MS in Information Systems in the USA: Courses, Top Universities, Fees & Ranking

An MS in Information Systems in the USA is a 1-2 year program. Universities in the USA generally offer this cross-disciplinary program under the following degrees:

• Master of Information Systems Management (MISM)
• Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)
• Master of Science in Information Management
• Master of Science in Management Information Systems

Depending on the degree, you can choose various concentrations, ranging from social media, cybersecurity, biomedical imaging, and data science. Read the full blog below for more details on an MS in Information Systems in the USA.

Why study an MS in Information Systems in the USA?

Here are 3 reasons why you should study an MS in Information Systems in the USA:

• Mastery of core technical knowledge and management disciplines allows you to use applications of various specialized areas to solve complex problems faced by industries.
• Universities in the USA occupy the first 4 ranks in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Computer Science and Information Systems. 12 of the top 30 universities on the list are from the USA.
• Advanced curriculum, networking opportunities, and STEM designation of an MS in Information Systems program lead graduates to high-paying jobs with average initial salaries of INR 6.86 lakhs- INR 1.02 crores annually. 

Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students 2025

Subjects and specializations for an MS in Information Systems in the USA 

The subjects and specializations vary depending on the discipline an Information Systems program combines. Here are some of the popular concentrations or specializations you will find for an MS in Information Systems in the USA:

• Control & Optimization
• Machine Learning
• Social Media And Digital Advertising
• Virtualization Of Business
• Biomedical Imaging
• Communications Systems
• Business Value Of Information Technology
• Crowdfunding And Fintech
• IT Strategy And Innovation
• Mobile Internet
• Data Science
• Information Theory & Applications
• Business Analytics
• Signal Processing & Multimedia
• Networks And Online Communities
• Cybersecurity And Privacy

Top universities for an MS in Information Systems in the USA

Here’s a list of the top 10 MS in Information Systems universities in the USA per the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Computer Science and Information Systems:

Now, let’s get more details on the top 5 MS in Information Systems universities in the USA:

Master of Information Systems Management (MISM) at Carnegie Mellon University 

Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz Colleges claims to offer the “World’s best Information Systems graduate program” with its master of Information Systems Management (MISM). This 12-16 month-long program equips you with skills to tackle the following challenges:

• Modeling malicious domain names
• Upgrading data management
• Using text analytics to make healthcare IT more efficient
• Employing large language models
• Tracking and predicting sales for financial services firm
• Predicting business turnovers using AI
• Improving predictive modeling
• Building secure models and open-source frameworks

Besides its excellent curriculum combining theory with practical knowledge, the MISM at Carnegie Mellon also leads to a high ROI. The university graduates earn six-figure salaries of over INR 1.28 crores per annum. From technology to consulting to banking, MISM graduates at Carnegie receive employment with companies like Oracle, Microsoft, the Big 4, Barclays, Visa, CVS Pharmacy, Walmart, etc. 

Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

The Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) program at UCB is a two-year, 48-unit full-time program. It is designed to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge of organizing, storing, analyzing, and retrieving information in various business settings.  

Through this interdisciplinary program, graduates learn how to:

• Assess and make decisions on information designs.
• Address and identify stakeholder’s resource and information needs.
• Comprehend and apply foundational principles of ethics, policy, and information law.
• Organize information collections to support machine or human-based services and interactions.
• Present conclusions and findings.
• Apply computational, algorithmic, and architectural principles of information systems and their design. 

MS in Information Systems at Cornell University

Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute offers a two-year-long MS in Information Systems program at Cornell University. The program deals with core technical, business, and human factors at the convergence of technology and information. 

MSIS at Cornell trains students in innovation and entrepreneurship management. Students engage in R&D projects with many tech companies in NYC. This interdisciplinary program offers connective media, health technology, and urban technology concentrations.

Master of Science in Information Systems at New York University (NYU)

The Graduate School of Arts and Science and Stern School of Business offer an MS in Information Systems at NYU. The degree requires students to complete 13 courses of which, half are from computer science and the other half from the Stern School of Business. 

Through an IT project course, students gain real-world experience in solving business problems using IT solutions. Students also participate in team projects for government agencies, non-profits, and local corporations. 

