Comparison
RWTH Aachen University vs UNSW Sydney
MSc Data Science · Aachen vs Master of Data Science and Decisions · Sydney
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: RWTH Aachen University (MSc Data Science) is the cheaper program overall, UNSW Sydney (Master of Data Science and Decisions) reports the higher starting salary, and RWTH Aachen University (MSc Data Science) pays back fastest against the standard ₹8L India baseline. RWTH Aachen University (MSc Data 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.
| RWTH Aachen University | UNSW Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Germany | Australia |
| City | Aachen | Sydney |
| Duration | 24 months | 24 months |
| Total cost | ₹32.7L | ₹1.21Cr |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹54.4L/yr | ₹58.2L/yr |
| Payback period | 0.7 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Strong | Moderate |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Test requirement | GRE Quant 75th+ percentile required | IELTS 6.5 |
| Consultant-oversold flag | No | Yes - our editorial flag |
RWTH Aachen University: the honest note
Genuinely near-zero tuition even for non-EU students - the best pure cost-to-ROI ratio in this set. GRE is mandatory, unusual for a German program.
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
RWTH Aachen University: Tuition & GRE requirement: rwth-aachen.de · Salary band: Glassdoor / Indeed / PayScale / ZipRecruiter (Jul 2026) · Visa: Germany 18-month post-study job-search visa
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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