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You should study a Master’s in electronics and communication in the USA because the US has 76 universities with QS electronics and communications engineering ranking, top universities, and a high ROI. Despite stricter US immigration policies in the last couple of years, Indian students continue to apply to the US with high intent. 

Let us take a look at a few reasons as to why you should study MS in Electronics and Communications Engineering in the US:

Top Universities 

The USA has some of the best universities for pursuing Master’s in electronics and engineering, including MIT (QS 2026 rank 1), Stanford University (QS 2026 rank 3), and the University of California, Berkeley (QS 2026 rank 17). These universities offer interdisciplinary programs, multiple areas of research, and a high return on investment. 

Research Scope

US universities provide access to state-of-the-art labs and research opportunities, especially in fields like VLSI, embedded systems, and robotics. Students gain practical experience through cutting-edge research initiatives.

Strong Job Market 

According to the , the employment for electrical and communication engineers in the US is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033. About 19,000 job openings are projected each year in this field, making this a fruitful decision for your future. 

Industry Connections 

Studying in the US provides direct access to industry giants like Apple, NVIDIA, and Siemens, offering ample internship and job opportunities for graduates.

When applying for an MS in electronics and communication engineering in the USA, you need to carefully plan the intake. This may heavily affect your academic journey. The intake is often overlooked, but the correct one can greatly affect your funding opportunities, course availability, and job market cycles. 

Here are the three admission intakes for MS in electronics and communication engineering in the US:

Fall Intake (August/ September)

This is the most popular and widely preferred intake for MS in ECE applicants. Almost all universities in the US offer full program availability during the Fall semester. It aligns well with the academic calendar, allowing you to complete your program in sync with campus recruitment drives and internship seasons. Additionally, universities offer more scholarships, assistantships, and on-campus job opportunities during this term. For these reasons, Fall is considered the ideal intake for international students pursuing ECE.

Spring Intake (May)

The Spring intake is a good alternative if you need extra time to prepare for standardized tests or visa applications. However, not all universities offer admissions for ECE programs in the Spring, and even those that do may have limited course and funding availability. While you can still benefit from internships and research opportunities, you may face a slight delay in accessing campus recruitment services, which usually peak during the Fall. 

Summer Intake (January)

Very few universities offer a Summer intake for MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering. It's not a common choice for international students because it offers minimal academic flexibility, and financial aid or internships are rarely available during this period. The Summer intake may suit domestic students or those transferring between programs, but it's generally not recommended for full-time MS applicants in ECE.

Top universities for an MS in Electronics and Communication in the US include MIT, Stanford University, and UC Berkeley. The US consistently ranks among the top countries for engineering and technology, offering graduates quality programs in tech-related fields. 

Let us take a detailed look at the top 10 universities that offer a Master’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and their program structure in the US. 

Let’s discuss the top 5 universities in detail:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

MIT’s ECE Master’s program is a unique combination of research, practical learning, and interdisciplinary studies (combining robotics, AI, and electromagnetics). It provides both fundamental and advanced courses in subjects like signal processing, VLSI (very large scale integration), and embedded systems, helping you develop a holistic understanding of the domain.

Let us take a look at a few details of the course offered at MIT:

2. Stanford University 

Stanford University’s ECE Master’s program provides advanced interdisciplinary learning, with subjects like telecommunication, semiconductor technology, and robotics. The interdisciplinary structure of this program also helps you conduct innovative research, and diversify your career opportunities.

Let us take a look at some of the essential details of the course:

3. Pennsylvania State University 

Pennsylvania State University’s course in ECE offers a practical, flexible, and research-driven curriculum designed to prepare you with practical expertise. You can choose to specialise in areas like communication networks and software-defined radio. Penn State provides an option for online studies.

Let us take a detailed look at the specifications of the program:

4. University of California, Berkeley

The Master's program in ECE at the University of California, Berkeley, combines deep technical expertise with leadership training, helping you kickstart your career and also offering a long-term advantage for you to track new developments in the field and your career. At Berkeley, you study in cross-disciplinary cohorts and small classes.

