MS in US: Top 10 States For International Students
When it comes to studying abroad, US is one of the first destinations that pops up in any discussion.
Hailed as the land of opportunities, it is a hot favourite among students mainly because of three things:
- Variety of universities available (approx. 4000 universities)
- Globally competitive research programs
- Infrastructure & job opportunities.
In fact, according to QS World University Rankings, 30 of the Top 100 Universities in the world are in the US.
Compared to any other country, US has the maximum number of enrolled international students for courses related to Engineering, Math and Computer Science and also Business and Management. It is even believed that every 6th international student in the US is an Indian*.
But with 50 states, 13 time zones, and a variety of opportunities, the one question that every MS aspirant asks themselves is:
Which US State is best for my MS?
[Read: Top 10 Cities For MS in US]
Let us take a step closer and find out more about the popular destinations to study within the US.
This is the map of USA
If we were to divide the states into 3 regions (west, central and east), we can list them as follows:
West: California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii.
Central: Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Mississippi.
East: Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine.
If you were to draw a line through the center of the USA, you will find that the states to the North have harsher weather, while those to the South have weather conditions that are more similar to the Indian Subcontinent.
Though every state offers opportunities in almost all industries now, the East Coast has a lot of service and management related opportunities while the west is known as an IT hub, and the Central area is known for its manufacturing and automobile industries.
Such generalizations are dangerously vague when it comes to making decisions about one’s career and graduate admissions.
So, based on more than 4500+ AdmitEDGE admits, we have collated the Ultimate Top 10 States for MS aspirants to consider on the basis of job opportunities, climate, research opportunities, universities & affordability.
#10: Indiana
East Coast
Known for providing premium educational experiences at affordable costs, Indiana is famous for its instrumental role in the Second World War by providing steel and other raw materials for the war.
In fact, in 2017, Indiana ranked #1 producer of steel in the US for nearly three decades.
The production of gigantic amounts of steel also meant that industries such as the automobile, appliance manufacturing and in recent times renewable energy such as wind energy etc. shot up significantly.
Top Fields To Pursue In Indiana
- Auto Manufacturing
- Life Science
- IT
- Transportation
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Management Courses
Best Universities To Consider In Indiana:
- PURDUE UNIVERSITY
- INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BLOOMINGTON
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
Cost of MS in Indiana: $S (Nominal)
#9: Michigan
East Coast
Michigan, derived from the Ojibwe word “mishigamaa”, meaning “Large Water” is the 11th largest state by area in the US.
It is also home to some of the country’s largest automobile companies such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Chrysler etc.
In fact, Michigan, mainly the Detroit area is considered to be the manufacturing hub.
In contrast, the Ann Arbor area is considered to be the hub of colleges, ranking among the top 5 states in the overall Research & Development expenditures in the US.
Top Fields To Pursue In Michigan
- Automobile
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Food and Agriculture
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
Top Universities To Study In Michigan
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
- MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Cost of MS in Michigan: $$ (Nominal)
#8: Massachusetts
East Coast
A state that needs little introduction, Massachusetts has a long standing history with education including the likes of Harvard University in Boston – the oldest institution for higher learning and MIT in Cambridge.
In fact, the Kendall Square at Cambridge is called the “Most Innovative Square Mile On The Planet”
Massachusetts is also considered the third highest state in the US in terms of per capita personal income.
Also as a higher education aspirant, you might have to shell out a few extra dollars to study-abroad MS in Massachusetts as compared to other states.
Top Fields To Pursue In Massachusetts:
- Biotechnology
- Finance
- Defense
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Management Courses
Top Universities For MS in Massachusetts
- MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- HARVARD UNIVERSITY
- BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Cost of MS in Massachusetts: $$$ (Expensive)
#7: Ohio
East Coast
Ranked in the top 10 states for business growth, Ohio is a breeding ground for startups, small businesses, and enterprises.
It is also part of the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) whose primary focus in creating & growing jobs for the youth.
Called the Fuel Cell Corridor, Ohio is also the national leader in the US for renewable energy and bio science.
