If you wish to pursue a career in science and have a suitable bachelor’s degree, the Master in Science (M.S.) program is the ideal two-year graduate program for you. Opting for the master’s degree is the ideal progression, and it helps to build your career further in your chosen field.
Now, you can obtain an M.S. degree in several scientific fields, including Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Health Sciences, Statistics, Data Sciences, and many more. But the real question is where you should pursue this degree. In that case, the USA can be a great destination. So, read on to learn more about the top universities in the USA to get your degree.
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Top universities for M.S. in the USA
Some of the greatest universities in the world for getting a Master of Science degree are found in the U.S. This country has 14 of the top 50 universities for M.S. in Engineering and Technology, 16 out of the top 50 for Life Sciences, and 19 of the top 50 for Natural Sciences, as per the Q.S. Global University Rankings 2022. Here is the list of universities in the USA for M.S. studies:
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Yale University is ranked ninth in the Times Higher Education Global University Rankings for 2023. Yale University, which is a private Ivy League research university, is based in New Haven, Connecticut. The M.S. courses offered at Yale University cover a broad range of subjects from every branch of science. Some of the most popular master’s programs offered at Yale University include EMBA, MBA, MS in Statistics and Data Science, LLM, and MS in Computer Science.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Institute of Technology was established in 1861. MIT is a research-focused university with five schools and a college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. With its specialized Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics, and Mathematics programs, it is highly regarded among students across the world. MIT’s graduate schools also house the School of Engineering and Sloan School of Management. MIT provides some of the best MS programs including a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Master of Science Program in Computational Science and Engineering, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Master of Science in Technology and Policy, Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice and Master of Science in Nuclear Science and Engineering.
- Stanford University, Stanford, California
Stanford University is a prestigious private institution in Stanford, California. Computer Science, Biology, and Engineering are popular majors offered in the institution. Stanford University also scores highly in the global university rankings, so be prepared to face tough competition to get admission here. Stanford University offers some of the best MS programs such as MS Data Science, MBA, MS Statistics, MS Management Science and Engineering, MS Computer Science, MS Mechanical Engineering, MS Energy Resources Engineering, MS Electrical Engineering, MS Bioengineering, MS Computational and Mathematical Engineering and MS Aeronautics and Astronautics.
- The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The University of Michigan is a research institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. According to the 2023 Q.S. Global University Rankings, it holds the 25th spot. It is one of the first public universities globally to be authorized by the High Learning Commission, one of the six regional accreditors in the U.S. that certifies degree-granting postsecondary educational institutions in the country. Some of the most popular master’s programs offered at the University of Michigan include MS Data Science, MSE in Mechanical Engineering MBA, LLM, MS Computer Science and Engineering, EMBA, and MS Engineering – Civil Engineering.
- Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Cornell University was founded in 1865 and had its main campus in Ithaca, New York. This university offers over 100 minors, 80 majors, and 102 graduate study courses through its nine undergraduate and eight post-graduate colleges. Cornell University is a private Ivy League statutory land-grant research university based in Ithaca, New York. Cornell University provides one of the most popular postgraduate degree courses in science. Since it is one of the prestigious universities, the competition is fierce. Astronomy and Space Sciences, Film and Video Studies, Operations Research and Information Engineering, and Peace Sciences are some of the Master’s courses offered by Cornell University.
- University of California, Riverside
The University of California Riverside is an open research institution connected to the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and was founded in 1954. The University of California Riverside offers over 50 demanding academic and professional graduate programs, including 55 Master’s Degree Programs like the Master of Science in Computer Engineering, Master of Science in Business Analytics, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering – Robotics and Computer Vision, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and others. Three colleges and four professional schools house the university’s core programs. Also, with KC Overseas Education students may easily apply at the University of California Riverside, which is one of their top tie-up universities.
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona State University is a top-tier public university that provides the most distinguished bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. It is a public university with its headquarters in Tempe, Arizona. ASU is well-known for its research and innovation and is ranked #121 among the other National Universities, in the Best Colleges edition for 2022–2023. Some of the popular MS courses offered are Master of Science in Information Systems Management (MS-ISM), MS in Construction Management and Technology, MS in Computer Science, M.S. in Industrial Engineering, MS in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (Artificial Intelligence), Master of Science in Software Engineering, M.S. in Aerospace Engineering and M.S. in User Experience.
Also, you can trust the quality of education provided at Arizona State University, as it is one of the several reputed tie-up universities associated with KC Overseas Education.
