Comparison
Arizona State University vs UNSW Sydney
MS Computer Science (Online) · Tempe, AZ vs Master of Data Science and Decisions · Sydney
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: Arizona State University (MS Computer Science (Online)) is the cheaper program overall, Arizona State University (MS Computer Science (Online)) reports the higher starting salary, and Arizona State University (MS Computer Science (Online)) pays back fastest against the standard ₹8L India baseline. Arizona State University (MS Computer Science (Online))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.
| Arizona State University | UNSW Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | USA | Australia |
| City | Tempe, AZ | Sydney |
| Duration | 24 months | 24 months |
| Total cost | ₹95.2L | ₹1.21Cr |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹81.1L/yr | ₹58.2L/yr |
| Payback period | 1.3 yrs | 2.4 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Strong | Moderate |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Test requirement | GRE typically waived | IELTS 6.5 |
| Consultant-oversold flag | Yes - our editorial flag | Yes - our editorial flag |
Arizona State University: the honest note
High acceptance rate - heavily marketed by consultants; large program with outcomes that vary widely by individual effort. Post-OPT H-1B conversion has also gotten harder for entry-level hires since 2026 (see visa risk flag).
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
Arizona State University: Tuition: asuonline.asu.edu (2026-27) · Salary band: Glassdoor / Indeed / PayScale / ZipRecruiter (Jul 2026) · Visa: USCIS STEM OPT policy · H-1B changes: $100k supplemental fee (USCIS Presidential Proclamation, effective Sep 21, 2025) + wage-weighted lottery (USCIS final rule, effective Feb 27, 2026), uscis.gov
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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