Some of the details of the course are: 

5. Princeton University 

Princeton University’s ECE department is renowned for its advanced technological research, rigorous advanced training, and theoretical excellence. This course also provides interdisciplinary learning overlapping with the course of Electrical Engineering, which further strengthens the job prospects of its graduates. 

Let us take a further look at the program details:

A Master’s in Electronics and Communication Engineering in the US maps over 2 years, and typically consists of 32- 36 graduate-level credits per program. The coursework offered by most universities contains both thesis and non-thesis options, allowing you to design your studies according to your preferences. You also get multiple options for specialisations, and building your research.

Here’s a general breakdown of the course curriculum of the MS in Electronics and Communication in the US. 

• The core components of the course include subjects like Advanced Digital Communication Systems, Signal Processing and Communications, Embedded System Design, Wireless Communication, VLSI Technology and Design, and other such fundamental topics. 
• The university also offers its students to gain specialisation in topics like Computational and cyber-physical Systems, Cyber Security, and Mobile and Cloud Computing, through electives that they can freely opt for. 
• Most coursework curriculum also includes practicums, software design requirements, and participation in seminars to provide the students with real expertise.

Pursuing an MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering in the USA can be fascinating, given the beneficial dynamics of the course. However, you must keep track and follow a few steps recommended by various universities to get into one of the top universities in the US. 

Let us take a detailed look at the eligibility and the documents recommended by the universities in the USA. 

Eligibility Criteria 

To get admission to the universities of the US, it is essential for you to follow their recommended guidelines and meet their standards of eligibility. Although these criteria depend on the university, some of the general criteria to be followed are: 

• Bachelor's Degree: You must have a valid bachelor's degree from a recognized institution to apply for the MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering in the US universities. Having a degree in a related field is often preferred for admission. 
• English Language Proficiency Test: If you are an international student whose native language is not English, you are required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS as evidence of English proficiency. The official scores need to be sent directly from ETS, and it must be less than two years old from the first day of your class at the entry. 
• GRE or GMAT Score: or is most widely accepted worldwide when it comes to studying an engineering or business-related program. You are encouraged to have either a GRE of 280 - 320 or a GMAT score of 625 and above to get into the best MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering in the universities of the US.
• Work Experience: To study a master's in Electronics and Communication Engineering in the USA, students need to have a minimum amount of experience. However, not all US universities demand the same.
• US Student Visa: A copy of your passport and a US student visa is mandatory to upload in the application. If you don't have a passport, you will be required to have one before the submission of visa eligibility documents. Make sure to apply for the visa as soon as you get the admission letter.

Documents Required

Some of the essential documents that will be crucial for your application to the universities are: 

• Academic Transcripts
• Institutional Certificates Original
• Scorecards of ELP and GRE, or GMAT
• Statement of Purpose
• Two or three letters of recommendation
• Updated Resume or CV
• Personal Essay
• A valid copy of your passport
• Proof of Financial Resources

The cost of studying an MS in Electronics and Communications in the US can range from USD 30,000 to USD 80,000 (INR 25 to INR 68 lakhs), including tuition fees, living costs, and other miscellaneous expenses. Let’s discuss these in detail:

Tuition Fees 

The tuition fees fora  Master’s in electronics and communication engineering in the US 30,000 to USD 80,000 per year. The tuition fees differ according to the program, university, and location. 

Let us take a detailed look at the average tuition fees that you can expect in the US: 

• The most expensive universities for studying a Master’s in electronics and communications engineering in the US are MIT and Princeton University.
• You can get an affordable Master’s in ECE at the California State University, which charges only USD 16,900 (INR 14 Lakhs) annually as tuition fee per year.

Living Expenses

The cost of living in the US as an international student can range from USD 1000 to USD 1500 per month (INR 86,000 to INR 1.3 lakhs). The biggest chunk of expenses goes in accommodation (around USD 700 to USD 1200 on average), followed by food, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. 

Let’s look at the cost of living in the US as an international student

To study an MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering in the US, you must have a student visa. You should apply for your student visa up to 120 days before the program begins to smoothly complete the procedure. 

