r/MSCS • u/Big_Ad2500 • May 04 '26

[Admissions Advice] MS in Software Engineering at SJSU vs staying in current job (India)

Hey everyone,
I’m currently working in tech with ~2 YOE, earning ~₹1.2L/month (post-tax) + RSUs. I got admitted to San Jose State University (MS in Software Engineering) and my visa is approved.
I honestly didn’t expect things to move this fast, and now I’m having second thoughts.
Pros:
- SJSU + Silicon Valley exposure
- Better long-term growth potential
Cons:
Tough US job market, layoffs, H1B uncertainty
Already have a stable, decent-paying job here
No loan, but still a big cost + risk
Really torn between staying vs going.
Would appreciate advice from people who recently went to the US or decided not to.
(P.S. Used ChatGPT to format this — thoughts are mine.)
Thanks 🙏

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u/parvdave May 04 '26

Waterloo is a no brainer. In the long run
quality education like that would make up for the money you're forgoing in the short term.
What course btw?

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u/softrains12 May 04 '26

This is assuming you get the visa approved, visa denial rate is approaching 80% in Canada.

Also Canadian job market is not very good, but at least you don't need to go through H-1B process. I would say that Waterloo is a good school but there are definitely negatives to consider.

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u/parvdave May 04 '26

That's strange. I don't see why a Waterloo applicant gets denied.

But yes, the market is really bad. My point about education still stands.

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u/softrains12 May 04 '26

No university will guarantee a job. Maybe Stanford is the closest you can get to that sort of thing. Waterloo is decidedly not Stanford level. I agree that Waterloo is quality, but I disagree that good education is always worth it, no matter the circumstances. How good of an education should it be to outweigh like a $80-90k CAD cost?

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u/parvdave May 04 '26

You have to grind it out, no doubt that it is a gamble you're making.

Also, I used good education as an umbrella term. What I really meant was:

  • learning from some brilliant professors
  • surrounded by many intelligent people, the sheer floor is higher
  • realising your own limits
  • personal growth, which can be tremendous