In fact, many of the major cities in Ohio are the largest producers or hubs of specific industrial items such as:
- Toledo – National Solar Center
- Cleveland – Regenerative Medicine
- Dayton – Aerospace & Defense
- Akron – Rubber
- Columbus – Technology & Development
- Cincinnati – Mecantile
Top Fields To Pursue In Ohio:
- Energy and Environmental Technology
- Aerospace and Aviation
- Agriculture and Food Processing
- Bioscience
- Electrical & Electronics
- Manufacturing
- Computer Science
Top Universities For MS in Massachusetts
- OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
- CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
Cost of MS in Ohio: $$$ (Expensive)
#6: New York
East Coast
A state that requires no introduction – New York and it’s Celebrity City – New York City, is a globally recognized as a financial, business hub. Thus, it comes as no surprise that New York sees a high influx of immigrant population from within & outside the US.
New York is also considered the ‘land of opportunities’ for a diverse set of fields and has a strong startup culture.
Some of the notable places of interest to prospective students are:
- Wall Street: Approx. 1 km long street that is home to the world’s largest stock exchanges such as NYSE & NASDAQ.
- Silicon Alley: An emerging ecosystem of technological startups especially in the field of digital media, biotechnology, software development & game design. Google second largest office is situated in the Silicon Alley.
- Tech Valley: A high-tech industrial area that is known for its deep focus in Computer Hardware, Nanotechnology and Digital Electronics design in general. Some of the famous Technological institutes such as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are located here.
Top Fields To Pursue In New York
- Financial Services
- Healthcare
- Retail
- Professional, Scientific & Technical Courses
- Manufacturing
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Management Courses
Top Universities To Pursue MS in New York
- CORNELL UNIVERSITY
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
- NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SUNY
Cost of MS in New York: $$$ (Expensive)
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#5: Pennsylvania
East Coast
One of the 13 founding states in the US, Pennsylvania has a strong historical significance in the political tapestry of USA.
With a thriving economy that is mainly dependent on banking & agriculture, Pennsylvania would be the 19th largest economy in the world if it were an independent country.
Pennsylvania also houses some of USA’s oldest & more prestigious universities such as Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania (President Donald Trump’s alma mater) & Pennsylvania State University.
Top Fields To Pursue MS in Pennsylvania:
- Industrial Engineering
- Food Technology
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Management Courses
Top Universities To Pursue MS in Pennsylvania
- PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
Cost of MS in Pennsylvania: $$ (Nominal)
#4: Illinois
Central Coast
Known more by its capital, Chicago – the windy city – Illinois is the 6th most populous state in the US and the 5th largest economy in the US.
While Illinois covers a variety of industries, some of them stand out, such as Agriculture, Manufacturing & Services Industries, which includes the higher education industry.
Illinois is also famous for producing many US presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Barack Obama.
Top Fields To Pursue MS In Illinois
- Machinery
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
Top Universities To Pursue MS in Illinois
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Cost of MS in Illinois: $$ (Nominal)
#3: Florida
East Coast
Borrowing its name from Spanish word for Land Of Flowers, Florida is one of the only two states in the US that has a tropical climate, similar to Southern India.
Florida is also the 4th largest economy in the US, with major contributions coming from general services, financial services, trade, transportation and public utilities, manufacturing and construction.
In other facts, Florida is also home to the world’s most visited vacation resort, the Walt Disney World Resort, drawing close to 50 million visitors annually.
Top Fields To Pursue MS In Florida
- Agriculture
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Life Sciences
- Financial Services
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Management Courses
Top Universities To Pursue MS in Florida
- UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, GAINSVILLE
- FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Cost of MS in Florida: $$ (Nominal)
#2: Texas
Central Coast
If you’re looking for an India outside India, then this is a state you can’t miss. (Quite literally, because Texas is the second largest state in the US, by size!)
Among the 3.8% of the Asian population in Texas, Indians form the major Asian immigrant group in Texas. (1%)
Touching upon the technological & economical aspects of Texas, this state is home to six of the Top 50 Fortune 500 companies including AT&T, Dell & Texas Instruments.
In fact, Texas is termed as the most business-friendly state in the US.
With such large investment & infrastructure, Texas has rapidly diversified from its earlier roots in Agriculture & Farming into High Tech Industries, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Aeronautics as well as Wholesale, Banking & Insurance.
Texas finds a place in every MS aspirant’s university list mainly because of it’s affordable tuition fees & comparable climatic conditions.