Let us take a look at some of the important considerations for getting a student visa to study in the US:

Cost of US F1 Student Visa 

The total visa cost for an F1 US visa is USD 535 (INR 46,000). You have to pay a SEVIS fee and the visa application fees to get your student Visa for the US. The amount required for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee is USD 350 (INR 30,000). After this, you’ll also be required to pay the visa application fee, which is USD 185 (INR around INR 16,000).

Application Process

Once you have been admitted successfully to the desired university in the US, you can apply for your student visa, which will enable you to study in the US. Let us look at a step-by-step breakdown of the application process. 

• Get your offer letter: Get accepted by a SEVP-certified institution before submitting your visa application. When you are accepted, you will receive your I-20 form, which you will need to apply for your F-1 visa.
• Pay the SEVIS fee: Pay the requisite SEVIS fee (USD 350/INR 30,000)
• Fill the DS form: Complete your DS-160 visa application.
• Book your appointment: You must book an appointment for your visa interview, where questions regarding your course, your intentions, and other related affairs will be asked.
• Attend interview: After the appointment, you’ll have to attend your visa interview and wait for your Visa to be processed. 

Some of the best scholarships for studying Electronics and Communications engineering in the USA are the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, offered by Stanford University, and the Shardashish Interschool Fellowship, offered by Columbia University. These offer varied amounts of stipend, and can give up to full funding. 

Here we provide you with a list of course-specific scholarships for the MS in Electronics and Communication in the USA:

To apply for an MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering, you'll need to follow a recommended set of steps maintained by the universities. Although the application process varies on the basis of the university, let us take a look at some of the general steps to apply for an MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering:

Step 1: Research and Shortlist Universities

You must research and Shortlist Universities that offer MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering in the US according to your preferences.

Step 2: Check Eligibility Criteria 

After selecting your desired universities, you should visit the websites and look for their general requirements such as GPA, Test Scores and other essential details.

Step 3: Prepare Required Document 

You should prepare the required documents such as academic transcripts, test scores, proof of language proficiency, and passport. 

Step 4: Apply Online

Most Universities in the US have online portals through which international students are admitted. You should keep a track of the deadlines of each university and apply as soon as the portal opens. 

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

After completing the application process and attaching the required documents, you must pay the application fees, which differ between universities, but average around USD 100 to USD 200, to ensure the completion of your application.

After pursuing a Master’s in electronics and communication (ECE) in the US, you are eligible for various kinds of job roles, whether tech or non-tech. Under tech, you can work as a software engineer, in semiconductor manufacturing, and in IT. Under non-tech, you can work in telecommunications, marketing, and sales (leveraging your tech education and skills).

Let us take a look at the various job roles and certain specifications to access careers in those roles. 

Eligibility Criteria for Getting a Job in the USA

To get a Job in the US after completing your MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering, some of the key requirements to start your career are:

• You must have a Master's degree in Electronic and Communication Engineering or any other relevant field.
•  Although not mandatory, most high-end companies look for strong academic background, with at least a 3.0 GPA in the course. 
•  You'll also need to apply for an OPT or Optional Practical Training, which will allow you to stay for 12-36 months, depending on the course, to work after a Master's in the US.
• Language Proficiency test scores are also important criteria that most companies look for in non-native English speakers. 
• Certifications outlining your proficiency in the field are also considered to be highly favourable. 

Top Recruiters 

Some of the top recruiters of Electronic and Communication Engineers are :

• Apple
• NVIDIA
• Samsung
• Qualcomm 
• Siemens 
• Apollo Technical 

Average Salary

Some of the job roles and salaries that an electronic and communications engineer can work as:

With the latest innovations and shift towards electric vehicles, the scope of electronics and communication engineering in the USA is immensely bright. You can count on opportunities to work with automobile giants, the manufacturing sector, airlines, telecommunications, etc. Getting into one of the best universities in the USA for an MS in electronics and communication engineering will take you a step closer to your ultimate goal. Therefore, to get ahead of others in the competition, get in touch with our 杏吧论坛 counsellors today for expert guidance.