While an education abroad isn’t cheap for middle-class students from India, there are certain international degrees that are cheaper than the others. For instance, if you are thinking of applying for a post-graduate Masters degree abroad (e.g. MBA / MS), the costs of an MS in USA are significantly cheaper than the cost of a top MBA in USA.
However, this is only in relative terms. You need to be aware of the various cost components that make up the total expenses of a Master of Science (MS degree). It can burn a hole in your pocket. If you plan well, you can limit the damages to the pocket and not end up burning the whole shirt [behold the power of graphic visualisation!].
While MS degrees are offered by universities across the world, for the sake of keeping it simple, we’ll only focus on the most popular MS destination for Indians.
The other thing we’ll do, given the diversity of MS courses on offer, is to generalise. We’ll use broad ranges and averages rather than accurately track the costs (which are ever changing every single day, thanks to the wildly fluctuating INR vs USD foreign exchange rates).
Editor’s note: We’ve updated this (popular and old) article to reflect 2021 data.
How much does an MS in USA cost in Indian Rupees and USD
We’ll take up the various expenses as they start appearing on your bank statements.
MS Entrance Exam Costs
GRE Test Fee
You’ll need a GRE score, the primary requirement for MS applications.
The GRE test fee is $205 except in five countries including India, Australia, China, Nigeria and Turkey. The cost of taking the GRE general test in India is $213 (~ INR 15,550). In Australia, it is $230, in China, it is $231.30, in Nigeria, it is $226, in Turkey, it is $255.
Read more about the GRE exam in India, GRE pattern / syllabus, GRE prep study plan.
You’ll also need the TOEFL score. The TOEFL fee in India is $185 (~ INR 13,505). Read more about the TOEFL IBT test format and preparation. There are additional costs (from $20 – $160 each) for late registration, rescheduling, sectional reviews, reinstating cancelled scores.
We’re skipping those overheads, assuming you plan and execute the MS entrance exams well.
MS Application fees
The application fee for many of the top MS programs in the USA can range from $65 TO $ 105, the average being $85 (6,205 Rupees). [Source: US News]
Additionally, if you haven’t planned your target MS colleges well and included them during the GRE exam (you are allowed 4 free universities) you have to pay $27 (~INR 1,970) to send the score to each additional Masters university. Check the official site for the latest fee.
Similarly, TOEFL allows 4 free universities. The fee for sending your TOEFL score to additional MS universities is $20 (INR 1,460). You have the option of purchasing the ‘TOEFL value packs’ during registration to avail the discounted fee. Theses packs have four options to choose from. These would include test prep items, five additional score reports and a $35 (INR 2,555) discount for future registrations depending on the pack you choose.
Check their site for the latest fee.
Assuming, you are sending 10 MS applications, at an average application fee of $132 [$85 + $27 + $20] per MS university, you are staring at a total expense of $1,320 (~INR 96,360).
While most universities have moved to online applications, let’s also factor in the additional expenses to send postal packets with your transcripts, financial statements (bank) and other documents. Let’s cap this at around 10,000 rupees.
Your F1 visa / SEVIS fee would add another $350 (~INR 25,550). Read more about F1 visa requirements.
We’ve touched Rupees 1.20 Lakh already. And we haven’t even got into the plane yet.
Which brings us to the next major cost component.
Student Airfare Costs
A return ticket would be cheaper than a one-way ticket. Also, applying earlier can get you good discounts from many airlines. This can range from 60,000 to 1 lakh rupees.
We’ll take the middle ground here and assume 80,000 for airfare.
MS Tuition Costs in USA
The big one! Unlike programs like MBA where you pay a fixed fee for the whole course, MS programs in USA charge a fee based on the credit hours.
Typically, you’d be expected to complete an average of over 30 graduate level course credits. The fee per credit hours depends on whether it’s a public school (funded by the state) or private school (more freedom and bigger need to fleece).
It will also depend if you’ve got an MS scholarship or graduate assistantship, in which case the savings can be enormous.
Without any financial aid, the fee for MS programs in the US ranges from $10,000 to $80,000 (6 – 48 Lakh Rupees) for the 2 years. A top grade university like CMU would fall in the higher range.
Let’s take the middle ground again and assume that the average is close to $45,000 (30 lakh rupees).
Cost of living for MS students
If you are still recovering from that earlier blow, we aren’t done yet. Once you arrive in the land of dreams, there are other activities that you’d get involved in which cost money. Like living (rental costs), eating (if you’ve read the newspapers, the days of surviving on Maggi are gone), drinking (your phoren classmates won’t appreciate your home-made nimbu paani).
For shared rentals and a modest lifestyle, let’s assume that the cost of living in USA for MS students is roughly $1000 a month, prices varying based on the state, city, and conditions you choose to live in. Over two years, that adds up to $24,000 (~ INR 17.5 lakhs).
