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Afia Azmi
6 min read
Updated On 18th Jun 2025

Top US Universities In 2025: Ranking, Courses & Fees

The USA is simply in a league of its own. It has more than 197 institutions ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2025, and it is almost certain that it will have even more institutions ranked next year. Most of these institutions are persistently featured in the top 100 universities in the world, and they provide a wide variety of Master's programs in STEM, business, healthcare, arts, and social sciences.

The university system of the USA is reputed:

  • High innovation and Experiential Learning
  • Superb faculty-to-student ratios
  • Excellent graduate employability
  • An inclusive, diverse atmosphere around Indian students

The list below shows the Top 25 universities in the USA in 2025, their rank, location, some popular areas of study at the university, and the approximate number of graduates in the university. The longer list will allow you to compare your choices better, particularly if you are considering several MS or other postgraduate programs.

Top 10 Universities in the USA 2025

 

UniversityQS 2025 RankLocationKey StrengthsGrad Enrollment (approx.)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)1Cambridge, MAScience, Engineering, Technology~7,000
Harvard University4Cambridge, MALaw, Business, Medicine~15,000
Stanford University5Stanford, CAEngineering, Computer Science, Business~9,400
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)10Berkeley, CAData Science, Engineering, Economics~11,000
University of Chicago11Chicago, ILEconomics, Physics, Law~10,000
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)12Philadelphia, PABusiness, Public Health, Engineering~14,000
Cornell University13Ithaca, NYEngineering, Life Sciences, Business~8,000
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)15Pasadena, CAPhysics, Space Science, Engineering~1,300
Princeton University16Princeton, NJMathematics, Physics, Public Policy~3,000
Yale University19New Haven, CTLaw, Humanities, Biological Sciences~7,500
Columbia University23New York, NYJournalism, Business, Architecture~21,000
University of Michigan27Ann Arbor, MIEngineering, Health Sciences, Economics~16,000
Johns Hopkins University29Baltimore, MDMedicine, Public Health, Bioengineering~15,000
Duke University31Durham, NCBiomedical Engineering, Law, Business~9,000
Northwestern University35Evanston, ILCommunication, Business, Law~8,500
New York University (NYU)38New York, NYComputer Science, Arts, Business~25,000
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)42Pittsburgh, PAComputer Science, Robotics, Data Science~7,000
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)48San Diego, CALife Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering~9,000
University of Wisconsin–Madison55Madison, WIEducation, Engineering, Psychology~11,000
Brown University63Providence, RILiberal Arts, Neuroscience, Computer Science~3,000
University of Texas at Austin66Austin, TXEnergy, Business, Computer Science~10,000
University of Washington67Seattle, WAEngineering, Public Health, Information Science~12,000
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign70Urbana-Champaign, ILElectrical Engineering, AI, Agricultural Sciences~12,000
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)72Atlanta, GAMechanical Engineering, AI, Data Analytics~8,500
Pennsylvania State University85University Park, PABusiness Analytics, Engineering, Food Science 
Popular Scholarships for Indian Students

 

Scholarship NameOffered ByWhat It CoversWho It’s For
Inlaks Shivdasani FoundationInlaks FoundationTuition + livingExceptional students at top US universities
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s FellowshipUSIEFFull fundingIndian students with leadership and academic excellence
Tata Scholarship (Cornell)Tata Trusts + CornellTuition & feesIndian UG degree holders admitted to Cornell
Stanford Knight-Hennessy ScholarsStanford UniversityFull fundingMS students across disciplines
AAUW International FellowshipsAAUWUp to $50,000Women from India and other countries
Ratan Tata Scholarship for HarvardTata TrustsTuitionIndian students pursuing master's at Harvard
Graduate Assistantships (TA/RA)Individual universitiesPartial or full tuition + stipendAvailable across most research-based MS programs
Admission and Eligibility Requirements

Admission to top-ranked universities in USA for MS can be competitive. You usually need a good bachelor's degree. Most schools want a GPA of about 3.0 or above (some ask for 3.5 or higher). Many programs also need test scores like the GRE (for science or tech) or GMAT (for business).

If English is not your first language, you must take the TOEFL or IELTS. A TOEFL score of around 80–100 or an IELTS 6.5–7.0 is often needed. For example, the University of California, Berkeley often asks for IELTS 7.0. You will also need official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose (an essay about your goals).

Some programs may ask for work experience or research. Send your application before deadlines, which are often in late fall or early winter. For example, some schools may ask for a resume or a research plan. A clear study plan and strong letters of recommendation can improve your chances.

Living and Tuition Fee Structure

Tuition fees in the USA are usually high. Top universities often charge $30,000–$50,000 per year for an MS. For example, Princeton’s tuition is about $44,000 per year. Some public or smaller schools cost less, but budget at least $20,000 per year.

Living costs add extra. Big cities like New York or Boston can be $1,500–$3,000 per month for rent and food. In other places, you might pay $800–$1,500 per month. For example, Chicago is about $1,300–$2,500/month. On-campus housing and meals are typically ~$9,800–$11,100 per year.

Shared off-campus rooms can be cheaper (around $450/month). You also must pay for health insurance and books, maybe $2,000–$5,000 per year. In total, a two-year MS might cost roughly $50,000–$120,000 (tuition + living + extras). This is a rough estimate.

Actual costs vary by location and lifestyle. Don’t forget visa fees, health insurance, and books, which can add $2,000–$5,000 per year. Many graduate students get teaching or research assistantships, scholarships, or part-time jobs to help pay these costs.

Conclusion

In summary, studying MS in the USA lets you join some of the best universities in USA for MS. These top-ranked universities in USA for MS offer quality education, strong research, and many career opportunities. The USA also provides cultural diversity and support for international students. Choosing a US university for your MS can open doors to advanced skills and a global network.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Top schools often expect a high GPA, usually around 3.5–4.0 on a 4.0 scale. Some programs may accept around 3.0–3.5. A strong GPA improves your chances, though good test scores and experience can help if your GPA is lower.

Rankings vary by source. For example, QS 2025 lists MIT as #1 and Harvard #4, with Stanford at #5. Other lists (US News, Times) may differ (often including Princeton, Yale, etc.), but top spots usually go to MIT, Ivy League schools, and leading tech universities.

Requirements vary by program. Many MS programs require TOEFL (~80–100) or IELTS (~6.5–7.0) – for example, UC Berkeley asks for IELTS 7.0. GRE scores are also common; top programs often expect a total of 300+. Check each university’s specific requirements for exact scores.

Look at subject-specific rankings and program details. Use QS or US News by subject for your field. Check each program’s courses, faculty, and research areas. Also, compare costs, location, and campus life. Student reviews or talking to alumni can help you find which program best fits your interests.

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