USA · Master's
Stanford University
MS in Computer Science
Stanford University
Course Overview
Stanford's MS in Computer Science is a 45-unit graduate program housed in the School of Engineering. Students pick one of nine specialisations (Artificial Intelligence, Systems, Theory, HCI, Information Management & Analytics, Biocomputation, Computer & Network Security, Real-World Computing, or an Unspecialized track) and complete it over 4-6 academic quarters — most Sri Lankan students finish in 18-21 months.
The program is research-led: even taught-track students can take seminars and project units with faculty driving foundational work in AI (Andrew Ng's lab roots), HCI, robotics, and theoretical CS. Course-share with the GSB, Medical School, and Law School is built into the rules — useful if you want to combine CS with another discipline.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree (typically in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field) with a strong GPA.
- check_circle GRE General Test is currently not required by Stanford CS — check the latest cycle before applying.
- check_circle Three letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and CV/resume.
- check_circle $125 non-refundable application fee.
English Proficiency
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 100 Overall recommended (Stanford School of Engineering minimum is 89).
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall minimum (accepted for graduate entry from Autumn 2026-27).
- check_circle Waiver if your undergraduate degree was taught in English at an accredited institution.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount ($) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (3 quarters @ ~$21,180) | $63,540 | Rs. 20,332,800 |
| Living Expenses (9 months) | $30,000 | Rs. 9,600,000 |
| Health Insurance & Fees | $8,000 | Rs. 2,560,000 |
| F-1 Visa, SEVIS & Travel | $1,500 | Rs. 480,000 |
| Year 1 Investment | $103,040 | Rs. 32,972,800 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
CS is a designated STEM field, so Stanford MSCS graduates qualify for 12 months of F-1 OPT plus the 24-month STEM OPT extension — a 36-month total window to convert to an H-1B. The median first-job base salary for Stanford MSCS graduates is in the $180-220k range (total comp materially higher with equity at FAANG and unicorns). Top recruiters: Google, Apple, Meta, NVIDIA, OpenAI, Anthropic, plus a steady pipeline into Bay Area early-stage startups.
Related Programs
MS Computer Science
Boston University
SM in Computational Science and Engineering
Harvard University (John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences)
MS in Computer Science
Purdue University
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in the US. We handle everything from applications to visa processing — and it starts with a free, in-person visit to one of our three offices.
ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.
Book a visit to discuss this course
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- location_on Rajagiriya (head office) 8th Floor, Jana Jaya City Mall, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
- location_on Jaffna 158 Hospital Road, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
- location_on Matara No. 474 New Tangalle Road, Matara, Sri Lanka
schedule Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Sat: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
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