MA in USA is an advanced master's degree program in arts for 1.5 -2 years. There are approximately 1700 universities that provide courses under masters degree in USA. Candidates can pursue MA in United States in various fields like Journalism and Mass Communication, Fashion Design, Political Sciences and many more. Master's degree in US is available on both full-time and part-time basis. The average GPA to be qualified for MA in USA is 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or above or TOEFL score of 88 or above is necessary for pursuing Masters in USA. The average yearly cost of attending an MA in USA varies from 35,000 USD to 55,000 USD (INR 28,75,267 - INR 45,18,277). The top universities in USA offer candidates with various job profiles and high-salaried jobs. The salaries of the candidates differ according to their specialization. The average annual salary of the candidates pursuing an MA in USA is 68,000 USD (INR 55,86,234).
Highlights of MA in USA
Some key features to study, travel and stay in USA for Masters prorgams are as follows:
| Program Name | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
|---|---|
| Top Courses | MA in Anthropology USA Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication in USA Masters in Political Science USA MA in Philosophy USA MA in History USA Masters in Fashion Design in USA |
| Program Duration | 1.5- 2 years |
| Program Mode | Full-time, Part-time, Online |
| ELP Requirements |
IELTS score: 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Standardized Test Scores | GMAT Required GRE score: 330 |
| Average Tuition Fee | 35,000 USD to 55,000 USD (28.96 lakhs to 45.52 lakhs INR) |
| Top Universities | Harvard University | Cornell University | Stanford University | Yale University | University of Pennsylvania| Columbia University |
| Average Salary | 68,000 USD (56.28 lakhs INR) |
| Top Job Profiles | Economist Financial Analyst | Business Development Associate | Professional Counselor |
| Recruiting Organizations | HIM Recruiters | Robert Half Lucas Group | Adecco | Aerotek | Korn Ferry |
Why Study MA in USA?
The USA is the best-known country to deliver the candidates effective masters courses. Considerable reasons for choosing sto study MA programs in top private and public universities in USA are as follows:
- In June 2021, USA gave rise to approximately 4.6 million jobs. Adding these many jobs to the US economy provides opportunities for the candidates.
- The weekly median salary is USD 1574 which is huge as compared to other degrees.
- Candidates get the benefit of scholarships to pursue their MA USA courses.
- Some universities with high acceptance rates are also available for international students.
- USA welcomes students across the world with various ethnicities, religions and cultural beliefs.
- The employment rate is above 95%. This means there are abundant job opportunities for masters students in USA.
- MA in USA offers Maters in Arts in various fields like biotechnology, Psychology, Fine Arts. Candidates can choose from various subjects in MA in USA.
MA in USA Areas of Specializations
MA USA earns fame for various specialization courses in top universities. Candidates can opt for Masters in Linguistics online USA. Here, stating below are some of the top specializations of MA in USA:
- Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication in USA - Journalism and mass com teaches students about Print Media, Electronic Media and New Media.
- Masters in International Relations USA - Focusses on political principles, foreign affairs, and the relations between countries.
- Masters in Fashion Design in USA - Offers courses related to designing that include a wide range of areas including textiles and knitwear.
- Masters in Political Science USA - Candidates learn to represent the public, based on their understanding of social dynamics. This also teaches international relations between nations
- MA in Philosophy USA - Candidates learn philosophical discussion and debate in MA in Philosophy in USA.
- Master in Education USA - This is similar to MS or MA but awarded to study programmes in the area of education.
- Masters in Psychology USA - This includes thesis work and can be done with the doctoral degree on philosophy.
- Masters in Mass Communication USA - Prepares candidates to work in Technology, Media Industry, schools and museums.
- Linguistics Master Programs USA - This is a science based study on human languages. This deals with context, structure, and meaning of languages.
- Masters in History USA - Teaches about the past and how the historians understand the past based on investigations.
- Masters in Fine Arts USA - This is a terminal degree in fine arts, including visual arts, creative writing, graphic design, photography, filmmaking, and many more.
- Master in Anthropology USA - This delas with theoretical and methodological foundations of social and cultural anthropology.
- Masters in English USA - Teaches students perform research, writing, or other fields that value a strong grounding in language, literature, rhetoric, and the study of culture.
