Master of Science [M.S] [Computer Science] From University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science is a full-time, on-campus graduate programme in Conway, Arkansas, with a credit-based duration. The thesis route requires 30 credits and the non-thesis route requires 33 credits, while direct applicants need a computer science or closely related bachelor's degree. For Spring 2027, the calculated 2026-27 fee illustration uses a four-semester credit schedule. It is US$13,462 (INR 12.89 Lakhs) for thesis or US$14,767.60 (INR 14.14 Lakhs) for non-thesis, before course-specific charges.

The curriculum builds breadth across computing while allowing emphasis in an application area, then separates research preparation from coursework through two routes. It suits Indian applicants with programming, data structures and systems preparation who want software, data or research roles. The thesis route uses six thesis credits and a public defense, while the non-thesis route requires three more coursework credits.

• The programme requires at least 15 credits of 6000-level courses, which sets a clear advanced-study benchmark.
• Applicants missing core preparation can use department proficiency exams instead of taking every listed leveling course.
• Graduate assistantship support can last up to two years, subject to resources and applicant volume.

Also Check: University of Central Arkansas Admission Requirements

UCA MS Computer Science Fees and Living Costs 2027

UCA's 2026-27 graduate fee schedule supports an on-campus, traditional study calculation for Spring 2027. It lists US$4,018.30 (INR 3.85 Lakhs) for nine graduate credits and US$2,712.70 (INR 2.60 Lakhs) for six credits. UCA also lists US$330 (INR 31,602) per graduate credit as the out-of-state charge, but international students living on campus may receive the in-state tuition treatment.

Target-cycle fee context: The route totals below use published credit-load totals. They use a four-semester illustration of 9+9+6+6 credits for thesis and 9+9+9+6 credits for non-thesis.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.763 as of 25 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

Source: UCA 2026-2027 Statement of Fees and International Cost of Attendance.

• The non-thesis illustration is US$1,305.60 (INR 1.25 Lakhs) higher, so route choice affects the loan amount before living costs.
• The on-campus out-of-state tuition treatment is conditional, so request written confirmation of housing and eligibility before relying on the lower fee basis.
• The US$50 (INR 4,788) international application fee is non-refundable and non-waivable, so include it in the first payment plan.
• Course, lab and department fees are excluded from the fee schedule, so obtain a programme-specific account estimate before finalising funds.

Cost of Living in Conway for Computer Science Students

UCA's 2026-27 graduate on-campus estimate assumes 18 credits, with nine credits each term. The living components are housing, meals, insurance and books, while tuition and international administration remain separate.

The official on-campus graduate estimate is US$19,400 (INR 18.58 Lakhs) for one academic year, including US$8,000 (INR 7.66 Lakhs) in-state tuition and fees.

For two academic years, the living component is calculated as 2 × US$10,900 (INR 20.88 Lakhs). Adding route fees and the US$50 (INR 4,788) application fee produces a thesis total of US$35,312 (INR 33.82 Lakhs).

The non-thesis planning total is US$36,617.60 (INR 35.07 Lakhs).

This is a calculated planning illustration, not a UCA-published total, and excludes travel, personal spending, summer costs, course, lab and department charges, visa costs and future rate changes.

Key insight: The on-campus tuition treatment drives the budget, so confirm the waiver condition and route-specific fee calculation before accepting an offer.

UCA MS Computer Science Admission 2027

Admission is based on preparation and evidence, not a published test score cutoff. Direct entry requires a computer science or closely related bachelor's degree, while applicants missing the equivalent minor may need leveling courses or proficiency exams.

Academic eligibility and course preparation

The Graduate School sets a 2.70 cumulative GPA (grade point average) minimum or 3.00 in the last 60 hours, and the department may set higher standards. Indian applicants should show programming, data structures and related systems preparation clearly in their transcripts.

Read the current UCA MS Computer Science requirements before mapping your transcript to the programme.

Academic requirements: UCA's current programme and Graduate School rules apply to the Spring 2027 application.

No programme-specific Computer Science ranking was identified in the checked sources, so ranking position is not used as an admissions or employment proxy.

English-language and test requirements

UCA's current international page publishes IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.5 and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT 79 on the 0 to 120 scale. It does not publish a current PTE (Pearson Test of English) minimum on the checked official page.

After 21 January 2026, UCA still publishes TOEFL iBT 79 rather than a 1.0 to 6.0 score. Do not self-convert the requirement, and verify the score format in the target application.

• Book an English test early enough to repeat it before the 01 October 2026 preferred programme date if needed.
• Use the TOEFL iBT 79 threshold as published rather than converting it to the post-January 2026 scale.
• Ask the department about a proficiency exam before enrolling as post-baccalaureate if your transcript lacks the required CSCI course equivalents.

Read More: University of Central Arkansas Courses and Campus

Tip for Indian students: Transcript fit is the main screening risk, so resolve missing Computer Science foundations with the department before paying the application fee.

UCA MS Computer Science Application 2027

Spring 2027 is the nearest applicant-accessible intake. The programme lists 01 October 2026 as its preferred date, while international admissions lists 01 November 2026 for all required materials.

The Graduate School records Computer Science decisions as individual, and no fixed decision date or deadline clock time is published. Use the current UCA graduate deadline table when preparing the submission.

Application timeline for Spring 2027 and Fall 2027

The table preserves both the programme priority date and the international document cutoff. UCA's international page says all required materials must arrive by its published deadline.

