MS in UI/UX Design in the USA: Universities, Admissions, Costs
Are you a student who has a keen interest in design and wants to pursue it as a career by studying abroad? The USA is among the best places to pursue an MS in UI/UX Design. The US has many top international universities that help students pursue UI/UX design courses.
An MS in design in the USA offers different programs, such as Fashion design, graphics, illustration, and architecture. To get admission to the top colleges, you must have a good portfolio showcasing your work and past work.
In this blog, Shuraa Education will help you learn more about the MS in UI/UX Design in the USA, what documents are needed, what scholarships you can get, and more. Continue to read.
Why do students choose a Master’s in UI UX design in the USA?
Students choose a master’s in UI UX design in the USA because it’s an interesting course to pursue. Many students who are good at creativity choose to take this course. The focus of this course is to create interaction between customers and products. Whenever you use any online application on your phones you get to see different set of backgrounds of the application, that work is done by a UX UI designer.
A Master’s in UI and UX helps to create appealing products for customers as per their needs. You need some technical skill sets to create a precise design and you should differently be creative in this field. Creativity is the key for this course as it’s the primary reason many students go and choose this degree.
UX UI design is a very competitive field. It gives many opportunities for students to enhance their career growth, specialisation, creativity, and freelancing helps one to choose this master’s degree.
Top universities for UI/UX design in the USA
The following are some of the best universities for UI/UX design in the USA:
| S.NO | University Name | QS World Ranking | City |
| 1. | Cornell University | 21 | Ithaca |
| 2. | The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | 23 | Ann Arbor |
| 3. | Northeastern University – Boston | 342 | Boston |
| 4. | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Between 751 and 800 | Worcester |
| 5. | George Washington University | 355 | Ashburn |
| 6. | The University of Delaware | Between 531 and 540 | Newark |
| 8. | Temple University | Between 751 and 800 | Philadelphia |
| 9. | Arizona State University | 216 | Tempe |
| 10. | DePaul University | NA | Chicago |
| 11. | Kent State University | Between 1001 and 1200 | Kent |
Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Design in the USA for International Students
Most universities in the USA have the following eligibility criteria for international students applying for a Master’s in Design:
- Educational Qualifications: A BA, BFA, or BS degree from an accredited institution
- Professional Experience: At least 2–5 years of prior professional experience
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR): Two academic and one professional LOR
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): A 500-750 word SOP
- Transcripts: Official or certified copies of transcripts
- Submit your Resume or CV: An updated resume or CV
- Portfolio: A portfolio showcasing relevant work
- Personal Interview: You can be asked to give a personal interview
- Passport: A valid passport
- Visa: A US student visa
- English Proficiency: Proof of English proficiency, which can be demonstrated through:
- IELTS: Overall score between 6.5 and 8
- TOEFL iBT: Overall score between 79 and 100
How to Apply for a Master’s in UI/UX Design in the USA
If you want to study for a Master’s in UI/UX Design in the USA, below are the steps to help you understand the process.
Step 1: Get the Required Documents
- Bachelor’s degree
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- GRE scorecard (if required)
- You should submit your English language proficiency test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
- Portfolio
Step 2: Apply Online
The second step is to Visit the website of your selected university and select the course page. Now Click on the “Apply Now” option. After clicking, fill out the application form with your academic and personal credentials.
Step 3: Follow the University Procedures
The third step is to Follow the subsequent steps on the university’s website to proceed with your application.
Step 4: Submit Documents and Pay Fees
After following the University Procedures, submit all required documents and pay the application fee per the university’s guidelines.
Step 5: Apply for a Student Visa
The second last step is, if you receive an offer letter, apply for an F1, M1, or J1 Student Visa based on your course type. Then, prepare yourself t o go to the USA.
Step 6: Finalise Enrollment
The last step is the final enrollment, where you Complete any additional steps required by the university to finalise your enrollment.
