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What is the Average Salary After MS in CS in the USA? (2025)

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Rohan Deshmukh
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Over 108,000 international students majored in computer science in the U.S. in 2023. This number grew by 19% from the year before. The total number of foreign students in U.S. universities hit a record 1.58 million in 2024. Most Indian students chose to study in the United States. It accounted for about 25 percent of the total. 

In this blog, you will learn about the types of jobs and average pay after an MS in CS in the USA, current trends, future scope, hiring sectors, and much more.

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Average Salary After MS in CS in the USA

According to PayScale, the average salary of graduates with an MS in Computer Science in the USA is around USD 111,000 (INR 97 L) a year. Salaries vary with location, role, and work experience. Tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York often pay 15-20 percent more than the national average.

Starting Salary

Fresh graduates usually earn between USD 85,000 and USD 100,000 (INR 74-88 L). Jobs in smaller cities or at start-ups may start closer to USD 80,000 (INR 70 L), while big-tech roles can cross USD 105,000 (INR 92 L) in the first year.

Median Salary

The median salary for MS CS graduates in the USA is USD 120,000 (INR 1 Cr+). This means half of the graduates earn above this figure. Roles in data science, AI, and cloud engineering often sit above the median, while entry-level developer roles are closer to USD 100,000 (INR 88 L).

Salary with Experience

With five to seven years of experience, pay usually reaches USD 135,000-150,000 (INR 1.8-1.3 Cr). Senior engineers, lead data scientists, and solution architects can make over USD 160,000 (INR 1.4 Cr). Professionals with more than ten years in the field can cross USD 180,000 (INR 1.5 Cr) in leadership or niche AI roles.

High-Paying Jobs after an MS in CS in the USA

Graduates with an MS in CS often earn from USD 82,000 to USD 166,000 in top roles such as Machine Learning Engineer, Computer Scientist, and Software Architect. These roles offer considerable earning potential even at entry or mid-level stages.

Here is the table showcasing key roles and their average salaries (latest data):

Job Role

Average Salary (USD/year)

Computer Scientist

USD 132,870 (INR 1.16 Cr)

Machine Learning Engineer

USD 140,000 to 170,000 (INR 1.23 Cr to 1.50 Cr)

Data Scientist

USD 101,000 (INR 90 L)

Software Architect

USD 165,455 (INR 1.45 Cr)

DevOps Engineer / Cloud Engineer

USD 110,000 to 160,000 (INR 96 L to 1.41 Cr)

Cybersecurity Analyst

USD 102,410 (INR 90 L)

Data Engineer

USD 98,000 (INR 85 L)

Systems Engineer

USD 88,000 (INR 77 L) 

Data Architect

USD 132,682 (INR 1.16 Cr)

Principal / Lead Engineer

USD 140,000 to 180,000 (INR 1.2 Cr to 1.58 Cr) 

Top Sectors Hiring After a Master’s in CS in the USA

Graduates with a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the USA often find job opportunities in sectors like technology, finance, and healthcare. These sectors hire the most and offer the highest average salaries.

Here is the table showcasing sector name, approximate hiring share, and average salary:

Sector Name

% of Hiring (Est.)

Average Salary

Technology/IT

50%

USD 110,000 to 145,000 (INR 96 L to 1.27 Cr)

Finance/Fintech

20%

USD 140,000 (INR 1.2 Cr)

Healthcare Tech

10-15%

USD 100,000 to 130,000 (INR 88  L to 1.14  Cr)

Consulting/Media

10%

USD 100,000 to 120,000 (INR 99 L to 1.05 Cr)

Education/Research

5-10%

USD 97,000 to 140,000 (INR 87 L to 1.2 Cr)

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Universities Offering High-Paying Jobs After an MS in CS in the USA

Graduates from top MS in CS programs earn between USD 90,700 and over USD 175,000. This range comes from salary and placement data across top U.S. universities and reflects where most strongest career outcomes lie.

