Need perspective on UW HCDE and UT Austin MSIS UX Pathway
Hi, I am an international student with 2.5 yoe as a UX Designer and Bachelors in Architecture from a Tier-1 national institute in India. I want to specialize in B2B UX and strategy. Not hard and fast but that's what I wrote in my SoP. Needed some perspective:
- UW MS HCDE is the best possible course I could get, good cohort, good courses, good profs. The night school is also something I appreciate. My concerns are with the costs - I want to self fund my education and being a fee based course I won't be able to do that as no options for RA/TA. Living expenses are high. I was hoping some research level insights too, at lease I could explore, but that also is not an option here.
- UT Austin MSIS - I was not expecting an admit but I luckily got one. Now, cost-wise this is similar but RA/TA/GA are possible, very competitive, I know, but possible. Deep research is also possible. Not sure about the job outcomes though.
I also have University of Maryland's HCIM program in mind, but looking at the alumni, almost all of them are back in India for job, and I do not want to be in that position.
Earning loads of money, settling in US are not my concerns - I just want to be debt free when I come back and have done some great work academically and professionally. Please help analyze!
Posted Apr 4, 2026, 1:14 PM UTC
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