UI/UX admission requirements in the USA
Below are the UI/UX admission requirements in the USA:
| University | Bachelor’s Degree Requirements | English Language Requirements |
| Parsons School of Design at the New School | Bachelor’s degree in arts or design with 5+ years of professional experience | IELTS: 7 (with at least 6.5 in each band) | TOEFL: 92 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | 4-year bachelor’s degree with a 3.0+ GPA from a recognised university | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 93 |
| School of Art Institute of Chicago | 4-year bachelor’s degree from a recognised university | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 85 (at least 21 in each section) |
| Pratt Institute | 3-year bachelor’s degree from a recognised university | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 79 |
| Art Center of Design | Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Design from a recognised university | IELTS: 7.5 (with at least 7 in each band) | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section) |
| Stanford University | BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution with at least 3 years of professional experience | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section) |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Bachelor’s degree in arts or design from a recognised university with at least 2 years of professional experience | IELTS: 7.5 (with at least 7 in each band) | TOEFL: 102 (at least 25 in each section) |
| California Institute of Arts | BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution | 3-year bachelor’s degree from India with grade A | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 80 |
| School of Visual Arts | Bachelor’s degree in arts or design from a recognised university | IELTS: 8 (with at least 7.5 in each band) | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section) |
| Columbia University | First bachelor’s degree, B.Arch., or March from a recognised university with at least 5 years of professional experience | IELTS: 7 (with at least 6.5 in each band) | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section) |
Tuition Fees for a Master’s in UI/UX Design in the USA
The tuition fees for a Master’s in UI/UX design in the USA depend on the level and the course prerequisites. The estimated tuition cost can range between ₹ $9,70,000 and ₹ $44,00,000, or $12,507 to $56,734 USD.
| University | Program | Application Deadlines | Tuition Fee per year (USD) |
| Parsons School of Design at the New School | MFA: Design and Technology | MFA: Fashion Design and Society | MPS: Fashion Management | 5 Jan 2024 | $59,460 (INR 53,83,589) |
| Rhode Island School of Design | MFA: Graphic Design | MID: Industrial Design | November 1 2024 | $61,564 (INR 55,74,088) |
| School of Art Institute of Chicago | MFA in Studio: Design for Emerging Technologies | 10 Jan 2024 | $57,780 (INR 52,31,479) |
| Pratt Institute | MFA: Interior Design | 5 Jan 2024
April 5, 2024 |
$51240 (INR 46,39,339) |
| Art Center of Design | MFA: Graphic Design | Media Design Practice | Transportation Systems and Design | Fall term – November 15, 2024
Spring term – October 1, 2024 |
$56,104 INR 50,78,732 |
| Stanford University | MFA in Design | 1 Dec 2023 | 58,746 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | MA in Design | 15 Jan 2024 | $45,000 INR 40,74,361 |
| California Institute of Arts | MFA: Design | MDes: Interaction Design | 5 Jan 2024 | $58,318 INR 52,80,191 |
| School of Visual Arts | MFA: Design | MFA: Design for Social Innovation | MA: Design Research, Writing, and Criticism | 15 Jan 2024 | $57,370 INR 51,99,225 |
UI/UX master’s degree USA: Scholarships
Many talented students willing to pursue a UI/UX master’s degree in the USA somehow can’t afford the college fees. For that, many universities provide scholarships to such talented students. Some of the best and top scholarships in the USA are as follows:
| Scholarship | University | Eligibility | Award |
| Pratt Restricted Awards and Scholarship | Pratt Institute | Full-time students with academic excellence have financial needs | USD 100 to 1,000 |
| Teknik Student Loans | Carnegie Mellon University | Individuals with at least a 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA having a financial need | USD 2,500 t 5,000 |
| Visionary Practice Scholarship | California Institute of Arts | US graduate applicants who have completed FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADA) | Up to USD 26,000 per year |
| SVA Matching Outside Scholarship | School of Visual Arts | Full-time students with academic excellence have financial needs | Up to 2,500 per year |
| Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships | US Government | Citizen of a country with Rotary clubs | 2 years of college course work or equivalent | Up to 25,000 USD |
| Fulbright Scholarships for Indians | US Government | Indian citizen | Academic excellence | English proficiency | Monthly stipend, Tuition, and cost of attendance coverage |
| Inlaks Scholarship | US Government | Indian citizen | Minimum 65-75% marks | 100,000 USD |
| AAUW International Fellowship | US Government | Non-US-based women pursuing master’s and doctoral programs in the USA | 20,000-50,000 USD |
| JN Tata Endowment Fund (loan) | US Government | Indian citizens | Bachelor’s degree | Minimum 60% marks | 1,00,000-10,00,000INR |
Cost of Living in the USA
An MS in UI/UX Design in the USA is the top choice of course for students. Below are the costs of living mentioned for studying in the USA.
