Why Study MS In The USA In 2023?

Reading Time 7 minutes/Published 31-10-2022

What makes the USA a great place to study MS in 2023? If you are interested to study master's in the USA then you must check out our brief article and understand the benefits of studying in the USA.

Are you looking for options to pursue your masters abroad? Nowadays, newer study destinations have come up with attractive degrees for curious students. Depending on your budget and your choice of university, you can pursue your master’s in destinations like the USA, Europe, Asia, or Australia. 

Among all these options, pursuing a Master’s degree in the USA is probably one of the most popular choices for international students. With some of the top universities in the world and an excellent curriculum, the USA has a reputation for providing world-class education. 

In today’s article, we will discuss:

  • Why study MS in the USA?
  • What are the top MS specializations in the USA?
  • Top Universities for MS In USA
  • Eligibility for studying MS in the USA

 

Why study MS in the USA?

Why study MS in the USA

According to the QS World University Rankings, almost half of the top 100 universities in the world are based in the USA. It is one of the biggest reasons why studying in the States is so popular among international students. 

Another reason why studying in the USA is excellent for students is the flexibility of the courses. American universities allow you to design their courses according to your preferences. You can choose your desired subjects and plan your degree accordingly. You can also find unique and diverse subjects and programs offered in the US that might be unavailable in most countries. 

US degrees enjoy global recognition and provide their students with some of the best opportunities. As a Master’s student, America is one of the best destinations for research with universities like Harvard University and Stanford University. At the same time, the education system is also highly interactive and collaborative.

The US educational institutions understand the needs of international students and provide them with training, multiple workshops, and orientation to get them accustomed to living in the USA. 

Studying in the USA will let you enjoy a higher standard of living and experience a multicultural society since people from all over the world come to America to pursue their dreams. It makes this place unique and excellent for employment opportunities. 

Since America has one of the strongest economies in the world, students get an opportunity to work for the best companies and earn high salaries after graduation. After completing their graduation, students in the USA are normally offered a higher wage than in most countries.

Not only that, but students can also work while pursuing their degree for a few hours a week. This allows you to make some extra money on the side while you are studying. 

The campus life in American universities is also unparalleled. International students will get to meet students from different countries, learn about their cultures and broaden their understanding of the world. 

Because of all these reasons, Indian students prefer to study their Master’s in the USA to gain access to a better education system and career opportunities

 

What are the top MS specialisations in the USA?

What are the top MS specialisations in the USA

America has a diverse set of degrees and programs designed for students. There are some of the most competitive and unique education programs that can be pursued in this country. Here are some of them:

 

A. Computer Science

There’s no denying the influence of computers in our lives today. This is the perfect field for students interested in computers and software. American universities offer a plethora of specialization options. For example, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, High-performance Computing, Software Engineering, Computer Architecture, Robotics, Data Mining, Scientific Computing, Bioinformatics, and more. 

A Master’s degree in Computer Science is one of the most popular and rapidly growing degrees in the world. This degree ensures great placement opportunities and higher earnings. 

However, if you are looking for a bachelor’s degree program, you can get a Bachelors in Computer Science degree with the help of The WorldGrad’s outstanding collaboration with McKendree University. It allows international students to save up to INR 50 lakhs on tuition fees. 

B. Finance

Many good universities are offering excellent finance degrees for international students in the USA. Interestingly, the USA has some of the best-ranked universities in the world offering a Masters’s in Finance program. 

While studying finance in the USA, you can specialize in Investment Banking, Risk Management, Financial Modelling, Corporate Finance, and Behavioural Finance. MIT, Columbia University, and UCLA are some of the most prestigious financial institutions for these specialisations. 

C. Engineering Management

As an engineering graduate, it’s not always easy to jump into a management role even after you have gained experience. If that’s where you wish to excel in your career, (MSEM) Masters of Science in Engineering Management at Trine University is the perfect way for you to transition into a leadership role.

Below are some prerequisites to enrolling:

        • A Bachelor’s degree in Technology (CS, IT or any other engineering field) or Bachelor of Commerce in Computer Science
        • A GPA of 3.0+ or equivalent in a bachelor’s degree
        • A proof of English proficiency score

You can opt to write any of the below tests:

        • IBT TOEFL – 71+
        • PTE – 50+
        • IELTS 6.5+
        • Duolingo 95+

D. Business Analytics

If you have a keen interest in Statistics, and, evaluating business performance and developing new insights using data, Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBAN) would be the perfect stepping stone for you. 

Graduates from any field can apply for this course. Once you graduate from this program, you will have the skills to excel in any strategic and management role. 

Trine University offers a great Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBAN) program of 30 Credit hours including a Capstone project that evaluates your learning in the real world, and great recruitment opportunities. The school has 2 campuses, one in Detroit and the other one in Phoenix that you can choose from.

E. Embedded Systems

This degree program falls on a relatively newer spectrum and encompasses computer hardware, computer networks, and digital systems. This course emerges from an electrical background and provides knowledge of both software and hardware technologies.

Michigan State University, University of Pennsylvania, University of California San Diego, and Michigan Technological University have excellent programs in Embedded Systems. 

F. Life Sciences

If you are a biology buff and are interested in studying living organisms, a Life Sciences degree is the best course for you. This degree provides deep insight in physiology, anatomy, toxicology, genetics, and immunology. 

George Washington University, Rice University, and University of San Francisco have some of the best Life Sciences programs in the world.