MA in USA vs MBA in USA
Both MA and MBA programs offers certain benefits of studying in USA. There are multiple differences between MA in USA and MBA in USA. Few differences are tabulated below:
| Parameters | MA in USA | MBA in USA |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Tuition Cost | Cost of MA in USA is average USD 60,000 (INR 49,42,266) | Cost of MBA in USA is average USD 80,472 (INR 66 LPA) |
| Experience | No experience required | Minimum 2-3 years work experience |
| Annual Salary | Average: USD 70,000 (INR 57 LPA) | Salary of different types of MBA jobs in USA is USD 1,10,000 (INR 90 LPA) |
| Applicants | Fresher Graduates | Experienced working professionals |
Top Universities for MA in USA
A list of top universities in USA for Masters programs along with annual tuition fees are as follows:
| Name of University | Program Offered | Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | MA in Philosophy | MA in Journalism | Masters in International relations USA | MA in History | USD 58,746 (INR 4838996) |
| Harvard University | MA in Anthropology | MA in South Asian Studies | Masters in International relations USA| MA in Music | USD 57,246 (INR 4715438) |
| Yale University | MA in Anthropology | MA in Statistics | Masters in International relations USA| MA in Design | 46,900 USD (INR 38,54,828) |
| Columbia University | MA in Statistics | MA in Biomedical Informatics |Masters in International relations USA| MA in Journalism | USD 67,864 (INR 5590059) |
| Cornell University | MA in Human Resource Management(Executive) | MA in Design | MA in Anthropology | USD 29,500 (INR 2429959) |
| University of Pennsylvania | MA in Liberal Arts | MA in Mathematics | MA in History | USD 32,796 (INR 2701455) |
| University of Chicago | MA in Humanities | MA in Social Service Administration | MA in Political Science | 65,000 USD (INR 53,43,032) |
| Northwestern University | MA in English Literature | MA in Economics | MA in Clinical Psychology | USD 64,650 (INR 5325317) |
| New York University | MA in Economics | MA in Psychology | MA in Journalism | USD 67,232 (INR 5538000) |
| Johns Hopkins University | MA in Liberal Arts | MA in International Economics and Finance | MA in Public Management | USD 60,480 (INR 4981828) |
MA in USA Admission Process
The admission process for applying MA in USA universities are listed below:
- Shortlist the courses of MA in USA as per the candidates' ambitions and goals.
- Check the application documents, eligibility criteria of the chosen universities and their courses
- Understanding what is grading systems in USA.
- Collect all the documents required for admission.
- Checking availability of without GRE universities in USA.
- Fill out the application form and submit the required documents.
- Payment of application fee.
- After receiving the offer letter, apply for a US student visa to pursue the offline courses.
Eligibility Criteria for MA in USA
Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for applying to MA in USA. The basic eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Bachelor's degree for 3 to 4 years in related fields.
- IELTS score: 6.5-7.5
- TOEFL score: 88-100
- A GPA of 3.5 or higher or 87% in UG programs
- GRE score of a minimum of 330 is required.
- Research Internships mostly preferred.
- Published Research papers.
- F1 student visa application.
- Social & Leadership activities.
Documents Requirement for MA in USA
The documents required for applying MA in USA are stated below:
- Official transcripts from university or college attended
- Academic credentials
- Updated CV
- Minimum 2-3 LOR for USA (Letter of Recommendation)
- Bank statements of the last 3 months
- Health Insurance certificate
- SOP for USA (Statement of Purpose)
- Passport for visa process.
- Portfolio with work samples (for creative arts programs admission)
- 2-3 Writing essays/samples ( for Research-based courses)
- Copy of CSS profile for international students.
