for an international student, it is also very important to know about the living cost in the USA, as it adds a handsome amount to the overall budget.
Pre-arrival Expenses
For an International Student, pre-arrival expenses include the cost of a student’s visa to the US, the cost of entrance exams required to study in the USA, and travel costs.
| Categories | Cost (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Visa Application Cost | 510 |
| IELTS fee | 240 |
| TOEFL fee | 200 |
| GRE fee | 190 |
| SEVIS fee | 180 for J-type visas 200 for F-type visas |
| Travel Cost | 500-1000 |
| Total | 1,840-2,340 |
Tuition fees for MS in Computer Science in USA
As already mentioned in the top universities section, the average cost of studying MS in computer science from the USA is around 78,000 USD for the total program, with a minimum cost of 13,272 USD for the total program at the University of California- Berkeley to a maximum of 141,000 USD for the total program in Yale University.
Cost of Living in USA
The cost of living in the USA completely depends on the lifestyle and the university one chooses. Below mentioned are the average monthly expenses that an international student needs to bear to sustain his/her stay in the US.
| Categories | Average Monthly Expenses (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 1000 (on-campus stay) 600-800 (off-campus stay) |
| Meals | 120-160 |
| Transportation | 100-300 |
| Health Insurance | 450-700 |
| Personal Expenses | 300-600 |
| Total | 1,570-2,813 |
From this section, it is quite clear that the average cost of studying in USA ranges from 96,480 USD/year to 111,756 USD/year for an international student looking to pursue an MS in computer science from the USA, depending on the choice of course and university one chooses. This amount is equivalent to around 74 Lakhs/year for an Indian Student.
MS in Computer Science in USA Scholarships
Education costs combined with living expenses in the USA are quite costly, particularly for those from countries that have much lower exchange rates. In spite of the significant expense of study, the USA offers many scholarships for international students to assist and support their education monetarily. Your living and tuition costs can be outfitted fully or partially relying upon a couple of factors as mentioned below:
- Scores of the Entrance Exams directly affect your scholarship amount.
- Recommendation letters, co-curricular activities, and achievements also play a crucial role.
Below mentioned are a few of the popular scholarships available for masters students in the USA:
| Name Of the Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Society Leadership Award | Students having an excellent academic record | Covers Tuition fees, living expenses and monthly stipend |
| PEO International Peace Scholarship for Women | Awarded to International Women candidates | 12,500 USD |
| Rotary Foundation Graduate Scholarship Program | Students from lower-income countries. | 30,000 USD |
| National Overseas Scholarship | Students who wish to pursue master’s and doctorate programs and have a minimum aggregate of 55% in UG. | Covers tuition fees, medical insurance, travel expenses and other miscellaneous expenses. |
| Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program | Citizens of eligible countries including India. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of work experience in their professional field. | Tuition fees, travel expenses, monthly stipend, computer subsidy, health insurance coverage. |
Didn’t Get a Scholarship? Don’t Worry!!
If you haven’t got a scholarship, you should not be worried at all. The USA has many part-time jobs available which will help you with your monetary problems, and an F-1 student’s visa permits you to work for about 20 hours a week. Other funding opportunities to sponsor your MS in Computer Science from the USA:.
- Teaching Assistant: You can earn up to 500-600 USD/week.
- Peer Tutor: You can get average pay of around 450 USD/week.
- Library Monitor: You can earn up to 400 USD/week.
- Tour Guide: At an entry-level, you can earn up to 300-350 USD/week.
Apart from part-time jobs, you can also apply for different internship programs in the field of your study and these might also get you paid.
MS in Computer Science from USA Jobs
The typical job role of a computer science graduate is around computer and software technologies, which deals with Artificial Intelligence, Virtual reality, software development, networking and big data management. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly pay of a Computer and Information Research Scientist is around 118,000 USD, whereas the average yearly salary of a Hardware Computer Engineer is around 114,000 USD/year.
Graduates from MS in Computer Science from USA can expect a salary increment of around 9% every 15 months. The demand for professionals in this field is expected to grow by around 16% between 2018-2028 as per the recent study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For working in the USA you will require a work permit.
For an international student thing about what after studying in USA given below are some of the popular job positions and their average pay:
| Designation | Average Yearly Pay (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Android Developer | 75,200 |
| Artificial Intelligence Specialist | 91,000 |
| Blockchain Developer | 75,000 |
| C++ Developer | 88,200 |
| Computer Network Architect | 90,000 |
| ERP Project Manager | 117,000 |
| Ethical Hacker | 75,000 |
| Information Security Manager | 111,000 |
| Lead Developer | 91,500 |
| Network Engineer | 85,000 |
Work Permit in the USA
After completion of the course, most of the international students look for job opportunities in the US itself, thus the most common type of work visa in USA is H1B visas. To apply for an H1-B visa, you must need:
- An offer of Employment
- To file an I-29 petition with the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Department.
ROI for Top Computer Science Universities
Some of the top-paying universities are discussed below:
| University | Salaries (USD/year) |
|---|---|
| CalTech | 125,000 to 128,000 |
| Cornell | 127,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University | 119,000 |
| UCSD | 115,000 |
| MIT | 149,000 |
Research Post MS in Computer Science in USA
After completing a master’s degree, it is a general tendency that students look for job opportunities, rather one can apply for a Doctor of Philosophy(Ph.D.) degree in the USA too.
Colleges like MIT, Stanford, University of California, etc. are among the top schools giving doctoral degrees in computer science and its specializations. According to recent statistics, an individual with a doctoral certificate gains up to 23% more than a master’s graduate.
The Computer Science sector is booming day by day, as most of the American GDP is driven by Silicon Valley Companies. With a projected increment of around 40,000 new job openings by the next few years, the computer science field has become one of the mainstream subjects as considered by most international students.
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