Over the past few years, we have seen that many students wish to study in the USA. The USA is one of those countries that are prime destinations for higher studies, especially when studying for a master’s degree. Choosing a course and a university requires a lot of research, time, and effort. You can get help from several study-abroad consultants who deal with admissions and provide SOP and LOR writing services.
In an increasingly competitive environment, having a master’s degree can help you do better in the workplace. It expands your knowledge base as it allows you to immerse yourself within an industry, explore various areas within it, and then narrow down your choice by focusing on a particular thing that is of interest. Not only does a master’s degree improve your proficiency and credibility but enhances your development and job prospects in a field.
When a student decides to study in the USA for a master’s degree, s/he takes the first step towards having a brighter future. The USA has world-class institutions that provide MS degrees in a variety of subjects with a lot of scope for research. The universities in the USA have a curriculum that is the perfect blend of both theoretical and practical knowledge.
These universities have access to cutting-edge technology and have strong ties with major industries. This enables a student to not only expand his/her network base but also get a chance to work with some of the big names in the industry. Studying master’s in the USA is your chance to make a significant change in your career and personal life.
Types of Master’s Degrees in the USA
In the USA, the master’s degrees are called the graduate degrees. There are various subjects in which you can do your masters based on your interests. When it comes to the kind of master’s degrees in the USA, generally it is two types:
- Academic or Research Degrees allow you to understand a particular subject more closely. It is for two years. It allows you to have a career in academia or research. Eg: Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Professional Degrees allow you to work in a specific field like law, engineering, medicine, or education. It is for two years.
Apart from offering a traditional on-campus program, the USA also offers several online degrees which offer flexibility and are much more affordable.
Top Universities in the USA for Masters
As per the QS World University Rankings 2024, the USA has a total of 4 universities that are among the top 10 universities in the world. Many students decide to study in the USA for their master’s as it has universities that offer good quality education and better career prospects. The Masters in the USA are for two years during which you get a chance to be a part of a technically oriented program. It focuses on building your analytical and problem-solving skills, which are the key factors to succeed in an intensely competitive job market.
Picking the right university is a very important decision that impacts our career. Among several universities in the USA, the ones mentioned below are the most renowned ones for their master’s programs.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- Harvard University
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- University of Chicago
Now, we will see what makes the above-mentioned universities, a top choice for students wanting to pursue a master’s in the USA.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Established in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is situated in Cambridge Massachusetts. It stands at the 1st position in the QS World University Rankings 2025. It has an acceptance rate of 5%, making it fiercely competitive for students to get in. The student-faculty ratio is 3:1. “Mind and Hand” being the motto of MIT is a perfect portrayal of its advancement in the field of science and technology. MIT is divided into five schools: architecture and planning, engineering, humanities, arts, and social sciences, management and science, and one college for computing. Yet, the core of its agenda remains educational innovation.
Its researchers have gone on to make significant developments in the fields of artificial intelligence, HIV, cancer, and poverty alleviation. In the past, they have been a part of major scientific inventions like the development of radar, magnetic core memory, and the concept of the expanding universe. MIT is not just about science and technology but also believes in providing a vibrant art culture to its students. Its various museums and galleries are a testimony to its artistic environment.
MIT has been named the no. 1 Engineering School as per the 2024 U.S. News and World Reports. Among several courses for masters at MIT, the most popular ones are in the fields of engineering like Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. This gives you a chance to make a career in the fields of Aerospace and Defence, Energy, and Manufacturing, Computer Software, Automotive/Transportation, and Education. MIT graduates go on to work with some of the top global giants in technology and engineering. Companies like Google, Apple, Tesla, and Microsoft are some of the top recruiters of MIT graduates.
MIT provides several scholarships to its students with the help of money that comes through the MIT general funds, gifts, and endowments from friends and alumni of the university. It offers need-based scholarships with an average amount of $40,000.
Academic Session–
a) Fall Term- Early September to Early December
b) Spring Term- Early February to mid-May
c) Summer Session- Early June to mid-August
Tuition Fee– An average of US $59,550 for its programs.
University website– https://www.mit.edu/
2. Stanford University
Ranked 6th in the QS World University Rankings of 2025, Stanford University was built in the year 1885 in Stanford, California. Its student-faculty ratio is 6:1 and it has an acceptance rate of 4%. It has seven schools: the Graduate School of Business; the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences; the Graduate School of Education; the School of Engineering; the School of Humanities and Sciences; Law School; and the School of Medicine. It strives to provide a sustainable future for all, with a special emphasis on providing world-class medical care.
Stanford is among those universities that have been able to gather the most amount of funding for start-up companies and licensing its inventions to existing businesses. The world’s largest university research park, the Stanford Research Park was built in Palo Alto. It houses several tech companies like HP, and Tesla Motors and is known as “an engine for Silicon Valley.”