Read Cost of living in New York as an International Student
MS in US Costs that we haven’t considered
Opportunity cost for MS students
This is a notional (not real) cost of not having an income for those 2 years that you’ll be spending in the classroom. For students who join an MS program after a few years of experience, this can be a considerable amount. But many join MS colleges immediately after engineering (B Tech, B.E). At junior levels, the salary isn’t much. As we’ve done with many other parameters that increase the complexity of arriving at a number, we’ll skip this one too.
Test prep and Admissions Counselling cost
These aren’t simple expenses like the ones we listed earlier. There are those who take up GRE preparation classes and hire MS admissions counsellors hoping to see some returns – like a higher chance of getting an admit and scholarship.
These are optional in nature and not all MS applicants would incur them. So, we decided to skip them.
We’ve also not considered your student income over the two years (like MS internships) which can reduce the overall costs of attending an American MS university.
Total cost of Masters degree | MS in U.S. Universities
Here’s the simple table we created to collate all the expenses.
MS Costs | Rate | Quantity | US Dollars (USD) | Indian Rupees (INR) |
---|---|---|---|---|
GRE | $205 | 1 | $205 | ₹14,965 |
TOEFL | $185 | 1 | $185 | ₹13,505 |
Application | $132 | 10 | $1,320 | ₹ 96,360 |
Visa | $350 | 1 | $350 | ₹ 25,550 |
Flight | $1,300 | 1 | $1,300 | ₹ 94,900 |
Tuition | $45,000 | 1 | $45,000 | ₹ 32,85,000 |
Cost of living | $1,000 | 24 | $24,000 | ₹ 17,52,000 |
Total | $72,360 | ₹52,82,353 |
Exchange Rate: 73 ₹/$
All in all, with all the individual expenses that we’ve covered (and ignored), the average cost of an MS in USA for international students would be around $72,000.
In Indian rupees, assuming an exchange rate of 73 Rs/$, the total average MS in US cost over two years is close to 52 lakh rupees.
That’s around half of what you’d see MBA students in USA shelling out. Of course, the post MS salaries aren’t the same as MBA salaries. But you win some and lose some depending on the choices you make.
Despite the big numbers you see here, it is not uncommon to see well-prepared students like Anamika Agarwal who get into good MS universities in USA with full-scholarships and graduate with minimal (if not zero) debt.
If you are applying to MS programs in USA and need some formal counselling, drop us an email [info at mbacrystalball dot com] and we’ll hook you up with a solid mentor to guide you through the journey.
Read these related posts:
– When Indian banks reject your Masters abroad study loan
– How to choose an International Student Loan
– Masters (MS) in Germany: Costs in Rupees, Top universities, Eligibility requirements
– Value of MS degree from abroad for jobs in India
Source: US News, Other university / MS sites
I have a predicament… I have long aspired for higher education, but due to one or the other reason I was never able to take it up seriously.
I have now completed 10 years in the software development domain and am at a point of saturation. I have been a team lead for the last 2 years and led close to 10 people.
Sorry, I am not writing in a resume, but I am kind of lost as to what should be my next step.
I am checking out the MS programs but the more I read the more I am worried that is my long work experience going to be a deterrant?
Are there any suitable courses for me?
I am not considering an MBA since I do not want to work purely as a manager and dont want to detach myself from the IT domain completely.
better go for technical certifications like SolutionArchitect etc & move in tech side.
Hey Anamika,it’s stupid …but I wanted to know how do u got 100% scholarship in MS program…did u give any exam for that or any other prosedure??
I m from middle class family n a good scorer, and can’t led my parents under such financial drain…please help me with this
Anamika,
While a majority of applicants taking up MS degrees tend to be younger and have lesser experience, there’s no real reason why you can’t go for it if you’ve decided to stick to the field you are in.
The big challenge you’ll face would be at the time of placements, when employers recruiting on campus would come looking for junior professionals.
But that doesn’t mean they’ll ignore you for the experience. In fact, if you can get a space on the discussion table and highlight the higher level of expertise you bring with you, they might be able to offer you more lucrative roles.
And you can still tap into all the incentives MS students get – like the extended OPT tenure for STEM students.
Thanks Sameer.
Are there any courses suitable for people like me, who have more work experience?
The mainstream degrees would take you into the realm of MBA and PhD and I assume neither of those would interest you.
Most of the courses for senior professionals are more focused and part-time / shorter in nature. You’ll find a wide range to choose from as everyone from universities to private companies offer them.
Rather than degrees they offer certificates and aren’t very selective, so the market value changes accordingly.
