Comparison
Arizona State University vs New Jersey Institute of Technology
MS Computer Science (Online) · Tempe, AZ vs MS Data Science · Newark, NJ
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: Arizona State University (MS Computer Science (Online)) is the cheaper program overall, New Jersey Institute of Technology (MS Data Science) reports the higher starting salary, and New Jersey Institute of Technology (MS Data 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 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | USA | USA |
| City | Tempe, AZ | Newark, NJ |
| Duration | 24 months | 18 months |
| Total cost | ₹95.2L | ₹97.6L |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹81.1L/yr | ₹87.1L/yr |
| Payback period | 1.3 yrs | 1.2 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Strong | Strong |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Test requirement | GRE typically waived | GRE not always required; IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 79 typical among admits |
| 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).
New Jersey Institute of Technology: the honest note
Popular, relatively easier admit; ROI depends heavily on individual job search effort in a competitive NY/NJ market. Salary figure is NJIT's own reported average for MS Data Science grads - note the small sample (13 salary reports, Class of 2024; 19 reports at $93,253 for Class of 2023). Post-OPT H-1B conversion has also gotten harder for entry-level hires since 2026 (see visa risk flag).
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
New Jersey Institute of Technology: Tuition & admissions: njit.edu, ds.njit.edu · Salary: NJIT Career Development Services Outcomes Report, Class of 2024 - avg starting salary, MS Data Science, N=13 ($91,323), njit.edu/careerservices · 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
Want this run on your actual profile, not just these two?
The Honest Scorecard ranks every program you're considering against your GPA, budget, and priorities - admit odds, payback, and visa strength, all sourced.
Get My Free Assessment