Computer science and engineering are among the most in-demand professions in the world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, computer science and information technology occupations are projected to have over 356,700 openings annually.
Top colleges for an MS in Computer Science Engineering equip you with expertise in programming languages like Java, Python, C++, and more—skills that are highly sought after by employers in the CS field.
So, if you plan to build a career in this field and want to find which college would be the best fit for you, read the full blog below.
Also Read: Top Exams For Studying Abroad [Comprehensive Guide]
What is an MS in Computer Science Engineering?
Here’s an overview of an MS in CSE program:
| Categories | Details |
| Overview | It’s a graduate-level degree program focusing on advanced concepts in programming, computing, systems architecture, and algorithms. |
| Duration | Depending on the university and program type, the duration may vary from 1 year to 5 years. |
| Core subjects | Algorithms, Machine Learning, Data Structures, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, and Networking |
| Career prospects | Graduates can earn an average annual salary of INR 92.23 lakhs annually by working as software engineers, AI specialists, data scientists, system architects, etc. |
| Eligibility | A relevant bachelor’s degree, GRE, IELTS/ TOEFL. |
| Popular Study Destinations | USA, Germany, UK, Singapore, Canada, Australia, etc. |
Also Read: Masters in Management (MIM) in USA: Top Universities, Rankings, Fees, Eligibility & More
Top Universities for an MS in Computer Science Engineering
Find a list of the top 10 institutions on the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Computer Science and Information Systems:
| Universities | World ranking | Country | Relevant MS in CS programs |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | #1 | Cambridge, United States | Master of Science Program in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE SM) |
| Carnegie Mellon University | =#2 | Pittsburgh, United States | MS in Computer Science, Master of Science in Computer Vision (MSCV), Master of Software Engineering, and Master of Computational Data Science |
| Stanford University | =#2 | Stanford, United States | MS in Computer Science |
| University of Oxford | #4 | Oxford, United Kingdom | MSc in Advanced Computer Science |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | #5 | Berkeley, United States | MS in Computer Science |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | #6 | Singapore | MSc in Computer Engineering and MS in Computer Engineering |
| Harvard University | #7 | Cambridge, United States | Master’s in Computational Science and Engineering |
| ETH Zurich | =#9 | Zürich, Switzerland | Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Data Science, Master’s in Cyber Security, and Master’s in Robotics, Systems & Control |
| Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) | =#9 | Singapore | Master of Computer Science & Engineering, MS in Cyber Security, MS in Data Science, and MS in Artificial Intelligence |
| EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne | =#11 | Lausanne, Switzerland | Master’s in Computer Science and Master’s in Computational Science and Engineering |
Now, let’s know more about the top 5 universities for an MS in Computer Science Engineering abroad:
MS in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE SM) at MIT
This 12-18-month program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an interdisciplinary program offered by the Center for Computational Science & Engineering. The program focuses on various engineering disciplines as core courses and particular applications as elective components.
Following is the curriculum of the program that you must follow:
Core subjects (3 courses/ 36 units):
- Introduction to Numerical Simulation
- Introduction to Numerical Methods
- Optimization Methods
- Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
Restricted electives (2 courses/ 24 units):
- Students select 2 graduate-level courses out of more than 50 specialized subjects.
- The subjects must be computational themed.
Unrestricted elective (1 course/ 12 units):
Students must select a graduate-level course from their academic year’s approved subject listing.
Thesis (36 units):
- Students must write a master’s thesis to complete the program.
- This is done under faculty supervision.
MS in Computer Science programs at Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon is renowned for its engineering and technology programs. Here are four relevant programs at the university you can explore:
MS in Computer Science:
This program caters to basic analytical skills and aptitude for logical reasoning, programming, and mathematics. It doesn’t require students to hold a UG degree in CS; the university accepts students with any technical bachelor’s degree.
Students with a CS background often complete the program in three semesters, while others may require an additional semester for their training. Throughout the program, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0.
Master of Science in Computer Vision (MSCV):
The Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University offers this 16-month-long program. This professional degree is a full-time graduate program that prepares students to excel in a career or industry related to computer vision.
Through this program, students gain an understanding of machine learning and mathematical tools, current research publications, developing computer vision techniques and applications, etc.
Master of Software Engineering (MSE):
The Software and Societal Systems Department at Carnegie Mellon offers a Master of Software Engineering program. This is a 16-month-long full-time program that students can complete on-campus.
The MSE program is a great option for candidates with at least two years of work experience as software developers. The coursework includes project management, architecture, analysis, and more.
Master of Computational Data Science:
Like the previous MS in CS programs at Carnegie Mellon, the Master of Computational Data Science is 16 months long. Students need to complete 144 units of study to graduate with this degree.
