M.A. in USA for Indian Students - Universities, Colleges, Fees 2026, Deadlines

An MA in the USA is a postgraduate-level degree that lasts 1 to 2 year. Students can opt for fields such as Humanities, Social Science, Arts, and more. The degree is ideal for international students with having keen interest in History, Literature, Cultural Studies, Journalism, Economics, and more. The program helps students to make career in fields such as diplomatic service, NGOs, cultural institutions, academia, and more.

The MA courses are available in diverse specializations in the USA. Some of the popular specializations are History, Liberal Arts, Visual/Performing Arts, Journalism, Cultural Studies, Political Science, Social Sciences, Psychology, and more.

Some popular universities providing an MA in the USA are Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, MIT, UC-Berkeley, University of Chicago, Princeton, NYU, and more. The tuition cost of these universities is quite expensive for international students with a limited budget. Students can check some of the top universities offering an MA in the USA, along with the tuition cost, courses offered, and scholarships, below:

Also read: Study Guide to USA for International Students

MA in the USA Highlights

Students interested in pursuing an MA in the USA must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized university to fulfill the basic eligibility. They must submit certain mandatory documents along with the English language requirements. Students can opt for any specialization, including History, Liberal Arts, Visual/Performing Arts, Journalism, Cultural Studies, Political Science, Social Sciences, Psychology, and more. Students can check the MA in the USA highlights below:

Category	Statistics
Total Universities offering MA in USA	150+
MA Fees in the USA	Tuition Fees: INR 5 L - INR 36 L Living Expenses: INR 1 L –INR 17 L (varies based on cities)
Top MA Specializations in the USA	History, Liberal Arts, Visual/Performing Arts, Journalism, Cultural Studies, Political Science, Social Sciences, Psychology
Admission Eligibility for MA in the USA	Bachelor’s degree of 3-4 years in a relevant discipline, English language requirements
Admission Requirements for the MA in the USA	Academic transcripts, CV/Resume, Letter of recommendation, valid passport, English language requirements, Statement of Purpose, financial proof

Read about: Admission Intakes In US Universities

MA in the USA: Course Curriculum

Students who wish to pursue an MA in the USA must be aware of the basic course curriculum; however, the curriculum may vary depending on the university and the specializations. Students can check the core modules and practical elements to study the MA in the USA below:

Year 1: Foundation Courses

In the foundation year, students must deal with the theory, research work, and academic writing along with the foundation subjects, including History, Economics, English, and Political Science. Students must focus on their analytical skills, presentations, and research proposals.

Year 2: Specializations

In the second year, students must focus on their elective subjects. They may need to deal with seminars on advanced topics, creative projects, internships, policy applications, and more.

Also read: Why is the US a Popular Destination for Students?

Top Universities in the USA for MA

As per the Shiksha ranking 2025, the best university to pursue an MA in the USA is Harvard University. Along with this, universities such as Stanford and Princeton University are also popular. Students willing to complete their MA degree in the USA must choose or aim for these top options for a better reputation and scope. Students can check the top universities in the USA for the MA below:

USA Universities Offering MA	Shiksha Ranking 2025
Harvard University	#1
Stanford University	#2
Princeton University	#4
University of California - Berkeley Campus	#5
Columbia University	#6
New York University	#7

Also check: Best Art Schools in the World

Top MA Specializations in the USA

There are many specializations available for an MA in the USA for international students, including Economics, History, Media and Communications, Psychology, Philosophy, and more. Students can check the top MA specializations in the USA offered to students, along with the university offering, which are popularly chosen by international students:

Top MA Specializations in USA	Offered at
Economics	Harvard University, MIT, Stanford University
English / Literature	Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University
History	Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University
Political Science	Princeton University, Stanford University, Columbia University
Media & Communication	University of Southern California (Annenberg), Columbia University, New York University
Psychology	Stanford University, Harvard University, Yale University
Philosophy	New York University, Rutgers University, Harvard University

