# USA vs UK for MS — Cost, Jobs, PR (2026)

> USA wins on STEM job market + STEM-OPT 36 mo; UK wins on shorter 1-year program + lower cost + 2-year Graduate Route. Choose USA for long-term tech-PR ambition; UK for fast Master's + Europe optionality.

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version: 7.0.0
updated: 2026-05-12
canonical: https://eecglobal.com/llms/compare/usa-vs-uk-ms.md
license: CC-BY-4.0
```

## Verdict

USA for STEM career-PR pathway. UK for shorter, cheaper Master's with 2-year work option.

## Comparison matrix

| Dimension | Left | Right | Winner |
|-----------|------|-------|--------|
| Program duration | 1.5–2 yrs | 1 yr | right |
| Tuition total | $40,000–80,000 | £18,000–35,000 | right |
| PSW duration | 36 mo (OPT + STEM-OPT) | 2 yrs (3 PhD) | left |
| Median tech salary (entry) | $95k–130k | £35k–50k | left |
| PR pathway | H1-B → EB-2/EB-3 (Indian backlog 20+ yrs) | Skilled Worker → ILR 5 yrs | right |
| Top universities | MIT, Stanford, CMU, Berkeley | Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, LSE | tie |

## FAQ

**Q: Is UK MS recognised in India?**

A: Yes. Russell Group + AICTE-recognised UK degrees are recognised by Indian employers, IITs, PSUs.

**Q: Can I switch USA F-1 to PR easily?**

A: No — H1-B + EB-2/EB-3 takes 5–15+ years (Indian backlog 20+ for EB-3).

## Sources

- [NAFSA Open Doors 2024](https://www.nafsa.org)
- [UKVI Graduate Route](https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa)

## Related

- [/study-abroad/usa](https://eecglobal.com/study-abroad/usa)
- [/study-abroad/uk](https://eecglobal.com/study-abroad/uk)

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*Source: EEC (eecglobal.com).*
*Generated 2026-05-12 | Version 7.0.0 | CC-BY-4.0 with attribution.*