The United States of America (USA) is the land of opportunities for high-quality education and better career prospects. The USA is home to some of the best colleges and universities that offer a Master’s in Computer Science. An MS in computer science in the US takes 1-2 years and is available at many educational universities. To secure admission to MS in Computer Science program, international students should have a four-year undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline with good scores in the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) and one of the English language proficiency tests.
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Reasons to Study MS in Computer Science in the USA
The reasons why students pursue MS in Computer Science in the USA are mentioned below:
- The country offers a multicultural and friendly environment, home to more than one million international students.
- USA’s top 15 universities consistently rank among the world’s top 50 computer science universities, per the 2022 QS World Rankings.
- The USA offers attractive salaries for computer science graduates with an increasing scope of research in emerging fields.
- High demand for skilled computer science professionals in various fields like gaming, software solutions, AI (artificial intelligence), robotics, and automation.
Top Universities for MS in Computer Science in the USA
Here are the top universities in the USA for MS in computer science. The country is a central tech hub, home to leading conglomerates, including Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter, to name a few. According to QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 given below are the list of the top-ranked universities.
QS Subject Ranking 2022 University Programs Available Average Annual Fees Duration (in years) 2 Stanford University M Sc. in Computer Science $69,674 2 4 University of California, Berkeley M Sc. in Computer Science $13,272 1 3 Carnegie Mellon University M Sc. in Computer Science $58,442 2 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.E in Computer Science/ M Sc. in Computational for Design and Optimization $109,864 2 13 Princeton University M Sc. in Computer Science $120,080 2 20 Columbia University M Sc. in Computer Science $60,540 1 7 Harvard University M Sc. in Computer Science M.E in Computer Science $117,460 $57,000 2 18 University of California, Los Angeles M Sc. in Computer Science $64,908 2 14 Cornell University M Sc Computer Science $117,172 2 16 University of Washington M Sc. in Computer Science Engineering $15,000 1 42 University of Michigan MSE in Computer Science and Engineering $52,960 2 27 University of Illinois- Urban Campaign M Sc. in Computer Science $34,648 2 46 University of Southern California M Sc. in Computer Science M Sc. in Computer Engineering $51,590 2 28 University of Texas, Austin M Sc. in Computer Science $50,432 2 35 Yale University M Sc. in Computer Science $141,000 2 41 UCSD MS Computer Science $64,214 2 19 New York University M Sc. in Computer Engineering $98,208 2 92 Boston University MS in Computer Science $58,560 2 37 University of Pennsylvania M Sc. in Scientific Computing $113,572 2
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Application Process for MS in Computer Science in the USA
You can directly apply through the official websites of the universities you wish to study abroad in the USA. International students need 16 years of official education to be eligible to apply. Given below is the list of documents you should provide with the filled-up application form:
- GMAT or GRE score sheet.
- TOEFL or IELTS score sheet.
- SOP (Statement of Purpose)
- LORs (Letters of Recommendations).
- Certificates of Work Experience, if needed.
- Co-Curricular Activities as stated in the application.
- Passport Photocopies.
- Academic Transcripts in sealed envelopes, which should be stamped and signed by the Principals/HODs.
- Attested mark sheets of earlier examinations.
- Proof of funds, proven through bank statements of the last three months. You should show funds to cover tuition and living costs for at least one year.
- Health insurance documents.
Once all your documents have been submitted with your application and respective transcripts mailed in a sealed envelope, the university will evaluate your application. Once approved, the university will notify you through the official acceptance letter. Keep the admissions deadline in mind; some institutions have specific deadlines, while some take applications throughout the year.
Applying to study in USA is pivotal to proceeding with your application. The F-1 visa is the most standard option, and you can find the application form on the website of the US Embassy. You should provide all documents and meet the eligibility criteria for getting your visa.
You will require a valid passport with a date extending to at least six months beyond the course tenure. A recent passport-size photograph is necessary, along with the DS-160 confirmation page. You will also need Form I-20 along with paying the SEVIS application fee($350). You must schedule your appointment at your nearest center to submit your biometric data and another appointment for your visa interview. Answer honestly and clearly at the interview to ensure your selection.
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Eligibility Criteria to Study MS in Computer Science in the USA
To pursue MS in computer science in the USA for Indian students means complying with the requisite criteria. Let’s take a look at the same:
- Candidates should have bachelor’s or undergraduate degrees equivalent to a bachelor’s program in Computer Science in the US. An aggregate of 3.0 GPA is a must out of a 4.0 GPA. It means a minimum B grade with 83-86% of marks.
- Another MS in computer science in the USA eligibility criteria pertains to the GRE score. Students need to score anywhere between 292-328 to boost their chances. Most universities accept GRE cut-offs in this segment. For example, Stanford University takes GRE 328, while GRE 292 is good enough for Harvard University. Carnegie Mellon University accepts scores of 316, while the University of Washington takes 300.
- Good scores are necessary for English language proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS. The minimum IELTS cut-off is usually 7, although institutions like the University of Southern California may accept 6.5 scores, while some, like Carnegie Mellon University, insist on IELTS 7.5 scores.
