Master of Science [MS] (Information Systems)
Field of Study:
Course Offered by:
$31,087 /Yr
University of Maryland MS Information Systems is a graduate degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It requires 30 credits in 3 semesters through full-time, in-person study at College Park. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree equivalent, Statistics with a B or higher and English proficiency. They also need a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score unless a waiver applies. For Fall 2027, tuition is unpublished; the 2026-27 rate was US$2,072.50 per credit (INR 2.00 Lakhs). A prior-cycle planning illustration totals US$99,226.50 (INR 95.79 Lakhs).
The curriculum connects artificial intelligence, data processing, databases, digital transformation, project management and a credit-bearing industry practicum. It suits applicants who want business-technology leadership rather than a thesis because the degree is non-thesis and uses applied work. Students without Python, statistics or business preparation should complete the listed pre-skills before arrival, which is the main preparation tradeoff.
- Three semesters include an industry seminar and a 3-credit industry practicum.
- The curriculum uses Python, R, SQL, Tableau and cloud tools alongside business strategy.
- The programme is STEM-eligible, subject to the official degree classification and immigration rules.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Not Yet Open. International student deadline: 12 March 2027.
Fall 2027 dates are announced, while the admissions page still identifies Fall 2026 as the open cycle. The programme-specific table lists 12 March 2027, while a separate generic note says 15 March, so Indian applicants should follow the portal’s displayed cutoff after checking the admissions page.
Exchange Rate: All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 96.5372 as of 16 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
Also Check: University of Maryland MS admission
Maryland MS Information Systems Fees and Living Costs 2027
Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished on the checked official fee page. The table therefore labels 2026-27 rates as prior-cycle planning references and shows the current application fee separately.
University of Maryland (UMD) bills master’s tuition per credit, while College Park fees depend on credits taken each semester. The published 30-credit plan uses 13, 10 and 7 credits across three semesters, so the College Park fee tier changes in the final semester.
| Fee item | Basis | Amount (USD) | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International tuition rate, 2026-27 prior-cycle reference | Per credit | US$2,072.50 | INR 2.00 Lakhs |
| Calculated 30-credit tuition, 2026-27 prior-cycle reference | US$2,072.50 x 30 credits | US$62,175 | INR 60.02 Lakhs |
| Current listed application fee | Per application | US$75 | INR 7,240 |
| Smith Masters Student Association fee | Fall and Spring semesters | US$90 per semester | INR 8,688 per semester |
| College Park mandatory fee | 8 or fewer credits; 9 or more credits | US$382.50; US$738 | INR 36,925; INR 71,244 |
| International student fee | Per semester | US$125 | INR 12,067 |
Source: UMD Smith 2026-2027 Business Master’s tuition and fees page.
- Confirm the Fall 2027 rate before accepting an offer because UMD states that tuition and fees can change.
- The 30-credit tuition calculation is a prior-cycle reference, not a confirmed 2027-28 bill.
- The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is billed after registration, but its premium is not published on the checked fee page.
Cost of Living in College Park for MS Information Systems Students
The official 2026-27 graduate budget estimates annual indirect costs at US$22,982 (INR 22.19 Lakhs). It combines housing and food, personal expenses, books and supplies and transportation, so it is not a rent-only figure.
Monthly figures below divide each official annual estimate by 12. Use the annual total for funding evidence, then adjust monthly cash planning after confirming housing and insurance choices.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) | Annual (USD) | Annual (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing and food off-campus | US$1,477.00 | INR 1.43 Lakhs | US$17,724 | INR 17.11 Lakhs |
| Personal expenses | US$100.00 | INR 9,654 | US$1,200 | INR 1.16 Lakhs |
| Books and supplies | US$83.33 | INR 8,045 | US$1,000 | INR 96,537 |
| Transportation | US$254.83 | INR 24,601 | US$3,058 | INR 2.95 Lakhs |
| Official indirect-cost total | US$1,915.17 | INR 1.85 Lakhs | US$22,982 | INR 22.19 Lakhs |
Using the prior-cycle rates only, the three-semester planning illustration is US$99,226.50 (INR 95.79 Lakhs). Arithmetic starts with US$62,175 (INR 60.02 Lakhs) tuition and US$270 (INR 26,065) Smith Masters Student Association (SMSA) fees. It adds US$1,858.50 (INR 1.79 Lakhs) in College Park fees.