 

Eligibility for studying MS in the USA

Once you set your mind to pursue your masters in America, there are specific eligibility requirements that you should focus on. The first requirement is a 3-4 years bachelor’s degree in the field of your choice. However, some institutions might also allow pursuing a Master’s degree even if students are from a different discipline.

Along with a Bachelor’s degree, you will also need a good GPA record. Typically, an average GPA of 3.0 is considered good to get admitted to an American university.

Some universities have additional requirements like GRE and GMAT scores. You will have to check your desired university’s website to know what kind of competitive tests you require for admission. 

Most universities in the USA require either IELTS or TOEFL as proof of English proficiency. 

 

You should try to get a good Letter of Recommendation (LOR) to strengthen your application. You can speak to an Admissions Expert at The WorldGrad to help you get a great LOR and application. 

Additionally, you might also need awards, certificates, internships, academic projects, extracurricular activities, and published research papers to enhance your college application and improve your chances of getting admitted to your dream university.

You can visit The WorldGrad to check additional eligibility requirements and get answers to your degree-related queries with our Virtual Counselling sessions. 

 

Cost of Studying MS in the USA

The average cost of pursuing a Master’s degree in the USA is approximately Rs 30 lakhs annually. This can be segregated into 20-22 lakhs a year for tuition fees and the remaining amount as living expenses.

There are some universities in the USA which have some affordable MS options: 

UniversitiesTuition Fees (Average)
University of Dayton$1,005 per credit hour
McKendree University$525 per credit hour
Auburn University$1,433 per credit hour
University of the Incarnate Word$1050 per credit hour
San Diego State University$4804 (Full time 6.1 or more units)
Trine University$34,330 Annual Tuition Fees
Cleveland State University$21,700 Annual Tuition Fees
New York Institute of Technology$1,470 per credit hour

 

Top MS Courses and their Tuition Fees

The information below provides a list of tuition fees for the top 5 MS courses in the USA.

UniversityProgramTuition Fee

(in USD)

Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMaster of Science in Management Studies$80,400 

(Annual Fee)

Columbia UniversityMS Computer Science$32,490
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor CampusMS Engineering & Computer Science$13,832 

(6-9 Credit hour)

University of CaliforniaMaster’s Program$33,245 

(Annual Fee)

Duke UniversityMaster’s Program$30,110 

(Per Semester)

 

How can international students afford studying MS in the USA?

Amongst the many reputable universities in the USA spread across three campuses of Detroit, Phoenix and Angola, Trine University has made a significant mark in the sphere of affordable international education. Trine University in partnership with The WorldGrad offers MS degrees in varied fields like Business Analytics, Information Studies and Engineering management to international students.

Under the hybrid program offered by The WorldGrad in collaboration with Trine University, students can undertake the first year of their degree from their home and resume the rest of the program on the University campus. This helps international students already burdened with loans to continue working from home in their first year while saving on their living costs. With the course flexibility, students can also take up part-time jobs on campus once they arrive at campus and save massively on tuition fees.

Also, when a student opts for the All American Graduate Program (the hybrid program), the tuition fee for their degree reduces by up to INR 14 lakhs (up to USD 16,000) and the overall expenses of their degree reduces by up to INR 40 lakhs (up to USD 48,000). 

Higher Education, especially Master’s and PhD, are few of the courses for which it is fairly easy to find financial aid, thus making it affordable to study MS in the USA.

There are a few popular scholarship options listed in this article but before we jump to that, let’s just talk about the affordability a little more. 

There are different parameters based on which a student can receive a scholarship, such as scholarship essays, and the strength of the application. You can enquire about financial aid at the time of submitting your applications. There are two types of scholarships: merit-based and need-based. Some US universities offer financial aid automatically after the student is selected. While in some universities, you have to check the eligibility criteria for the scholarships and apply for them individually. The type of scholarship and the amount of money that is going to be disbursed is a complete prerogative of the university. 

Apart from this, different organizations offer financial aid to students wishing to pursue a Master’s degree in the USA. You need to check the eligibility criteria for the same and apply individually.

Besides these two, students can also apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) and Research Assistant (RA) positions. A good IELTS/TOEFL score will help with this. 

Scholarships for MS in the USA

Some scholarships make pursuing a Master in Science in the USA an affordable experience, let us explore them:

  • Fulbright Scholarship: It is available for a Master’s Degree, Master’s Diploma, Master’s Certificate for young professionals, and artists from various countries to study and carry out research in the USA. It usually covers charges for tuition, travel, living expenses, health insurance in the USA, etc.
  • Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship: The Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship is to facilitate low-income students to pursue master’s degrees in the USA.
  • Generation Google Scholarship – USA: The Generation Google Scholarship was established to help aspiring students pursuing Computer Science degrees excel in technology and become leaders in the field.
  • Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program: This scholarship is for the nationals of developing countries who are also World Bank Member Countries. Harvard University, Cornell University, Columbia University, etc. are some of the participating universities from the USA.

 

Now that you’ve all the information for pursuing a Master’s degree in the USA, you can go ahead and get started on your study abroad journey. However, the entire process of researching and exploring can be a tad bit confusing. But, with the help of The WorldGrad’s expert, you can receive guidance at any step of your journey! Visit The WorldGrad to explore your options for MS in the USA and get a free Virtual Counselling session to initiate your journey to make your dream of studying MS in the USA come true.