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Application Deadlines for Admission to MS in Computer Science in the USA
Here’s taking a look at the deadlines for applying for MS in Computer Science in the USA (University-wise)
University Deadline for Applying University of California, Berkeley December 8 University of California, Los Angeles December 1 Carnegie Mellon University December 9 Stanford University December 7 Princeton University December 15 Harvard University December 1 Columbia University NA New York University March 1 Georgia Tech February 1 University of Washington December 15 University of Illinois- Urban Campaign December 15 University of California – San Diego December 16 University of Pennsylvania March 1 and May 1 Yale University March 1 University of Southern California January 15 (Fall) Cornell University February 1 Boston University NA University of Texas, Austin December 15 University of Michigan January 15
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Cost of Studying MS in Computer Science in the USA
The cost of studying Ms in computer science in USA has been divided into 2 categories, i.e. Tuition Fees and cost of living:
The tuition costs for MS in Computer Science may range between $78,000 and $141,000 approximately. There are universities like the University of California with a reasonable fee of $13,500-$14,000, while some universities charge more than $120,000-130,000. Apart from the tuition fees, there are some other costs that include:
- $510 (approx) in visa application charges or INR 37,762
- $200-$240 (approx) for TOEFL/IELTS examinations
- $190 for GRE examination or INR 14,068
- $180-$200 as SEVIS charges (J/F-Type visas)
- $500-$1,000 in travel expenses
Cost of Living:
Once in the USA, you will have to cover your costs of living as well. Here’s taking a quick look at the monthly expenditure:
- $600-$1,000 for accommodation (covering both on-campus and off-campus units)
- $120-$160 in meals and grocery costs
- $450-$700 in health insurance
- $100-$300 for public transport
- $300-$600 to meet personal expenditure
Approximate yearly costs hover around $96,000-$112,000 for international students in this field.
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Scholarships for MS in Computer Science
Living costs and tuition fees combine to make it a costly affair for international students, particularly those from nations with lower exchange rates. Hence, they often find it more convenient to apply for scholarships instead. If successful, these help in funding their educational costs, either partially or completely. Your success at obtaining a scholarship will depend upon your entrance examination results and factors like your academic scores, accomplishments, extra-curricular activities, and letters of recommendation.
Here are some of the scholarship choices available for international students:
Scholarship |
Criteria for Eligibility |
Scholarship Amount |
Rotary Foundation Graduate Scholarship Program |
Students hailing from lower-income nations |
$30,000 (INR 22,21,317) |
Civil Society Leadership Award |
Good academic track record |
Coverage for tuition costs, monthly stipend and some living costs |
PEO International Peace Scholarship for Women |
Only applicable for global women aspirants |
$12,500 (INR 9,25,548) |
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program |
People from some countries, including India. At least 5 years of professional experience. |
Coverage for tuition costs, computer subsidies, monthly stipends, travel expenses and health insurance costs |
National Overseas Scholarship |
At least 55% in the UG course for doctoral or master’s programs |
Coverage for health insurance, travel costs, miscellaneous costs and tuition charges as well |
Job Opportunities After MS Courses in Computer Science in the USA
Computer science graduates in the USA get several job opportunities revolving around software, programming, and emerging fields like VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), AI (artificial intelligence), ML (machine learning), big data, and its management and networking. As per several reports, average annual salaries hover around $118,000 and $114,000 for research scientists and hardware engineers. The demand for trained computer science professionals will
skyrocket over the next decade.
Given below is a table showing the top job roles and average salary in the US after MS in computer science:
Job Role Average Annual Salaries (in USD) Computer Scientist $157,000 Data Scientist $155,000 Android Developer $91,900 C++ Developer $104,000 Full Stack Developer $98,700 Game Developer $86,200 Lead Developer $112,000 Network Engineer $83,200 Blockchain Developer $81,400 AI and Machine Learning Specialist $108,000 Ethical Hacker $80,200 Software Engineer $91,900 Information Security Engineer $90,500 Programmer $89,600
USA Work Permits-
After completing the educational course, a majority of international students seek employment opportunities in the country. You will need the H1-B visa after submitting your employment offer and filing the I-29 petition with the USA Citizen and Immigration Department.
Important Link to Study in USA [/su_table A- Candidates should have Bachelor’s or undergraduate degrees equivalent to Bachelor’s program in Computer Science in the USA. They may also have a degree in any technical discipline which is relevant. Applicants will have to appear for entrance examinations like GRE. They need scores in English language proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL. A- The USA is one of the best global destinations for studying computer science. It is the hub of the global technology sector, housing some of the world’s biggest technology companies and leading universities. The country also offers numerous job opportunities for computer science graduates. A- There are many destinations in the USA where MS in Computer Science is a popular course for international students. These include Austin (Texas), San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Ann Arbor (Michigan), Ithaca (New York) and Boston. A- Top branches for MS in the USA include Computer Science, Power Engineering, Embedded Systems, Management Information Systems (MIS), Wireless Communications, Petroleum Engineering, Game Design and Development, and Life Sciences. A- You should find suitable courses and institutions. Check out their official websites for eligibility criteria. Narrow down the list and appear for entrance examinations like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT and ACT. Write your SOP (Statement of Purpose) and get your LORs (Letters of Recommendation). Apply to the institution where you fit the eligibility criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which exam is required for MS in computer science in the USA?
Q2. Is the USA good for MS in CS?
Q3. Which state is best for MS in CS in the USA?
Q4. Which branch is best for MS in the USA?
Q5. How can I apply for MS in the USA?