Comparison
Arizona State University vs University of Toronto
MS Computer Science (Online) · Tempe, AZ vs MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science) · Toronto, ON
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: University of Toronto (MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science)) is the cheaper program overall, Arizona State University (MS Computer Science (Online)) reports the higher starting salary, and University of Toronto (MS in Applied Computing (Computer Science)) 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 | University of Toronto | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | USA | Canada |
| City | Tempe, AZ | Toronto, ON |
| Duration | 24 months | 16 months |
| Total cost | ₹95.2L | ₹50.5L |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹81.1L/yr | ₹63.9L/yr |
| Payback period | 1.3 yrs | 0.9 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Strong | Strong |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Test requirement | GRE typically waived | TOEFL 93+ (no section below 22) |
| Consultant-oversold flag | Yes - our editorial flag | No |
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).
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.
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
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
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