Masters in USA

With an image of being one of the most developed nations in the world, the USA has conceived to be the prime most sought-after study abroad destinations for Indian students. The country has a diverse multicultural background with heaps of career opportunities. The USA is known to have the best education in the world allowing students with the freedom to choose their courses as per their interests along with exposure to various internships programs contributing to their holistic development. Moreover, students can opt to participate in several student exchange programs in order to expand their horizons in learning. If you’ve completed your graduation and is planning for overseas education, then a masters in USA can be a great way to begin your post-graduation career.

Why Study Masters in USA?

There are more than 2 million MS courses in the US to choose from, a work-study option, a stay-back permit after receiving an MS, research opportunities, and merit-based scholarships to support education are some of the advantages that international students in the US can take advantage of while pursuing a graduate degree. Other advantages of studying MS in the US include:

• Students choose STEM courses in large numbers because they are in high demand in the US and because they can extend their work visas by 24 months after receiving their MS.
• 2.7% of the US economy, or 476,452 million USD, is allocated by the US government to R&D. Thus, earning an MS in the USA increases your chances of getting financing for your research.
• There is research potential after a master’s degree, and students can apply for a TA position or a research assistantship (RA).
• Students who work part-time as TAs can make $500 to $1,200 per month.
• While research assistants might receive a monthly stipend of up to $1,500 USD (INR 1.2 Lakhs).
• For any MS course, the curriculum is broken down into prerequisites, core subjects, and electives. Thus, it expands the possibility of pursuing a research-based MS by almost 30%.
• The typical scholarship provided to students pursuing an MS at any university in the USA is 10,000 USD (INR 8 Lakhs) for one year.

Top Choice for Masters in USA

Americans have a unique history of producing some of the best films and television shows along with their love for baseball and football. It is a dream for most of us to study in the USA and explore the rich cultural diversity. Being a student, you are always aspiring for world-class education and what can be better than studying in one of the top-ranked universities in the world? Also, a majority of the population speaks English, so it becomes easier for Indians to communicate and express ideas in the USA. Below we’ll run through some of the best Masters in USA: 

Master of Science (MSc or MS)

MSc or MS is a technical-based postgraduate degree in the field of Science. Having an undergraduate degree in Science is not mandatory to go for MS in USA. This master’s degree is usually for a duration of 1-2 years. However, in the case of Engineering, the MS program takes approximately 3-5 years to complete while Masters in Medicine is a 6 years degree program. Also to receive an MS degree from an American university, students have to usually write a scientific thesis at the end of their academic studies. The popular fields offering a Master of Science include Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Mathematics, Medicine & Health, Business, Informatics, etc.

To help meritorious students from various countries planning to study in the US with financial aid, there is a broad range of scholarships for MS in USA. 

Master of Arts (MA)

Conferred by universities as a graduate-level achievement, MA is an intensive program that usually ranges from 1 to 2 years depending  Pursued to progress further in the field of research or to enhance the skill-base, this program befalls in the realm of Social Science, History, Geography, Languages, Philosophy and Fine Arts. The coursework of an MA degree program is designed to develop and nurture ideas and opinions leading to interactive classes which eventually helps in independent research for the thesis in the final year. Pursuing an MA in USA can be truly rewarding helping students grow personally, academically and professionally. 

Masters of Business Administration (MBA)

Considered as a degree in Management and Business, MBA in USA works like wonders to give your career in business a boost. There are different types of MBA courses like Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, Strategy and Operations, Business Analytics, IT, etc. for students to choose from. Studying a Masters in USA in one of the top business schools offer peer-to-peer education and interaction with a large network that can help you to become a well-rounded business graduate. After completing your coursework, you can easily find a job a Product Manager, Health Service Manager, Marketing Manager, etc. You can also choose to become an Entrepreneur and start your own venture.

Masters of Engineering (MEng)

MEng or ME is a highly specialised postgraduate degree program focusing on developing practical skill base, imparting industry knowledge and inspiring students to delve deeper into research. The study duration of the degree offered by a technical university in the USA is usually between 1 to 2-year which includes theoretical courses and assignments, along with hands-on experience. Moreover, the students are required to complete their final project which involves solving a complex technological problem using all the experience and knowledge accumulated during studies. Graduates can choose to specialise in areas such as Automotive, Aerospace, Information Technology, Electronics, Mechanical and Electrical. Other than this, you can also choose to pursue a course in Engineering Management (MEM). 

Popular Specialization

As per US News, the United States of America is host to approximately 4298 universities that offer post-secondary education. So, considering the huge number of universities available, the master’s courses offered are multifarious. Thus, we have listed some of the prominent fields of specialised in which you can go masters in USA:

• Agriculture and Forestry 
• Art and Design 
• Business and Management 
• Computer Science and Information Technology 
• Engineering and Technology 
• Education 
• Environment and Earth Sciences 
• Healthcare and Medicine 
• Humanities 
• Hospitality and Tourism 
• Law 
• Media and Journalism 
• Natural Sciences and Mathematics 
• Social Studies 
• Sports 

Top Universities for MS in USA by Acceptance Rate

Prospective students can take MS courses at over 95% of American colleges. Many people aspire to enrol in MS programmes at American universities like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, and other Ivy League schools. The admittance rates for all of these prestigious US universities are low. At the majority of premier colleges, the average acceptance rate for MS programmes in the USA is less than 6%.

