36 programs covered in Australia
Best ROI MS Computer Science / Data Science Programs in Australia (2026)
Ranked by estimated payback period - total cost divided by salary gain versus India - not by QS rank or brand name. These are tiered estimates from our Australia coverage list, not independently verified per school; verify tuition and salary bands before deciding. For fully sourced, per-profile matches (with admit odds and visa risk flags), run the free assessment.
Fastest payback in Australia
Lowest total-cost-to-salary-gain ratio - the quickest a degree here pays for itself against an India baseline salary.
| # | University | QS rank | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of New England- Armidale | QS #1001-1200 | 1.1 yrs |
| 2 | University of Notre Dame Australia- Sydney | QS #1201-1400 | 1.1 yrs |
| 3 | Murdoch University- Perth | QS #=423 | 1.2 yrs |
| 4 | James Cook University- Townsville | QS #=440 | 1.2 yrs |
| 5 | Edith Cowan University- Perth | QS #=487 | 1.2 yrs |
| 6 | University of Canberra- Canberra | QS #=494 | 1.2 yrs |
| 7 | Central Queensland University (CQUniversity)- Rockhampton | QS #=499 | 1.2 yrs |
| 8 | Bond University- Gold Coast | QS #=591 | 1.2 yrs |
| 9 | Southern Cross University- Lismore | QS #=638 | 1.2 yrs |
| 10 | Victoria University- Melbourne | QS #741-750 | 1.2 yrs |
Cheapest total cost in Australia
Tuition plus living costs for the full program, converted to rupees.
| # | University | QS rank | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of New England- Armidale | QS #1001-1200 | Rs 52.4L |
| 2 | Australian Catholic University- Melbourne | QS #851-900 | Rs 55.1L |
| 3 | Charles Sturt University- Bathurst | QS #951-1000 | Rs 55.4L |
| 4 | University of Notre Dame Australia- Sydney | QS #1201-1400 | Rs 56.5L |
| 5 | University of Canberra- Canberra | QS #=494 | Rs 57.8L |
| 6 | Bond University- Gold Coast | QS #=591 | Rs 61.4L |
| 7 | Edith Cowan University- Perth | QS #=487 | Rs 62.0L |
| 8 | Western Sydney University- Parramatta | QS #400 | Rs 62.6L |
| 9 | Southern Cross University- Lismore | QS #=638 | Rs 63.4L |
| 10 | Victoria University- Melbourne | QS #741-750 | Rs 63.5L |
Highest average salary in Australia
Broad market salary band for the role and city - not a per-university placement figure.
| # | University | QS rank | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Melbourne- Melbourne | QS #19 | Rs 66.1L/yr |
| 2 | University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)- Sydney | QS #20 | Rs 66.1L/yr |
| 3 | The University of Sydney- Sydney | QS #25 | Rs 66.1L/yr |
| 4 | The Australian National University- Canberra | QS #32 | Rs 62.8L/yr |
| 5 | Monash University- Melbourne | QS #36 | Rs 62.8L/yr |
| 6 | The University of Queensland- Brisbane | QS #42 | Rs 62.8L/yr |
| 7 | University of Technology Sydney- Sydney | QS #96 | Rs 60.8L/yr |
| 8 | The University of Western Australia- Perth | QS #77 | Rs 59.5L/yr |
| 9 | Adelaide University- Adelaide | QS #82 | Rs 58.2L/yr |
| 10 | RMIT University- Melbourne | QS #125 | Rs 58.2L/yr |
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