Nearly 268,923 Indian students study in USA and most of them opt for STEM degrees. Once you understand the cost of an MS in USA, you will be better able to shortlist the universities to apply to. Since the USA is probably the most expensive country to study in, it is only justified if you do some financial planning beforehand to smoothen out the whole process and later study comfortably.
Tuition Fees for MS Programs in the USA
On an average, the cost of MS in USA ranges from 30,000-120,000 USD. Several things influence the tuition costs such as the university you choose, your course, etc.
Public universities are fairly more affordable than private ones. In the US, there are Ivy Leagues (a reputed group of eight private universities that are prestigious and highly esteemed).
No.
Ivy League Universities
Prestigious Public Universities in USA
1
Harvard University, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
2
Yale University, Connecticut
Stanford University
3
Princeton University, New Jersey
California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
4
Columbia University, New York
Duke University
5
Brown University, Rhode Island
Johns Hopkins University
6
Dartmouth College, New Hampshire
Northwestern University
7
University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
University of Chicago
8
Cornell University, New York
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
9
-
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
10
-
Vanderbilt University
The average Master’s degree cost in USA in public universities is around $25,000-35,000 per annum. Whereas, for private universities, the cost can go up in the range of $30,000-65,000 per year.
Public Universities Tuition Fees in USA
25,000-35,000 USD per annum
Private Universities Tuition Fees in USA
30,000-65,000 USD per annum
And Ivy Leagues can cost you anywhere between $20,000-117,000 per annum.
University (Ivy League)
Fees per year start at (in USD)
Harvard University
$11,000 per year
Princeton University
$59,000 per year
Yale University
$30,000 per year
Columbia University
$23,000 per year
University of Pennsylvania
$27,000 per year
Cornell University
$20,000 per year
Dartmouth College
$25,000 per year
Brown University
$117,000 per year
Another difference in fees is for in-state and out-of-state students, but this is not relevant for international students although it can still be a good reference point on the difference.
Other Academic Costs—books, labs, & technology
Depending on your course, you might also need the relevant resources to support your studies. These too are included in the total cost of MS in USA for Indian students.
Study Resources
Cost (in USD)
Books
$1,212 per year
Lab Fees for Specific Courses
$65/term
Online Course Materials
$341/credit
Laptops/Softwares
$300-3000 one time payment
Cost of Living in the USA for Indian Students
First, let us look at the state-wise cost of living in USA before checking the bifurcation of the total cost of MS in USA for Indian students.
City
Cost of Living (per month)
Cost of Living (per year)
New York City
$2,083-2,500
$25,000-30,000
Los Angeles
$1,666-2,083
$20,000-25,000
Boston
$1,500-1,833
$18,000-22,000
Chicago
$1,250-1,666
$15,000-20,000
San Francisco
$2,083-2,500
$25,000-30,000
Columbus, Ohio
$1,000-1,250
$12,000-15,000
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
$833-1,083
$10,000-13,000
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
$1,083-1,333
$13,000-16,000
Madison, Wisconsin
$1,000-1,250
$12,000-15,000
Ann Arbor, Michigan
$1,166-1,416
$14,000-17,000
Lincoln, Nebraska
$1,200-1,500
$14,400-18,000
Iowa City, Iowa
$1,100-1,300
$13,200-15,600
Fargo, North Dakota
$1,200-1,500
$14,400-18,000
Boise, Idaho
$1,400-1,700
$16,800-20,400
Kent, Ohio
$1,100-1,300
$13,200-15,600
Average Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students
The amount of money needed to survive in the US won’t be as much as you think but as compared to India it is still on the expensive side of things. Your personal choices of lifestyle will highly influence how much you’ll be saving and spending during your study in the USA. Sticking to a budget will make it easier.
Expenses
Cost per Month
Accommodation (average rent across cities)
$1,000-1,800
Food (groceries, dining out, etc.)
$300-500
Transportation (commute to university, etc.)
$150-300
Utilities (electricity, water, sewage, etc.)
$100-200
Books and Other Study Material
$100-200
Personal Expenses (clothing, haircut, etc.)
$200-400
Health Insurance
$100-200
Total
$2,050-3,600
Scholarships & Financial Aid for Indian Students
Another great way to minimize your total cost of MS in USA for Indian students is by opting for scholarships and financial aid. There are many merit-based scholarships that are offered to highly achieving students and universities also offer financial aid to students who have a low family income.
Here are some of the scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships for international students in USA:
Fulbright-Nehru Program
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Joint Scholarship Program
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate College Scholarships
Stanford University Graduate Fellowships
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Presidential Fellowships
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Marshall Scholarships
Rhodes Scholarships
Endowment for International Education (EIF) Scholarships
Rotary Foundation Global Grants
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) International Science Fellowships
These can help in reducing your cost of MS in USA per year. There are so many university specific scholarships as well, so don’t forget to check out your university’s website to stay updated.
The Hidden Costs—health insurance, visa fees, & travel
Nobody talks about the other costs you’ll have to pay for apart from tuition fees and cost of living. Many times we forget to consider the application fees for applying to 6-10 universities, health insurance costs, visa application fees, and flight costs to and from the USA. Phone bills and social outings add to this.
So the total cost of MS in USA for Indian students also includes all of these costs. Taking help from study abroad consultants can help you in bringing down these costs significantly. D-Vivid is one such mentor for students wishing to pursue their dream career in the USA. With so many years of experience in helping students study in USA, we know where you can cut down on costs and help you to select the best city according to the amount you’re willing to spend on your education.
Here’s the visa cost for different student visas in the US.
Visa Type
SEVIS fee
MRV fee
Total US student visa cost
F-1 or Student Visa
$350
$185
$535
M-1 or Vocational Student Visa
$220
$405
J-1 or Exchange Visitor Visa
$160
$345
Cost Comparison: MS Programs in the USA vs Other Countries
Should you choose to study in USA? Here is a comparison of the cost of MS in USA versus other countries across the world.
Country
Cost of Studying MS (per year)
USA
$35,000-65,000
Canada
$27,000-45,000
UK
$40,000-60,000
Australia
$27,000-47,000
Germany
$23,000-40,000
Working While Studying—can you reduce the cost of studying?
The F-1 student visa for the USA allows you to study in USA and also work part time for up to 20 hours a week during the term and full-time on campus during vacations. There are jobs, internships, and on-campus work opportunities that allow you to be able to pay for your living expenses on your own.
This option can help in reducing the total cost of MS in USA for Indian students.
The cost of MS in USA can be slightly expensive but it also has a good return on your investment once you graduate. Think about the longer picture, and understand that the USA also offers opportunities to work in the country after you finish your studies (unlike the UK). The quality of education is unbeatable and taking help from our study abroad consultants, you can easily bring down the costs. For any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
On average, an MS degree in the USA will cost you anywhere between $30,000-120,000 per year depending on the university you choose, your location, your lifestyle, etc.
Is MS from the USA worth it?
If the opportunity is utilized properly, an MS degree can change your life for the better. While the cost of studying is expensive, the ROI is greater and beneficial.
What is the salary after MS in the USA?
After completing MS in the USA, graduates earn $70,000-120,000 per year and maybe even more.
Can I complete MS in 1 year in the USA?
Yes. There are MS degrees available in the US whose course duration is 1 year. You can finish your post-graduation earlier than your peers and join the workforce to earn good money. By choosing a 1-year degree, you will also be able to save on the cost of living in the USA.
) :
