Studying for your Master’s in Computer Science is a thoughtful decision. If you want to develop further in your career as a Computer Scientist, further studies are a must. However, choosing the right school to further your studies is important. You can choose the wrong school and while you may get your certificate validating you’ve completed a Master’s degree in Computer Science, your certificate will not be held in high esteem and you may find yourself lagging behind competitively in your career. If you are considering Arizona State University for the furtherance of your studies in Computer Science, this article will provide perspective and help you make an informed decision.
Is Arizona State University Good for MS in CS?
Arizona State University is a good school to study for your Master’s degree in Computer Science. This is because the school offers students the opportunity to network, collaborate, and carry out research expeditions. Arizona State University has a high acceptance rate and attracts a mixed crop of students, this is a good thing if you like a multi-diverse campus. Most importantly, the Computer Science courses for Master’s students at ASU are useful and advantageous for modern-day computer scientists.
For better clarity and understanding of whether Arizona State University is a good option for Master’s in Computer Science, I have broken down some of the pros and cons of Arizona State University for Computer Science. There are always positives and negatives about schools. When both sides are broken down, it gives prospective students an idea of what they should expect if they apply to a particular school. Here’s what we found out about ASU for Master’s in Computer Science.
Pros of Arizona State University for Master’s in Computer Science
- Comprehensive Course Structure
- Research Opportunities and Programs
- Experienced Faculty Members and Professors
- Partnership and Funding Support from Google and High-Profile Tech Companies
- A Graduate Opportunities and Advantage
- Top-Notch Infrastructure
- On-Campus Jobs
1. Comprehensive Course Structure
The courses offered at the Master’s degree level at ASU may be tough but you’d find they are useful. They set graduates apart from others like them as nobody wants to do the hard stuff but they would have done them already and even gained expertise doing them. You may find it challenging at Arizona State but if you complete the courses, you’d see that they would have prepared you to be on top of other Master’s graduates like you.
Almost every course that’s offered in a university that offers Computer Science at Master’s level can be found at Arizona State University.
2. Research Opportunities and Programs
Research opportunities may be present in schools around the United States but certain schools are better equipped in terms of funding and facilities for research programs. Arizona State University is one such university that seems to be better equipped for research programs than others, especially in Computer Science. Students can participate in research programs and increase their exposure, preparing them for the roles they’d play when they graduate.
3. Experienced Faculty Members and Professors
The success of your studies at any school or its ease is greatly dependent on the flock of professors and lecturers at the school. If you’ve got average professors and lecturers, you can expect you’d struggle more to succeed but with experienced professors, you can be comfortable that you’re getting the best from the best. Most Arizona State University professors are from Georgia Institute of Technology (GATECH), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), and the University of Maryland (UMCP) which are all heavy research institutes and colleges.
4. Partnership and Funding Support from Google and High-Profile Tech Companies
NASA is always funding and supporting Arizona State University and its Computer Science research programs. Recently, Google entered into a partnership with the university and it only adds to the number of tech companies that have entered into partnerships with the school or formed alliances.
5. A Plethora of Graduate Opportunities
Everyone wants to land a good job after they graduate from school. Usually, having a certificate from a certain school gives an added boost to job applications and employment considerations. Graduates from Arizona State University are often picked by top tech companies like Intel, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, PayPal, eBay, Amazon, Stripe, and so on. This is possible because the quality of the educational process at ASU has been vetted by choice tech companies who are quick to employ graduates from the school.
6. Top-Notch Infrastructure
The school provides a range of state-of-the-art facilities to encourage learning, research, and development. There’s every encouragement you need to grow in your career at Arizona State in terms of infrastructure. It is almost difficult to complain about the unavailability of anything at the school.
7. On-Campus Jobs
The way Arizona State University is structured, you can land a high-paying job on campus. There’s a plethora of opportunities for Computer Science students at the school and if you are well-vast for a job, you can get one with ease.