By understanding core concepts of business and computing, MSIS graduates from NYU move on to successful careers in various management positions with great technical skills. Some of the careers include:

• Strategic technology consultant
• Product manager
• Programming team leader
• VP IT operations
• CIO
• Systems architect
• Development team leader

MS in Information Systems (MSIS) at the University of Washington

MS in Information Systems at Washington University is a one-year program offered by the Foster School of Business. This STEM-designated program offers an understanding of cutting-edge technologies, including GenAI, executive leadership skills, cybersecurity, and machine learning. 

The curriculum of this full-time program is designed to provide students with technical training in:

• Statistics
• Python
• SQL
• R programming
• Database management
• Data analytics
• Enterprise systems
• Data mining
• Cloud computing
• Cybersecurity
• Executive leadership

The average annual salary of Washington University MSIS graduates is INR 92.7 lakhs. Companies like Adobe Systems, Deloitte, Accenture, Boeing, Apple, HBO, Meta, etc., hire students from the university for positions like AI Consultant, Product Manager, DevOps Consultant, and Information Technology Manager. 

Note: Choosing the right university for an MS in Information Systems is harder than merely comparing their world ranks. 

It’s not just about ranking; you need to consider whether a university aligns with your career goals, offers strong industry connections, and provides a solid return on investment. 

This is where SelectRight (by GradRight) can be invaluable. 

SelectRight’s AI-powered platform analyzes over 8 million data points across 40,000+ programs worldwide to give you a personalized, data-driven shortlist of universities. You can trust that each recommendation matches your unique profile, career goals, and funding needs.

Here’s how you can use SelectRight effectively:

1. Create your profile and add details about your academic background, career ambitions, and program preferences.
2. Let SelectRight’s AI generate a tailored shortlist of universities.
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With SelectRight, you can make confident, informed choices. Start your journey today.

Also Read: Best Exams to Study in USA for Indian Students (Masters & UG)

Application deadlines for an MS in Information Systems in the USA 

The application deadlines for an MS in Information Systems in the USA vary depending on the university and intake. Here are some universities with their admission dates that you can check:

Eligibility criteria for an MS in Information Systems in the USA

Although the eligibility criteria for an MS in Information Systems in the USA may vary highly by university, here are some common requirements that you must meet:

• You must hold a UG degree equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree.
• Some universities require a technical background, while some don’t. However, universities generally evaluate a candidate’s academic history and note the difficulty of the curriculum. 
• Universities require you to submit the GRE or GMAT scores to assess your general intellectual ability. However, the requirements may vary.

For instance, the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) doesn’t require GRE scores, while Carnegie Mellon does. 

• As an international student, you must prove your command over the English language through IELTS/ TOEFL/ Duolingo test scores. 
• Although work experience is not a requirement for most universities, having it would strengthen your application. 
• You must also submit your personal statement, letters of recommendation, and an updated resume. 

NOTE: For university-specific information, please visit their official portals. 

Fees for an MS in Information Systems in the USA

The fees for an MS in Information Systems in the USA may range from INR 3.03 lakhs to INR 58.35 lakhs annually. Here are some top universities, along with their tuition cost:

*The fees are relevant for the 2024-25 academic year and are subject to change at the university’s discretion. 

Cost of living in the USA

Your cost of living in the USA as an international student pursuing an MS in Information Systems depends on your university, location, and lifestyle. Factors like tuition, housing, food, transportation, etc., contribute to your expenses. 

You can have a look at the annual budget for an international student pursuing a MIMS at UC Berkeley to understand your expenses better:

Also Read: Accommodation In USA For Students

Scholarships for an MS in Information Systems in the USA 

Here’s a list of some university-specific and general scholarships that you can explore to fund your MS in Information Systems in the USA:

While scholarships for an MS in Information Systems in the USA exist, competition is fierce. In fact, most students end up relying on university-specific scholarships that often only partially cover tuition fees. This is why many students turn to low-interest education loans with flexible terms. 

FundRight (by GradRight) can be a game changer for this part of your study abroad journey.

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Also Read: Best Scholarships for Indian Students in USA in 2024

Placements through an MS in Information Systems in the USA 

An MS in Information Systems in the USA offers great career outcomes by employing graduates in fields like design, artificial intelligence, strategy, data science, etc. 

Source 

Graduates may also earn an initial salary of over INR 1.28 crores annually. Have a look at the salary distribution for Master’s in Information Systems Management graduates at Carnegie Mellon:

Here are some top roles and employers you may see yourself working with:

Top roles:

Top employers:

FAQs