When gearing up for a Master’s degree overseas, it is crucial to pick a university and country that can help meet your academic and professional goals. A Masters in the US is the most popular choice for students across the globe for many reasons.
Admissions for MS courses in the USA usually take place across two intakes, namely Fall (beginning in August or September), and Spring (beginning in January or February).
Global Learning: Since top universities in the USA for MS and MA are globally recognised, their graduates are well-regarded in the international academic and professional job market. An MS in the US is made more valuable by the US government's significant investments in research and development programs.
Unmatched Opportunities: Students studying in STEM fields are eligible to apply for a 3-year visa extension under the Optional Training Program in the USA. Moreover, there are several learning and growth opportunities both on and off campus. Boston, New York, San Francisco, LA, and Chicago are among the best student cities in the USA and the world.
Academic Flexibility: You can tailor your master's courses in the US to match your interests and skills. The vast number of subject specialties available to students is one of the most appealing aspects of studying masters in the US.
Funding Support: Finally, while studying in the USA can be a costly affair for many international students, American universities offer generous amounts of scholarships that eventually bring down MS fees in USA. Students can apply for different types of scholarships, ranging from tuition fee waivers to living expenses coverage.
Apart from studying masters, USA is a great study abroad destination for PhD having high academic standards. There are top colleges to do PhD in USA offering wide variety of subjects. In many universities a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the USA is considered the highest degree awarded and holds an amazing reputation worldwide.
USA is one of the most prominent destinations for studying masters. Other than MS, the country is well known for various UG courses in the USA which students can take up after 12th. The country offers some of the best universities for master’s programs and the admissions to the MS courses in the US is irrespective of your specialization in the bachelor’s. So, if planning to study masters in the US, get sorted with the MS course you wish to do and apply to the universities accordingly.
Following are some of the most popular MS Courses in the US:
Computer Science Master's Degree
Cybersecurity Master’s Degree
Master of Science in Data Science
Master's Degree in Psychology
Master of Science in Power Engineering
Wireless Communications Master's Degree
Master of Science in Game Design and Development
Master's Degree in Pharmacy
Biotechnology Master's Degree
Master of Science in Life Sciences
Petroleum Engineering Master's Degree
Talking about PhD courses in the USA, the course length is usually between 4-8 years for full–time students and for part-time students the course duration increases to 8-10 years depending upon your fields of study.
There is a high demand for master's in the US and the reason behind this popularity is that the country is home to some of the world's top colleges for ms courses. These institutions offer a diverse range of high-quality masters degrees and programs. According to the QS World University Rankings, the United States is home to five of the top ten institutions in the world. These are the following:
Top Universities for Masters in US |
QS Rankings |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
1 |
Harvard University |
4 |
Stanford University |
6 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
10 |
University of Pennsylvania |
11 |
University of California (Berkeley) |
12 |
Cornell University |
16 |
University of Chicago |
21 |
Princeton University |
22 |
Yale University |
23 |
In order to do MS in the US, you need not have a specific Bachelor of Science degree to apply for the Master’s programs. However, completing an undergraduate degree is a mandatory requirement in the relevant field. Below are the eligibility requirements for masters in the US. Other eligibility and application requirements may vary depending on the masters degree and university chosen.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE): It is the first step in your journey. A GRE score is required for the vast majority of master's in US degree programs.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): In the United States, English is the predominant language. This test determines if you are qualified to pursue a master's degree in the United States. A minimum TOEFL score of 80 is typically required to apply to master’s programs in the US, but this figure varies.
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT): It is a test for students who wish to pursue an MBA abroad. Your GMAT score is a crucial component of your application.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS): It is used by the majority of colleges and institutions in the United States. The IELTS score requirement varies depending on the university you are applying to, but a minimum score of 6.5-7 is recommended.
To be filled for specific institutions and universities in US
Official transcripts from all previous educational institutions attended.
LOR are usually required for graduate programs; may also be required for undergraduate programs. It’s a complete view of your personal, academic and professional image.
Personal statement outlining academic interests, career goals, and reasons for choosing the institution.
For graduate programs, a detailed resume may be required.
Proof of financial resources to cover tuition and living expenses.
Most institutions require a non-refundable application fee.
Our expert counselors and mentors will help you evaluate your profile, build a plan for your study abroad aspirations and develop a customized timeline that fits your needs and goals.
Jamboree’s renowned test prep team will help you get GRE-ready and maximize your chances for admission to your dream university.
