Masters in Engineering in USA: Fees, Deadlines 2024, Eligibility

Masters in Engineering in USA: Fees, Deadlines 2024, Eligibility

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Veda Burman Study Abroad Content Specialist

Study Abroad Content Specialist

Highlights

  • Masters in engineering in USA is available as master of science (MS) and master of engineering (MEng / ME) degrees.
  • GRE scores are optional for masters in engineering in USA across several universities including top universities in USA like MIT, Harvard University, Stanford University, and Caltech.
  • Tuition fees for masters in engineering in USA range between 12,672 to 84,912 USD (10.57 to 70.87 lakhs INR), depending on the university and selected program.
  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 188,000 openings in the engineering and architecture field are projected every year from 2022 to 2032, reflecting high employment opportunities.
  • The median annual wage of this group of workers in the engineering and architecture field was recorded at 91,420 USD (76.26 lakhs INR) by the U.S. BLS.

Masters in Engineering in USA is a 1-2 year program offered to international students. Top universities in USA require a minimum undergraduate GPA between 3.0 to 3.5 out of 4.0 (or aggregate of 85%-90%) for admission to masters in engineering in USA. If you choose to submit GRE score for admission, about 150-160 in both GRE verbal and quantitative is considered competitive. The supporting documents for MS in engineering in USA are as follows:

  • Statement of purpose
  • 2-3 Letter of recommendation
  • English proficiency requirements:
    • IELTS: 6.5 to 7.0
    • TOEFL-iBT: 79 to 90
    • Duolingo English Test: 105 to 120
  • Passport
  • US student visa
  • Application fee
  • CV/Resume

Masters in engineering in USA ensure a high return on investment, with graduates earning an average salary of 107,000 USD (89.33 lakhs INR) per year. The salary growth rate in the engineering field in USA is provided below:

salary growth rate in the engineering field in USA

Top Universities for Masters in Engineering in USA

Below is a table showcasing the top universities for masters in Engineering in USA according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024. It also includes the application deadlines and application fees for Masters in Engineering in USA.

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Engineering & Technology University Program Name Application Deadline Application Fee (USD)
#1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science December 15, 2024 75
#2 Stanford University MS Bioengineering To be declared for Fall 2024 125 (Non-refundable)
#5 University of California, Berkeley (UCB) MEng in Mechanical Engineering To be declared 155
#8 Harvard University Computational Science and Engineering December 1, 2024 105
#9 California Institute of Technology (Caltech) MS in Mechanical Engineering December 15, 2024 100
#12 Georgia Institute of Technology MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering Fall: December 16, 2024 | Spring: September 15, 2024 105
#16 Carnegie Mellon University MS in Materials Science and Engineering Fall: January 15, 2025 75 - Non-refundable
#21 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) M.S. in Aerospace Engineering Spring: December 1, 2024 155
#22 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign M.Eng. in Bioengineering May 31, 2024 90
#24 University of Texas at Austin M.S. in Software Engineering Fall 2024: Closed | Fall 2025 Opens: October 15, 2024 65

Why Study Masters in Engineering in USA?

  • High Return on Investment: Masters in engineering in USA offers a high return on investment to students. While spending tuition fees between 30,000 to 65,000 USD (25.04 to 54.26 lakhs INR), you can expect to earn a starting salary between 50,000 to 70,000 USD (41.64 to 58.30 lakhs INR) per year.
  • Variety of Specializations: Masters in engineering in USA can be pursued with a diverse range of specializations. Some popular specializations for engineering masters in USA are:
  • GRE Waiver: Several universities in USA, including top universities like MIT, Harvard University, Stanford University, and Caltech among others offer GRE waivers. Hence, USA is an ideal place for students planning to secure admission to masters in engineering in USA without GRE.
  • High Salary: Graduates with a master of science (MS) degree in engineering in USA reportedly earn an average salary of 107,000 USD (89,33 lakhs INR) per annum. You can expect an average mid-career salary of 101,000 USD (84.13 lakhs INR) per annum after a master of engineering (MEng/ ME) degree in USA. The salary range by student percentage in USA in the Engineering field is provided below:

salary range in USA in the Engineering

Masters in Engineering in USA Eligibility Criteria

For admission to masters in Engineering in USA, you require a 4-year bachelors degree or equivalent from a recognized institution, in a relevant field like engineering, technology, natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science. You will require the following supporting documents and test scores to enter the universities in USA offering masters in engineering:

