A Master of Science or MS in USA is a highly sought after and prestigious degree especially for Indian students, given India's track record of producing excellent engineering, scientists and doctors.
An MS in USA for Indian students with an undergraduate degree in applied sciences is a great opportunity to delve deep into the subject. It will form the basis of a bright career in science and research. An MS or Master’s of Science degree is the next logical step for students looking into applied sciences as a career option.
An MS degree is a technically oriented program with a focus on developing analytical and problem-solving skills. The focus of an MS program will primarily be on lab work and research. However, there are many disciplines that a student can pursue an MS degree in; Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Health Sciences, Statistics, and Data Science, among many others. Students also can pursue a course-based MS degree or a research-based one, or a combination of both.
Table of Contents
- Top Universities for MS in USA
- Cost of MS degree in the US
- Why Study MS in USA?
- Duration of MS courses in the US
- Requirements For Admission In MS In USA
- Application Process
- US Student Visa Details
- How to Apply for Scholarships for MS in the USA?
Top Universities for MS in USA
The names of the top universities for MS in the USA are given below:
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- California State University, Los Angeles
- University of Southern California
- New York University
- Arizona State University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Florida
- University of Texas, Arlington
- Northeastern University
- University of Texas, Dallas
- University of Illinois, Chicago
- Columbia University
- University of Illinois, Chicago
- Columbia University
Cost of MS degree in the US
The USA's tuition fees for MS courses are based on a cost-per-credit system where the minimum credit hours in the MS program are 30 hours. The cost of the MS degree will depend on the type of university (public or private) and program. The table below contains the list of top universities and their most popular program, along with their eligibility and fees requirements:
| University | Most Popular MS Program | Fees (per year) |
| Harvard University | MS in Data Science | INR 54.08 lakhs |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | MS in Mechanical Engineering | INR 55.22 lakhs |
| Stanford University | MS in Computer Science | INR 45.47 lakhs |
| California State University, Los Angeles | MS in Computer Science | INR 16.28 lakhs |
| University of Southern California | MS in Computer Science | INR 41.69 lakhs |
| New York University | MS in Computer Engineering | INR 38.52 lakhs |
| Arizona State University | MS in Computer Science | INR 33.92 lakhs |
| Northeastern University | MS in Computer Science | INR 37.73 lakhs |
| University of Texas, Dallas | MS in Computer Science | INR 38.18 lakhs |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | MS in Computer Science | INR 39.28 lakhs |
| University of California, Berkeley | MS in Computer Science | INR 37.91 lakhs |
| University of Illinois, Chicago | MS in Computer Science | INR 25.43 lakhs |
| Columbia University | MS in Computer Science | INR 37.67 lakhs |
| University of Florida | MS in Computer Science | INR 33.97 lakhs |
| University of Texas, Arlington | MS in Computer Science | INR 23.06 lakhs |
An MS degree will cost anywhere between USD 30,000 (INR 21.88 lakhs) and USD 120,000 (INR 87.54 lakhs), depending on the type of program and institution.
Why Study MS in USA?
The United States of America has some of the best institutions globally for applied sciences, engineering and medicine. Therefore, there is a lot to learn in terms of knowledge and experience by pursuing an MS in the USA, especially for Indian students, as India produced some of the best engineers, doctors, and scientists globally. Below are some of the benefits of studying MS in the USA:
Wide Variety of Specializations
Universities in the USA offer a wide range of specializations across major fields to MS degree programs. There are over 781 specializations for MS degrees across the various institutions in the USA.
Popular MS Specializations in the US
Some of the names of the popular specializations for MS are given below:
- MS in Computer Science
- MS in Embedded Systems
- MS in Power Engineering
- MS in Management Information Systems
- MS in Wireless Communications
- MS in Game Design and Game Development
- MS in Petroleum Engineering
- MS in Life Sciences
- MS in Pharmacy
- MS is VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration)
Focus on Experiential Learning
MS programs in the USA are structured to provide students with ample industry exposure in internships and projects. This practice allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Best Institutions in the World
The USA has the best institutions in the world for MS degree programs. The North American nation is home to 133 of the 200 best universities or MS programs globally as per THE Global Rankings of 2021.
