100 Top Universities for MS In USA 2026
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.
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.
- 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 |
|---|---|
| #1 |
|
| #3 |
|
| #5 |
|
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
#10 |
| University of Chicago |
#13 |
| #15 |
|
| Cornell University | #16 |
| The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | =17 |
| Yale University | #21 |
| Johns Hopkins University | #24 |
| Princeton University |
=25 |
| =38 |
|
| Northwestern University | =42 |
| #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 |
| =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 |
| =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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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Top 100 Universities in USA for MS FAQs
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.
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?
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
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.