Top U.S. Universities For MS In Computer Science

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Best US Universities For MS In Computer Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Stanford University
Carnegie Mellon University
University of California, Berkeley
Harvard University
Princeton University
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Columbia University
Cornell University

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Looking for top U.S. universities for MS in Computer Science? See the list of top universities in the U.S and choose the one that suits your profile & preferences!

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The United States of America is one of the most preferred locations for students across the globe. The US attracts talent from across the globe, and there is no dearth of educational institutions of worldwide repute. In fact, in the 2021 QS World University Ranking out of the top 100 universities in the world, twenty-seven were alone from the US. It has consistently proved itself to be the best place on earth to get the most advanced education. Whenever one thinks of the top universities of the world, the first few names that come to mind are Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, etc., and what’s common among them is that all are in the US. These universities have been the centre of excellence for the last two centuries. In fact, Harvard University, the oldest university in the US, was established in 1636.

The US has also been the home to the world’s most innovative labs and research centres. The universities in the US are not only the best in education, but the graduates from these institutions are some of the highest-paid professionals in the world. So, American universities are the best learning abode for young graduates. In today's world, the demand for computer science engineering graduates is at an all-time high owing to the development in the field of Artificial Intelligence(AI), Machine Learning(ML), Internet Of Things (IoT), etc. When it comes to studying this coming of age technology, the top US universities for MS in computer science are perhaps the most sought among young graduates.

The list is in chronological order, and these are perhaps the best institutes not in the US but also in the entire world to pursue MS in computer science. The chronology in which the university is listed as per their rank globally.

US Rankings in QS World Rankings	World Rankings in QS World Rankings	Institution	Location of the Institution
1	1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	Massachusetts
2	2	Stanford University	California
3	3	Carnegie Mellon University	Pennsylvania
4	5	The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	California
5	7	Harvard University	Massachusetts
6	14	Princeton University	New Jersey
8	17	The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	California
9	18	Columbia University	New York
10	19	Cornell University	New York

Best US Universities For MS In Computer Science

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT is not only an institution, rather its name speaks for its brilliance. Only the brightest minds of the world are able to secure admission at MIT. When it comes to masters education, it is among the best US universities for MS in computer science. The research lab at MIT is in itself more capable than many countries' entire research ecosystem. One of the finest research in the field of computer science is done at MIT, which makes it one of the most desired institutions for an MS.

The MIT-CSAIL or the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab is a state of the art facility for the most advanced research that is done anywhere in the world. The close collaboration with the industry has ensured that there is no dearth of funding or any other assistance. In fact, companies founded by MIT alumni have a total count of 30,000, and they generate a revenue of $2 trillion every year. So, gear-up right from the first year of graduation to secure admission at MIT for MS in computer science.

Read more about: Guide to Public Universities in the USA

Stanford University

Stanford University is located right in the heart of silicon valley. The university is a heaven for students wanting to pursue MS in computer science. The university has a sprawling 8200-acre campus that houses numerous departments, faculties, and research centres. Due to its closeness to silicon valley, the students don’t have to think much about jobs, careers, etc., as every day they see a startup becoming a unicorn. Stanford University has such a wide research ecosystem that it is simply brilliant. The Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) was started way back in 1962, and this is something that speaks volumes of its current research ecosystem. Stanford Infolab, Stanford Theory Group, and several other centres of excellence that work in the most advanced technology.

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Carnegie Mellon University

The university was founded in 1900, and since then has been a pioneer in one of the most advanced research centres globally. The main campus, which is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is home to one of the finest places to do MS in computer science. The Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program is the best option for international students, particularly for those who don’t have a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Students with scientific, engineering or mathematical backgrounds are offered admission to the computer science program.

Read more about: Carnegie Mellon University

There is a complete range of courses for doing MS from the university in fields of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, Information systems, etc. The centre for ideas, the centre for computational analysis of Social and Organisational Systems, and the CyLab Security and Privacy Institutes are the top research centres that give students exposure to one of the most advanced technologies in the world.

