Masters in USA for Indian Students

Dreaming of a world-class education in the heart of innovation? A Master’s degree from a top US university can be your ticket to a fulfilling career and a global perspective. This blog is your ultimate guide to navigating the complexities of applying to US universities as an Indian student. From choosing the right program to securing scholarships, we’ll cover everything you need to know. So, let’s embark on this exciting journey together and unlock the doors to a bright future.

Read more blogs on studying in USA here!

Why Study Masters in USA for Indian Students?

The United States of America has long been a top destination for international students, particularly those coming from India. On top of this, pursuing a master’s degree from the USA offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance your academic and career prospects. Let us take a look at the following reasons why you must pursue your masters in the USA:

World-Class Education

The USA boasts some of the world’s top-ranked universities, known for their rigorous academic standards, cutting-edge research, and innovative teaching methodologies. Universities offer a wide range of specialised programs catering to various interests, from STEM fields to humanities and social sciences. You will also get to learn from some of the renowned professors and industry experts who are at the forefront of their respective fields.

Global Career Opportunities

Upon completion of your studies, you will be offered lucrative job opportunities with competitive salaries and benefits. Apart from this, you will also get an opportunity to become a part of a vast network of successful alumni who can provide mentorship and career guidance. 

Cultural Exposure and Personal Growth

Visiting the US to pursue your higher education also allows you to interact with other international students from various cultures and backgrounds, expanding your global perspective. It is expected that one must engage in extracurricular activities such as clubs, and organisations to enhance your social and cultural experiences.

Research Opportunities

By the end of your education, you must become part of research projects and collaborate with leading researchers. Here, you will get to explore world-class laboratories and other facilities to conduct innovative research.

Flexible Education System

Finally, it goes without saying. USA has a flexible education system which allows students to choose from a wide range of programs, including full-time, part-time, and online options. Furthermore, you can also customise your curriculum by selecting courses that align with your career goals. In the end, you also get practical experience with the help of several internship opportunities that you will get from top companies and organisations.

Also Read: Cost of Living in the USA (Updated prices)

5+ Top Universities for Masters in USA for Indian Students: Courses & Fees

Pursuing a master’s degree in the USA can be overwhelming with countless course options. To help you navigate this complexity and align your choices with your career goals, we’ve curated a list of top universities, courses, and their respective fees.”

Name of University	QS World Ranking 2025	Top Courses	Fees
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	#1	Master of Business Administration	USD 84,350
		Mechanical Engineering	USD 83,405
		Master of Finance	USD 91,250 for 12 months USD 124,875 for 18 months
Harvard University	#4	Data Science	USD 63,62USD 31,812 Second year for one term
		Computer Science	USD 40,080
		Mechanical Engineering	USD 56,550
Stanford University	#6	Electrical Engineering	USD 70,000, inclusive of fees
		Mechanical Engineering	USD 70,000, inclusive of fees
		Computer Engineering	USD 42,300
University of Chicago	#21	Accounting	USD 86,250
		MBA	USD 168,396
		Master in Finance (MiF)	USD 86,250
Cornell University	#16	Master of Engineering in Computer Science	USD 29,500
		Master of Laws (LLM) in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship	USD 77,508
		Full-Time MBA Degree Program	USD 83,10
University of Pennsylvania	#11	Robotics	USD 40,875 / year
		Engineering	USD 47,190 per year
		Applied Positive Psychology	USD 74,898

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Eligibility Criteria to Study Masters in USA for Indian Students

The USA is known for having an outstanding education system, which means that students must also be at par with their curriculum. Before entering any of the universities for a master’s, one must fulfil the following eligibility requirements:

US Masters Requirement for Indian Students

Students must see that they have completed at least 16 years of formal education from a recognised Indian institution to apply for admission to master’s programs in the US. To qualify for a graduate degree, students must have a 4-year bachelor’s degree from a related discipline.

Language Tests

Aside from all the academic qualifications, the student must also have proof of language proficiency to enter an American university. This can only happen if the student has appeared for either of the language exams.

TOEFL 

TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is a standardised test used to assess the English language skills who are applying for English-taught programs offered in the United States. More than 11,000 educational institutions across the world accept the TOEFL exam where the exam scores are valid for a period of two years. 

IELTS 

Another globally recognised language test evaluates students who do not speak English as their first language. More than 3,000 educational institutions in the USA recognize IELTS. While, other countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Europe also accept the test widely. One must note that the IELTS results are valid for 2 years. 

