Jasmine Grover Content Strategy Manager
Content Strategy Manager
Highlights:
- Program Focus: MS in VLSI in USA is a 1-2 year program on integrated circuits' design, fabrication and miniaturization.
- Eligibility: Students with a bachelor's degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering or a related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA can apply.
- Cost: The total cost of studying MS in VLSI in USA can range from USD 24,000 - 60,000 (tuition fees and living expenses.)
- Job Prospects: Graduates of the course earn an average salary of 115,586 USD annually.
- Post-Study Work Permit: After graduation, you can stay up to 3 years in US to look for jobs.
MS in VLSI is a 1 to 2-year course covered under electrical engineering as a specialization or as a separate course in US universities. VLSI stands for Very-Large-Scale Integration. It is the process of combining millions of small chips to form integrated circuits. You need to apply for an F1 Visa to study MS in VLSI in USA. The average cost of studying ranges from INR 20 lakhs to 50 lakhs. After your MS in VLSI in the US, you can earn an average of INR 95 Lakhs. MS in VLSI in USA provides them an opportunity to work with renowned companies such as Apple, Huawei, etc. where they can develop circuits and earn profitable salaries.
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Table of Content |
Top Universities for MS in VLSI in USA
Many US universities have entrepreneurial ecosystems with incubators and accelerators helping you turn your VLSI design ideas into reality. Some of the best universities for MS in VLSI in USA are –
| Universities | Course | Deadlines | Tuition Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | MS in Electrical Engineering | September 1 | 47,469 |
| New York University | MS in Electrical Engineering | December 15 | 37,451 |
| Purdue University | MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering |
August 21 |
27,030 |
| Michigan State University | MS in Electrical Engineering | September 15 | 29,850 |
| North Carolina State University | MS in Computer Engineering | July 1 | 36,942 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | MAS in VLSI and Microelectronics | June 14 | 34,240 |
| Michigan Technological University | MS in Electrical Engineering | November 1 | 27,702 |
| Wright State University | MS in Electrical Engineering | September 15 | 17,175 |
| Florida International University | MS in Computer Engineering | June 1 | 20,040 |
| Southern Illinois University | MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering | October 15 | 23,079 |
What is MS in VLSI in USA?
MS in VLSI in the USA is a master's course opted for by students who have completed their bachelor's in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering. The course teaches students how to fabricate, scale, design, and compress the size of circuits. Top universities in USA teach this course and provides students with great career opportunities in top MNCs. The course focuses on various aspects such as nanotechnology, multi-media processing, and optical communications. Not only this, but it also refines the research skills of students as it includes a lot of research work.
Admissions to MS in VLSI in USA
There are various requirements to complete the application for MS in VLSI in USA. The eligibility criteria and additional documents required are mentioned below:
Eligibility for MS in VLSI in USA
All the universities have separate eligibility criteria for admission to masters in VLSI. The academic requirements and English proficiency requirements are displayed in the table below.
| University | Academic Requirements | English Language Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California |
|
TOEFL iBT - 90 IELTS - 6.5 |
| New York University |
|
TOEFL iBT - 90 IELTS - 7 |
| Purdue University |
|
TOEFL iBT - 80 IELTS - 6.5 |
| Michigan State University |
|
TOEFL iBT - 80 IELTS - 6.5 |
| North Carolina State University |
|
TOEFL iBT - 80 IELTS - 6.5 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology |
|
TOEFL iBT - 90 IELTS - 6.5 |
| Michigan Technological University |
|
TOEFL iBT - 79 IELTS - 6.5 |
| Wright State University |
|
TOEFL iBT - 79 IELTS - 6 PTE - 57 |
| Florida International University |
|
TOEFL iBT - 80 IELTS - 6.5 |
| Southern Illinois University |
|
TOEFL iBT - 80 IELTS - 6.5 |
Additional Requirements for MS in VLSI in USA
Besides the academic and English language proficiency requirements some additional documents are required by the universities for the application:
- Official Transcripts from previous institutions
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Proof of financial funds
- 2-3 Strong Letters of Recommendation - These should be written by people who know you well and write a good recommendation.
- Work Experience (for some universities)
- CV/Resume
Cost of Studying MS in VLSI in USA
The cost of attending a university in the USA includes various expenses such as tuition fees, application fees, cost of living, etc. Therefore one must plan accordingly and save money to study in the USA.
Tuition Fees for MS in VLSI in USA
Most universities cost tuition fees according to the per credit hours for MS in VLSI in the USA. The tuition fees for the universities are mentioned below.
| University | Tuition Fee (USD) | Tuition Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | 64,698 | 53,23,849 |
| New York University | 42,040 | 34,59,374 |
| Purdue University | 14,959 | 12,30,941 |
| Michigan State University | 29,850 | 24,56,287 |
| North Carolina State University | 18,603 | 15,30,798 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | 49,380 | 40,63,366 |
| Michigan Technological University | 26,505 | 21,81,035 |
| Wright State University | 25,965 | 11,10,883 |
| Florida International University | 20,000 | 16,45,754 |
| Southern Illinois University | 24,373 | 20,05,598 |
Cost of living in USA
The various expenses with their cost in INR while living in USA are tabulated.
| Expense Type | Average Cost (USD) | Average Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 9,800-11,100 | 8,13,868 - 9,21,831 |
| Food | 250 per month | 20,668 |
| Transportation | 350 per month | 28,935 |
| Internet | 45 per month | 3,720 |
| Books | 1,200-1,500 | 99,207-1,24,008 |
| Health Insurance | 700 | 57,870 |
Scholarships for MS in VLSI in USA
Studying for a Masters in VLSI in a foreign country can cost a lot for international students. Therefore, there are various scholarships in USA to aid the financial needs of students. A few of these scholarships are listed below.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Awards (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| University Center for International Education (UCIE) Graduate Merit Scholarship | Excellent Academic Performance | 2500 (2.7 - 2.9 GPA) 5,000 (3.0 and above) |
| Florida International University (Presidential Scholarship) | 4.0 GPA and 1370 SAT | 100% tuition and books |
| Florida International University (Ambassador Scholarship) | 4.0 GPA and 1280 SAT | 75% tuition fees and books |
| Florida International University (Transfer Scholarship) | 3.8 GPA and 60 transferable credit hours | 50% tuition and books |
| Willis Swartz Graduate Student Scholarship Award | International Students | 2 awards of 1000 |
MS in VLSI in USA Placements
The MS in VLSI in USA graduates are offered great career opportunities at good positions. The average salaries range from 70,000 USD to 160,000 USD. The average salaries of some job roles in this field are mentioned below
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Design Engineer | 115,586 | 95,11,306 |
| Principal Engineer | 160,251 | 1,31,86,686 |
| Electrical Engineer | 73,548 | 60,52,095 |
| Implementation Manager | 82,442 | 67,83,962 |
| Product Development Engineer | 95,313 | 78,43,087 |
| Senior Hardware Design Engineer | 112,413 | 92,50,207 |
| Senior Software Engineer | 126,120 | 1,03,78,124 |