Anamika,
I’m going through a similar phase in my career. I’m 31 years old with close to 9 years of work experience in IT under my belt. I have a passion for programming and I really would like to go back to school and study. At the same time, I’m worried about tuition fee and future job prospects. Just wondering, did you decide to go study?
There IS one area where doing a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) focused General/Specialist Master’s Degree in the in the US has a specific and MAJOR advantage over doing an MBA.
If your University / College’s Graduate Program (Masters) in the US is LISTED under the US Government’s STEM-Designated Degree Program list, you are eligible to seek a 17 month extension in the US post your graduation & 12 month CPT/OPT period.
A Normal 2 year Masters Degree in the US (including an MBA) offers the opportunity to work in the US for a total of 12 months. This is normally used up by a 2-3 month internship, while the rest is completed after Graduation. In a situation where the company is reluctant to sponsor & apply for an (already quota limited) H1-B visa, this short OPT period is often a big stumbling block for companies seeking talent.
However, if your University/College is a STEM approved program / institute, you can apply for a 17 month extension to the 12 month OPT period. This means even with a 2-3 month internship, you can apply for and get >2 year work-authorization in the US. This period is enough for your employer to strongly sponsor either a Visa extension (H1-B) or Residence in the US. >2 Years is also a good length of time for US Multinationals to recruit, train and prepare a globally mobile talent base, of which you can be part…..
Check this: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/17-month-opt-stem-extension
Not only is this fortuitous, it’s also a HUGE indication that STEM educated professionals are seen as critical by the US Government and US companies, therefore helped with Policy. It’s also a nice little wake-up for those who were undecided between MBAs and MS programs.
MBA Programs are NOT eligible for this extension.
IF you are thinking about MS Programs with a healthy dose of Business & STEM, think of programs like: Engineering Management, Industrial Engineering, Decision Sciences and Analytics, Computational Finance, Financial Engineering, Management Science, Engineering Systems etc; all of which are part of the STEM listed programs / degrees / courses – therefore eligible for the extension. If you look at these, you will study BASIC versions of ALL these courses in your MBA. However, the MS in a STEM field offers deeper / more penetrative knowledge & skills that employers will continue to place high value on. Secondly – an MS Graduate in Computer Science (with management courses and some work-ex) stands just as good a chance with a company (like Microsoft for example) to get a job that an MBA will apply for. Career opportunities are just as good.
Think – if you like technology, operations, supply chain, computing, mathematics – why not a STEM degree (with some management courses)?
All the best
Thanks for pitching in, Hari saar.
It’s been a while since we published your earlier posts on MCB. If your work-schedule permits you to write on other topics, your fans (including me) would be thrilled.
Sameer Saar! Yes, it’s been a crunchingly busy time the last couple of years, but I will come back with posts soon. My long promised post (long enough for you to have to split :-)) on Operations/Supply Chain careers post will come, hopefully soon…. Just need a 6-8 hour period undisturbed to myself, both to write and fight writer’s block….. Also have some other ideas (e.g. Finance simplified Hari-Puttar ishtyle)…..
Does a Master in Finance also a STEM course??
You have said that Masters in Decision Sciences and Analytics, Computational Finance, Financial Engineering, Management Science are STEM courses but I couldn’t find them in the official list. http://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2014/stem-list.pdf
I have done B.Com(Pass). For what STEM courses I can be eligible??
I have to do a 1-year regular course to complete 16 years of education.Which course would you suggest that will open more options to me for a Masters degree in STEM??
Thanks a lot.
hi,I am interested in higher studies and i want to do MS.I am in 7th sem,BE,Industrial engg and management.I would like to go to the same field i.e management.are there any management subjects in MS..what should be my GRE score.please respond and thank u 🙂
@Preksha: The management subjects in MS programs (which are primarily technical in nature) would only scratch the surface. They won’t be comparable to an MBA.
Higher the GRE score, the better it will be. Why aim for anything lower than the maximum possible score?
Hi,
Regarding the costs, I saw websites of US universities, and wanted to ask that whether the Cost estimates given on the websites are more than what is actually required for Tuition + Living for an Indian student in the US.
For example below is the cost of MS at University of California Santa Cruz
2015-16 GRADUATE STUDENT BUDGETS – FALL, WINTER AND SPRING TERMS
Tuition and Fees $13,308
Room and Board $16,695
Books and Supplies $1,524
Transportation $1,668
Personal Expenses $2,877
Campus Health Insurance $3,942
Non-Resident Tuition $15,102
Total Non-California Resident Budget $55,116
Please tell how much inflated is this cost? And what is the actual estimate of expenses for an Indian student going for MS CS in the above university.
@Akshay: The good and bad thing about estimates is precisely that…they are estimates.