Top Fields To Pursue MS in Texas:
- Petroleum & Natural Gas
- Farming (Cattle and Cotton)
- Banking & Finance
- Tourism & Travel Management
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
Top Universities To Pursue MS in Florida
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN
- TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
Cost of MS in Texas: $ (Quite Affordable)
#1: California
West Coast
Topping the list is definitely the most popular as well as populated state in the US – California.
With an economy that runs into trillions, California is comparable to many independent countries in terms of its industrial investment & infrastructure.
Considered to be a global trendsetter, California is credited for the development of many of world’s most widespread phenomena including motion pictures, the Internet & many more.
With regards to higher education, California is famous for its strong public education system. For example, the California State University is the largest public education system in the US and has 23 campuses spread across major cities & districts.
Top Fields To Pursue MS in California:
- High Tech Computer Industries
- Software Engineering
- Robotics
- Aerospace
- Electrical Engineering
Top Universities To Pursue MS in California
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Cost of MS in California: $ (Quite Affordable)
And, that’s a wrap.
These are some of the most popular destinations within the US. However, the key question remains- what is the ideal location for YOU? The answer to that lies in the course of your choice, your background, your career aspirations and your budget.
While location is an important factor in making a final decision about where you want to pursue MS, it is crucial to first consider universities that match your aspiration, your research interests as well as your profile!
What are some of the states that you’re considering for your MS in US?
Comment below and let us know!
Can I get a CS admit in CMU with GRE score of 319 and 1 backlog?
Which state is best for CS?
Hi Raveena,
Getting an admit into CMU, especially for CS is quite competitive. It is not just based on your GRE scores, it is also dependent on other aspects of your profile like your CGPA, Research/work experience, SOP, LORs as well as when you decide to apply.
While 319 is a good score, CMU usually requires a 320+ from its students.
Having said that, don’t worry. You can definitely try applying with your current score. Ensure you get an early start on your admissions, especially your SOP. If you’re curious, do check our blog on how to write a winning SOP for top admits!
Also, CSE is a great course to pursue anywhere in the US, especially the top 20-25 universities but if you’re curious to know the best ones (along with their research areas) – you can read our exclusive list of CS universities!
Hope this helps!
Good Luck Raveena!
Hi, Is there any University in USA offering BioChemistry, Pharmacy?
Hi,
Should one be wary of the current changes in the h1b laws and resistance from trump administration?
Can you list a few universities offering ME in business analytics (STEM)
Is the MPS in digital media ordered by Northeastern good in terms of job opportunities?
MS*
I have completed my B.E in computer engineering with 6.57 CGPA and 6 backlogs..and I have 2.5 years of experience in same field and also married.is any chance to get admission in any University of USA.
Hi Akash,
Yes definitely!
We have helped students who have had 15-20 backlogs achieve MS admits in the US.
There are a couple of things you can do to increase your chances of admits, despite having a low CGPA or backlogs:
1) Clear all backlogs – don’t have any outstanding backlogs while you’re applying (i’m assuming you’ve already taken care of this)
2) Prepare earnestly towards achieving a high GRE score – the higher the better, maybe even a 320+
3) Work towards crafting a great SOP that showcases your profile & passion in a holistic manner.
If you’re looking for assistance for GRE & Admissions, just schedule a call with our experts and get a FREE 1-on-1 counseling session for your MS abroad!
Good Luck!
Which is the best state for civil engineering courses?
HI
My GRE – 291, IELTS- 7.5, ACADS – 78%
BTech Biotechnology
one internship in IIT-B and one in Loreal India.
Worked as choreographer for extracurricular.
I wish to MS Pharmaceutical Science or Chemistry as I further wish to pursue PhD as well!
I am certainly reconsidering to give GRE.
But suggest me colleges with this profile for spring 2019 as well as fall.
Thank you
I would like to know about colleges with MS in civil for Structural engineering or Construction Project Management
I think New York City is the best for studies. It’s a commercial place also have lots of job opportunity.
You have to go through the particular information regarding the learning in top international students need to know what kind of studies they need for their future may be electronic or something Roberts related will help them a lot.
If i got very less gre marks possible to get into a good college? I am a working professional in a reputed company.I had 1 year experience and my CGPA is also good. If my GRE marks affects the selection of Universities?