The program coursework includes topics such as machine learning, engineering of intelligent information systems, data science, big data analytics, advanced storage systems, distributed systems, and cloud computing.
MS in Computer Science at Stanford University
Stanford School of Engineering offers an MS in Computer Science. Students can choose to pursue the program full-time or part-time. Full-time students can complete the program in one to two years, while the part-time program can take up to five years. The university also offers the flexibility of completing the program online or on campus.
The program is designed to deepen one’s expertise in a CS specialization by focusing on the fundamental aspects of the study area. Some of the most popular specializations among Stanford’s MS in CS students are AI, systems, cyber security, information management, etc.
MSc in Advanced Computer Science at Oxford University
The expected duration of an MSc in Advanced Computer Science, offered by the Department of Computer Science, is 12 months. This program’s academic year is split into eight weeks or three terms. Students must choose various modules to complete in about 16-24 lectures during these terms.
Here are some examples of such modules:
- Computational Biology
- Advanced Security
- Foundations of Self-Programming Agents
- Computational Learning Theory
- Graph Representation Learning
- Geometric Deep Learning
- Deep Learning in Healthcare
- Probabilistic Model Checking
- Quantum Software
MS in Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
The Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences at UC Berkeley offers an MS in Computer Science program. The coursework emphasizes research preparation, so most students use this program to lay the groundwork for a Ph.D.
Eligibility criteria for studying a Master’s in Computer Science Engineering abroad
Eligibility criteria at the best colleges for an MS in Computer Science Engineering abroad can vary.
For instance, Harvard University doesn’t require GRE scores for its Master’s in Computational Science and Engineering program. In contrast, Georgia Tech’s MS in Computer Science requires applicants to score at least 155 in the Quantitative and 153 in the Verbal section of the GRE.
The requirements can also vary for different programs within the same university. For example, students don’t have to hold a bachelor’s degree in CS to apply for the MS in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon, as the university accepts any technical UG background. However, the Master of Software Engineering (MSE) requires applicants to have at least 2 years of full-time work experience as software developers.
Although we advise you to check the program detail page of your intended program and university for precise details, here are some common entry requirements that you must meet:
- Hold a relevant or technical bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Score a GPA of at least 3.0 to increase your chances of getting into top colleges for an MS in Computer Science Engineering.
- Prove your English language proficiency through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
- Score well in the GRE.
- Depending on the program, you may require relevant work experience of up to 2 years.
So, students need to check the likelihood of their admission being accepted to the university they are applying to. This is just one of the factors to consider. Others include getting a sense of the ROI, the strength of the alumni network, and the program’s placement record. But comparing all these aspects across multiple universities can be a complicated and overwhelming task. Each university has different metrics, and students often have to rely on vague rankings or fragmented information from multiple sources.
That’s where SelectRight (by GradRight) steps in to simplify the process. It takes away the guesswork by analyzing over 8 million data points from 40,000 programs across universities worldwide. Instead of spending hours combing through different websites and collecting data yourself, SelectRight compares key factors such as admission chances based on your profile, ROI, alumni network, and the likelihood of getting funding.
Here’s how SelectRight works:
- Sign up for free and create your profile, sharing academic background, career goals, and preferences.
- SelectRight’s AI-powered algorithm processes your information and matches you with programs that best suit your needs.
- Compare universities across important factors such as placement records, alumni network, and chances of admission.
- Get expert advice and insights to help you make informed decisions.
- Build connections with alumni and current students to make sure you’re choosing the right path.
Don’t let the complexity of comparing programs hold you back. Join SelectRight today and take the next step toward your ideal MS in Computer Science Engineering program!
Also Read: Education Financing for Masters Abroad: All from Scholarships to Grants
Top specializations for a Master’s in Computer Science Engineering
Here are the top 5 specializations for a Master’s in Computer Science Engineering for you:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This specialization deals with:
- Principles and techniques of Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics
- Logical reasoning
- Probabilistic modeling
- Machine learning
- Cognition
- Natural language processing
- Inference
Systems
This computer science specialization includes the most hard-core programming. From building operating systems to a router, this area of study teaches you to:
- Design the next-generation internet backbone
- Balance privacy and security
- Manage ever-expanding datasets
Computational Biology
This interdisciplinary specialization focuses on finding solutions to computational challenges through medical and biological informatics applications. This specialization covers topics like:
- Advanced algorithms
- Bioengineering
- Biocomputation
- Medical informatics
- Modeling
- Networking
Information Management and Analytics
This specialization deals with information management systems, modern databases, and mining massive datasets. Here are some topics involved in this area of study:
- Machine learning
- Architecture
- System design
- Networking
- Distributed systems
- Security
- Web search
- Bioinformatics
- Text mining
- Social media applications
Visual Computing
This modern computing specialization deals with creating, interpreting, and manipulating visual information such as videos, images, simulated virtual worlds, and 3D geometry. Visual computing plays a significant role in areas ranging from digital imaging (AR/ VR, smartphone cameras, scientific imaging) to entertainment (CGI for films, games, etc.) to robotics and engineering.
