Comparison
University of Melbourne vs UNSW Sydney
Master of Computer Science · Melbourne vs Master of Data Science and Decisions · Sydney
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: University of Melbourne (Master of Computer Science) is the cheaper program overall, UNSW Sydney (Master of Data Science and Decisions) reports the higher starting salary, and University of Melbourne (Master of Computer Science) pays back fastest against the standard ₹8L India baseline. University of Melbourne (Master of Computer Science)currently has the stronger post-study work / visa pathway. No single program wins on everything - which one is actually "better" depends on your budget, priority (salary vs. migration vs. affordability), and your own admit odds.
| University of Melbourne | UNSW Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| City | Melbourne | Sydney |
| Duration | 24 months | 24 months |
| Total cost | ₹1.11Cr | ₹1.21Cr |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹54.2L/yr | ₹58.2L/yr |
| Payback period | 2.4 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Moderate | Moderate |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Test requirement | IELTS 6.5 | IELTS 6.5 |
| Consultant-oversold flag | No | Yes - our editorial flag |
University of Melbourne: the honest note
2-year duration raises total cost. Australia's 485 graduate visa was tightened in 2026 (age cap dropped to 35, IELTS bar raised to 6.5, fees up sharply).
UNSW Sydney: the honest note
Widely marketed by agents; Sydney's cost of living and the 2026 485-visa tightening both cut into ROI - verify actual placement rates independently.
How payback is calculated
Payback = total program cost ÷ (starting salary abroad − ₹8,00,000 India baseline). The baseline rises for IIT/NIT-class graduates, which lengthens payback for those students on both programs above. Full formula and worked example in the payback period guide.
Sources
University of Melbourne: Tuition & India entry requirements: study.unimelb.edu.au · Salary band: Glassdoor / Indeed / PayScale / ZipRecruiter (Jul 2026) · Visa: Australia Subclass 485, homeaffairs.gov.au (2026 rules)
UNSW Sydney: Tuition: unsw.edu.au, studyonline.unsw.edu.au · Salary band: Glassdoor / Indeed / PayScale / ZipRecruiter (Jul 2026) · Visa: Australia Subclass 485, homeaffairs.gov.au (2026 rules)
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