Stanford University is best known for its master’s programs like Computer Science, Education Data Science, Management Science and Engineering, Design, Bioengineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Genetics and Genetic Counselling, Developmental Biology, and Statistics. Graduates from Stanford go on to work in the areas of Consulting, Education, Consumer Products, Government, Policy and Defense, Finance, Operations/Supply Chains, Energy and Environment, and Healthcare.
Popular scholarship initiatives by Stanford University are:
- Dean’s Fellowships for Master’s students who have a good academic record and whose background and life experiences add up to the community of scholars at the Graduate School of Education at Stanford (GSE).
- The Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) Program selects around 100 students every year and provides financial aid for the full cost of attendance for studying master’s at Stanford. It aims to prepare a community of next-generation leaders who have the knowledge and skills to deal with various upcoming challenges in the world.
Academic Session–
a) Autumn Quarter- mid-September to Early December
b) Winter Quarter- Early January to mid-March
c) Spring Quarter- Late March to Early June
d) Summer Quarter- mid-July to mid-August
Tuition Fee– US $50,458 and US $73,841 per year based on the program
University website– https://www.stanford.edu/
3. Harvard University
Situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University is the oldest higher education institute in the United States. It was founded in the year 1636. According to the U.S. News and World Reports, it is at the 2nd position in the list of ‘Best Value Schools’ in the U.S. Its acceptance rate is 3% and its student-faculty ratio is 7:1. It is widely known not just in the US but across the world for its influence, reputation and academic pedigree. It comprises 10 academic faculties, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, two theaters, and five museums. It is home to the largest academic library in the world.
It is a founding member of the Association of American Universities and is among those universities that are involved in “very high” research activity. Harvard’s medical school ranks 1st among medical schools in research. Harvard is known for being the home of the Einstein Papers Project, an initiative that preserves, translates, and publishes selected papers from Albert Einstein’s residence. It also has an energy innovation hub that aims to find out about innovative ways of producing fuels directly from sunlight.
The most recognized programs for masters at Harvard University are Arts, Public Administration in Creative Writing, Literature Graduate Program, Public Policy, Public Health, Management Graduate Program, Science, Engineering, and Cybersecurity. Harvard graduates go on to have successful careers in the fields of Data Science, Education, Business, Consultancy, Finance, and Technology.
Harvard University offers many scholarship opportunities for its graduate students, including:
- Zuckerman Fellowship is meant for first-year students of the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Graduate School of Education from the fields of medicine, law, and business. Its recipients are required to participate in leadership and skill-based activities.
- The Urban Scholars Fellowship is given to Ed. M and C.A.S. students who have a meritorious academic score and want to work on improving urban education.
Academic Session–
a) Fall Term- Early September to mid-January
b) Spring Term- Early February to mid-May
Tuition Fee– Starts from US $53,000/-
University website– https://www.harvard.edu/
4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Located in Pasadena, California the California Institute of Technology was established in 1891. It is primarily devoted to teaching technical arts and applied sciences. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, it is in the 10th position. It has one of the lowest student-faculty ratios in the US, which is around 3:1. Its acceptance rate is only 3%, making admission into the university quite tough.
Caltech has a high research output and high-quality facilities like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (owned by NASA), the Caltech Seismological Laboratory, and the International Observatory Network. The graduate institutional programs are dominated by the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The well-known master’s courses offered here are Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Electrical Engineering, Neuroscience, and Chemical Engineering. Caltech graduates go on to work in the fields of research, education, entrepreneurship, public service, and the arts.
Caltech University does not provide any financial support for its master’s students. However, they can get the required financial aid through grants and fellowships. The master’s students can receive teaching and research assistantships from their respective departments.
Academic Session–
a) Fall Term- Late September to mid-December
b) Winter Term- Early January to mid-March
c) Summer Term- Late March/ Early April to Early June
Tuition Fee– US $86,886
University website– https://www.caltech.edu/
6. University of Chicago (UChicago)
The University of Chicago was built in the year 1890 and is situated in Chicago, Illinois, USA. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, it is ranked 21st. It has an acceptance rate of 5%. It has a student-faculty ratio of 5:1. Apart from being famous for its arts and science courses, the university is also quite popular for its schools like the Pritzker School of Medicine, the Booth School of Business, and the Harris School of Public Policy Studies.
The University of Chicago has made tremendous progress in the fields of sociology, economics, law, literary criticism, mathematics, religion, and sociology. A media and film enthusiast will surely like being a part of this university as it has the longest-running student film society Doc Films which publishes many newspapers and magazines.
