Minimum CGPA Required for MS in the USA in 2025
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Table of Contents
- How much CGPA is required for an MS in the USA?
- CGPA Required for MS in the Top USA Universities
- Low CGPA Accepting Universities in the USA
- 5 Tips to Improve Your Chance for Admissions with a Low CGPA
- Eligibility Requirements for MS in US Universities
- Documents Required for MS in the USA
- Requirements for US Student Visa for Indian Students
- Secure Admission to Top Universities in the USA with GetGIS Assistance
To embark on an education journey in the USA the most important eligibility criteria to be met is your academic performance i.e., the minimum CGPA required for MS in the USA. With thousands of applications received by the universities in the USA, understanding how much CGPA is required for MS in the USA for international student admission eligibility, is vital to setting realistic expectations and needed preparations.
Join us as we explore the CGPA requirements for masters in the USA for international students, how they vary across universities, and the alternatives or tips to strengthen your application in case you fall below the standard threshold scores.
How much CGPA is required for an MS in the USA?
The education system in the USA follows a 4.0 GPA scale. Hence applicants would need to convert their percentage or CGPA score to the US 4.0 GPA scale to be considered valid by the US universities.
The minimum CGPA required for MS in the USA is 7.0 and above on the 10 point CGPA scale to be eligible to apply for the best universities in the USA. Moving further we will explore the varying requirements of CGPA for MS in the USA universities.
Explore the guide to learn how to convert CGPA to GPA for study abroad in the USA.
CGPA Required for MS in the Top USA Universities
The CGPA requirements for MS in the USA’s top universities is generally above 3.5 out of 4.0 points. The list of top 10 universities in the USA and the required CGPA for MS in these US universities is as follows:
| QS Ranking | University | GPA Required | CGPA Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 3.5 | 9 - 9.3 |
| 4 | Harvard University | 3.8 | 9.5 - 10 |
| 6 | Stanford University | 3.5 | 9 - 9.3 |
| 10 | California Institute of Technology | 3.5 | 9 - 9.3 |
| 11 | University of Pennsylvania | 3.9 | 9.9 |
| 12 | University of California, Los Angeles | 3.6 | 9.4 |
| 16 | Cornell University | 3.5 | 9 - 9.3 |
| 22 | Princeton University | 3.9 | 9.9 |
| 23 | Yale University | 3.7 | 9.7 |
*Rankings Source: QS World Rankings
Worry not if you lag the minimum CGPA required for masters in USA as there are a few alternative methods that could be adopted to strengthen your profile, to help you gain admission to these top universities. Scroll down to learn more about them.
Low CGPA Accepting Universities in the USA
Now that you have explored the top universities in the USA that would need a high minimum CGPA for MS in the USA and before we move on to unveiling the tips to strengthen your student profile, let us now learn about the best universities in the USA for MS that also accept a low CGPA score for admission eligibility.
| University | GPA Required | CGPA Required |
|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | 3.5 | 9 - 9.3 |
| University of Michigan at Flint | 3.4 | 8.9 |
| University of South Carolina Beaufort | 3.39 | 8.6 |
| University of Texas at Tyler | 3.3 | 8.6 |
| University of Pittsburgh at Bradford | 3.3 | 8.6 |
| University of Washington Tacoma | 3.2 | 8.4 |
| University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | 3.2 | 8.4 |
| University of Maine at Presque Isle | 3 | 7.9 |
| New York University | 3 | 7.9 |
| University of Wisconsin Parkside | 3 | 7.9 |
| Alabama State University | 3.05 | 8.3 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | 2.93 | 7.6 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 2.9 | 7.6 |
5 Tips to Improve Your Chance for Admissions with a Low CGPA
One of the recent studies stated that the number of applications received by 70% of MS programs in the USA has witnessed a drastic increase over the last 5 years, signifying the increasing demand. But do you expect all the students to have a strong CGPA score to be eligible?
That’s certainly not the case. We have drafted a few of the proven tips to increase your chances of admission to US universities irrespective of a low CGPA score. These include:
- Try achieving a high score on GRE, (preferably 90% or higher), particularly in the quantitative section aim for the maximum, if you specifically aiming for STEM courses in the US.
- Try gaining a minimum of 2-3 years of work experience in your field of interest to demonstrate practical skills and knowledge.
- Strong Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from professors or employers, highlighting your strengths, achievements, and potential. Universities like Standford and Harvard, have a great emphasis on recommendation letters.
- Draft a well-compelling Statement of Purpose, perfectly highlighting your motivation, experiences, and how the course aligns to your future goals. Universities like UC Berkley, have a strong emphasis on compelling SOPs for admission.
- Try taking additional courses or certifications from platforms like Coursera, MIT OpenCourseWare, university extension programs, etc, to showcase your zeal for learning.
Eligibility Requirements for MS in US Universities
So far we have learned that the minimum CGPA for masters in the USA varies based on the university, moving further let us brush up on the minimum eligibility requirements for MS in the USA for Indian students. These include:
- Must have a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university
- Preferably Overall GPA of 3.0 in the bachelor degree or equivalent
- Must meet the minimum language proficiency score
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 80
- PTE: 60
- Must have a minimum GRE score of 290 or above, or a GMAT score of 600 or above (if accepted)
Documents Required for MS in the USA
Up next after the eligibility criteria for admission to MS in the USA, the list of documents you would need to gather to apply for MS in the USA admission process include:
- Academic Transcripts
- English language test scores
- GRE or GMAT test score
- 2-3 Letters or Recommendations
- Statement of Purpose
- Work Experience Certificates
- Updated Resume
- Other documents (as per university)
Requirements for US Student Visa for Indian Students
Once you have received the acceptance letter or offer letter from the university, you would need to apply for a USA student visa. The documents required for applying for US student visa include:
- Valid passport
- Passport size photographs
- I-20 form
- Visa application form
- SEVIS fee application and receipt
- Proof of funds or financial documents for study abroad
- Confirmation of DS-160 form
- Copies of educational qualifications
Also Read: M1 visa in the USA for International Students
Secure Admission to Top Universities in the USA with GetGIS Assistance
All international students aspiring to study MS in USA are suggested to ensure that they have a minimum CGPA score required for MS in the USA admissions i.e., 3.0 or higher to ensure that their admission chances are not hampered. Though there are alternative approaches for securing your admission in USA best universities, having score the best in all prospects could significantly boost your chances of admission among the high competition.
Are you looking for expert assistance for your study abroad plans to the USA? Get in touch with GetGIS. Our dedicated study abroad assistance team is here to help you with all your admission and visa requirements to the USA. From eligibility verification, documentation handling, visa process, USA student visa interview questions and preparation, and more we are here to ensure no hiccups in achieving your dream to study in the USA.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 7.5 CGPA good for MS in the USA?
Can I study MS in the USA with a 5 CGPA?
Do backlogs affect MS admission in the USA?
Can a high GRE score compensate for a low GPA?
Is a 6 CGPA valid to apply for MS in the USA?
