Master’s in Software Engineering in the USA
A Master’s degree in software engineering is linked with software system architecture, software testing, software development, etc. To be admitted to this program, international students must have a four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 and a TOEFL iBT score of 82. Some MS in Software Engineering universities in the USA also asks applicants to present a GRE score of at least 290.
By pursuing a Master’s in Software Engineering at one of the best universities in the USA, students will learn about project management, software testing, quality assurance, etc. These abilities are typically in great demand across various industries, and they can land students well-paying positions in leading international companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, etc.
Highlights of Master’s in Software Engineering in the USA
Course Type |
Full-time, Part-time |
Course Duration |
2 years |
Eligibility Criteria |
4 years Bachelor with 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA (83-86%) |
English Proficiency Requirements |
TOEFL, IELTS |
Average Salary |
89,240 USD |
Top Recruiters |
Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, etc. |
Why Study Master’s in Software Engineering in the USA?
1. Well-known universities
When considering higher education abroad, people first consider a few well-known places to study. One of the most favored locations in the USA because of its elite universities.
2. The most valuable degrees in software engineering
There is a high need for Software Engineering graduates, notwithstanding the rapid advancement of technology and significant changes to the established system. Studying MS in Software Engineering in the U.S. has many benefits. Graduates are respected all around the world with a degree that is recognized internationally.
3. Employment outcomes
Earning an M.S. in Software Engineering in the United States enhances career prospects in all crucial ways. Well-known businesses like Facebook, Oracle, and Cisco represent a wide spectrum of industries.
Types of Master’s in Software Engineering in the USA
UNIVERSITIES FOR SOFTWARE ENGINEERING IN THE USA | SOFTWARE ENGINEERING COURSE IN THE USA |
Master of Software Engineering |
|
Carnegie Mellon University |
MS in Software Engineering |
Carnegie Mellon University |
MS in Software Management |
University of Texas, Austin |
MS in Engineering-Electrical and Computer Engineering |
University of Washington |
MS in Computer Science & Software Engineering |
MS in Computer Science |
|
Professional Master of Engineering in Software Engineering |
|
Master of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering |
|
Duke University |
MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering |
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities |
MS in Software Engineering |
Best Universities for Master’s in Software Engineering in the USA
The top universities in the USA for an M.S. in software engineering are shown in the table below. In addition, the application dates and tuition costs for these universities are also mentioned.
University |
Global Ranking |
Course |
Deadline |
Tuition Fees (USD) |
Harvard University |
5 |
M.S. Liberal Arts - Software Engineering |
5 January 2023 (closed) |
37,200 |
Carnegie Mellon University |
52 |
M.S. Software Engineering |
15 December 2023 |
52,100 |
University of Washington |
80 |
M.S Computer Science and Software Engineering |
3 April 2023 |
25,980 |
Boston University |
108 |
MS Software Development |
1 March 2023 (Summer) | 1 June 2023 (Fall) |
27,320 |
University of Southern California |
134 |
MS Computer Science - Software Engineering |
15 December 2022 |
73,888 |
University of California, Irvine |
235 |
M.S Software Engineering |
15 January 2023 |
33,811 |
219 |
MS Software Engineering |
15 January 2023 (Fall) | 15 September 2023 (Spring) |
40,245 |
|
388 |
MS Software Engineering Systems |
1 June 2023 |
55,680 |
|
1001-1200 |
MS Software Engineering |
15 March 2023 |
48,727 |
Course Curriculum of Master’s in Software Engineering in the USA
The MSSE curriculum offered a potent fusion of software engineering theory and practice and was developed by teachers from the Computer Science and Engineering Department and by industry specialists. As a result, you can count on the program’s material to always be rigorous, current, and cutting-edge. The subjects covered are project management, quality control, and database management systems.
For the first three semesters, the course of study is set. Electives, including an optional independent project, are available in the fourth semester. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 30-semester credits and complete an independent project. An overview of the program, broken down semester by semester, is provided below:
Fall |
Spring |
Fall |
Spring |
Software Engineering I |
Software Design |
Software Architecture |
User Interface Design & Eval. |
Data Modeling |
Software Process & Q.A. |
Project Management |
Elective I |
Industrial Seminars |
Software Testing & Verification. |
Industrial Seminars |
Elective II |
7 credits |
8 credits |
7 credits |
8 credits |
Eligibility Criteria for Master’s in Software Engineering in the USA
A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a closely related discipline is the prerequisite for a master’s degree in software engineering in the USA. The table below lists the English language proficiency requirements.
University |
Academic Requirements |
English Language Proficiency |
Harvard University |
4 years bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field with a 3.0 GPA |
TOEFL iBT - 100 |
Carnegie Mellon University |
Bachelors in Computer Science, Computer engineering, or a related computing field. |
TOEFL iBT - 84 | IELTS - 7.0 |
University of Washington |
Bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field with a 3.0 GPA in the last two years of study. |
TOEFL iBT - 92 | IELTS - 7.0 |
Boston University |
Bachelor’s degree in computer science |
TOEFL iBT - 84 | IELTS - 6.5 |
University of Southern California |
4 year Bachelor’s degree in computer science |
TOEFL iBT - 90 | IELTS - 6.5 | PTE - 61 |
University of California, Irvine |
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science |
TOEFL iBT - 80 | IELTS - 7.0 |
Arizona State University |
3.0 GPA in Bachelor’s degree |
TOEFL iBT - 90 | IELTS - 7.0 | PTE - 65 |
Northeastern University |
Bachelor’s degree |
TOEFL iBT - 79 | IELTS - 6.5 |
George Mason University |
Bachelor’s Degree with 3.0 |
TOEFL iBT - 88 | IELTS - 7.0 | PTE - 67 |
Admission Requirements for Master’s in Software Engineering in USA
The following requirements and English language proficiency must be satisfied for admission. Students must also submit the following papers throughout the application process. The application may be denied if any required documents are incomplete or incorrect.
