Find the Master's degree you want in the USA | IDP Vietnam

Studying for a master's degree in the U.S . is one of the top choices for international students thanks to the outstanding quality of training, flexible study programs, and wide career opportunities after graduation. However, to plan effectively, you need to know important information such as entry requirements, study costs, scholarships, and the right pathway.

In this article, IDP Study Abroad will help you stay up to date with the latest and most up-to-date on studying for a master's degree in the U.S., helping you get ready for your global academic journey and career development.

The U.S. has always been a top destination for international students thanks to its outstanding quality of training, dynamic learning environment, and wide range of career opportunities. Here are the prominent reasons why studying for a master's degree in the U.S . is a good choice to consider:

1.1. World-leading training quality

According to QS World University Rankings 2025, the US has 4 universities in the top 10 best universities in the world, namely: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1); Harvard University (4); Stanford University (6); California Institute of Technology (10). With a diverse network of 4300 universities, the United States has the largest number of international students in the world.

According to U.S. News & World Report 2026, many universities in the US continue to hold global leading positions such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley.

With more than 4,000 universities, the U.S. offers a diverse education system, from Ivy League schools to high-quality public schools. Master's students have the opportunity to:

• Participate in in-depth research

• Work with top faculty

• Access to modern technology and facilities

A master's degree in the U.S. is globally recognized, helping to enhance your competitive advantage and expand international career opportunities.

1.2. Diversification of disciplines and career orientation

One of the highlights of studying for a master's degree in the U.S. lies not only in the variety of disciplines, but also in the flexibility and ability to personalize the training program.

Outstanding areas include:

• Business & Management (MBA)

• Information Technology & Computer Science

• Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity

• Media & Social Sciences

• Travel, Restaurants – Hospitality

The curriculum is flexible, allowing for the combination of multiple majors to expand career opportunities.

1.3. Attractive job opportunities and income

Master's degree graduates in the U.S. have a great advantage when it comes to entering the global labor market, especially in the technology, business, and engineering industries.

• Average salary: about 85,000 – 120,000 USD/year (depending on the industry)

• Opportunities to work at large corporations: Google, Amazon, Microsoft...

What differentiates the U.S. is its large labor market, high salaries in key industries, and the opportunity to stay in the workforce through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

1.4. Diverse scholarship opportunities

Although the cost of studying for a master's degree in the U.S. is quite high, you still have many opportunities to receive valuable scholarships from the government and universities.

Some typical programs:

Fulbright Foreign Student Program: Full scholarship (tuition, living, airfare)

Scholarships from universities: based on academic merit and potential

Assistantship (RA/TA): tuition and living expenses assistance

Schools like Harvard University, Stanford University, or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology often offer merit-based scholarships for outstanding students.

1.5. Post-graduation work opportunities

Upon completion of the program, international students can participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows for 12–36 months of work depending on the field of study.

This is an important opportunity to:

• Gain international experience

• Building a professional profile

• Expanding long-term settlement opportunities

With a rich and diverse education system, you can choose between a variety of U.S. Master's programs. Here is information about some Master's training programs that you can refer to:

2.1. Pre-Master's Program

Some basic information about the Pre-Master's program in the US is as follows:

• Suitable for those who do not have an English language certificate but are able to meet the admission requirements.

• Entry Requirements: Undergraduate Degree and IELTS Certificate >=6.0

• Duration of study: 1 term/1 year

• Content: language, culture and some specialized subjects.

2.2. Academic Master's Program

Some basic information about the Academic Master's program is as follows:

• Entry requirements: Undergraduate degree and IELTS 6.0 or higher or Pre-Master's degree.

• Duration of study: 2 months or may be longer depending on the discipline and school

• Academic program: Master of Social Sciences (Communication, language, education, geography, culture, history and music); Master of Natural Sciences (biology, engineering, health, statistics and chemistry).

• Learning content: During the learning process, you are required to attend class fully and perform group exercises, write dissertations, essays, etc. After completing your Master of Academic Studies, you can go to work right away.

2.3. Research Master's Program

Some basic information about the American Academic Master's program is as follows:

• Entry requirements: Undergraduate degree in a suitable discipline, IELTS minimum 6.5 and research outline

• Duration of study: 2 - 3 years

• The Master of Studies program includes:

• Master of Research (MRes): requires a high amount of knowledge, training students to become doctoral students

• Master by Research (MPhil): suitable for those who want to study for a PhD, allowing students to do research to complete individual projects

• Master of Studies (MSt): students need to fully participate and complete the same dissertation as MA and MS.