| Expense Type | Cost Per Month (USD) | Monthly Cost Equivalent (INR) |
| On-campus Accommodation | 2,450 to 2,775 | 1.99 to 2.26 Lakhs |
| Books and stationery | 500 to 1,000 | 40,600 to 81,300 |
| Food | 2,500 | 2 Lakhs |
| Clothes | 500 | 40,600 |
| Public Transport | 500 to 1,200 | 40,600 to 97,600 |
| Miscellaneous | 2,000 | 1.63 Lakhs |
MS in UI/UX Design in the USA- Salary
Once you finish your MS in UI/UX Design in the USA, you can get a high-paying job in the USA. Students can earn up to USD 57,200 to USD 135,250 in Indian rupees, INR 46.7 Lakhs to INR 1.1 Crore. Below are the job roles with their salaries mentioned:
| Job Title | Average Salary (USD) | Average Salary (INR) |
| Graphic Designer | 51,840 | 43 lakhs |
| Creative Director | 96,532 | 80 lakhs |
| Art Director | 79,697 | 66 lakhs |
| Visual Designer | 84,889 | 70 lakhs |
| UX Designer | 69,281 | 57 lakhs |
| User Experience Researcher | 102,318 | 85 lakhs |
| Instructional Designer | 66,537 | 55 lakhs |
| Technical Project Manager | 110,918 | 92 lakhs |
| Product Design Engineer | 75,849 | 63 lakhs |
| Landscape Designer | 60,792 | 50 lakhs |
Top Recruiters in the USA
Below is the list of top recruiters in the USA:
- SimpliSafe
- Meta
- Bedrock Data
- Thyssenkrupp Materials NA Inc
- TPR Education LLC
- ResMan
- PRI
- Ansira
- Gearbox Software
- Course Hero
MS in UI/UX Design in the USA Without a GRE
On an average 290 GRE score is required to get admission in the universities, but some universities might provide a GRE waver for the students. Below are many universities which offer MS in UI/UX Design in the USA Without a GRE:
| UI/UX universities in the USA without a GRE | MS in UI/UX in the USA without a GRE |
| Northeastern University, Boston | MFA in Experience Design |
| Northeastern University, Boston | MFA in Information Design and Visualization |
| Northeastern University, Boston | MS in Experience Design |
| University of Delaware | MA in Interaction Design |
| Temple University | MFA in Graphic and Interactive Design |
| Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia University) | MS in User Experience & Interaction Design |
Study with Shuraa Education
We hope this blog on pursuing an MS in UI/UX Design in the USA was informative, covering key aspects like documentation, steps, and potential salary after graduation. If you still have questions or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Shuraa Overseas Education experts. We’re here to assist you every step of the way.
Let's Talk.
Please leave your details and we will contact you shortly!
Categories
Trending Post
Latest Post
GRE Exam: Registration, Dates & Centres, Fees
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is an important test for anyone planning to pursue graduate or business school, especially in the United States. It’s used by many universities to assess a student’s skills in areas like reading, math, and writing. A good GRE score can help strengthen your application and improve your chances of getting […]
Read More
Study in Luxembourg: A Guide for Indian Students
Luxembourg, though a small country in Europe, is quickly becoming a popular destination for international students, including those from India. Known for its high standard of living, top-notch education, and central location in Europe, it offers a perfect blend of quality education and rich cultural experiences. One of the biggest draws for Indian students is […]
Read More
Top 10 Engineering School/University in Europe
Europe is home to some of the Top 10 Engineering Schools/Universities, celebrated worldwide for their commitment to pioneering research, diverse programs, and global impact. These prestigious institutions serve as hubs of academic excellence and play a crucial role in advancing technology and innovation across multiple disciplines, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable energy. Let’s look […]
Read More