It adds US$375 (INR 36,201) international fees, US$75 (INR 7,240) application fee and US$34,473 (INR 33.28 Lakhs) for 18 months of living costs. This is not a confirmed Fall 2027 total because 2027-28 rates and SHIP remain unpublished.
Verify the target fee on the official fee page before fixing a loan amount.
Check Out: United States cost of living guidance
Budget action
Use the official annual estimate for proof of funds, but keep the three-semester illustration provisional until UMD publishes the 2027-28 bill and SHIP premium.
Key insight: The prior-cycle three-semester illustration reaches INR 95.79 Lakhs before any SHIP change. Secure a funding buffer and recheck every fee before accepting the offer.
Maryland MS Information Systems Admission 2027
University of Maryland reviews MS Information Systems applications holistically, but the file must prove degree equivalence, Statistics preparation, English proficiency and readiness for applied technology work. The programme does not publish a fixed minimum admission grade point average (GPA), while its current page displays an average GPA of 3.5 without identifying a cohort.
The programme is now presented as MS in Information Systems & AI, but the admissions page still uses MS Information Systems in its test-code list. This naming transition matters because the curriculum and career evidence now include artificial intelligence, while the supplied course identity remains Information Systems.
Academic Eligibility and Test Policy
The table separates required components from waiver conditions and a displayed benchmark. A benchmark can help Indian applicants audit readiness, but it is not a published cutoff or an admission guarantee.
| Criterion | Official requirement or benchmark | Action for Indian applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | Degree equivalent to a United States bachelor’s degree | Upload every transcript and the degree certificate when the award is not shown on the transcript. |
| Statistics prerequisite | Statistics with a grade of B or higher, approximately 70% to 79% or CGPA 7.0 to 7.9 on 10 as an approximate Indian comparison | Mark the course title and grade clearly, then add stronger quantitative coursework in the résumé. |
| GMAT or GRE | Required for Information Systems unless the published waiver conditions apply | Submit the transcript and résumé for automatic waiver review before booking a test. |
| GMAT or GRE waiver | GPA 3.2 on 4.0, approximately CGPA 8.0 on 10 or 80%, in a quantitative degree, or 24 months of relevant post-undergraduate work | Use the exact degree and employment evidence because a general GPA or unrelated work history may not meet the route. |
| Application file | Essay, current résumé, one recommendation letter and official transcripts | Connect data work, systems projects and a business-technology objective to the applied curriculum. |
| Displayed programme benchmark | Average GPA 3.5 on 4.0, approximately 85% to 90% or CGPA 8.5 to 9.0 on 10; cohort not identified | Use it as a readiness signal, not as a required score. |
Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may submit an optional essay explaining the context. Because the waiver is automatic only after the transcript and résumé are submitted, an applicant should not assume that a high GPA removes the testing requirement before the checklist changes.
English Language Proficiency
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures English ability through separate reading, listening, speaking and writing scores. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) are also accepted routes for full enrollment.
UMD’s current policy keeps separate TOEFL scales for tests taken before and after 21 January 2026. Indian applicants must submit the scale printed for their test date rather than convert one version into the other.
| Test | Full-enrolment score | Indian-applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT taken 20 January 2026 or earlier | Total 96; Reading 26; Listening 24; Speaking 22; Writing 24 on the 0 to 120 scale | Use the older score scale and check that every component reaches its floor. |
| TOEFL iBT taken 21 January 2026 or later | Overall 5; Reading 5; Listening 5; Speaking 4.5; Writing 5 on the 1.0 to 6.0 scale | Report the new scale exactly because UMD does not publish a self-conversion. |
| IELTS Academic | Overall 7; Reading 7; Listening 7; Speaking 6.5; Writing 7 | Prepare for the sectional floors because an overall 7 alone is insufficient. |
| PTE Academic | Total 68 and Writing 68 | Send the official score through the Pearson account before the checklist deadline. |
UMD accepts score reports from approved online formats and may superscore the same test type. A degree from India is not included in the listed English-speaking-country exemption, so an English-medium transcript alone does not establish a waiver.
- Choose IELTS when you can prepare for 7 in Reading, Listening and Writing plus 6.5 in Speaking.
- Use the new TOEFL scale only with its published component floors because cross-version conversion can misstate eligibility.
- Resolve the Statistics grade and waiver route before the October round because both affect application completeness.
Tip for Indian students: A credible file needs a visible Statistics prerequisite, a valid English route and either an approved waiver or official test score. Treat the waiver as pending until the application checklist confirms it.