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) is a public research institution founded in 1966. UBMC offers various undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degrees. Some of the popular MS courses in USA offered are MS in Computer Science, Master of Science in Information Systems, Masters of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Biotechnology, Masters of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Data Science, Masters of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Software Engineering, M.S. in Human-Centred Computing. The University of Maryland Baltimore County has several schools and colleges that offer a whole range of M.S. programs. It is one of the several reputed tie-up universities associated with KC Overseas Education.
- San José State University, Silicon Valley, California
San José State University is located in Silicon Valley, California and was established in 1857. SJSU is the oldest public university on the West Coast and the founding campus of the California State University system. The university offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and among them, the M.S. programs such as M.S. in Computer Science, MS in Software Engineering, MS in Artificial Intelligence, MS in Electrical Engineering, MS in Computer Engineering, M.S. in Data Analytics, M.S. in Engineering Management, and MS in Chemical Engineering are highly regarded.
For all the relevant information related to San José State University, you may check out the KC Overseas Education web portal, as it is one of the tie-up universities associated with KC Overseas Education.
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey
New Jersey Institute of Technology, or NJIT, is a public polytechnic university in the U.S. previously known as Newark Technical School and later renamed in 1975. Moreover, NJIT is the largest technological university in the New York metropolitan area. The New Jersey Institute of Technology campus covers more than 2 million square feet on a 48-acre campus in Newark and has a solar observatory in Big Bear Lake, California. New Jersey Institute of Technology offers some of the best MS courses like- MS in Business and Information Systems, MS in Power and Energy Systems, M.S. in Computer Science, M.S. in Cyber Security and Privacy, M.S. in Computer Engineering, MS in Mechanical Engineering, M.S. in Bioinformatics, MS in Biomedical Engineering and M.S. in Telecommunications
Additionally, this institution, which is one of the tie-up universities associated with KC Overseas Education, has cutting-edge educational facilities with the best faculty of professors.
Top 10 M.S. courses in the Universities of the USA
These are some of the top M.S. courses offered in the universities of the USA –
- M.S. in Computer Science
- M.S. in Embedded Systems
- M.S. in Construction Management
- M.S. in Management Information Systems
- M.S. in Business Analytics
- M.S. in Game Design and Game Development
- Masters in Public Health
- M.S. in Life Sciences
- M.S. in Pharmacy
- M.S. in Data Science
M.S. course duration in the U.S.
Usually, the M.S. study program lasts 1.5 to 2 years at American universities. Depending on the Masters in USA course selected, a student who chooses medicine may complete their degree in up to 6 years.
Test scores necessary for M.S. courses in the U.S.
Other than applying for a visa, there are a few things students need to consider when applying for study in the United States. You must pass a few examinations to demonstrate your language and intellectual prowess to be admitted to a U.S. university.
Depending on the requirements of your university, you may be needed to take the following tests:
Standardised test scores
GRE and GMAT are two standardised tests, one of which is required by many universities in the United States.
English Proficiency test scores
You need to submit the score of the English language proficiency test like IELTS, PTE, DET, and TOEFL.
Criteria for enrolling in an M.S. program in the U.S.
Some of the primary criteria for enrolling in an M.S. program in the U.S. are as follows:
- 3 to 4 years of bachelor’s degree in the relevant discipline with a minimum of 3.0 GPA.
- Score of the English-language Proficiency tests like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/DET
- Standardised Test scores like GRE/GMAT
- SOP letter
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
Other documents that strengthen your proposal include:
- Documents related to research and internships
- Documents related to any published research papers
- Documents for any social activity involvement
A point to note here is that this is a tentative list of documents that you need to submit during admission. The actual list, however, will vary per the university requirements you opt for.
Course fees for an M.S. degree in the U.S.
In the U.S., the tuition fee for an M.S. degree is based on the course duration and the type of university the student has enrolled in, i.e., public or private university. However, it might vary from institution to institution and on the specialization opted. The average cost of a master’s degree for students in the U.S. is between $30,000 and $80000.
Final words
Completing your M.S. in the USA is a great idea considering the number of universities, courses, and specializations on offer. Also, the professional opportunities following your degree are plenty, which is a bonus.
Having said that, to study in the USA, you need to go through an elaborate process. Hence, proper guidance is necessary. In this regard, you can get in touch with K.C. Overseas, India’s leading educational consultant firm. The experts here will guide you through the process of finding the right university, the application and visa process, and ensure that you get admission where you want.