MS in VLSI in USA: Return on Investment
In comparison to the tuition fees for MS in VLSI in USA, the average annual salaries are highly profitable which means the course offers a great return on investment. The ROIs of some universities are mentioned in the table below.
| University | Tuition Fees (USD) | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | 64,698 | 134,276 |
| Purdue University | 14,959 | 87,247 |
| Michigan State University | 29,850 | 110,131 |
| North Carolina State University | 18,603 | 99,347 |
| Michigan Technological University | 26,505 | 107,890 |
| Wright State University | 25,965 | 116,724 |

Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Which university is best for MS in VLSI in USA?
Ans: Some of the top universities in the USA offer courses for MS in VLSI in the USA. The best universities are
- University of Southern California
- Purdue University
- New York University
Ques: Is VLSI a good career in the USA?
Ans: The scope of VLSI in the USA is very high. The graduates with this degree are hired by the top companies in the USA which makes it one of the best courses to study.
Ques: What is the average salary of a VLSI engineer in the USA?
Ans: The average salary of a VLSI engineer in the USA is 120,016 USD according to salary.com
Ques: Can I pursue MS in VLSI in the USA without GRE?
Ans: Some universities such as Illinois Institute of Technology and Purdue University offer MS in VLSI in the USA without GRE or have made it optional.
Ques: Is MS in VLSI in the USA tough?
Ans: Any subject can be tough when you don’t have sufficient knowledge, especially in engineering courses. Therefore, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field can make MS in VLSI in the USA easy.



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