Among the various courses for masters offered at UChicago, the most well-known programs for masters are: Geography, Economics, Marketing, Media and Communication, Political and Social Sciences, History, Language and Culture, Health and Medicine. After completing their master’s, the students go on to make a distinctive career in the fields of financial services, education, consultancy, journalism, arts, and media, healthcare, and law.
There are many scholarship opportunities provided by the University of Chicago. Amongst these, the most popular one is the Susanne H. Rudolph Scholarship for which only the university’s graduate students who wish to continue for Masters are eligible to apply. It involves a scholarship amount of US $ 15,000 and is valid for a period of 1 year.
Academic Session–
a) Autumn Semester- Late September to mid-December
b) Winter Semester- Early January to mid-March
c) Spring Semester- mid-March to Early June
d) Summer Semester- Early June to Early September
Tuition Fee– $89,040
University website– https://www.uchicago.edu/en
Eligibility Criteria for Studying Masters in the USA
Based on your choice of course in which you want to do your master’s and the university, the eligibility criteria may differ. You can also contact study abroad consultants if you have any queries regarding the admission and eligibility criteria for pursuing a master’s in the USA. There are some basic requirements for a student who wishes to study in the USA, these are:
- A student should have an undergraduate degree in a particular subject.
- Proof of your language proficiency is needed. You need to show that you have attempted an English language proficiency test like IELTS/ TOEFL/PTE. Provide details of your overall marks, sectional marks, and when you have taken the test.
- Some master’s programs just need an application and a transcript for admission. However certain universities may require you to write a resume, LOR (Letter of Recommendation), Essay, or Statement of Purpose (SOP). Writing an SOP forms an essential part of our college applications. It gives you a chance to stand out from the rest of the crowd and express yourselves in the best possible manner. For this, you can always consult professional SOP writers who will help you carve out a well-written SOP.
- Some universities might require you to give information about how you scored in the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
Education Costs of Studying Masters in the USA
America is popularly known as the “land of the free”, but when it comes to education it is highly-priced. The USA is among the top 3 most expensive countries with high tuition fees for international students to study in. In comparison to the other nations in the world, the United States of America spends more on its students and universities than any other country in the developed world. This is as per the latest statistics released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The average cost of pursuing a master’s degree in the USA varies from US $ 20,000 TO US $ 50,000.
Many universities in the USA are private institutions that rely on income from fees or endowments and tend to be the most expensive, with an estimate of around US $40, 000 per year. For instance, Harvard and Stanford University are some of the prestigious private universities in the USA. There are also several public universities in the USA like the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta which are comparatively cheaper than the private universities. These universities receive public funding, due to which they have lower tuition fees.
As there is no regulation for tuition prices, the institutions in the USA are free to charge whatever fees they wish to. There has been a decline in the funding received by public universities, due to which the education costs are even higher. High administrative and operational costs like paying the faculty and staff further add up to the increase in the costs. These are some of the general reasons as to why education costs are higher in the US.
The US institutions have many options when it comes to managing your tuition fees. USA being a large country, the cost of living varies from state to state. So, while you are selecting a university to study in the USA, do check whether it offers scholarships, grants, in-state tuition benefits, waived application fees, or not. You can also secure funds through an education loan. Thus, with the right source of financial funding, you can perhaps study at a university of your choice in the USA.
Conclusion
An investment in a master’s degree from a university in the USA can prove to pay long dividends in terms of your academic and professional career. With several programs offering partial to full-tuition merit scholarships, fellowships, internships, and placements, studying master’s in the USA has turned out to be more beneficial. The USA is academically innovative, it is not just a superpower but also a pioneer in the educational field. Major reasons why students wish to study in the USA are that it has the top-leading universities, a better academic curriculum, experienced faculty, effective student-faculty ratio, diverse student culture, and links with global businesses and tech innovators.
Pursuing a master’s in the USA makes you more efficient and skilled to survive in a highly competitive job market. It equips you with the necessary knowledge and expertise required to deal with the various complex challenges in the world. By providing you with the best resources and technology, it gives you an edge over other candidates, seeking a job. Studying master’s in the USA opens the doorway for your future endeavors.
Studying in the USA not only means that you have to research your subject of interest and university, but also requires you to come up with a good SOP, for seeking admission into a university, and getting a Student Visa from the USA. Writing an SOP, requires you to put your best foot forward as it is your time to shine and portray the best picture of yourself. For this, you need the right guidance and expertise for which you can always seek the help of Contentholic. Our team of professional SOP writers will help you write a well-structured SOP. We at, Contentholic have a team of the best SOP writers in India and have been recognized by several media groups for providing one of the best SOP writing services in India. So, feel free to contact us and we promise to deliver our best.
