Complete Guide for Studying Masters in USA (MS in USA)
Whether you want to pursue Masters in IT, in Business and Management, in Computer, or in Engineering, there are some of the best universities in USA for masters degree. In fact, 70% of the master’s universities in USA are recognized around the world and are ranked among the top worldwide.
Offering world-class technology, top-notch faculty, and cultural exposure, Masters in USA for African Students will mainly provide your STEM education, i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Management. But before you apply for a Masters in USA, you must have 16 years of education (12 years of schooling and 4 years of Bachelor’s degree). In addition to this, you need English language proficiency criteria i.e. TOEFL scores and an average 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (80% or more). Due to the COVID-19, many universities have waived off or relieved the minimum score requirements for competitive tests.
And if you are an African student wishing to study here, the USA Masters Degree will cost you around INR 9.76-75.1 lakhs. Keep reading to know more about the cost, top universities, eligibility, and process to apply for the masters degree in USA –
Here is an Overview of Studying Masters in USA-
- Best Universities in USA for masters
- Benefits of Pursuing Masters in USA
- Famous Programs for Masters in USA
- Eligibility for Masters in USA
- Cost of Studying Masters in USA
- Jobs After Masters in USA
Best Universities in USA for masters
Here is the table with the top universities in USA for master’s degrees with their rank and acceptance rates. Take a look!
| Rank | University |
|---|---|
| #1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
| #4 | Stanford University |
| #5 | Harvard University |
| #32 | UC Berkeley |
| #40 | UCLA |
| #10 | University of Chicago |
| #20 | Princeton University |
| Highest Paying Sectors | Finance, Executive Management, Airlines, Legal, etc. |
| #13 | University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) |
| #21 | Cornell University |
| #14 | Yale University |
| #23 | University of Michigan |
Benefits of Pursuing Masters in USA
African students can choose from over 2 million courses of Masters Degree. Also, they have the option to earn through various aspects like a work-study program, stay back permit post-MS, research opportunities along merit-based scholarships to support their education.
Other benefits of this graduate degree include:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Courses are widely available and chosen by students, which gives a 17-month work visa extension post-masters degree.
- After the degree, students can apply for TA (Teaching Assistantship) or RA (Research Assistantship)
- Masters courses are categorized into pre-requisites, core areas, and electives which increases the chances for pursuing a research-based master’s degree by 30%.
- Students can avail up to 10,000 USD (approx. 7,00,000) for one year in any of the USA universities.
Famous Programs for Masters in USA
There are many programs offered to students who want to study masters in USA. Here is the list of some popular programs offered by top universities in USA –
| Masters Program | Universities |
| Masters in Finance | MIT, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Columbia University, University of Southern California |
| Masters in Data Science | Stanford University, Harvard University, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, John Hopkins University |
| Masters in Computer Science | MIT, Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University, University of California Berkeley |
| Masters in Marketing | Columbia University, Florida International University, Michigan State University, the University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California |
| Masters in Business Analytics | MIT, UCLA, the University of Texas at Austin, University of Minnesota, Michigan State University |
Eligibility for Masters in USA
For studying masters, USA offers Visa related eligibility and University or Institute related eligibility. But international students may face Visa related rejections; Therefore, all the requirements must be completely fulfilled to avoid such circumstances.
Apart from this, students applying for a Masters program in USA should also be proficient in the English language. They should submit scores of IELTS or TOEFL, which should be more than 55% and 70% respectively. These tests are accepted by most USA universities.
Documents Required for Masters Admission in USA
It is crucial to know that the USA has an extensive application process for which international students must submit a list of mandatory documents. Take a look at the documents required for the masters degree admissions in USA –
- Transcripts stamped and signed by HOD/Principal in a sealed envelope.
- Mark sheets of previous college or school, attested by the HOD/Principal.
- An up-to-date CV as per the correct format with the level of research undertaken or work experience.
- State of Purpose must be submitted along with the application with details of the applicant, expectations from the master’s course, goals, etc.
- 2 to 3 Letters of Recommendation are required online or offline.
- Bank statement not more than 3 months old. It must show sufficient funds for a minimum of one year.
- Health insurance for applying for admissions in USA.
- Passport for visa processing.
Remember to keep these documents ready to avoid the last-minute hassle.
Cost of Studying Masters in USA
Pursuing a higher-level degree in USA is a big factor for international students but it does not mean it will be expensive. It depends on the university and region to choose. Other than the rent of an apartment, meals, transportation, personal expenses, and health insurance, there are other expenses you need to consider before visiting the university. These are one time charges and in a notably large amount –
- Flight charges
- Visa Fees
- Application Fees
- Registration fees of exams to study masters degree in USA
If the student has enrolled into an assistantship, then remember, they will be paid at the month-end. Till then, they have to use their funding for expenses.
There are scholarships for Masters in USA as well that can help international students save their earnings. These scholarships cover tuition fees and other charges. There are many governmental, non-governmental, and college scholarships available in USA. Students can visit the financial aid office and look for suitable scholarships themselves.
Jobs after Masters in USA
After the completion of master’s degree, students can get jobs through university partnerships with different companies or on-campus employment. LinkedIn or Indeed can also be used for the same. Another great option is annual job fairs. If the student is pursuing Teaching or Research Assistants, they cannot get a job before months of their program duration.
Popular jobs after Masters in USA include accountant, financial analyst, graphic designer, architect, project manager, Civil Engineer, HR Officer, HR Manager, and more.
Pursue your dream of studying in USA with the best in the business. Choose Sygnature Study Abroad as your assistance to get the complete information regarding the admission process, scholarships, cost of studying at various Master’s universities, admission process, visa process, and more.