Cost of Doing MS in USA for Indian Students : College-wise Fees 2025
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Master’s course in the USA is generally a two-year degree, so you have to calculate the cost accordingly. This will help those pursuing an MS in the USA make decisions. Earlier, we discussed the cost of studying in the US and the cost of living for international students in the US. In this article, we will inform you about the cost of an MS in the USA separately because tuition fees are the largest expense a student must bear while studying abroad. The cost of pursuing an MBA in the US is relatively more than that of an MS in the US.
- Cost of Doing MS in the USA 2025
- Cost of Doing MS in USA at Top Universities 2025
- Top 6 Affordable MS Colleges in USA
- Scholarships to Study MS in the USA
- Some of the Popular Scholarships Available for MS Students in the USA
- Cost of MS in USA FAQs
Cost of Doing MS in the USA 2025
The average cost of doing MS in the USA is approximately USD 25,000. So how much it cost to study in USA in Indian Rupees? It costs approximately INR 26 Lakhs annually. The total cost of MS in USA for Indian students has been bifurcated below:
- The cost of doing MS in USA includes INR 23 lakh as the first-year tuition fee and Rs 11 lakh as first-year living expenses.
- Depending on the university in USA, the state of study, and the topic of study, the average cost of an MS in the USA varies.
- The average tuition cost for earning a master's degree in the USA is between USD 19,000 and USD 55,000 (about INR 17 L and INR 48 L) each year, according to several sources.
- Students will also be required to pay living expenses in USA, which, depending on the location, can vary from about USD 12,000 to USD 20,000 (or roughly INR 10.5 to 12 lakhs) annually.
Therefore, the overall cost of pursuing an MS in the United States might range from USD 30,000 to USD 85,000 (about INR 26 L to INR 75 L) each year, including living expenses and tuition. Note: These figures are subject to change; hence, the students must visit the university's official webpage to learn the exact fee details for their desired course in the USA.
Cost of Doing MS in USA at Top Universities 2025
The cost of doing MS in USA from top universities in USA can be expensive. Let us check out the average cost of doing MS in the USA and the cost of MS in the USA in Rupees across the best MS universities in the USA. Check out how much it cost to study in USA in Indian Rupees:
| US Universities |
QS World University Ranking 2026 |
Cost of Doing MS in USA (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |
INR 36 L - INR 78 L |
|
| #3 |
INR 30.27 L - INR 1.23 Cr |
|
| #5 |
INR 18.23 L - INR 65.51 L |
|
| #10 |
INR 45.02 L - INR 56.26 L |
|
| #13 |
INR 24.9 L - INR 69.28 L |
|
| #15 |
INR 18.37 L - INR 78 L |
|
| #16 |
INR 17.83 L - INR 61.1 L
|
|
| #17 |
INR 22.42 L - INR 71.08 L |
|
| #21 |
INR 37.13 L - INR 72.79 L |
|
| Johns Hopkins University | #24 |
INR 33.38 L - INR 78.45 L |
Applicants can shortlist the above-mentioned top universities for MS in the USA. Also, they can look at some of the affordable MS options in USA.
Top 6 Affordable MS Colleges in USA
Apart from the top rankers, there are some other best universities in USA for MS with low tuition fees. The most affordable MS universities in the USA are as follows:
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- Mississippi Valley State University
- Loyola University Chicago
- San Diego State University
- University of Florida
- University of Buffalo, SUNY
- Purdue University
Masters in USA for Indian students is also affordable. Check out the tuition fees at some of the most affordable colleges in the USA in the table below:
| Universities Offering MS Course in USA |
Annual Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| USD 7,794 per credit |
|
| USD 17,000 - USD 54,000 |
|
| USD 7,000 - USD 29,000 |
|
| USD 19,000 - USD 42,000 |
|
| USD 10,000 - USD 27,000 |
|
| USD 28,000 - USD 43,000 |
These are just approximate costs, the actual costs will also include living costs in USA. While some MS course in USA will have tutiton fees based on credits. Thus, applicants opting for any of the MS course in USA must check how they are charged and how much it cost in Indian Rupees also and then apply.
Fees of Top MS Courses in the USA
The table given below provides a list of the top 5 MS courses in the USA. Though the selection of courses varies as per the academic backgrounds of the students, this list will serve as a template for the students, plus help in understanding the cost of doing MS in USA:
| University |
Program |
Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
MS Computational Science and Engineering |
USD 53,450 |
| MS Computer Science |
USD 45,440 |
|
| MS Computer Science |
USD 54,046 |
|
| University of California |
MS Electrical and Computer Engineering |
USD 32,487 |
| MS Computer Science |
USD 57,900 |
Fees and Affordability for MS in the USA
Once you understand why a master's degree is needed in the USA, you can consider shortlisting universities. However, when considering MS in USA, the cost of doing MS in USA should be given priority. Here is how applicants can understand the cost of doing MS in USA and look at factors which can make it affordable. Some suggestions are also given below:
- We have given a list of the most affordable MS colleges in the USA. You can review the complete list of colleges offering master's courses in the USA and check out their fees and other details.
- Also, many aspirants look for colleges that offer scholarships. Here, we have provided a list of MS colleges in the USA that offer scholarships.
- This will help you find the right college to pursue your higher studies without breaking the bank.
- Different organisations (external) also offer financial aid to students pursuing a master’s degree in the USA. You need to check their eligibility criteria and apply to them individually.