Maryland MS Information Systems Application 2027
The Fall 2027 application schedule is published with six listed stages for the in-person business master’s programmes. The earliest date is 15 October 2026, while the international final date is 12 March 2027.
The current programme admissions page lists Fall 2027 rounds but no Spring or Summer 2027 round. It also states that complete applications can receive a decision within four weeks, although no fixed decision date is published for each stage.
Deadline timezone: UMD publishes the dates without a clock time or timezone. Indian applicants cannot calculate a reliable Indian Standard Time (IST) cutoff from the page, so submit before the displayed date and treat the portal cutoff as controlling.
| Fall 2027 stage | Published date | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| First listed round | 15 October 2026 | Use this round when the transcript, score plan, recommendation and essay are ready. |
| Second listed round | 15 November 2026 | Use the additional month to finish testing or transcript translation. |
| International priority deadline | 15 January 2027 | Target this date when the October or November file is not complete. |
| Domestic priority deadline | 15 February 2027 | Do not use this domestic date as the international application cutoff. |
| International final deadline | 12 March 2027 | Submit by this programme-specific date for international processing. |
| Final listed stage | 1 April 2027 | Apply only after confirming that the portal accepts complete international files. |
The admissions page contains a separate generic note that says international applicants must submit by 15 March. The Fall 2027 table is more specific and lists 12 March, so verify the date shown in the application portal before submission.
Application Components and Sequence
Submit the transcript and résumé early because Information Systems applicants receive automatic GMAT or GRE waiver review after the file is submitted. If the waiver is not approved, the application remains incomplete until official scores arrive.
The application fee is US$75 (INR 7,240). Admitted students also submit two seat deposits of US$1,000 (INR 96,537) each, with the first due four weeks after the decision and the second due eight weeks later.
| Component | UMD requirement | Preparation for an Indian applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Explain qualifications and interest in the programme | Connect Statistics, systems work and a business-technology objective to the curriculum. |
| Résumé | Current professional résumé | Quantify analytics, databases, cloud, project or technology-management work. |
| Recommendation | One letter | Choose a recommender who can verify analytical discipline and collaboration. |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from every college or university attended | Upload original records with certified English translations when required. |
| GMAT or GRE | Required unless the Information Systems waiver is approved | Request automatic review with the transcript and résumé before scheduling a test. |
Note:
- Choose 15 October 2026 when the file and funding evidence are already complete.
- Use 15 January 2027 as the international priority date when testing or translation needs more time.
- Keep the first deposit available because the payment schedule begins after admission rather than at enrolment.
Application tip: The January priority date gives Indian applicants a clear middle path between the October round and the March final deadline. Use it only with a complete waiver or test plan.
Read More: University of Maryland College Park profile
Maryland MS Information Systems Scholarships 2027
Target-cycle Smith funding is not published as a guaranteed award for this programme. Indian applicants should treat the full target-cycle cost as the baseline until an award is confirmed in writing. The University of Maryland Graduate School says master’s students may be eligible for selected awards, but departments and programmes control nominations.
Several named routes can reduce a later research, conference or living expense, although they do not replace the unpublished 2027-28 tuition decision. Their conditions matter because most require enrolment, faculty nomination, a presentation or a separate identity requirement.
Named Funding Routes
The table lists current published awards with their applicant conditions and timing. Amounts are maximum or stated award values, not guaranteed funding for every MS Information Systems applicant.
| Award | Value (USD) | Value (INR) | Eligibility and route | Published timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Graduate Research Fellowship | Up to US$7,500 | Up to INR 7.24 Lakhs | Exceptional master’s cases with faculty, programme and host nominations for one to three months of research abroad; support cannot cover tuition or health insurance. | Rolling, at least 30 days before travel |
| Phi Delta Gamma Graduate Fellowship | US$1,000 | INR 96,537 | Any stage of graduate study, with an interdisciplinary scholarship proposal and programme nomination; membership is not required. | Deadline to be announced |
| Graduate School international conference travel grant | Up to US$500 | Up to INR 48,269 | Enrolled UMD students presenting a paper or poster at an international conference outside the United States. | Registration reimbursement route |
| AAUW International Fellowship | US$20,000 | INR 19.31 Lakhs | Non-US women pursuing a first master’s degree in an eligible field, with a minimum GPA 3.5 on 4.0 and full-time study; official AAUW conditions control eligibility. | 17 August to 17 September 2026 for the cycle supporting study beginning by 15 September 2027 |
UMD’s internal awards do not state a target Fall 2027 deadline on the checked pages. Ask the programme about nomination timing after admission rather than assume that an award is available before enrolment. The AAUW route is more defined but requires the separate first-master’s, women and GPA conditions.