• Students do not need to be present in class during the course of study, but only need to complete the research topic assigned and guided by the professor. Your academic performance is assessed based on your essay (30,000 – 40,000 words) at the end of the course.

Students need to fully participate and complete a dissertation when participating in the Research Master's training program

2.4. Professional Master's Program

Some basic information about the professional American Master's program is as follows:

1. Admission requirements:

• IELTS >= 6.5.

• University Diploma.

• 2-3 years of work experience, management experience or a sufficient GMAT score.

2. Learning contents:

Professional Master's training programs focus on orienting and training students to pursue their future careers more intensively. The curriculum is highly practical, in order to help students gain both specialized knowledge and practical experience, in order to increase job opportunities for students after graduation.

Studying for a Master's degree in the U.S. means that you will have to meet all the following conditions for education, finance as well as visa application:

3.1. Educational conditions

To be enrolled in U.S. Master's programs, students need to fully meet the following academic criteria:

• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.2/4.0 or 7.0/10.

• Bachelor's degree (3 or 4 years) in the host country.

• IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or TOEFL 550. If you don't already have the above certificates, some schools offer intensive English courses for 3-6 months, ensuring that you meet the qualifications without IELTS or TOEFL.

• Some universities may also require

  GMA /GRE certificates, which are high-level tests that assess a student's thinking ability, academic ability, and skills.

• Dissertation, portfolio or corresponding experience if enrolled in specific engineering-related disciplines.

It can be seen that the educational conditions for studying for a Master's degree in the US are very basic and not too strict. Therefore, you do not need to worry about educational conditions when preparing to apply for master's study abroad programs here.

3.2. Financial conditions

To be accepted for a Master's degree in the US, you also need to meet financial verification procedures such as ensuring that your bank account balance meets the requirements for living expenses, travel, tuition fees, etc. during the entire time they studied abroad in the US, not in periods or years.

• The minimum cost that the family needs to meet to prove finances will be about 1 billion VND

• Passbook: prove that you have enough money to pay for a year in the U.S. and you need to open a passbook as soon as possible, at least one month before studying abroad.

• Monthly income: Salary, real estate rent, bank interest, bonds, dividends... of the guarantor to ensure affordability after deducting the family's living expenses in Vietnam, usually about 35,000 USD/year (70 million/month)

Depending on each school, major, and state, the cost of studying abroad also varies:

• Private universities: 15,000 – 22,000 USD/year

• Public universities: 25,000 – 42,000 USD/year

You should also pay attention to information about scholarships or financial aid packages that schools prioritize for international students, which contribute significantly to reducing the cost of studying abroad.

3.3. Conditions for applying for a Master's student visa

Applying for a U.S. student visa is a process that requires thorough and careful preparation. The types of documents required to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. include:

• School Offer Letter

• Online Visa Application

• Visa Interview Appointment

• Passport valid for at least 6 months

• I-20

• Visa Fee Receipt

• 5*5 cm card photo

• Transcripts of exams according to the school's regulations

• Degrees, school records, foreign language certificates

• Proof of financial documents

In addition, you also need to submit some other documents depending on the school's regulations, so it is very necessary to carefully study the regulations to ensure that you do not have trouble and affect the process of applying for your study abroad application.

You can refer to the article below: US student visa requirements to understand important information for your visa application process.

The average cost of a master's degree in the U.S. ranges from $30,000 to $95,000+ per year, depending on the school, major, scholarship, and region of residence. This is a large investment but offers long-term value in terms of degrees and career opportunities.

4.1. Tuition Fees for Master's Studies in the USA

Tuition is the main expense when studying for a master's degree in the US.

• Average: 20,000 – 50,000 USD/1 year

The tuition fee will vary depending on:

• Public or private school

• Field of study (MBA, IT is usually higher)

• School reputation and rankings

Despite the high cost, a master's degree in the U.S. is globally recognized and offers a great competitive advantage in the labor market.

4.2. Cost of living while studying in the US

Living expenses are an important item when studying for a master's degree in the US, in addition to tuition fees. Spending levels will vary depending on the student's city, lifestyle, and housing type.