With guidance from our expert counselors and mentors, you will shape your college list based on the strength of your profile and your post-degree plans such as work opportunities and cultural immersion.
At Jamboree, you will receive one-on-one mentoring and feedback for your Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, and other important application essays. Our goal is simple: We help you share your story with clarity, creativity and impact.
We, at Jamboree, believe that doing well in interviews is a skill that can be enhanced by the right guidance and practice. In this last step of the application process, benefit from our rigorous and comprehensive interview prep modules.
At Jamboree, we believe that a US education must be accessible for all. We provide extensive scholarship support: from listing opportunities, to profile development and one-on-one mentoring to build a winning scholarship application.
Once you’re admitted, Jamboree continues to stay by your side with guidance on documentation and visa services. Join the ranks – Jamboree has a very high visa application success rate!
The cost of an MS course in the United States is determined by a number of factors that vary significantly depending on the specific subject (for example, an MS in Engineering Management will cost more than an MS in Chemistry), reputation of the university, location (town or suburb), and a variety of other factors. Furthermore, while tuition is a significant component of the fees, other vital expenses include lodging, travel and transportation, insurance, utilities, books and stationery, meals, and so on.
The average cost of a masters degree for Indian students in the USA lies in the range between INR 25,13,355 and INR 1,00,53,420 annually. Cost of studying MS in the US also includes transportation, accommodation, food and others. The average living cost in the USA while doing masters is INR 2 lakh per month. This can vary depending on your locality and institution.
Living essentials |
Expenses |
Transportation |
INR 7,575 – 22,727 |
Food |
INR 2,272 – 3,030 |
Accommodation |
INR 75,758 – 1,51,516 |
Other |
INR 22,727 – 45,456 |
Despite this cost of doing masters in the US, millions of international students travel every year to get admission into various ms colleges and universities. One of the primary reasons for this is the availability of scholarships and other funding options for international students traveling to study in USA.
Fees at Top Colleges for Masters in USA
Top University for MS in US |
Fee |
Stanford University |
$61,095 (approx) |
Harvard University |
$56,000 (approx) |
University of Chicago |
$41,760 (approx) |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
$65,706 (approx) |
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) |
$84,350 (approx) |
Northeastern University |
$81,432 (approx) |
The fee for these universities mentioned above is approx and it may vary depending on the chosen master’s degree.
The annual cost of studying PhD in USA for Indian students from top universities ranges from 16 to 62 lakhs. August and May are considered as the best times to apply for the PhD programs in America.
Top-notch quality education and career opportunities after pursuing masters in the USA grabs the attention of international students. Despite the high costs of studying MS in the US students travel to the USA for higher education as there are scholarships and other funding options available which lowers the financial burden. More than 1500 fully funded scholarships for masters available in the USA from top universities. These scholarships for MS in the USA not only cover tuition fees, but some even take care of accommodation, health insurance and other travel expenses.
Below are top MS Scholarships for Indian Students:
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships (Government Funded)
Applicable for students applying for master’s or PhD programs in the US. This covers:
Tuition Fee
Accident & sickness coverage (as per US guidelines)
Living costs
Airfare
J-1 visa support only
Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program (Government Funded)
Applicable for professionals to study in the USA for 10 months of non-degree graduate study. This includes:
Long-Term English (LTE) language training
20-25-week pre-academic training for LTE participants
Tuition Fee
Airfare
Living expenses
Professional expenses (field trips etc.)
Monthly maintenance allowance
#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship (Non-Government scholarship)
Applicable for international students and this MS scholarship in US covers:
50% of tuition fees (minimum cover)
AAUW International Fellowships (Non-Government scholarship)
Applicable to international women students for full-time study & research work in the US. The scholarship covers:
Master’s/first professional degree: $20,000
Graduate or Postdoctoral: $25,000-$50,000
In the recent past STEM courses have been quite popular and creative lucrative job opportunities for students completing their MS courses in the USA. The job market in the USA is in favor of STEM students and graduates from the best universities in the US are valued among employers. Thus, the average salaries after pursuing masters in the US are INR 40,00,000 - INR 60,00,000 per year.