- Use the US$20,000 (INR 19.31 Lakhs) AAUW route only when the first-master’s, women, field and GPA conditions match.
- Do not subtract the US$7,500 (INR 7.24 Lakhs) fellowship maximum from tuition because it excludes tuition and health insurance.
- Ask about nomination windows before relying on the US$1,000 (INR 96,537) fellowship or conference reimbursement.
Scholarship reality: The named awards mainly support research, travel or a qualifying external profile, while target tuition remains unpublished. Build the funding plan without assumed aid and treat each later award as upside.
Check Out: US scholarships for international students
Maryland MS Information Systems Salary 2027
The prior-cycle three-semester planning illustration is US$99,226.50 (INR 95.79 Lakhs), but the 2027-28 tuition remains unpublished. The programme is career-oriented, so the salary evidence below helps test the financial case without treating a market benchmark as a graduate outcome.
The programme page reports a US$77,000 (INR 74.33 Lakhs) average starting salary for 2024 graduates, but only 30% reported salaries to the Office of Career Services (OCS). Because the reporting group is limited, use the figure as a course-cohort indicator rather than a guaranteed result for every student.
| Evidence scope | Measure | Salary (USD) | Salary (INR) | How to use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course-cohort outcome, 2024 graduates | Average starting salary; 30% reported salaries | US$77,000 | INR 74.33 Lakhs | Use as a limited reported outcome, not a placement promise. |
| UMD-published industry figure, cohort not identified | Information technology | US$102,000 | INR 98.47 Lakhs | Use as industry context because the page does not identify it as a course-wide graduate average. |
| UMD-published industry figure, cohort not identified | Biotech, pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical | US$97,000 | INR 93.64 Lakhs | Use only when your target roles and sector match the published category. |
| UMD-published industry figure, cohort not identified | Financial services, banking and accounting | US$91,000 | INR 87.85 Lakhs | Use as a sector benchmark rather than an MS Information Systems placement result. |
Source: University of Maryland Smith programme career page; salary figures are shown with the scope published on that page.
The current page lists employers including Amazon, Deloitte, Google, IBM and Salesforce as reported employer destinations, but it does not state that they recruit every cohort or guarantee sponsorship. It also cites 17% average annual job growth for US computer and information systems managers from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections for 2021 to 2031. That figure is a US market benchmark, not a programme outcome.
Salary figures are gross amounts, so take-home pay changes with federal, state, local, benefit and filing choices. Use a current US tax calculator for a personal net-pay estimate, then model repayment against the exact 2027-28 bill rather than the prior-cycle illustration.
ROI for Maryland MS Information Systems
The financial case is strongest for an applicant who can use the applied curriculum, secure a relevant US role and tolerate funding uncertainty. The following decisions keep the ROI analysis evidence-led while avoiding a payback forecast from incomplete cohort data.
- The prior-cycle planning total is US$99,226.50 (INR 95.79 Lakhs), so verify the 2027-28 tuition and mandatory-fee bill before accepting a loan.
- Only 30% of 2024 graduates reported salaries, so model repayment below the US$77,000 (INR 74.33 Lakhs) reported average instead of assuming it applies to the full cohort.
- Confirm the degree’s Classification of Instructional Programs code and Designated School Official recommendation before relying on the optional 24-month extension.
- The named internal awards are conditional and mainly post-enrolment, so do not subtract them from the funding need until a written award or nomination is secured.
- The reported salaries describe US employment evidence, so compare the gross-pay case with an India-return repayment plan before choosing a dollar-denominated loan.
ROI reality: The reported salary signal is useful but narrow because only 30% of the 2024 cohort reported salaries and the higher sector figures are benchmarks. Verify the target bill, fund the gap without assumed aid and test repayment using conservative gross pay.
US Visa for Maryland MS Information Systems Students 2027
The F-1 (academic student visa) route requires Form I-20 and two fees. The visa fee is US$185 (INR 17,859), while the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee is US$350 (INR 33,788). This visa permits full-time study, while the programme’s STEM classification can affect post-study work subject to the degree code and immigration conditions.
- Standard Optional Practical Training provides up to 12 months, with a possible 24-month extension for a qualifying STEM degree.