Check more: Most popular programs in the USA

MA Fees in the USA

The MA fees in the USA for international students may vary based on the different universities and institutions. Students must do in-depth research on the course, tuition fees, and living costs while applying for admission. This will help in choosing the universities based on the budget. The average first-year tuition cost of studying an MA in the USA is between INR 5L and INR 36L, and the average living cost can be between INR 1L and INR 17L per annum. Students must also make a budget for expenses like accommodation, personal expenditure, casual traveling, etc. Students can check the MA tuition fees in the USA for popular universities below:

USA Universities Offering MA	First-year tuition fees 2025
Harvard University	INR 17L-INR 63L
Stanford University	INR 25L-INR 70L
Princeton University	INR 51L
University of California - Berkeley Campus	INR 23L-INR 45L
Columbia University	INR 21L-INR 67L
New York University	INR 27L-INR 59L

Also read: Cost of Studying in the USA for International Students

Student Visa Requirements for an MA in the USA

International students willing to pursue an MA must apply for a visa to enter the USA. Once they get an acceptance letter from their desired university, they must fill out the visa application form to enter the university on time. Students must submit certain mandatory documents while applying for a visa. The visa requirements to study an MA in the USA are listed below:

• Form I-20
• DS-160 confirmation page
• SEVIS fee
• Visa application fee receipt
• Valid passport
• Financial proof
• Academic transcripts
• Passport-size photographs

MA in the USA Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to meet the admission eligibility criteria for studying in the MA program. They also meet the English language requirements if the first language is not English. The MA Requirements for the USA will vary from one university to another. Mentioned below are the basic criteria for USA MA admission:

Candidates are required to complete their Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University/college

• Degree must be in the following subjects i.e. Design, Fine Arts, Media Arts, Architecture, etc
• Some Universities in the USA ask for a minimum of two to three year’s work experience
• Candidates need to take any English proficiency tests, i.e., IELTS, TOEFL, etc. The test is compulsory for those students who do not belong to English-speaking countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, etc.
• Applicants must submit the score of GRE, GMAT, and PTEto be admitted to the MA program
• A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is required which works as your introduction to the college and admission officer
• Students need to submit a Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

Know more: Requirements to Study in USA for International Students

Work Permit after Studying MA in USA

Students can apply for a Post Study Work Permit in the USA after completing their degree from Universities there. Three types of visas in the country allow students to stay for a limited time and start work. Students can apply for EAD without the job offer and work under OPT employment anywhere in the country.

MA Scholarships in the USA

Settling in a new country and managing your overall expenses is the key concern for each international applicant shifting abroad for studies. Here is when scholarship comes into play. There are various scholarships available for students planning to study an MA in the USA. Some of the popular scholarships for international applicants are given below:

• Fulbright
• AAUW
• Aga Khan
• University Merit Awards
• Assistantships

Also read: Scholarships to Study in USA for International Students 

Salary in Top-Ranked MA Universities in the USA

Return on Investment or ROI is the most crucial aspect considered while pursuing education in the USA. Following is a list of universities that can yield better returns on their investments for international students who would graduate with an MA in USA:

USA Universities Offering MA	First-year tuition fees 2025	Estimated Salary
Harvard University	INR 17L-INR 63L	INR 53L-INR 85L
Stanford University	INR 25L-INR 70L	INR 71L-INR 1.35Cr
Princeton University	INR 51L	INR 65L-INR 1.3Cr
University of California - Berkeley Campus	INR 23L-INR 45L	INR 78L
Columbia University	INR 21L-INR 67L	INR 84L
New York University	INR 27L-INR 59L	INR 80L-INR 90L

Top Companies Recruiting MA in USA

Check out the following companies that have hired MA graduates from top USA universities across their headquarters in the USA and other countries:

• Robert Half
• Kelly
• Korn Ferry
• Adecco
• Aerotek
• Randstad
• Lucas Group
• HIM Recruiters

Also read: Average Salary USA

Akansha Katariya07-25-2024 14:07