u/Delicious-Math-1612

Hi everyone,

I am trying to decide between NUS MSc Robotics and USC ECE with a Machine Learning focus, and I would appreciate honest opinions from people familiar with either program.

My main concerns are:

1. International job prospects Which degree would be better for getting a strong job after graduation, especially as an international student? I am interested in robotics, control, ML, and possibly autonomous systems.
2. Working in the US or Switzerland later Is USC clearly better if the goal is to work in the US? And would NUS still be respected enough if I later wanted to work in Switzerland or Europe?
3. Prestige / reputation difference Is there a meaningful difference in prestige between NUS and USC in engineering/ML/robotics, or are both seen as strong enough that experience, projects, and internships matter much more?
4. Housing and student life How difficult is housing at USC compared with NUS, especially for a master’s student who wants a private room and preferably a private bathroom? Also, how is the student environment for graduate students?
5. Cost and value USC seems much more expensive. Is the higher cost actually justified by better career outcomes, network, internships, or access to the US job market?

I am an international student, so visa/job market limitations matter a lot. I would especially appreciate input from current students, alumni, or people who hired graduates from either university.

Thanks.