University Name	Acceptance Rate (MS)
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor	26%
Cornell University	11%
University of Pennsylvania	9%
Yale University	7%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	7%
University of Chicago	7%
Princeton University	5.5%
Harvard University	5%
Stanford University	3.95%

Eligibility Criteria For MS in USA

There are literally hundreds of institutions across the world, and pursuing your higher education in one of the top-ranked universities provides you with exposure to the best facilities in terms of technologically advanced techniques. USA offers experienced teaching faculty that hold long-standing expertise of the industry. 

In order to enrol for a masters in USA, you need to fulfil the following eligibility requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the relevant field from an accredited institution.
• GRE score
• LOR (both academic and professional)
• Essays
• Secure required score in English-language proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS and C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency. 

Documents Required

The application procedure is highly tedious for MS admittance to the United States. International applicants must provide a set of documents in order to be considered for admission. The following records are necessary for MS admissions in the United States:

• Transcripts: Placed in a sealed envelope with the appropriate HOD or Principal’s stamp and signature.
• Mark sheets from prior institutions attended, certified by the HOD or Principal.
• CV: An updated CV that follows the proper format must be submitted. The amount of research done and/or work experience must be included.Statement of Purpose: The SOP for the MS programme should be prepared in advance and submitted with the application. It must contain information about the candidates, their objectives, and what they hope to gain from the course.
• At least two to three letters of recommendation (LORs) must be provided. Depending on the method of application submission, they may be submitted online or offline.
• Financial Statement: A bank statement that is no older than three months and that demonstrates you have enough money to cover at least a year of tuition must be supplied.
• If a candidate is requesting admission to the USA, health insurance is necessary.
• For visa purposes, identity proof is a passport.

Top Universities for Masters in USA: QS Rankings 2022

With excellent teaching quality, resources, learning environment and diversity on campus, the country welcomes a diverse range of international students. Take a look at the top American universities along with their world rankings in the table below:

Institutions	Location	THE World University Ranking 2022	QS World University Ranking 2022
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Cambridge, Massachusetts	5	1
Harvard University	Cambridge, Massachusetts	3	5
California Institute of Technology	Pasadena, California	4	6
Stanford University	Stanford, California	2	=3
Princeton University	Princeton, New Jersey	9	20
Yale University	New Haven, Connecticut	8	14
The University of Chicago	Chicago, Illinois	9	10
University of Pennslyvania	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	10	13
Johns Hopkins University	Baltimore, Maryland	12	25
University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley, California	7	32
Columbia University	New York City, New York	17	19
University of California, Los Angeles	Westwood, Los Angeles, California	15	40
Cornell University	Ithaca, New York	19	21
Duke University	Durham, North Carolina	=20	52
University of Michigan	Ann Arbor, Michigan	22	=23

Cost for Studying MS in USA

The total cost of attendance for master’s programmes in the USA consists of tuition, books, board, and accommodation costs, as well as additional incidentals. It is advised that overseas students prepare an expected budget for their time studying in the USA. Pre-arrival costs, tuition costs, and cost of living are the three primary categories that can be used to categorise MS expenses in the US.

University	Average Fees (USD/Year)	Average Fees (INR/Year)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	70,110	INR 57.8 lakhs
Stanford University	74,460	INR 61.39 lakhs
Harvard University	50,775	INR 41.86 lakhs
California Institute of Technology	54,560	INR 44.98 lakhs
University of Chicago	55,250	INR 45.55 lakhs
Princeton University	55,565	INR 45.81 lakhs
University of Pennsylvania	54,735	INR 45.13 lakhs
Cornell University	36,810	INR 30.35 lakhs
Yale University	45,395	INR 37.43 lakhs
Columbia University	20,145	INR 16.61 lakhs

Scholarships For MS in USA

International applicants must be able to finance their study in order to be admitted to the US because higher education there is by no means cheap. Nevertheless, the cost of an MS in the USA varies by school and specialisation. The approximate cost of tuition for students is $30,000 USD; however, the price of a professional degree is typically more.

International scholarships, whether they come in the form of living stipends, study grants, or tuition exemptions, are one of the finest methods to save your money. The Fulbright fellowship is one of the most well-known awards given to students in many fields. The following are some of the numerous and well-known scholarships available to foreign students in the USA:

Scholarship Name	Organization	Benefits
New York University Wagner Scholarship	University	25,000 USD (INR 20 Lakhs) to 47,000 USD (INR 38 Lakhs)
Fulbright Student Program	Government	Grant funds tuition, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance
Clark University Scholarships	University	20,000 USD (INR 16 Lakhs) to 25,000 USD (INR 20 Lakhs)
Next-Gen Scholarship	Next-Gen Foundation	1,000 USD (INR 82,000)
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship	Trust	50% of grant and 50% loan is offered to students from developing countries
East Tennessee State University	University	11,500 USD (INR 9 Lakhs) per year
Iowa State University Scholarships	University	scholarships up to 10,000 USD (INR 8.2 Lakhs)
University of Oregon Scholarships	University	40 scholarships ranging from 7,500 USD (INR 6 Lakhs to 30,000 USD (INR 24 Lakhs)

FAQs

If you’ve decided to study for a masters in the USA, it’s time to gather the right documents to prove that you fit the college requirements. Talk to our experts at Leverage Edu and take help in crafting your SOPs, resume along with choosing the right university to begin your postgraduate education. Also, the last call for getting into the top business school for the September 2021 intake is right here. Book your 30 minutes free career counselling now!