- Confirm the degree’s Classification of Instructional Programs code and Designated School Official recommendation before relying on a 36-month work window.
- The H-1B specialty-occupation route requires employer sponsorship and a required wage at least equal to the higher of the actual or prevailing wage, with selection and policy risks.
- F-2 status covers a spouse and unmarried minor children but does not authorize employment, while employer-sponsored permanent residence has no fixed timeline.
Visa reality: The degree can support a longer work window only when its STEM code and later immigration conditions qualify. Budget the US$535 (INR 51,647) in listed visa and SEVIS fees separately and treat sponsorship as a future employer decision.
Read More: US F-1 and J-1 student visa requirements
Maryland MS Information Systems Ranking 2027
The current programme page reports #7 in Management Information Systems among public universities in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 ranking. This is a subject ranking connected to the programme, not an overall University of Maryland rank or a placement result.
The same page does not publish the previous position, so the table records only the verified edition and scope. Use the ranking as context for academic visibility, while the curriculum, cost and limited salary reporting remain the stronger decision evidence.
| Ranking edition | Position | Subject | Institution scope | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | #7 | Management Information Systems | Public universities | U.S. News & World Report |
Key insight: The #7 subject position supports the programme’s academic visibility, but it cannot resolve the unpublished target tuition or narrow salary reporting. Pair it with the curriculum and funding evidence before applying.
Check Out: University of Maryland rankings
University of Maryland MS Information Systems fits an Indian applicant who wants a full-time business-technology degree with artificial intelligence, data and applied project work. The non-thesis structure and industry practicum suit applicants who can show quantitative preparation and want an employment-oriented curriculum. The main tradeoff is financial uncertainty because Fall 2027 tuition and target-cycle programme funding are not published, while salary reporting covers only a minority of 2024 graduates. The next action is to resolve the Statistics and testing route, verify the 12 March 2027 international date in the portal and build funding without assumed awards.
Maryland MS Information Systems FAQs
Ques. Is University of Maryland MS Information Systems a good fit for an Indian applicant from a technical background?
Ans. It is a fit when you want business-technology application rather than a thesis and can show Statistics, systems or data preparation. The industry practicum and applied curriculum make project evidence more useful than a purely theoretical statement of purpose.
Ques. What should an Indian applicant budget while Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished?
Ans. Use the prior-cycle planning illustration of US$99,226.50 (INR 95.79 Lakhs) as a labelled reference only. Add 2027-28 tuition and fee changes after official publication, keeping living costs separate from tuition.
Ques. Can I apply to this programme without submitting GMAT or GRE scores?
Ans. The programme may waive testing after reviewing a transcript and résumé when the published quantitative-degree GPA route or 24 months of relevant post-undergraduate work applies. Keep preparing a test option until the automatic waiver review changes the application checklist.
Ques. Which Fall 2027 deadline should international applicants follow?
Ans. The specific Fall 2027 schedule lists 12 March 2027 as the international final deadline, while a separate generic note says 15 March. Because the programme page contains that conflict, verify the date and portal cutoff before submitting.
Ques. Does the degree support US employment after graduation?
Ans. The programme is identified as STEM eligible and may support standard Optional Practical Training plus a possible extension when the degree code and immigration conditions qualify. Employment evidence is limited, so treat the reported salary and later sponsorship route as planning inputs rather than assured outcomes.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $31087 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Living Expenses | $18000 |
| Books and supply | $3000 |
Per Credit Cost: $2,072.50
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $19103 |
| 2023 | $27075 |
| 2021 | $31676 |
Important Dates
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Priority Application Deadline For 2026 Intake | |
| Final Application Deadline For 2026 Intake | |
Reviews
24 Reviews Found
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- My coursework was a perfect blend of technical and non-technical subjects, providing students options with various fields to choose their careers in including project management, Business Analysis, product management, Data analysis, Data engineering and even SDE.
I chose this university as this university is a public Ivy League school and is well reputed, plus the course it offered was among the top 10 schools in the USA. As stated earlier the program was a perfect blend of technical and non-technical subjects, something that I was looking for.
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Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$ 10,000/Yr$10,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 2,000/Yr$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored | |
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| R&D Systems Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,500/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 5,000/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 3,500/Yr$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
Similar Programs
| Program | Important Date | Total Fees | Median Exams Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
-- | USD 50,880 /Yr |
| ||
Application Deadline for Fall 2027 Intake (15th Dec 2026) | USD 25,732 /Yr |
|
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