MS in USA Application Fees
There are certain universities in USA wihtout application fees. The application fees for MS in USA are:
| Name of University | Application Fees |
|---|---|
| Stanford University | USD 125 (INR 10296) |
| Harvard University | USD 85 (INR 7001) |
| Yale University | USD 105 (INR 8649) |
| Columbia University | USD 95 (INR 7825) |
| Cornell University | USD 105 (INR 8649) |
| University of Pennsylvania | USD 90 (INR 7413) |
| University of Chicago | USD 160 (INR 13179) |
| Northwestern University | USD 95 (INR 7825) |
| New York University | USD 110 (INR 9060) |
| Johns Hopkins University | USD 75 (INR 6177 |
1USD = INR 82.37, dated: 13th July, 2023
Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for top universities in USA for Masters programs are as follows:
| Name of University | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Stanford University | January 8, 2024 |
| Harvard University | Application Closed |
| Yale University | Closed |
| Columbia University | Biomedical Informatics (Sept 1st, 2023) |
| Cornell University | Master of Architecture - January 3 (Closed) Master of Science in Design Technology - January 3 (Closed) Master of Regional Planning, Historic Preservation Planning, or Regional Science - January 10 (Closed) Master of Fine Arts in Creative Visual Arts - January 15 (Closed) Real Estate priority deadline for financial aid - January 15 (Closed) Master of Fine Arts - February 15 (Closed) |
| University of Pennsylvania | Fall 2024 - December 15, 2023 |
| University of Chicago | MA in Applied Economics - Feb 1, 2024 |
| Northwestern University | April 15th, 2023 (closed) |
| New York University | Spring 2023 - November 1, 2023 Fall 2023 - December 1 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Fall Deadline - March 1, 2023 (Closed) |
Admission Requirements for MA in USA
Here, tabulated below the required scores of exams to study in USA for Masters programs:
| Name of University | Standardized Score | ELP Score |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | GMAT: 790 GRE: 320 |
TOEFL iBT: 100 IELTS: 7.0 or higher |
| Harvard University | GRE Test Scores are Optional | TOEFL iBT: 100 or higher IELTS: 7.5 or higher |
| Yale University | No minimum GMAT or GRE scores | TOEFL iBT: 105 IELTS: 7.5 |
| Columbia University | GRE: 310 | TOEFL iBT: 100 or above IELTS: 7.5 |
| Cornell University | GMAT: 720 GRE Quantitative: 165, GRE Verbal: 155, GRE AWA: 3.5 |
TOEFL iBT: 77 or above IELTS: 7.0 or higher |
| University of Pennsylvania | GMAT: 540 GRE Verbal: 155 (verbal) GRE Quantitative:166 GRE AWA: 3.8 |
TOEFL: 100 IELTS: 7.5 or higher |
| University of Chicago | GMAT: 80th percentile and above GRE: 70th percentile and above |
TOEFL iBT: 79 IELTS: 7.0 PTE: 70 |
| Northwestern University | GRE Scores are not required | TOEFL iBT: 100 or higher IELTS: 7.0 |
| New York University | GRE Scores are optional | TOEFL iBT: 90 or above IELTS: 7.0 or above PTE Academic: 125 or above |
| Johns Hopkins University | GRE Scores are Not Required | TOEFL iBT: 100 or above TOEFL PBT: 600 IELTS: 7.0 or higher |
MA in USA Cost of Attendance
\An estimated total cost of studying in USA for international students are as follows:
| Particulars | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Accomodation | USD 15,000 (INR 12,35,572) |
| Meals | USD 8,000 (INR 6,58,972) |
| Travel | USD 900 (INR 74,134) |
| Miscellanious (Laundry, cleaning, Internet etc) | USD 1500 (INR 1,23,557) |
| Health Insurance | USD 600 (INR 49,422) |
| Total | USD 26,000 (INR 21,41,659) |
1USD = INR 82.37, dated: 13th July, 2023
MA in USA Scholarships
There are several scholarships for studying MA in USA. The table is given highlights some popualr scholarships to study in USA for international students:
| University Name | Name of Scholarships | Eligibility Criteria | Award granted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | Knight-Hennessy Funding | Candidates must enroll in an additional graduate program | Stipend for living and academic expenses, and a travel stipend for one annual trip to and from Stanford |
| Harvard University | Harvard University Graduate Degree Students Scholarships | Candidates with better academic scores | Cover entire Tuition fee |
| Yale University | Global Excellence Scholarship | Candidates who complete their applications for admission by the deadlines | USD10,000 or USD5,000 per year (INR 8,23,715 or INR 4,11,857) |
| Columbia University | CouponoBox Smart Student Scholarship | Applicant must be in High School, College or University education programme currently. | USD500 (INR 41,185) |
| Cornell University | New International Scholarship Opportunities Monthly | Be admitted to, or enrolled in, a full-time degree program at a U.S. International student permitted to legally study in the U.S. |
USD2,000 (INR 1,64,743) |
| University of Pennsylvania | Zolve Global Scholarship | All Masters Degree, or PhD starting in 2023 All Non-US Citizens who are moving to or have moved to the US in 2023. |
USD5,000 (INR 4,11,857) |
