100 Top Universities for MS In USA 2026
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100 Top Universities for MS In USA 2026

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Dec 30, 2025 22:18 IST
Top Universities for Engineering abroad - One of the most sought-after courses abroad, studying engineering overseas provides a plethora of opportunities. For the benefit of our readers, we have enlisted the top universities for studying engineering in the USA. Candidates can visit each university/college below to learn more.

For those wanting to apply for admission to any of the top 100 MS universities in USA, then they can check their rankings here and with that shortlist some before applying. Here is a list of op 100 ranking MS universities in USA.

ms in usa

Top 100 Universities for MS in USA - one of the most sought-after courses abroad, studying engineering overseas provides a plethora of opportunities for budding enthusiasts to shine in their respective domains. Over the years, the United States of America has become the mecca of engineering studies with many Indian students travelling to the States to study engineering or any other technical subject. For the benefit of our readers, we have enlisted the top MS universities for studying engineering in the USA and other related courses.

Also if you have recently completed your UG degree in Science and want to pursue your MS from abroad? Are you willing to study MS in the USA? This article will guide you and help you to find the best university for your postgraduate program if you wish to study in USA for MS. A Master's in the USA is one of the most sought-after courses for international students. Studying from top universities in USA for MS is like an achievement that provides better opportunities to students.

Table of contents
  • List of Top Universities for MS in the USA 2026
  • Types of MS Courses Available in USA
  • Why Study at Top Universities in USA for MS?
  • Admission Requirements for MS in USA
  • Highest Paying Jobs After MS from US
  • Top 100 Universities in USA for MS FAQs

List of Top Universities for MS in the USA 2026

If you are looking at some of the top ranking MS universities in USA before shortlisting them for admission then they have been listed here. Below is a list of top universities for MS in the USA ranked by QS World University Ranking 2026.

US Universities

QS World University Ranking 2026

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

#1

Stanford University

#3

Harvard University

#5

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

#10

University of Chicago

#13

University of Pennsylvania

#15

Cornell University

#16

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

=17

Yale University

#21

Johns Hopkins University

#24

Princeton University

=25

Columbia University

=38

Northwestern University

=42

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

#45

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

#46

Carnegie Mellon University

#52

New York University (NYU)

#55

Duke University

#62

University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

#66

University of Texas at Austin

#68

Brown University

#69

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

=70

University of Washington

#81

Pennsylvania State University

=82

Boston University

=88

Purdue University

=88

University of Wisconsin-Madison

=110

University of California, Davis

=114

Rice University

=119

Georgia Institute of Technology

=123

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

=140

Texas A&M University

#144

University of Southern California

#146

Michigan State University

#161

Washington University in St. Louis

#167

Arizona State University

=173

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

#179

Emory University

#182

Ohio State University

#190

University of Maryland, College Park

=207

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

#210

University of Florida (UFL)

=212

University of Rochester

#236

Dartmouth College

=247

University of Massachusetts Amherst

=247

Vanderbilt University

#250

North Carolina State University

=272

University of Virginia

#275

University of Pittsburgh

=281

Georgetown University

=285

University of Arizona

=287

University of California, Irvine

#293

Case Western Reserve University

=294

University of Notre Dame

=294

University of Colorado Boulder

#299

Indiana University Bloomington

=306

University of Miami

=314

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

=328

Tufts University

=334

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

=334

George Washington University

=358

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

=358

Northeastern University

#384

University at Buffalo SUNY

=410

Washington State University

=423

University of California, Riverside

=440

Iowa State University

#449

Stony Brook University, State University of New York

=452

Colorado State University

=458

University of California, Santa Cruz

=458

University of Kansas

=465

University of Georgia

#525

Boston College

=526

University of Iowa

=530

University of Connecticut

#534

University of Utah

=540

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

=546

Florida State University

#549

University of Delaware

=553

University of Houston

=556

Colorado School of Mines

=571

Florida International University

=582

American University

=587

Illinois Institute of Technology

=591

Tulane University

=597

University of Texas at Dallas

=597

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

=607

City University of New York

=613

Oregon State University

=624

Yeshiva University

=624

Missouri University of Science and Technology

=628

University of South Carolina

=628

University of South Florida

=654

University of Oklahoma

=664

Lehigh University

=668

Stevens Institute of Technology

=673

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

#695

University of Missouri, Columbia

=697

University of Central Florida

#701-710

Drexel University

#711-720

Students can get in touch with us in the comments below for more. Candidates can visit each university/college to learn more about eligibility criteria, admission requirements, fee structure, etc.  