Below is the table listing 20 universities with their placement rates and average salaries. The list goes from lower to higher average pay:

University

Estimated Placement Rate

Average Salary (USD) per year

Average Salary (INR) per year

Cornell University

100%

USD 153,714

INR 1.35 Cr

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

97%

USD 140,000+

INR 1.2 Cr

Brown University

96%

USD 143,498

INR 1.26 Cr

Stanford University

96%

USD 135,000+

INR 1.19 Cr

Carnegie Mellon University

95%

USD 130,000+

INR 1.14 Cr

Columbia University

95%

USD 223,960

INR 1.97 Cr

Boston University

94%

USD 156,739

INR 1.38 Cr

University of California, Berkeley

94%

USD 125,000+

INR 1.1 Cr

UCLA

93.5%

USD 145,523

INR 1.28 Cr

University of Pennsylvania

93.1%

USD 131,812

INR 1.16 Cr

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

93%

USD 120,000+

INR 1.05 Cr

New York University (NYU)

92%

USD 159,727

INR 1.4 Cr

University of Washington (Seattle)

92%

USD 122,000+

INR 1.07 Cr

University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

91%

USD 245,333

INR 2.15 Cr

Georgia Institute of Technology

91%

USD 118,000+

INR 1.03 Cr

Princeton University

90%

USD 90,700

INR 81 L

Purdue University

89%

USD 115,000+

INR 1.0 Cr

University of Texas at Austin

88%

USD 117,000+

INR 1.03 Cr

Return on Investment After an MS in CS in the USA

Graduates typically recover their MS in CS expenses within 2-3 years of working in the U.S. This fast break-even makes the degree a strong financial choice.

Here is the table showcasing tuition fees, average salaries, and ROI percentages for a sample of universities:

University

Tuition Fee (USD & INR)

Average Salary (USD & INR)

ROI %

University of Wisconsin-Madison

USD 25,578 (INR 21.23 L)

USD 127,000 (INR 1.05 Cr)

396%

University of Texas at Austin

USD 27,096 (INR 22.48 L)

USD 129,000 (INR 1.07 Cr)

376%

Purdue University

USD 28,794 (INR 23.89 L)

USD 130,000 (INR 1.07 Cr)

351%

Georgia Institute of Technology

USD 31,370 (INR 26.04 L)

USD 138,000 (INR 1.14 Cr)

340%

University of California, San Diego

USD 31,560 (INR 26.20 L)

USD 133,000 (INR 1.10 Cr)

321%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

USD 34,638 (INR 28.75 L)

USD 145,000 (INR 1.20 Cr)

319%

University of California, Berkeley

USD 44,008 (INR 36.53 L)

USD 150,000 (INR 1.24 Cr)

241%

University of Washington

USD 38,166 (INR 31.68 L)

USD 142,000 (INR 1.17 Cr)

272%

University of California, Los Angeles

USD 32,374 (INR 26.87 L)

USD 120,000 (INR 99.60 L)

271%

University of Southern California

USD 39,192 (INR 32.53 L)

USD 126,000 (INR 1.04 Cr)

222%

Carnegie Mellon University

USD 52,000 (INR 43.16 L)

USD 157,000 (INR 1.3 Cr)

202%

Cornell University

USD 45,870 (INR 38.07 L)

USD 135,000 (INR 1.12 Cr)

194%

University of Pennsylvania

USD 42,932 (INR 35.63 L)

USD 124,000 (INR 1.02 Cr)

189%

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

USD 53,790 (INR 44.64 L)

USD 154,000 (INR 1.27 Cr)

186%

New York University

USD 43,500 (INR 36.11 L)

USD 122,000 (INR 1.01 Cr)

181%

Columbia University

USD 50,496 (INR 41.91 L)

USD 140,000 (INR 1.16 Cr)

177%

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

USD 49,548 (INR 41.13 L)

USD 136,000 (INR 1.12 Cr)

174%

Harvard University

USD 54,880 (INR 45.55 L)

USD 148,000 (INR 1.22 Cr)

170%

Princeton University

USD 48,502 (INR 40.26 L)

USD 134,000 (INR 1.11 Cr)

176%

Stanford University

USD 57,861 (INR 47.02 L)

USD 155,000 (INR 1.28 Cr)

168%

How to Find a Job after an MS in CS in the USA?

