Comparison
University of Toronto vs UNSW Sydney
MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science) · Toronto, ON vs Master of Data Science and Decisions · Sydney
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: University of Toronto (MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science)) is the cheaper program overall, University of Toronto (MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science)) reports the higher starting salary, and University of Toronto (MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science)) pays back fastest against the standard ₹8L India baseline. University of Toronto (MS in Applied Computing (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 Toronto | UNSW Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Canada | Australia |
| City | Toronto, ON | Sydney |
| Duration | 16 months | 24 months |
| Total cost | ₹50.5L | ₹1.21Cr |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹63.9L/yr | ₹58.2L/yr |
| Payback period | 0.9 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Strong | Moderate |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Test requirement | TOEFL 93+ (no section below 22) | IELTS 6.5 |
| Consultant-oversold flag | No | Yes - our editorial flag |
University of Toronto: the honest note
16-month industry-oriented program with a corporate-partner internship. PGWP of up to 3 years for eligible master's grads.
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 Toronto: Tuition & requirements: mscac.utoronto.ca · Salary band: Glassdoor / Indeed / PayScale / ZipRecruiter (Jul 2026) · Visa: IRCC Post-Graduation Work Permit policy, canada.ca
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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