University GPA/ Aggregate/ Grade Requirements English Language Requirements Additional Documents
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Average undergraduate GPA of 3.8 out of 4,0 (96%) A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90 | IELTS: 7.0 Work experience (recommended) | Resume | Video Statement | SOP | 2 LORs | GRE score not required
Stanford University GPA of at least 3.5/4 (90%) in engineering, science, and math is expected for admission. A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 89 3 academic or professional LORs | SOP | Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission to the MS in Bioengineering
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (85%) TOEFL iBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 | Duolingo English Test: 115 Resume| Transcripts | 2 LORs | 2 short essays | GRE test (optional) | GRE: No minimum requirement.
Harvard University Holistic admission, no GPA cutoff | GPA above 3.5 out of 4.0 (85%) is recommended TOEFL iBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 C.V. or Resume | 3 LORs | Transcripts | SOP (within 1000 words) | GRE General: Not Accepted
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) No minimum GPA | Avg. GPA of successful applicants: 3.5 out of 4.0 (85%) or you should be in the top 5-10% of your class No minimum English proficiency exam requirement Transcripts from each college or university attended | 3 LORs | CV | SOP
Georgia Institute of Technology GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 (90%) or above TOEFL iBT: 90 | IELTS: 7.0 C.V. or Resume | 3 LORs, Transcripts | SOP (1000 words) | GRE scores are not required but will be considered if submitted
Carnegie Mellon University Better than B average or over 85% TOEFL iBT: 84 | IELTS: 6.5 LOR | CV | Unofficial transcripts
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (85%) TOEFL iBT: 87 | IELTS: 7.0 3 LORs | SOP
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA (85%) for the last 2 years of undergraduate study TOEFL iBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 SOP | LOR
University of Texas at Austin 3.0/4.0 GPA (85%) TOEFL iBT: 79 | | IELTS: 6.5 Official transcripts | Current Resume | SOP | 3 professional LORs | 12 months of industry-related experience is recommended | GRE: Not required

US Student Visa Application

For admission to MS in Engineering in USA, international students require a F1 visa. The necessary documents to avail of a US student visa are listed below:

  • Academic transcripts and mark sheets in English
  • Form DS-160 confirmation page
  • SEVIS fee payment receipt
  • Valid passport
  • Your recent photo
  • Standardized test scores
  • Proof of availability of finances
  • Proof of intent to leave USA after education
  • Form I-20, signed by you and an official of the SEVP-approved school

Masters in Engineering in USA Tuition Fees

As an international student, you can estimate spending between 30,000 to 65,000 USD (25.04 to 54.26 lakhs INR) in tuition fees for masters in Engineering in USA. The tuition fees for various engineering programs at some top engineering universities in USA are as follows:

University Program Name Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Equivalent Tuition Fees for Indians (INR)
Georgia Institute of Technology MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering 30,064 25.10 lakhs
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) M.S. in Aerospace Engineering 33,238 27.75 lakhs
University of Texas at Austin M.S. in Software Engineering 34,000 28.38 lakhs
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) MS in Mechanical Engineering 36,967.5 30.86 lakhs
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MENG Bioengineering 39,524 32.99 lakhs
Harvard University Computational Science and Engineering 55,656 46.46 lakhs
Carnegie Mellon University MS in Materials Science and Engineering 57,436 47.95 lakhs
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 59,750 49.88 lakhs
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) MS in Mechanical Engineering 63,402 52.93 lakhs
Stanford University MS - Bioengineering 65,083 54.33 lakhs

A graphical representation of the tuition fees for masters in engineering in USA is provided below:

tuition fees for masters in engineering in USA

Cost of Living in USA

The cost of living in USA depends on your location, type of accommodation, distance from room to campus, and personal lifestyle. An estimation of the average cost of living in USA for international students is provided in the following table:

Expense Type Annual Expense (USD) Equivalent Cost for Indians (INR)
Accommodation 18,450 15.40 lakhs
Food 3,480 2.90 lakhs
Utilities (Gas, electricity, water) 2,160 1.80 lakhs
Internet 1,080 90,160
Transport 840 70,127
Miscellaneous 3,500 2.92 lakhs

Scholarships for Masters in Engineering in USA

To reduce your expenses in USA, you can avail of several scholarships in USA for international students. These scholarships cover total or partial tuition fees and/or living expenses. Following is a list of popular scholarships in USA for international students, eligibility criteria and respective award value:

