MS in Computer Science from the USA: Top Universities, Fees, and Eligibility

The United States of America is one of the most favoured destinations for IT education because of its evolving study system and immense experiential learning, i.e. applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Universities in the USA are also known to expand the future career prospects of graduates by providing opportunities like internships and co-ops. Apart from academic and career development opportunities, pursuing education abroad provides extensive personality development opportunities.

The US is also home to some of the best universities in the world, offering a master’s in computer science. UK is one of the top competitive countries for studying abroad with the USA; there are some of the best Masters in Business Analytics in the UK.  If you wish to pursue MS in Computer Science in the USA, you can refer to this article regarding the top universities, fees, eligibility, and admission requirements for the academic year 2022-23.

Top Universities in the USA for MS in Computer Science

Below is a list of the top universities for MS in Computer Science in the US, along with their global rankings

QS World Rank 2023Name of the UniversityFees (in INR)
#1Massachusetts Institute of Technology  40.3 Lakhs
#3Stanford University  58.1 Lakhs
#5Harvard University  41.3 Lakhs
#13University of Pennsylvania  42.8 Lakhs
#16Princeton University  40.7 Lakhs
#18Yale University  33.5 Lakhs
#20Cornell University  22.2 Lakhs
#22Columbia University  51.3 Lakhs
#52Carnegie Mellon University  19.8 Lakhs
#27University of California, Berkeley  19.6 Lakhs
#44University of California, Los Angeles  20 Lakhs
#80University of Washington    15.1 Lakhs
#39New York University  27.7 Lakhs
#72University of Texas, Austin  19.4 Lakhs
#53University of California-San Diego  24.5 Lakhs
#25University of Michigan  47.5 Lakhs
#85University of Illinois- Urban Campaign  18.2 Lakhs
#88Georgia Institute of Technology  14.3 Lakhs
#108Boston University  44.1 Lakhs
#134University of Southern California  19.4 Lakhs

The average first-year cost of studying MS in Computer Science in the USA for international students can be anywhere between INR 18-25 Lakhs. Your total expenses might also include the cost of living in the US as per your lifestyle and spending habits. Ireland also provides some of the best Masters in Finance in Ireland programs.

Eligibility and Requirements for MS in Computer Science in the USA

The eligibility criteria for admission to top universities in the US for MS in Computer Science vary from university to university. Some of the basic requirements are as follows:

  • A bachelor’s or undergraduate degree equivalent to bachelor’s in computer science or a relevant technical field with an aggregate GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (equivalent to 83-86% and the grade equivalent is B). 
  • One of the most important criteria is the GRE score, and the requirement for GRE varies in different universities. Ideally, it should be between 290-330
  • Good scores in English Language Proficiency Tests; 6.5-7 in IELTS and 7-7.5 in TOEFL
  • Work experience as in jobs or internships with proof of work and certificates
  • Photocopies of passport.
  • Well-structured resume with a detailed summary of your academic and professional qualifications.
  • Letter of Recommendation by previous supervisor or employer, clearly stating why you would be a good fit for admission.
  • SOP (Statement of Purpose), clearly defining your short-term and long-term goals, how you aim to work upon them, and your purpose of study in the US.
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Bank statements (proof of funds) stating that you have enough balance to pay your tuition and living fees.
  • A Student Visa. There are commonly three types of student visas available for international students:
  1. F-Visas: Provided to international students who wish to pursue a full-time academic degree from any licensed American University, the duration of the course being more than 90 days.
  2. M-Visas: Provided to international students who wish to pursue a non-academic course or vocational training from any US accredited university.
  3. J-Visas: The stay of these visas is comparatively less than the other types and is provided to international students who are willing to take part in any exchange program.

Application Deadlines for MS in Computer Science in the US

(For the academic year 2022-23)

The admission deadlines of the top universities for the year 2023 are as follows:

Name of the UniversityApplication Deadline
Stanford University  December 7
Harvard University  December 1
University of Pennsylvania  Early Admission: March 1 Regular Admission: May 1
Princeton University  December 15
Yale University  Fall: June 1 Spring: October 1 Summer: March 1
Cornell University  February 1
Columbia University  November 7
Carnegie Mellon University  December 9
University of California, Berkeley  December 8
University of California, Los Angeles  December 1
University of Washington  December 15
New York University    March 1
University of Texas, Austin  December 15    
University of California-San Diego  December 16
University of Michigan  January 15
University of Illinois- Urban Campaign  December 15
Georgia Institute of Technology  February 1
Boston University  September 1
University of Southern California  Spring: September 15 Fall: January 15

International students who wish to pursue MS in Computer Science in the US should keep an accurate track of the application deadlines.

Jobs after MS in Computer Science in the USA

After completing the course, the graduates of MS in Computer Science can be expected to work for some popular job positions like Android Developer, Blockchain Developer, C++ Developer, Computer Network Architect, and Network Engineer. In order to extend your stay in the US for your job, you need to apply for a work visa. The most common type of work visa in the US is the H1B visa, for which you need:

  • Offer of Employment
  •  Filing an I-29 petition with the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Department.

Since the American GDP is driven by Silicon Valley Companies, the computer science sector is growing day by day. With an expected increase in new job openings by 40,000, this field has become the most mainstream subject among international students.