- Besides applying for scholarships, you can apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) and Research Assistant (RA) positions. A good IELTS/TOEFL score will help you in this regard. In addition, networking with your professors is extremely important to gain these positions.
Scholarships to Study MS in the USA
Scholarships are one of the ways that can substantially reduce your overall cost. However, there are different parameters based on which a student can receive a scholarship, such as scholarship essays and the strength of the application. Students can apply for financial aid when they submit their applications. There are two types of scholarships: merit-based and need-based. Some US universities offer financial aid automatically upon student selection. While in some universities, you have to check the eligibility criteria of the scholarships and apply for them individually. The type of scholarship and the amount of money that will be disbursed is the complete prerogative of the university. There are various scholarships available to study for an MS in the USA.
Some of the Popular Scholarships Available for MS Students in the USA
Some of the most popular scholarships for studying Master's degree in the USA are mentioned below:
- Fulbright Scholarship: This scholarship is applicable for Masters's Degree, Masters's Diploma, and Masters's Certificate. One can check the complete details of the Fulbright scholarship and learn more about it.
- AAUW International Fellowships: AAUW (American Association of University Women) International Fellowships are designed to provide Latin American women opportunities to pursue graduate and postgraduate studies in the US.
- Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship: The Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship facilitates 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 participating universities from the USA.
Applicants looking at studying in USA, can sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling to get expert guidance.
Cost of MS in USA FAQs
Q. What is the average cost of MS in USA?
A. The cost for pursuing MS in USA depends on the university and the course. However, on an average it should cost you INR 30 lakh and above for one year. This is cost is only for studying and does not include costs of living in the USA. Those costs are additionally calculated per year for the international students. Hence, students must excercise caution while checking all costs.
Q. Is it worth doing MS from USA?
A. USA universities' degrees are globally recognized, the education system is flexible, and USA is one of the top-most destinations for students who wish to pursue MS. However, there are many factors that play an important role; such as your academic background, your GRE scores, your interest in a particular major, your financial position, etc. You can contact our expert counselors here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply
Q. How can I reduce my cost of MS?
A. You can reduce the cost of your MS in the US by the following ways:
- Scholarships (merit-based and need-based)
- Apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) position
- Apply for Research Assistant (RA) position
Q. What are some of the top colleges for pursuing MS in USA?
A. Stanford, Caltech, MIT, University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, etc. are some of the top universities for pursuing MS in USA. However, there are more US universities which international students can consider while applying for MS courses in USA. Students must check all details and all possible universities before applying to US universities for MS admissions.
Q. Can you name some affordable colleges from where I can pursue MS in USA?
A. Some of the colleges that offer affordable MS programs are as follows:
- University of Central Florida (UCF)
- University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas)
- North Carolina State University (NC State)
- Arizona State University (ASU)
- University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
- University of Houston
- University of Utah
- University of South Florida (USF)
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte)
- University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston)
Q. What are some of the top courses in which I can pursue MS from USA?
A. MS Computer Science, MS Electrical and Computer Engineering, MS Mechanical Engineering, etc. are some of the top courses. Also students can select their MS specialisation based on their undergraduate study programs which can help them in choosing the ideal specialisation for masters in USA. There can be exceptions to switching streams as well, provided the applicant fulfils all major criteria of admission.
Q. Is MS in USA costlier than MBA in USA?
A. No, MS is not costlier than MBA in USA, the reason being that MBA is more popular in USA and hold high value, hence, fees for MBA in USA is 20 times higher than for MS in USA. MBA courses are one of the most expensive courses for international students in the USA, thus, the tuition costs are though very high, so is the cost of living in the USA. MS courses are comparatively lower in tuition and there are part-time well paying jobs for MS students in the USA which can help them atleast cover their living costs.
Q. How can MS students in USA lower their overall cost of studying?
A. If the student is enrolled for an MS course in USA, he or she is eligible for assistantships or teacher training. Through these options international students can study and work together to gain experience. These trainings and assistantships are part of research trainings with the teachers and are also paid, thus another added advantage to study MS in the USA because there's both experience and paid internships in the form of research and teaching are available for students at large.
Q. What are other equivalent options of MS in USA in terms of costs?
A. In terms of costs, applicants can pursue short term courses in USA which are not very long in duration and can last between a few days to a couple of weeks. These courses help applicants upskill in the areas of their choice. Such courses are not very heavy on the pocket and are readily available. Plus the added advantage of receiving a certification after completion is even better for representing it in the resume. But if the applicants want to go deeper into the subject then they can choose to go with MS as a choice in the USA, but yes, costs will slightly go higher in such cases.
Q. Is MS in India cheaper than MS in USA?
A. Anyday, MS in India is cheaper than MS in USA. Those who pursue an MS from government colleges and universities will pay even lower for their courses on the whole in comparison to the private sector colleges. MS in USA is atleast 10 times higher in costs in comparison to MS in India on an average. MS in USA costs are way higher than MS in India and in India, MS is still based on Science related subjects, whereas for Engineering subjects M.Tech or ME is a more preferred term here.
Q. How much rebate can I get for MS in USA cost for study?
A. The rebate on MS costs in USA depends on the applicant's application and strength of academic background. Around 20-30% of concession or fee waivers can be availed by international students for MS in USA. Apart from merit based scholarships, there are options of external scholarships, loans and grants if at all the applicants are eligible to avail them. Thus, these are readily available, applicants must check thoroughly and then apply and make a decision for the same.
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