1. Housing

• Dormitory: 12,000 – 20,000 USD/year

• Homestay: 10,000 – 20,000 USD/year

• Renting a shared house: 500 – 1,200 USD/month

2. Monthly activities

• Travel: 70 – 150 USD/month

• Meals: 300 – 600 USD/month

• Personal expenses: 100 – 300 USD/month

The cost of living in the U.S. for international students ranges from $1,200 to $2,500 per month, depending on the region and type of housing.

Học phí đắt đỏ không còn là một vấn đề quá lo ngại vì đối với các chương trình du học Thạc sĩ ở Mỹ, có rất nhiều các suất học bổng thạc sĩ được cung cấp thường niên bởi Chính phủ và nhà trường.

Bạn có thể tham khảo các thông tin dưới đây để tìm hiểu về các chương trình học bổng mà mình đủ tiêu chuẩn:

5.1. Điều kiện xin học bổng du học Thạc sĩ Mỹ

Để sở hữu học bổng du học Thạc sĩ Mỹ, ngoài các điều kiện riêng của từng trường, bạn cũng cần chuẩn bị một số hồ sơ cần thiết sau đây:

• Điểm GPA tối thiểu 7.0

• Chứng chỉ IELTS >= 6.5 hoặc TOEFL iBT >= 79

• Vượt điểm chuẩn GRE/GMAT của các trường

• Bài luận

• Ít nhất 2 năm kinh nghiệm làm việc liên quan đến ngành học đăng ký đối với các chương trình học bổng toàn phần.

• Giấy chứng nhận tham gia các hoạt động ngoại khóa

• Thư giới thiệu

5.2. Các loại học bổng du học Master tại Mỹ

1. Học bổng từ trường đại học

Các trường tại Mỹ cung cấp nhiều học bổng giúp sinh viên quốc tế giảm chi phí khi học thạc sĩ. Các loại phổ biến gồm:

• Merit-Based Scholarship (học bổng thành tích) Xét dựa trên GPA, thành tích học tập hoặc kinh nghiệm làm việc. Mức hỗ trợ từ một phần đến toàn phần

• Need-Based Financial Aid (hỗ trợ tài chính) Dành cho sinh viên có nhu cầu tài chính:  Xét dựa trên hồ sơ tài chính và năng lực tổng thể

• Assistantship (trợ giảng/trợ nghiên cứu):  Làm việc tại trường để nhận hỗ trợ học phí và sinh hoạt phí

Bên dưới là một số học bổng Thạc sĩ Mỹ từ một số trường: 

The United States owns a system of nearly 4,000 – 5,000 higher education institutions, of which the majority of schools offer master's programs with a variety of majors.

According to U.S. News & World Report 2026, universities in the U.S. continue to hold high positions in global rankings, especially in fields such as Engineering, Business, and Computer Science.

Popular master's degrees in the U.S. include:

• Engineering

• Business – Management (Business, MBA)

• Computer Science

By owning a Master's degree at a university in the United States, students will have an open future with competitive salary job opportunities. What's more, you'll also be highly valued by employers by studying a Master's degree in the U.S., demonstrating your academic competence and practical professional skills.

Below is a summary of the 10 popular Master's majors + average salary in the US (according to PayScale) for reference:

Salaries are referenced from data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and recruitment platforms such as Glassdoor, Payscale (updated 2025–2026).

Plan to study for a Master's degree in the USA with IDP!

Studying for a Master's degree in the U.S. is a challenging journey but also opens up countless opportunities. With a world-class education system, multicultural environment, and a dynamic economy, the U.S. is an ideal destination for you to develop yourself and pursue your future career paths.

If you would like to find out more information about studying for a Master's degree in the US, don't hesitate to contact IDP for a free consultation, comprehensive support from applying for admission, tracking progress and receiving a confirmation letter from the university.

In addition to chatting with counselors, IDP always organizes IDP study abroad seminars throughout the year, creating opportunities for students and parents to meet directly with school representatives, hunt for scholarships to study in the US and review applications on the spot. In addition, IDP also supports students to register for the IELTS test with many attractive incentives.

With more than 57 years of experience in the field of study abroad consultancy in Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland, IDP has helped thousands of Vietnamese students conquer their dreams of studying for a master's degree in the US. If you are in need of assistance in completing your application or hunting for scholarships, please contact the IDP hotline 19006955 immediately for the fastest and most accurate advice.

Contact IDP to start your journey to study in the USA today!

See also:

• Learn about studying in the U.S. with IDP

• How much money do I need to study in the USA?

• Top Famous Universities in the US

• High Value Scholarships to Study in the USA

• 4 Forms of housing while studying in the U.S.