It would be incorrect (and dangerous) to plan your budget based purely on data published on websites.
For instance, consider the US university website. They’ll talk about generalised estimates that can be used by applicants from across the world.
The air-fare of $1,668 listed on the university site cannot be applicable for folks travelling from Canada, South Africa, Japan and India. However, universities can’t get to that level of detail.
For every other expense head, similar uncertainties exist – due to exchange rates, seasonality, university location and many other aspects.
– Use data from the university website as a starting point (that would be more relevant compared to general sites like MBA Crystal Ball) and create your own personalised list of expenses (to include additional expense heads).
– Talk to current students from India to know how accurate the university estimates are.
– Add a buffer to it, so that any minor (and major) fluctuations later on don’t mess up your finances.
Hello sir, i m shorya Gupta.IN 2016 I will complete my btech(CS).Now i m planning to do MS from US,so i want to know-
1) How hard is MS in CS for an average person.
2) Is job experience required for getting admit in US universities for MS programs.
3) How hard it is to get job for an Indian student
I am in 2nd year cs engineering i have plans of doing my MS in abroad. How much will it cost in whole of MS and what is the eligibality for writing GMAT. Please let me know what is right time to start preparation for gmat.
It is good, doing an MS after B.tech. Many are saying work for few year and then go for MS.
I am going to complete my B.E in industrial. I want to do M.S. US can I do that. Will i able to get job there after completing my graduate program. How much will cost me?
Ive done vid my btech (ECE) and iam from 2014 batch…. Iam looking for Ms in USA, so what will b ur guidance to mee.. As im right now working in a company which are security system manufacturers. As alwys der is a budget issue for planning Ms in USA im gaining some experience from.ds company. Will ds b benefitted for me as far as money is concerned or budget of university…?
Hello Sameer ,
Im done with the graduation in in 2014 B.com Regulars and i intend to go to US to complete my Masters , I also do have experience working as a Tech support for IBM for a period 9 months and now presently i work as a Research Associate for a research & market solutions profile company , Its been 10 months now with the present role and company . Would you be able to suggest me for better for opportunities with courses and career!
Very good site and your information
Plz tell us full fees of MS college in USA
For top grade universites it will take around 70 lakhs..
Sir
My daughter is doing her MS in computer science can she visit for a week to india to celebrate her borther’s wedding in April 2016, her second semester has started, will she be permitted to visit.
Hello ,I have completed civil engineering in 2013 now working as an civil engineer ,now thinking of to do ms in construction management ,however funding is big issue for me ,so what’s yours suggestion?
I currently have a Year down or a gap as many would say,after 2 years of BE. I got 2 years left. Can I think of doing MS in US after my degree. Is it possible that I’ll get any university if I have an aggregate of 60% all years?
I received admission letters from the following universities in MIS(Management Information Systems) for fall 2016
UIC
Iowa State university
Oklahoma State university
IIT,Chicago
From here on WHAT factors should i keep in mind to choose the right university ?
Hello Sameer,
I have now completed 7 years in the teaching domain in Embedded systems and am at a point of saturation. I have been a assistant professor for (B.E and Masters) the last 7 years, but I am kind of lost as to what should be my next step.
I am checking out the MS or MBA- ONE YEAR programs but the more I read the more I am worried that is my long work experience going to be a deterrant?
Are there any suitable courses for me?
Helpme to sortout.
Hi, I’ve completed MCA from Pune University, now working as Software Engineer in Pune & now planning for higher studies, I’m little bit confused whether to do Phd, or MS in Software System. What you all think that what option should I select.
Hi sir, I have done graduation in Bsc comp. sci (3 year degree) and after that done PGPM in Marketing (2 year full time course from non AICTI approved collage) in 2014. Now I am working with reputed bank in finance department from 1.6 years and I am planning for MS in Finance so is it suitable for me or not??
Pls help
Hi,
I have 3 years of experience in IT.My GRE score in 313(Q-165,V148,AWA-3.5) .Kindly suggest some good colleges for MS in CS or MIS/BA.
Please do a similar one for MS in Germany for Indian students.
Already published. Here’s the link: Masters (MS) in Germany: Costs in Rupees, Top universities, Eligibility requirements
Hi Sameer,
Can you please update this blog with the latest Cost estimates/ CTC figures (Cost to Candidate). INR 48 lakh for MS in CMU in 2020 seems a tad unrealistic..
Regards.
Hi Pavan, we updated this article last year (2018), so it’s not the earlier 2015 data.
For CMU, the latest data is as follows: total expenses considering the fee ($49K) and other expenses/cost of living ($25K) is around $74K. In INR that’s close to 52 lakh Rupees, slightly higher than what we wrote last year.
You’ll find the latest statistics here: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/tuition/graduate/scs.html