| University of Chicago | MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship | Awarded annually to international and DACA students enrolled at Universities MPOWER supports in the U.S. | USD5,000 (INR 4,11,857) |
| Northwestern University | Jay Holstine Scholarship | Any actively enrolled college and university students, excellent academic record holder and an essay on given topic. | USD1,000 (INR 82,371) |
| New York University | Learning Goals Essay Scholarship | Eligible participants are graduating US high school seniors or undergraduate students (including international students) with a cumulative GPA above 3.0 over the previous school year. The submission deadline is August 1 at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern) | USD500 (INR 41,185) |
| Johns Hopkins University | MPOWER Monthly Scholarship | Be admitted to, or enrolled in, a full-time degree program at one of the schools mpower supports in the U.S. Be an international student permitted to legally study in the U.S. |
USD1,000, USD500, USD500 |
| JN Tata Endowment Scholarship | At least 60% in UG Must be an Indian Citizen | 1,216-12168 USD (INR 1,00,000- INR 10,00,000) | |
| Fulbright Nehru Masters Scholarships for International students | Indian citizen | Academic excellence | English proficiency | Monthly stipend, Tuition and cost of attendance coverage | |
| SelfScore International Student Scholarship | Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required Must rank in top 15% in SAT/ACT score | 5,000 USD (INR 4,10,877) | |
Jobs after MA in USA
Candidates will attain several job profiles after completing their master’s degree in US. The salary strucute of popular jobs in USA for international students are tabulated below:
| Job Type | AVerage Annual Salary (Estiamted) |
|---|---|
| Project manager | USD 72,533 (INR 59,74,729) |
| HR Manager | USD 73,755 (INR 60,75,362) |
| Executive Director | USD 79,445 (INR 65,44,075) |
| Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization | USD 58,319 (INR 48,03,893) |
| High School Teacher | USD 56,157 (INR 46,25,740) |
| Marketing Manager | USD 69,718 (INR 57,42,837) |
| Data Analyst | USD 67,441 (INR 55,55,263) |
Top Recruiters for MA in USA
The top recruiters offering both full-time as well as part-time jobs in USA are as follows:
- Robert Half
- Kelly
- Korn Ferry
- Adecco
- Aerotek
- Randstad
- Lucas Group
- HIM Recruiters
Work Permit in USA
After completing an MA in USA, international candidates need to have a post-work visa. The post-work visa in USA is either an H-1B visa or Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa. Candidates willing to attend an internship for 6 months to 1 year can opt for OPT visa. Candidates possessing F1 visas can apply for H-1B visas to work as non-immigrant employers in USA. However, aspirants need to meet certain eligibility criteria to get the visa:
- US employer must be a student of the US
- Bachelor degree from a top university in US is required.
- Applicants need to have a degree from an authorized university.
ROI for Top Colleges Providing MA in USA
The ROI for the top college offering the MA in USA are tabulated below:
| Name of University | Tuition Fee per year | Cost of Living | Total Expense | Average Annual Salary | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | USD 58,746 (INR 4838996) | Cost of living in USA for top universities is around USD 26,000 (INR 21,41,659) | USD 84,746 (INR 69,80,655) | USD 70,000 | 82% |
| Harvard University | USD 57,246 (INR 4715438) | USD 83,246 (IRN 68,57,097) | 84% | ||
| Yale University | 46,900 USD (INR 38,54,828) | USD 72,900 (USD 60,04,882) | 96% | ||
| Columbia University | USD 67,864 (INR 5590059) | USD 93,864 (INR 77,31,718) | 74% | ||
| Cornell University | USD 29,500 (INR 2429959) | USD 55,500 (INR 45,71,618) | 126% | ||
| University of Pennsylvania | USD 32,796 (INR 2701455) | USD 58,796 (INR 48,43,114) | 119% | ||
| University of Chicago | 65,000 USD (INR 53,43,032) | USD 91,000 (INR 74,95,806) | 76% | ||
| Northwestern University | USD 64,650 (INR 5325317) | USD 90,650 (INR 74,66,976) | 77% | ||
| New York University | USD 67,232 (INR 5538000) | USD 93,232 (USD 76,79,659) | 75% | ||
| Johns Hopkins University | USD 60,480 (INR 4981828) | USD 86480 (INR 71,23,487) | 80% |
Studying MA in USA is a great step for candidates to develop their careers. The top universities for MA in United States offer various job opportunities to applicants with high paid salaries. Candidates can also get scholarship assistance to pursue their courses in USA.
FAQs
Ques. What is an MA in America?
Ques. How long is MA in USA?
Ques. What are the requirements for MA in USA?
Ques. Is Masters in USA expensive?
Ques. Is GRE required for MA in USA?
Ques. Which exam is required for Masters in USA?
Ques. What is the salary after masters in USA?
Ques. What is the IELTS score required for USA?
Ques. Do Indian students get jobs in USA after MS?
Ques. Is it hard to get a job after Masters in USA?
Ans. A majority of MS universities in the US do not provide international students with direct job opportunities after MA in US. Candidates must apply for jobs to be able to work after completing the course.



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