Most MS in CS graduates in the USA secure employment within 3 to 6 months after graduation. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 73% of computer science graduates from US universities found a job related to their field within this timeframe.

Leverage University Career Services

Over 85% of international graduates who used campus career centres reported faster job placement. These centres provide direct access to employers through job fairs, curated employer meet-ups, and exclusive internship postings. Many top US universities also run “employer-in-residence” programs where companies hold interviews right on campus.

Secure Internships Before Graduation

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 61% of full-time job offers in tech go to candidates who completed an internship at the same company. Target companies offering OPT and STEM OPT sponsorship to increase your chances of a long-term role. Paid internships in CS typically pay USD 25-45/hour (INR 2,085-3,750/hour).

Use Alumni Networks

LinkedIn reports that job seekers with a referral are 4 times more likely to be hired. Many US universities, such as Carnegie Mellon and UC Berkeley, have active alumni chapters in major tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, and Austin. Joining alumni mentoring sessions and networking mixers can lead to direct introductions to hiring managers.

Target H-1B Sponsoring Employers

USCIS data shows that more than 65% of H-1B visas are issued to tech-related roles. The largest sponsors for MS in CS graduates include Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Apple. Applying to these firms early in the hiring cycle increases the chance of securing sponsorship before OPT expiry.

Apply Through Specialised Tech Job Boards

Platforms like Dice, Hired, and AngelList have job listings with visa sponsorship filters. Research from Indeed shows applicants who apply via niche job boards have a 27% higher callback rate for specialised tech roles compared to general job boards.

Factors Affecting Salary After an MS in CS in the USA

Your salary after an MS in CS in the USA depends mainly on your university’s brand, the sector you enter, and your job location. Data from NACE and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows salary variations of over USD 50,000 (INR 41 L) based on these factors alone.

University Reputation and Ranking

Graduates from top-tier schools like MIT or Stanford earn 25-40% more than those from mid-tier universities. Employers link high-ranking institutions with stronger research opportunities, industry connections, and alumni networks. This brand recognition often fast-tracks graduates into elite roles with six-figure salaries.

Industry or Sector of Employment

Salaries differ sharply across sectors. For example, software engineers in finance or AI earn an average of USD 157,000 (INR 1.29 Cr), compared to USD 102,000 (INR 84 L) in education technology. Sectors like cybersecurity, data science, and fintech show the fastest salary growth in the last five years.

Geographic Location in the USA

Working in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or Seattle can boost pay by 30-50% compared to smaller cities. However, the cost of living also rises sharply; housing in San Francisco averages 2.5x higher than the national median. New York, Boston, and Austin are other high-paying but high-cost areas.

Job Role and Technical Expertise

Specialised roles like machine learning engineer, solutions architect, or blockchain developer can command salaries above USD 170,000 (INR 1.4 Cr). These positions require niche skills and are in short supply, creating bidding wars between employers.

Work Experience and Internship Exposure

Students who complete multiple internships in the USA during their MS see 15-25% higher starting salaries. US work experience before graduation signals readiness for complex projects, reducing training costs for employers and justifying higher pay offers.

From the Desk of Yocket

Pursuing an MS in CS in the USA is a big step in terms of money and academics. Many students feel unsure about which universities give the best return on investment or which specialisations lead to better salaries. Without clear data and guidance, it is easy to make choices that do not match career goals. Choosing carefully can save money and time in the future.

Yocket Premium can help you avoid this confusion. With personalised university lists, accurate salary details, and one-on-one expert advice, you can make informed choices about where to study and what to focus on. Our experts use real data to guide you toward the best options so that your MS in CS leads to strong career results.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jobs After MS in Computer Science in USA

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