World-class Faculty
To add to the previously mentioned point about having the best institutions globally, the MS programs in the USA also have the best in terms of resources and faculty.
Duration of MS courses in the US
Typically, the duration of MS courses in the USA is between 1.5 and 2 years. Some MS specializations like Computer Science and Engineering may be between 3 and 5 years to complete. MS programs in Medicine may be for a minimum of 6 years or more, depending on the type of specialization.
Requirements For Admission In MS In USA
An MS degree in the USA comes with certain requirements to determine a student's eligibility for admissions into the program. It is not mandatory for students to specifically have a Bachelor of Science degree. However, a student must have an undergraduate degree in the relevant subject chosen for the MS program. The general requirements for admissions into MS programs in the USA are as follows:
- An undergraduate degree (3 or 4 years) in the relevant field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (65 - 70% and above)
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE)
- Relevant GRE scores (290 and above)
- Statement of Purpose
- At least two letters of recommendation
Additional Documents
Though not mandatory, submitting these documents will add value to a student's application for MS in the USA:
- Research/ internship projects
- Published research papers
- Proof of social or leadership activities
Application Process
The application deadlines are usually in October for the Spring semester and December for the Fall semester. Once the application is confirmed, the university will notify the student by mid-April regarding the admission process. Students have to make sure that they accept the offer of admission by May 1. Some universities have rolling admissions so students can apply throughout the year.
Students are required to submit scores of standardized tests as part of the admission process. Usually, MS programs have a GRE requirement though some MS programs in Management may require GMAT scores while those MS Medical programs may require MCAT scores.
Students can request a GRE waiver under the following circumstances:
- They must have a good educational background with proven work as a researcher in the relevant field. This entails having an excellent academic record in the previous graduate program with a good GPA score.
- Having adequate work experience in the professional sphere can help a student waive the GRE requirements.
- Some applicants may already have a GRE score which would have expired. In these cases, applicants can request a GRE waiver.
How to send the Transcripts to the Institutions?
The transcripts must be under the Head of Department (HOD)/Principal of the applicant's school or university, in a sealed envelope with the university/school's seal. International students must submit evaluated transcripts.
Transcript Evaluation Agencies
The USA has Credential Evaluation Services (CES), a collection of various agencies that evaluate transcripts. Students have to upload their transcripts to the website of any one of these agencies. They can pay the fees online and track their applications on these websites as well. The names of some evaluation agencies are as follows:
- NACES: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
- WES: World Education Services
- ECE: Educational Credential Evaluators
- AACRAO: American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
US Student Visa Details
Once students receive the acceptance letter from their preferred university, they can proceed to the visa application. Usually, the university’s international student office will send a Form I-20 to the student. The form is a document that will record a student’s information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Indian students pursuing an MS in the USA can apply for the following US student visas:
| Type of Visa | Purpose | Fees (in USD) |
| F-1 Student Visa |
|
200 |
| J-1 Exchange Visa | To participate in an exchange program (includes high school and university) | 180 |
How to Apply for Scholarships for MS in the USA?
Because MS programs in the USA are expensive, international students can seek financial assistance in scholarships. Aspirants should note that the competition for these scholarships is high, and they must apply for them well in advance. The table below contains the list of scholarships available to international students in the USA:
| Name of the Scholarship | Features |
| Fullbright Foreign Student Program | Covers tuition fee, airfare, living stipend and health insurance for the duration of the course |
| Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program | Covers tuition fee, airfare, pre-academic English training, living allowance, professional activities and accident insurance for the duration of the course |
| Next-Gen Scholarship | Financial aid of USD 1,000 |
| United States South Pacific Scholarship | Covers tuition fee, airfare, hall room cost, living stipend and health insurance |
| Community College Initiative Program | Covers tuition fee, airfare, living stipend, health insurance and cultural enhancement activities |