Some other popular specializations you can explore are:
- Computer and Network Security
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Software Theory
- Theoretical Computer Science
- Quantitative Finance
- Security
- Internet of Things
- Networking
- Digital Media
Cost of an MS in Computer Science Engineering
The cost of an MS in Computer Science Engineering or relevant programs, including all expenses, can reach as high as INR 85.03 lakhs per annum. However, your education cost can vary greatly based on location and university. Here are the tuition costs for some of the top universities offering MS in CS:
| Universities | Estimated course fees (per annum) |
| MIT | INR 47.8 lakhs |
| Carnegie Mellon University | INR 44.4 lakhs |
| Stanford University | INR 39.3 lakhs |
| Harvard University | INR 71.0 lakhs |
| University of California, Berkeley | INR 22.8 lakhs |
| Cornell University | INR 25.1 lakhs |
| Princeton University | INR 48.8 lakhs |
| University of California, LA | INR 22.8 lakhs |
| University of Washington | INR 14.4 lakhs |
| New York University | INR 31.7 lakhs |
Scholarships for an MS in Computer Science Engineering
Many universities offer scholarships or fellowships to international students pursuing an MS abroad. You can check with your university departments for details. Besides internal scholarships, various external scholarships fund 100% to a significant part of your education cost. Here are some of them:
| Scholarship Name | Details | Eligibility | Amount |
| Tata Scholarship for Cornell University | Available to Indian students admitted to Cornell University for graduate studies, including Computer Science Engineering. | Indian citizens with financial need who are admitted to Cornell. | Covers tuition, accommodation, and more |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships | For graduate studies in top U.S., UK, and European institutions. | Indian citizens under 30 years old with a confirmed admission offer. | Up to INR 85.03 lakhs |
| Chevening Scholarships (UK) | Awarded to Indian students for a one-year master’s program at any UK university, including in computer science. | Academic excellence, leadership potential, and a confirmed offer from a UK university. | Full tuition and living expenses |
| DAAD Scholarships (Germany) | For Indian students pursuing a master’s degree in German universities. | Strong academic record; Indian graduates applying to German institutions. | Full/partial tuition and living costs |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships (USA) | Supports Indian students pursuing a master’s degree in the U.S., including in STEM fields like Computer Science. | Indian citizens with academic excellence and a demonstrated commitment to return to India after completion. | Full tuition, living costs, and travel |
Also Read: Scholarship to Study Abroad for Indian Students: A Complete Guide
Career opportunities after a Master’s in Computer Science Engineering
As an MS in Computer Science Engineering graduate, you can earn an average base salary of INR 95.2 lakhs annually in the USA. Here are some top job roles you may explore post-graduation:
| ob Titles | Average Annual Salary |
| Software Engineer | INR 87 lakhs |
| Senior Software Engineer | INR 1.01 crores |
| Electrical Engineer | INR 78.2 lakhs |
| Embedded Software Engineer | INR 73.9 lakhs |
| Staff Software Engineer | INR 1.12 crores |
| Firmware Engineer | INR 79.2 lakhs |
| Data Scientist | INR 87 lakhs |
| Software Developer | INR 73.9 lakhs |
| Machine Learning Engineer | INR 95.7 lakhs |
| Data Engineer | INR 88.5 lakhs |
| Lead Software Engineer | INR 1.08 crores |
| Principal Software Engineer | INR 1.3 crores |
| Data Analyst | INR 58.8 lakhs |
| Software Development Engineer (SDE) | INR 1 crore |
| Senior Data Scientist | INR 1.14 crores |
| Staff Software Engineer | INR 1.25 crores |
| Development Operations (DevOps) Engineer | INR 96.3 lakhs |
Source: Payscale
FAQs
According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Computer Science and Information Systems, the top countries for an MS in Computer Science Engineering are the USA, UK, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia.
An MS in CS abroad can provide advanced technical skills, global exposure, and better career prospects. Students graduating from institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Oxford can access networking opportunities and cutting-edge technology and enjoy handsome salaries.
Pursuing an MS abroad can be expensive. Going for countries like the USA, UK, and Switzerland can cost you up to INR 85.1 lakhs. However, if you have a limited budget, you can opt for more affordable options in countries like Germany, Spain, Vietnam, etc.
Indians pursuing an MS in the USA get exposure to a world-class education, excellent networking, strong research-oriented programs, and great career opportunities in top organizations. An MS in CS graduate can earn an average salary of INR 1.02 crores per annum in the USA.