University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) is a public research university founded in 1868. The research ecosystem in UCB makes it the perfect institution for doing MS in computer science. The university has so far 32 Nobel laureates, and even at this time, there are around ten Nobel laureates teaching at the university. The department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers students the MS program. The MS program helps students get themselves ready both for bright job opportunities and for doing a PhD.

UCB has quite a comprehensive program of MS in computer science. In fact, the doors for MS are also open to those students who don’t have a bachelor degree in computer science. If one has experience in programming, algorithms, data structures, and theory at or above the undergraduate level, the chances are very likely that they will be accepted for the MS program if they meet other criteria.

Harvard University

Harvard is certainly the first name that comes into mind when it comes to pursuing higher education in the US. It was established in 1636, and till now, it has nurtured some of the brightest minds in the world. From Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg to a notable list of alumni who have stepped on the doors of Harvard University at some point, and that completely changed their lives. The computer science department at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is among the best in the world. The opportunity for students wanting to pursue MS extends to a plethora of areas within computer science. It includes areas like Artificial Intelligence, Economics and Computation, Programming Languages, Theory of Computation, Computational Neuroscience, and a range of other emerging technology areas.

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Princeton University

The university is regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Only the brightest minds get admission to Princeton. Due to its research facilities, teaching staff, and job opportunities, it has become the favourite for international students wanting to do MS in the US. The MS program offered at Princeton is a two-year, full-time program. There is a wide array of courses available for Graduate students at Princeton.

The courses available at the computer science department include computer architecture, computational biology, Mathematics for Numerical Computing and Machine Learning, Programming Language, Algorithms and Data Structures, Advanced Programming Techniques, and many other courses at the core of the most advanced research. Like all other top universities, there is no need to have a bachelor degree in computer science for students wanting to pursue MS. There are scholarship programs for meritorious students. One can check the official website for more details on the scholarships.

Read more about: Top 5 Universities For MS in USA

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

UCLA is one of the best universities for pursuing an MS in computer science in the US. They offer a wide range of courses at the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the best part is that students are at their liberty to choose one or a combination of courses for the MS program. The research facilities for students in the MS program give them the opportunity to excel in the new age of technology. Students have to choose from subjects like AI, Computational Systems Biology, Graphics and Vision, Software Systems, Computer System Architecture, and other programs that the computer science department at UCLA offers.

One of the best things about UCLA is that they don’t require GRE scores. One might give their GRE score if they wish to, but that will not give them any extra weightage over other candidates when it comes to admissions in the MS program. One of the best things about the MS program is that it has one of the highest percentages of international students in the MS program. In fact, as per the records of 2016 fall admissions, around 25% of students at the UCLA graduate program were alone from India. The total count of international students is approximately 70% of the total strength of the graduate class of 2016.

Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the best institutes for pursuing an MS in computer science. The university campus is located in New York. Since New York houses one of the biggest corporate houses in the US, jobs aren’t a big deal. The computer science department makes the student’s industry-ready with one of the most diverse curricula for MS in computer science. The courses available within the computer science department includes Computer Security, Computational Biology, Network Systems, Machine Learning, etc. Once a student feels that they are interested in a specific combination of subjects, they just have to find an advisor, and they can go ahead with the course.

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Cornell University

Cornell University has a very diverse computer science department. The four-semester programs are designed to prepare students for both research and jobs. Students in the program serve as teaching assistants and receive full tuition plus a stipend. The stipend also helps students in getting their finances in order. The subjects of specialisation within the CS department includes artificial intelligence, programming languages and logics, theory of computation, programming languages and logics, etc. Several scholarships are available for students who don’t have the financial means to pursue MS in computer science at Cornell University. Students interested in research are also given the opportunity to study without any financial worries. There are different assistantships available like teaching assistant (TA), research assistant (RA), graduate assistant (GA), and graduate research assistant (GRA).

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