Comparison
Arizona State University vs Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
MS Computer Science (Online) · Tempe, AZ vs MS Computer Science · Champaign, IL
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (MS Computer Science) is the cheaper program overall, Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (MS Computer Science) reports the higher starting salary, and Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (MS 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 | Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | USA | USA |
| City | Tempe, AZ | Champaign, IL |
| Duration | 24 months | 18 months |
| Total cost | ₹95.2L | ₹84.3L |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹81.1L/yr | ₹1.10Cr/yr |
| Payback period | 1.3 yrs | 0.8 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Strong | Strong |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.0 | 3.2 |
| Test requirement | GRE typically waived | GRE 320+ typical for competitive applicants |
| 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).
Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: the honest note
Strong CS ranking and recruiting pipeline; official minimum GPA is published and enforced. Post-OPT H-1B conversion has 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
Univ. of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Tuition & GPA minimum: illinois.edu graduate catalog · 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
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