The US continues to rule over the hearts of millions of study abroad aspirants due to its world-class educational institutions with top positions in the global university rankings and internationally recognised courses, which add value to academic and professional development. If you are planning to pursue a master’s in the USA, here’s what you must know about the specialisations, top universities, and more.
Key highlights:
- Why Should You Pursue a Master’s in the US?
- Masters in the USA: Overview
- Top USA University List for Masters
- Academic Intakes for Master’s in the US
- Application Process for a Master’s Degree in the USA for International Students
Why Should You Pursue a Master’s in the US?
- Research Intensive
Many master’s courses in the USA have the option to select RA (research assistantship) or TA (teaching assistantship). If you aspire to become a professor or delve deeper into the research areas, you can opt for courses that offer research opportunities. - A Master’s Degree in the USA Can Unlock CPT and OPT
With a valid F-1 student visa, you will be eligible for practical training - curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT). CPT should be a part of the study programme. You can apply for 12 months of pre-completion or post-completion OPT. Furthermore, STEM aspirants can get an OPT extension for 24 months. - Work Opportunities
The US is not only an academic hotspot, but it is also buzzing with various employment opportunities. Soon after completing your course, you can launch your career in the US. Some of the popular companies in the US are Amazon, Walmart, IBM, to name a few.
Masters in the USA: Overview
Various types of master’s degree courses are offered, such as Master of Science (MS), Master of Engineering (MEng), and Master of Business Administration (MBA). Master’s degree in the USA for international students is available in a full-time, part-time or online format. Depending on the university and the course, the duration can range between 1-3 years.
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Popular Specialisations for Masters Courses in the USA
- Computer Science Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Wireless Communications
- Management Information Systems
- Game Design and Game Development
- Data Science
- Business Analytics
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Power Engineering
- Financial Analysis
Top USA University List for Masters
Here are the top universities for a master’s degree in the USA, as per the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
- QS Category: QS World University Rankings 2025: Top global universities (US-specific)
- THE Category: World University Rankings 2025 (US-specific)
| Sr. No. | Universities | QS Rankings | THE Rankings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Harvard University | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Stanford University | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 4 | 5 |
| 5 | University of Pennsylvania | 5 | 9 |
| 6 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 6 | 6 |
| 7 | Cornell University | 7 | 13 |
| 8 | University of Chicago | 8 | 8 |
| 9 | Princeton University | 9 | 3 |
| 10 | Yale University | 10 | 7 |
Academic Intakes for Master’s in the US
Most US universities from the list of universities in the USA for master’s have 3 academic intakes - fall, spring and summer intake. Fall intake is the most popular one, and many universities are often flooded with applications during this period.
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The timeline for these intakes is as follows:
Academic intakes Timeline Fall September-December Spring January-May Summer May onwards
Application Process for a Master’s Degree in the USA for International Students
For instance, if you have to apply for 2026, you will have to start the application process in July 2025 by preparing for entrance exams such as Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and English Language proficiency tests such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Around August-September, be ready with your documents such as SOP Statement of purpose (SOP), Letters of recommendation (LORs), and CV. This will enable you to appear for English language exams and entrance exams around October-November so you can start the university applications. If you are selected, your university will inform you about your selection around February-April 2026. So you can be ready to join your course around June-September 2026.
So, if you have already selected your dream educational institute from the USA university list for master’s courses, you can plan your academic journey. At Avanse Global Finance, abroad education loan without collateral is available so you can achieve all your academic aspirations. In fact, At Avanse Global Finance, we offer an education loan for abroad studies in USD. You can benefit from repaying the education loan in the same currency without conversion costs. If you have any queries, please feel free to connect with us.
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