- Must have graduated from an accredited school with a 10+2 diploma.
- Should have a 3–4 year bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- The student must have a decent GPA throughout high school and Bachelor’s program.
- Must obtain required GRE or GMAT scores (if required)
Additional Application Documents
The universities require the following documents for the application in addition to the academic and English language competency requirements:
- Official Transcripts from previous institutions
- 2-3 Strong Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Work Experience (if minimum academic requirements are not met)
- CV/Resume Proof of financial funds
Master’s in Software Engineering in USA Admission Process
Each course has its application processes and eligibility requirements. To improve your chances of being chosen, take note of the application dates and apply early. To guarantee a smooth application procedure, have all the paperwork close to hand and double-check all the information.
Cost of Studying Master’s in Software Engineering in USA
Tuition fees and living expenditures make up most of the costs associated with studying in the United States. This section discusses both of these fees in-depth and covers them both.
U.S. Tuition Costs for a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering
In the top universities in the USA, Master’s degrees in software engineering cost between $25,000 and $73,000 in tuition
University | Tuition Fees (USD) |
Harvard University | 37,200 |
Carnegie Mellon University | 52,100 |
University of Washington | 25,980 |
Boston University | 27,320 |
University of Southern California | 73,888 |
University of California | 33,811 |
Arizona State University | 40,245 |
Northeastern University | 55,680 |
George Mason University | 48,727 |
Living Expenses in the USA
The cost of living in the United States is separate from the tuition. These expenses cover a variety of things, such as rent, transportation, meals, lodging, etc. In most American institutions, there are dining and lodging options on-site. Here is a quick description of each of these.
Expense Type |
Average Cost (USD) |
Accommodation |
9,800-11,100 |
Food |
250 per month |
Transportation |
350 per month |
Internet |
45 per month |
Books |
1,200-1,500 |
Health Insurance |
700 |
Scholarships & Financial Aid for Master’s in Software Engineering in the USA
Attending a university in the United States might be expensive for international students. Therefore, universities in the USA offer a range of scholarships to students who require funding. Here are a few well-known scholarships available to overseas students in the USA.
Scholarship |
Eligibility |
Awards (USD) |
The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship |
Students from developing countries with no other source of financial help for a Master’s in the USA |
Tuition fees and living expenses Awarded on a 50% grant: 50% loan basis |
AAUW International Fellowship Program |
Non-American women pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies in any subject |
$20,000-$50,000 |
PEO International Peace Scholarship |
Non-American women who have applied for graduate studies in any university in the USA |
$5000 can only be renewed twice |
Inlaks Scholarship |
Indian students applying for a master’s or Ph.D. with a good 1st degree from a recognized university and under the age of 30 |
Maximum of 100,000 USD covering the full tuition fees, one-way travel allowance, living expenses, and health insurance. |
Foreign Fulbright Student Program |
Graduate students, young professionals, and artists |
Tuition, airfare, living stipend, health insurance, etc. |
Career Opportunities after Master’s in Software Engineering in USA
Students graduating with a Master’s in Software Engineering get various job opportunities in the USA. They work as software engineers, developers, analysts, etc., and earn a decent salary of up to 141,000 USD.
Job Role |
Average Annual Salary (USD) |
Software Developer |
74,229 |
Software Engineer |
89,240 |
Front-End Engineer |
107,320 |
Back-End Engineer |
117,532 |
Software Analyst |
68,089 |
Systems Analyst |
89,976 |
For international students, pursuing a Master’s in Software Engineering in the USA can be quite fruitful. After completing their Master’s degree, aspirants have two options: they can either pursue higher education or accept a well-paying job.
- Level of study
- Streams
- Countries
- Cities
- Fees
- Exams Accepted
- Course Duration
- Masters
- Clear All
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING (MS)
University of Scranton, USA
DURATION
1 Year 2 MonthsFEES
-EXAMS
-INTAKE SESSION
-
Master of Science in Software Engineering
DePaul University, USA
DURATION
3 YearsFEES
INR 56.27L/yrEXAMS
IELTS-6.5INTAKE SESSION
SEP 2024
Master of Science in Software Engineering
University of Minnesota, USA
DURATION
-FEES
INR 18.08L/yrEXAMS
IELTS-6.5INTAKE SESSION
SEP 2024
Software Engineering, M.S.
Florida Institute of Technology, USA
DURATION
1 YearFEES
-EXAMS
-INTAKE SESSION
-
Software Engineering MS
East Carolina University, USA
DURATION
1 YearFEES
INR 15.78L/yrEXAMS
-INTAKE SESSION
-
Software Engineering Systems MS
Northeastern University, USA
DURATION
2 YearsFEES
INR 20.50L/yrEXAMS
-INTAKE SESSION
NOV 2024
Master of Science in Software Engineering
The University of Texas at Dallas, USA
DURATION
1 Year 1 MonthFEES
-EXAMS
-INTAKE SESSION
-
Software Engineering, M.S.
Saint Louis University, USA
DURATION
1 Year 6 MonthsFEES
-EXAMS
-INTAKE SESSION
-
M.S. Software Engineering
New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA
DURATION
1 YearFEES
INR 26.56L/yrEXAMS
-INTAKE SESSION
-
Master of Science in Software Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology, USA
DURATION
1 YearFEES
INR 32.42L/yrEXAMS
IELTS-6.0INTAKE SESSION
SEP 2024
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