Types of MS Courses Available in USA

There are various types of MS courses available in USA like MS courses in specifically Science related subjects, Engineering subjects or business-related subjects. MS courses in USA fall under STEM education which is popular in modern times. To name a few, MS in Computer Science, MS in Petroleum Engineering, MS in Management and MS in Data Science are a few examples of different types of MS courses available in USA. 

MS Specialisations in USA

Some popular MS specialisations across top 100 universities in USA are- 

  • AI
  • Robotics
  • Machine Learning
  • Cybersecurity
  • Business Analytics
  • Business Management
  • Data Analysis

Why Study at Top Universities in USA for MS?

Those looking at why master's in USA, especially MS courses, here are a few reasons for them to come to a decision. 

  1. USA is known for its quality education and high-level research and offers MS courses at par with global standards. Hence, pursuing MS in USA from a top-ranking US university is definitely a better choice.
  2. While other countries like UK, Canada, Germany and Australia compete with US to pursue an MS, hands-down US is the undisputed leader for MS because the maximum number of its universities rank and MS courses are renowned. Check MS in US vs MS in Canada
  3. There is a plethora of specialisations available for MS applicants in USA. From AI to Data Science, top universities in USA for MS have it all for its international applicants. 
  4. Some of the highest paying careers after studying at top universities in USA for MS is available for applicants. On average, an MS graduate in USA can earn up to USD 82,000 annually. 
  5. In case the MS course is a STEM education course, applicants will be eligible for OPT in USA and can request a STEM-OPT extension as well and get work experience after studying. 
  6. Finally, the top US universities for MS are not just a few, over 300 universities are offering different types of MS courses to applicants. Thus, applicants have a lot of options to choose from and study in the USA.

Thus, based on these reasons, applicants can consider applying at top universities in USA for MS and plan their applications accordingly. 

Admission Requirements for MS in USA

Admission requirements for MS at top 100 US universities will vary for each course and its specialisation offered. However, some of the common admission requirements for admission are as follows for MS applicants:

  • Bachelor’s degree wth GPA score of 3.2 and above on a 4.0 point scale.
  • Standardised test scores of GRE will be needed for Engineering and Science courses. But GMAT scores will be required if applying for MS in Management type courses.
  • Proving English proficiency is mandatory for MS admissions in USA. Applicants can submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo scores. Minimum cutoffs will vary per university.
  • Along with these, there is a list of documents required to apply for MS in USA. Applicants must check these before they apply.

Again the requirements will vary, and applicants must fulfil all criteria before they submit their admission applications for MS in USA.

Highest Paying Jobs After MS from US

After graduating from the top universities in USA for MS, applicants can get some of the highest-paying jobs with an MS degree in USA. Check out the table below for higher paid careers after graduating with an MS in USA:

Top Job Roles after MS in USA Average Annual Pay
Aerospace Engineer USD 130,720
Anesthesiologist USD 339,470
Architectural or Engineering Manager USD 165,370
Astronomer USD 127,930
Biochemist or Biophysicist USD 107,460

These are a few highest jobs in USA after MS course completion. There are many other job roles that are highly paid in USA but will ofcourse vary based on the applicant's skills and specialisation chosen fo studying. 

Related Reads

Interested in studying abroad and require admission and application-related help? Sign up for free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a call back from our team of counsellors. Or write to us in the comments below.

Top 100 Universities in USA for MS FAQs

Q:   What is the decent score required on the ACT test to get a good university in the USA?
A:

A score of 26 is a great start. Most good universities in United States generally look for student scores between 28 and 30. While the very best schools often expect a 33 or even higher. Always prepare well for it.

Q:   How is applying to California Polytechnic State University different from applying to other Universities in USA?
A:

There are various ways in which applying to California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is different from applying to other US universities. These are the main variations, according to the data at hand:

  • First is the Application Procedure. Cal Poly uses Cal State to process online applications. Applying is open to both first-year and transfer students from October 1, 2026 through November 30, 2026. To increase their chances of being selected, students must select a major and review the selection criteria when submitting their applications.
  • Second are the application requirements. Typically, the application calls for a transcript from high school, a college prep course load, and a high school GPA. It is not necessary nor advised to have SAT or ACT results.
  • Unless the applicant is exempt from paying an application cost, there is a $70 application fee per campus. Email is the main method of communication used during the admissions process.
Q:   What GPA do you need to get into SDSMT or South Dakota School of Mines & Technology?
A:

Applicant who wish to study at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology must meet the GPA requirements. We have mentioned the South Dakota School of Mines GPA requirements for international students as per the program:

·      For UG admission, GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale required for South Dakota Mines admission

·      For PG admission, GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale required for South Dakota Mines

Also read What is Grade Point Average (GPA) and how it affects your admissions to the US Universities?







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