Comparison
Carnegie Mellon University vs New Jersey Institute of Technology
MS Computer Science · Pittsburgh, PA vs MS Data Science · Newark, NJ
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: New Jersey Institute of Technology (MS Data Science) is the cheaper program overall, Carnegie Mellon University (MS Computer Science) reports the higher starting salary, and Carnegie Mellon University (MS Computer Science) pays back fastest against the standard ₹8L India baseline. Carnegie Mellon University (MS Computer 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.
| Carnegie Mellon University | New Jersey Institute of Technology | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | USA | USA |
| City | Pittsburgh, PA | Newark, NJ |
| Duration | 16 months | 18 months |
| Total cost | ₹1.02Cr | ₹97.6L |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹1.24Cr/yr | ₹87.1L/yr |
| Payback period | 0.9 yrs | 1.2 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Strong | Strong |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.6 | 3.0 |
| Test requirement | No fixed minimum; GRE optional but recommended for weaker profiles | GRE not always required; IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 79 typical among admits |
| Consultant-oversold flag | No | Yes - our editorial flag |
Carnegie Mellon University: the honest note
Elite CS program with strong FAANG placement. STEM OPT gives up to 3 years of US work authorization post-grad, but converting to H-1B afterward has 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
Carnegie Mellon University: Tuition & requirements: cmu.edu/sfs, csd.cmu.edu admissions · 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
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