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The number of international students pursuing MS (Masters) degree in the USA has been increasing steadily in recent years. In 2025, there were over 1,095,299 international students enrolled in Masters in the United States, representing an increase of over 5.5% from the previous year.
The United States (US) hosts some of the world’s most prominent universities. The country’s unique pedagogy attracts a large number of international students from different parts of the world every year. The practical knowledge, multicultural environment, and scope for personal development that international students get while studying in America cannot be experienced in India. Moreover, with the great technological advancement and huge career prospects, many international students are choosing to study MS in the US.
Pursuing an MS in the USA can provide you with a robust academic curriculum, research opportunities and a competitive edge in the job market. These specialties made the US an attractive destination to study Masters in Science (MS) for the students. It is a 2 year degree program.
The US is home to various top research-intensive universities in the world, which offer huge scope to undertake research for Masters in Science (MS) students.
Master in Science (MS) is a STEM-accredited course. That means after completing MS in US, international students get eligible for 3 years of PSW (post-study work) permit.
International students are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session. This is a great opportunity for them to gain work experience in top companies in the world and explore the country’s multicultural environment.
Pursuing specialisation in MS (Masters in Science) courses from the United States allows students to enter a specific professional career. In the US, research and internships are integral to almost all MS courses. Some of the top specialisations that is offered as part of the MS Courses in the USA are:
MS in Data Science
MS in Computer Science
MS in Finance
MS in Marketing
MS in Electrical Engineering
MS in Business Analytics
MS in Artificial Intelligence
MS in Environmental Health Sciences
MS in Life Sciences
MS in Pharmacy
Before enrolling for the Masters in United States (MS in US), international students must fulfil certain criteria:
Students must complete their undergraduate degree with a minimum score of 60%.
Internationals must prove their English language proficiency which they can do by taking the IELTS or TOEFL.
In order to enrol for MS in top US universities, students may require GRE or GMAT scores. The minimum overall score of 300 is required in GRE to enrol for a MS in the US.
Though it is not compulsory that students must have work experience, some universities may ask for 2 to 3 years of course-relevant work experience as a mandatory criterion to enrol for certain courses.
While applying for MS courses in US universities, students require the following important documents including:
Transcripts of all previous qualifications
Updated CV
A score of Standardise Admission Test (GRE/ GMAT)
Work experience certificate (if applicable)
LORs (Letters of Recommendation)
Proof of funds
The US has a huge scope for MS graduates to gain quality knowledge from the world’s leading experts and kick-start their careers. Here is the list of Best Universities in USA for MS courses, and the top specialisations available in those universities.
| Universities | Top Specialisations in MS Course at the University |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Management, Political Science, Business Analytics, Technology and Policy, Statistics and Data Science |
| California Institute of Technology | Astrophysics, Bioengineering, Space Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Studies and Earth Science |
| Yale University | Computer Science, Statistics and Data Science, Environmental Science, Personalized Medicine & Applied Engineering, Public Health, Nursing |
| University of Chicago | Biomedical Informatics, Computational Analysis and Public Policy, Computer Science, Data Science, Public Health |
| Princeton University | Computer Science, Data Science, Atmospheric and Oceanic, Operations Research and Financial, Civil and Environmental |
| Harvard University | Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Dental Public Health, Applied Mathematics, Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering, Applied Computation |
| University of Pennsylvania | Computer and Information Science, Data Science, Behavioural and Decision Sciences, Architecture, Clinical Epidemiology |
| Stanford University | Computer Science, Bioengineering, Political Science, Management Science and Engineering, Physician Assistant Studies |
| Cornell University | Applied Economics and Management, Business Analytics, Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Architectural Design |
| Columbia University | Applied Analytics, Strategic Communication, Enterprise Risk Management, Sustainability Management, Bioethics, Narrative Medicine |
The cost of studying MS in the USA varies from course to course and university to university and also across cities. The average cost range however is between 20,000 USD to 45,000 USD per year. Apart from tuition fees, students might also have to pay application charges for Masters in the United States.
Many Indian students dream of studying in the US, but they might not be able to afford the cost; a scholarship is a great way to fund your studies and fulfil your dream. It also helps universities to attract talented students from all around the world. Some of the top scholarships available for MS in USA for Indian students are mentioned below:
| Scholarship | Offered By | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Government-funded | 8,000 USD* |
| Merit-based scholarship | Cornell University | 15-100% of tuition reduction |
| Stanford University Scholarship | Stanford University | traveling allowance + academic expenses + tuition fees + living allowance |
| Yale University Scholarship | Yale University | Varies from a few hundred dollars to 70,000 dollars per year. |
| Aga Foundation Scholarship | Aga Khan Foundation | 50% tuition fee is a grant, and 50% is a loan |
| AAUW International Fellowship | American Association of University Women | 18,000 USD |
| TATA Scholarship at Cornell University | Tata Education and Development Trust | 1.25 million USD* |
It is not mandatory to take the GRE/ GMAT to enrol in all US universities. However, many top-notch universities may require these scores.
The most popular specialisation is MS in data science in the US. However, there are various other in-demand courses as well, including MS in computer science, MS in artificial intelligence, and MS in finance.
The exact duration of MS in the US varies from university to university and course to course. However, most MS courses last for 2 years.
The average tuition fee cost of studying MS in the US varies from 20,000 USD to 45,000 USD per year.
The average salary after MS in the USA is around $73,900 to $94,000 (61 to 77.7 lakhs INR) per year. However, it varies depending on the specialisation and the university.
There are many great colleges for MS in the USA, but some of the top-ranked schools include:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Stanford University
Harvard University
University of California, Berkeley
Columbia University
University of Chicago
Princeton University
Yes, there are many scholarships available for students who want to study MS abroad. You can find scholarships from governments, universities, and private organisations.
No, work experience is not required for MS in the USA. Although some universities, such as those offering MS in Business Analytics, may ask for it as part of the admission process.
Yes, Indian students can stay back in the US after course completion. They can do so by applying for an OPT or H-1B visa. OPT allows students to work for 12 months in a job related to their field of study, while H-1B is a work visa that allows students to work in the US for up to 6 years.
There is no maximum age for MS in the USA. However, you must meet the other eligibility requirements, such as having a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a good GRE score.
If you wish to study in the US, contact our expert counsellors at a branch of Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide the best guidance and support you need for the admission and visa process. For more information or any queries, you can mail us at application02@meridean.org or call us at our toll-free no. 1800-1230-00011.
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