Here are some of the average salaries for top courses in MS:
Top MS Courses in US |
Average Salary (USD) |
Petroleum Engineering |
137,720 |
Management |
80,000 |
Engineering Management |
144,830 |
Finance |
108,350 |
Chemical Engineering |
108,540 |
Biomedical/Biotechnical |
92,620 |
Electrical & Electronics Engineering |
100,830 |
Mechanical Engineering |
90,160 |
Statistics / Data Science |
103,930 |
The average salaries after completing masters in the USA depends upon various factors including job title, organization, specialization, skills & years of experience etc. Below are the average salaries based on the popular job roles after in MS in the US:
Job Role After MS in US |
Average Annual Salary (USD) |
Mechanical Engineer |
USD 86,500 |
Data Scientist |
USD 155,000 |
IT Manager |
USD 163,000 |
Civil Engineer |
USD 85,600 |
Software Developer |
USD 91,900 |
Project Manager |
108,000 |
Financial Analyst |
126,000 |
Statistician |
134,000 |
Operation Research Analyst |
70,300 |
Business Development Manager |
145,000 |
Chief Financial Officer |
194,000 |
Electrical Engineer |
89,900 |
Mentioned below is the list of 10 high-paying PhD degrees in US along with their average salaries:
10 High-Paying PhD Degrees |
Average Annual Salaries |
Organic Chemistry |
$77,240 |
Biology |
$78,191 |
Environmental Science |
$87,560 |
Statistics |
$87,655 |
Educational leadership |
$52,209 |
Electrical Engineering |
$95,119 |
Chemical Engineering |
$93,265 |
Political Science |
$97,522 |
Engineering |
$79,724 |
Computer Science |
$103,708 |
Start your MS in Usa Applications with Jamboree
Successful Students
Faculty, Counsellors, & Mentors
Years of Experience
*This data is based on Information from Year 2021-2022. Please contact a Jamboree counsellor for accurate information.
Cambridge
Total Fees
$51,000
New Haven
Total Fees
$43,000 to 72,500
Ann Arbor
Total Fees
$49,000
Oklahoma
Total Fees
$30000
Arizona
Total Fees
$56000
Cincinnati
Total Fees
$56000
Massachusetts
Total Fees
$65000
Houston
Total Fees
$54000
Tuscaloosa
Total Fees
$62000
Pasadena
Total Fees
$52,510 - $56,360
Pittsburgh
Total Fees
$50,100
New York City
Total Fees
$32,900 - $91,620
Atlanta
Total Fees
$20,460 - $60,800
Austin
Total Fees
$16,290 - $40,510
Madison
Total Fees
$25,548
Durham
Total Fees
$33,294
Providence
Total Fees
$60,696
Stanford
Total Fees
$54,315
Hanover
Total Fees
$58,950 - $76,360
Cambridge
Total Fees
$54,000
Berkeley
Total Fees
$26,000 to 72,000
Los Angeles
Total Fees
$65,000
Chicago
Total Fees
$59,000
Princeton
Total Fees
$54,000
Ithaca
Total Fees
$58,000
Philadelphia
Total Fees
$53,000 to 72,000
Students usually hold F-1 visa that permits them to work in the country after finishing their studies (under OPT or Optional Practical Training) depending on the course, subject to certain guidelines and restrictions. Once the F-1 visa extension is over, international students can apply for an H-1B visa that allows them to reside in the country for work. With an H-1B visa, students can live and work in the USA for up to 6 years, after which they can apply for a green card to get permanent US residency.
Masters in the US usually take around 2 years. It also depends on the ms course in the USA students have opted for.
It can be a bit challenging and rewarding at the same time as after completing masters from top universities in the USA, you are entitled to lucrative job opportunities.
A minimum of 3 to 4 years of Bachelor’s Degree in the relevant field along with standardized test scores eg. SAT, ACT, GRE & GMAT and proof of IELTS or TOEFL score for non-native english speakers.
When it comes to study abroad consultants in India, Jamboree Education has been pioneering international university admissions for 3 decades now and have helped more than 200,000 students realise their dream of studying in prestigious colleges.
Yes, students are allowed to work while they are pursuing their master’s course in the US. Some best universities in the US offer on-campus job opportunities which are allowed under student visas. However, after completion of your MS course, several lucrative job options are available.
The trend for the STEM courses in the USA is on the rise and students are paid well after completion of STEM courses. Some other high paying jobs in the USA for Indian students are IT, computer science, engineering, technology, business, hospitality and tourism etc.
Usually, salaries in humanities are lower than that of the STEM fields. Some of the jobs you can seek after completing a PhD in the US in humanities are: university professors, researchers and analysts in philosophy, political science and economics.