UCA states that it does not admit for summer except in exceptional circumstances, and the graduate deadline matrix has no Computer Science summer entry. Spring and fall are therefore the applicant-facing intakes shown here.

The checked pages publish dates but no clock time. UCA displays Central Standard Time office information, so no reliable IST (India Standard Time) conversion can be stated; the application portal cutoff controls.

• Submit the department-ready application by 01 October 2026 to use the programme's stated spring preference.
• Complete credential evaluation, English testing and passport upload before the 01 November 2026 international materials deadline.
• Retain portal receipts and uploaded-document confirmations because UCA requires all materials by the international deadline.
• Pay the US$50 (INR 4,788) international application fee after checking the programme fit.

Read More: USA Graduate Application Timeline

Application tip: Treat 01 October 2026 as the practical Spring 2027 target because it precedes the 01 November international cutoff and supports department review.

UCA MS Computer Science Scholarships 2027

The strongest upfront funding line for this MS is the conditional on-campus out-of-state tuition scholarship. Assistantships and named Computer Science awards are not guaranteed before enrolment.

UCA publishes no target-cycle assistantship amount or separate award deadline on the checked pages. Budget these routes as possible reductions rather than committed funding.

UCA identifies GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistantship) and GRA (Graduate Research Assistantship) routes. The international guidance says incoming students generally become eligible after completing a semester.

UCA's international office advertises US$4,000 (INR 3.83 Lakhs) per semester for an International Student Merit Scholarship. The checked page uses four-year wording and does not confirm graduate eligibility, so this award is excluded from the MS budget.

Current funding context: The following routes are published by UCA, with target-cycle values shown only where the university states them.

• Request written confirmation that your Spring 2027 housing and admission status activate the out-of-state tuition treatment before accepting the fee estimate.
• Do not use a GTA or GRA award to satisfy initial visa funding because UCA describes incoming eligibility after a completed semester.
• Target a 3.5 GPA after enrolment if you want to remain eligible for the HU Family Memorial Scholarship.
• Keep external Indian scholarships as supplementary funding because UCA has not published a course-specific award for this MS.

Check Out: USA Scholarships for Indian Students

Scholarship reality: The published waiver can lower tuition, but current-student timing and unpublished award amounts make full funding uncertain at admission.

UCA MS Computer Science Salary 2027

UCA does not publish a course-specific salary, offer rate or placement report for this MS in the checked sources. The department describes immediate employment and lists internships, employment opportunities and named employer examples, but those statements are not cohort outcomes.

The table therefore separates university evidence from external labour-market benchmarks. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides the external figures below, which are gross annual benchmarks rather than typical UCA graduate results.

Source: UCA Department of Computer Science and Engineering evidence and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data.

Gross benchmarks exclude taxes, health insurance and location effects. Use a current US tax calculator when estimating take-home pay instead of treating gross salary as disposable income.

The calculated route fee is US$13,462 (INR 12.89 Lakhs) for thesis or US$14,767.60 (INR 14.14 Lakhs) for non-thesis, before living and excluded fees. Because no course-specific outcome rate is published, a rational return on investment (ROI) decision must test funding and work-authorisation risk against your intended role.

• The two-year thesis planning illustration is US$35,312 (INR 33.82 Lakhs), so secure funding before relying on later assistantship decisions.
• The non-thesis illustration is US$36,617.60 (INR 35.07 Lakhs), so select it only when extra coursework supports your target role.
• UCA publishes no course salary or placement rate, so request current department evidence and do not calculate payback from external benchmarks.
• BLS reports an Arkansas software developer mean of US$100,380 (INR 96.13 Lakhs), so model local gross pay before borrowing.
• UCA describes one year of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and a possible 24-month extension for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees; verify eligibility before counting 36 months.

The course's theory, applied research and systems outcomes support both software and doctoral pathways, but the financial tradeoff is outcome uncertainty. Returning to India means the US market benchmarks do not establish Indian earnings, so model repayment against your own role and funding evidence.

ROI reality: UCA provides no course-specific salary proof, so use the published cost, conditional funding and verified work-authorisation window to test your own career scenario.

USA Visa for UCA MS Computer Science Students 2027

The F-1 (academic student) visa is the relevant route for this full-time, on-campus degree. It requires a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) and proof of funds. UCA's 2026-27 graduate on-campus estimate is US$19,400 (INR 18.58 Lakhs) for the annual cost. The visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,716). The I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee is US$350 (INR 33,517). SEVIS maintains the student record used for the visa process.

OPT (Optional Practical Training) is the post-study employment authorisation. UCA states one year of OPT and a possible 24-month STEM extension for eligible STEM graduates, subject to the degree and employer conditions.

Review the official F-1 visa instructions before paying fees because appointment and issuance conditions can change.

• On-campus employment is generally limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session, so do not use part-time wages as initial proof of funds.
• UCA describes one year of OPT and a possible 24-month STEM extension, so verify the degree classification and employer eligibility before counting a 36-month work window.
• A skilled-worker route has no single course-specific salary threshold, and employer selection requirements remain separate from this degree.
• Spouse and minor children may use F-2 dependent status, but they are not authorised to work, so budget their costs separately.
• US permanent residence has no fixed course-linked timeline, so do not treat it as a guaranteed outcome of this MS.

Check Out: USA F-1 Student Visa Requirements

Visa reality: The annual UCA funding estimate supports the I-20 process, but post-study work and permanent residence remain conditional on eligibility, employer and immigration rules.