Entrance Exams

Each program requires the student to take a different entrance exam. The student’s acceptance into a recognised university is dependent on the passing score of their entrance exam. 

The following entrance exams are available for the student to take.

Entrance Exam	Purpose
SAT	Students who have finished their 12th and want to pursue their undergraduate studies. This exam is a multiple-choice exam.
ACT	Those who wish to continue their university studies after completing their 12th. This test consists of multiple-choice questions.
GRE	The most popular exam in the US is for those students who wish to study MS, MBA, law, and many other professional degrees and research programs.
GMAT	Used to get admission to top business schools in the US.
LSAT	One of the most important score sheets that every student must have is to study in a law school. Colleges require 150 or higher for admission to law programs.
MCAT	All aspiring medical aspirants need to take this entrance exam. To be able to clinical medicine, one must have a score of 150 or above.
Interview	Many US universities require students to sit for the online interview process. It is a prerequisite for talent-based programs such as acting, music, art, and design.

Student Visa for USA Requirements

After the candidate has applied for the USA visa, they are made to wait for a period of  12 to 36 days for the required visa interview. One must schedule the interview as soon as possible as the waiting times can vary. 

Following are the visa requirements that the student must have before going for the interview:

• Passport
• Passport-size photographs 
• DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS payment confirmation pages
• School records and the certified exam results for university applications like TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, etc.
• SEVIS fee receipt
• All your financial documents

Also Read: Universities that Accept Low GPA for Masters in the USA

Documents Required for Masters in USA

Now that you have chosen the university and the program that you want to pursue. It is time to apply to the university. To do this, you will have to visit the official website and fill out the application form. Before doing so, you must ensure that you have the following documents with you.

1. English Language Proficiency Test Scores – IELTS/TOEFL/PTE
2. Standardised Test Scores – GRE/GMAT/SAT/ LSAT/ACT/MCAT etc.
3. Academic Transcripts
4. Resume and Curriculum Vitae
5. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
6. 2-3 Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
7. Admission Essays (This will vary for each university/college)
8. Portfolio
9. Financial Documents

Read more on Documents Required for Applying to US Universities here

How to Apply for Masters in USA?

After you have visited the official website of the university, you must follow these steps before you fill in the application form.

1. See that you are sure about the university and program and have chosen it after careful research.
2. Make sure you fulfil all the admission requirements which will increase your chances of getting admission.
3. Next, you must prepare and compile all your application documents in one place to avoid any confusion. 
4. Write a statement of purpose to give the university a better sense of who you are.
5. If you have work experience then do mention it in your application form.
6. Lastly, make sure you bring in great academic and personal references which will help you have a strong application form than other candidates.
7. Finally, you will be required to submit an application fee.

Also Read: Universities in USA without Application Fee

Cost of Studying Masters in USA

The cost of studying for a Master’s degree in the USA varies depending on several factors, which could include, the university you have chosen to study, the program and the location you will be residing at.

Here is the basic cost of studying master’s in the USA:

Particulars	Cost of Studying Masters in the USA (Approx)
Tuition	Between USD 20,000 and USD 40,00
Living expenses	Between USD 2,500 and USD 3,500 per month
Financial aid	Scholarships, Grants, Assistantships,
Other expenses	Personal expenses- USD 2,000–USD 3,000.Other expenses include books and supplies, which can cost USD 1,000–USD 1,500

Also Read: Cost of Studying at Harvard University

Scholarships for Studying Masters in USA

Securing a scholarship to study in the USA can significantly reduce the financial burden of pursuing a Master’s degree. Here are some popular scholarship options for Indian students:   

Fulbright Scholarships USA	Stanford University Scholarships
Yale University Scholarships USA	University of Minnesota Fellowship
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program	AAUW International Fellowships

Read more here on Fully Funded Scholarships in USA 2024-25

Top Jobs to Pursue After Masters in USA with Salaries

Here are some of the top jobs that Indian students can pursue after completing their Master’s degree in the USA, along with estimated salary ranges:

High-Paying Jobs	Salary Expectation
Software Engineer	USD 100,000 – USD 150,000 per year
Data Scientist	USD 120,000 – USD 180,000 per year
Machine Learning Engineer	USD 130,000 – USD 200,000 per year
Cybersecurity Analyst	USD 90,000 – USD 140,000 per year
Financial Analyst	USD 80,000 – USD 120,000 per year
Product Manager	USD 120,000 – USD 180,000 per year
Biomedical Engineer	USD 90,000 – USD 130,000 per year
Research Scientist	USD 80,000 – USD 150,000 per year

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