8. Networking and Collaborations
It is easy to network and collaborate with other students in the school. One notable networking club is SoDA, the Software Developers Association at ASU where students participate in open-source projects and hackathons. Aside from academic activities, there are other non-academic activities at Arizona State University that you can participate in. They’ve got one of the most successful baseball teams in the United States. With loads of fraternities, clubs, and associations to join, you cannot get bored at ASU.
9. Bustling City Life
Tempe is a modern city but fairly cheap to live in. If you are a party person, you would love the bustling mode of the city and its nightlife. Interestingly, the nightlife clubs are busy on weekdays, so you wouldn’t have to wait till the weekend if you need to unwind and party.
10. High Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate for a Master’s in Computer Science at Arizona State University is estimated to be around 80 – 90%. That’s a lot. It means almost everyone who applies to the school gets accepted. If you significantly meet the requirements of the school, you can be assured you’d get in.
11. Financial Aid
I pulled a date from Yocket.com stating that 9 out of every 10 students at ASU gets financial aid. You can be among the nine.
That does it on the pros of Arizona State University. There’s no perfect school and so we’d look at some of the negatives of studying Computer Science at Arizona State University.
Cons of Arizona State University for Master’s in Computer Science
Some of the negatives you should be wary of when you plan on studying for your Master’s at Arizona State University include:
1. Overpopulated Classes
The high acceptance rate at Arizona State University is a good thing when it comes to getting in but it can get crazy when you are in. You’d typically find students scampering and rushing to fill the available seats, in between classes.
2. High Tuition Fees
The cost of tuition at Arizona State University does not seem too expensive but from a poll we took, many of the students claim they should be getting more if they are paying that much.
What is the Arizona State University MS in CS Acceptance Rate?
The Arizona State University MS in CS acceptance rate is 88.4%. Arizona State University has one of the highest acceptance rates in the United States as almost everyone that applies to the school for a master’s in Computer Science gets admitted. You stand a pretty decent chance if you are considering pursuing a Master’s degree at the school.
Admission Requirements for Arizona State University MS in CS
The Arizona State University MS Computer Science admission requirements include:
- Applicant must have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or any related field from an accredited university in the United States
- Applicant must have a minimum of 3.4 Science GPA on a scale of 4.0 in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor’s degree program or a 3.25 GPA on a scale of 4.0 in an applicable master’s degree program
- An applicant whose language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency.
- Applicants are expected to provide the following: graduate admission application and application fee, official transcripts, GRE score, and a statement of purpose.
For more information on the Arizona State University MS Computer Science admission requirements, please visit https://degrees.apps.asu.edu/masters-phd/major/ASU00/ESCOMSCMS/computer-science-ms.
Arizona State University MS in CS Ranking
Arizona State University’s Master’s in Computer Science is ranked #43 in the United States. Even though the ranking may not be in the top 10 or 20 status, the school is still reputable for its Master’s in Computer Science program.
What are the Best MS in CS Universities in the United States
If you are looking for better alternatives to Arizona State University’s MS in CS program, the following are potential options:
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- University of California Berkeley
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- University of Washington Seattle
FAQs
Does ASU require GRE for MS in CS?
Arizona State University does not require GRE for MS in CS. The school waived GRE requirements for the Fall 2023 admission year. You can apply for a Master’s in Computer Science without GRE.
What GPA do you need to get into ASU Master’s Program in Computer Science?
You need a GPA of 3.4 in the last 60 hours of your first bachelor’s program on a scale of 4.0. Alternatively, you should have maintained a minimum of 3.25 GPA in an applicable master’s degree program on a scale of 4.0. Both programs must have been completed in a regionally accredited university or college.
Is ASU good for Master’s in CS?
Yes. ASU is good for a Master’s degree program in Computer Science. If you are looking to study for your Master’s in Computer Science, ASU is a good option.
Conclusion
Douglas Anthony Ducey, the former Governor of Arizona is an alumnus of Arizona State University. That gives you an idea that Arizona State University may not be in the ivy league but they’ve produced notable alumni and its quality of education is top-notch. If you’re considering applying for the master’s degree program in Computer Science at Arizona State University, I am optimistic you can now make an informed decision.