Scholarships Eligibility Criteria Award Amount
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship Indian resident with a good UG degree from a recognized institute | 65-70% minimum score (Course-specific) | Up to 100,000 USD
P.E.O International Peace Scholarship offered by PEO International Need-Based | Financial assistance to women 12,500 USD
Aga Khan Foundation’s International Scholarship Programme (ISP) Excellent academic records | Demonstrated genuine financial need as a last resort | Admission to a reputable postgraduate institution | Strong professional, extracurricular, and leadership background. 50% grant and 50% loan for Master's students covering tuition and living expenses.
Fulbright Nehru Awards Outstanding students, academics, and professionals in India | Rigorous application and interview process Monthly stipend, health insurance and travel support

Masters in Engineering in USA: Job Opportunities

Some popular employers hiring engineering graduates in USA are, Google, Amazon, Amazon Robotics, Dell Technologies, Intel Corporation, Oracle, Philips, IBM, Bose, Microsoft, Cisco, Salesforce, Abbott, Lockheed Martin, and AWS. Check out the highly pursued jobs after engineering in USA, and respective average salaries:

Profession Average Salary Per Year (USD) Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR)
Civil Engineer 77,784 64.94 lakhs
Process Engineer 77,085 64.35 lakhs
Mechanical Engineer 80,223 66.97 lakhs
Environmental Engineer 80,377 67.10 lakhs
Project Engineer 84,890 70.87 lakhs
Controls Engineer 82,426 68.81 lakhs
Electrical Engineer 91,393 76.30 lakhs
Staff Engineer 93,582 78.13 lakhs
Software Engineer 102,449 85.53 lakhs

Masters in Engineering in USA: Job Opportunities

USA Work Permit Application

After completing studies in USA, students need to change their F1 visa status to stay and work in USA. There are various types of post study work visas in USA, namely, H1B, O, I, L among others. To secure a work visa in USA, you require the following documents:

  • University acceptance letter and all academic documents (Transcripts)
  • Valid passport
  • Proper address
  • Migration, provisional, character, and birth certificates
  • Bank transaction of last 6 months and balance certificate as proof of finance availability

Note: The immigration officer can ask for additional documents during your visa interview.

Masters in Engineering in USA: Return on Investment

Master of Engineering in USA demonstrates a high return on investment with an average salary of 107,000 USD (89.33 lakhs INR) per year. A comparison between the tuition fees for master of engineering in USA and average salary of university graduates is provided in the following table:

University Program Name Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Average Salary of the University Graduates Per Year (USD)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 59,750 120,000
Stanford University MS - Bioengineering 65,083 117,000
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) MS in Mechanical Engineering 36,967.5 97,000
Harvard University Computational Science and Engineering 55,656 96,000
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) MS in Mechanical Engineering 63,402 117,000
Georgia Institute of Technology MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering 30,064 96,000
Carnegie Mellon University MS in Materials Science and Engineering 57,436 109,000
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) M.S. in Aerospace Engineering 33,238 90,000
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MENG Bioengineering 39,524 85,000
University of Texas at Austin M.S. in Software Engineering 34,000 83,000

Masters in Engineering in USA: Return on Investment

Masters in engineering in USA is available in a wide range of esteemed universities with flexible admission requirements, and strong post-study job market outlook. Working professionals can also pursue 1-year masters in engineering in USA, at universities like Washington University, St. Louis; and Purdue University, West Lafayette, to accelerate the program duration and save on the cost of study. Graduates of masters in engineering in USA reportedly earn an average salary of 107,000 USD (89.33 lakhs INR) per year, reflecting a high return on investment. With professional opportunities in some world-renowned companies like Google, Amazon, Dell, Intel, Oracle, Microsoft, IBM and several others, USA truly is one of the best places to pursue masters in engineering abroad.

FAQs

Ques. What are the admission requirements for masters in engineering in USA?

Ans. For admission to masters in engineering in USA as an international student, you will require:

  • A bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale
  • Academic transcripts
  • GRE score: Optional but recommended
  • English Proficiency requirements:
    • IELTS: 6.5 to 7.0
    • TOEFL-iBT: 79 to 90
    • Duolingo English Test (DET): 105 to 120
  • CV/Resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • 2-3 Letter of Recommendation
  • Passport
  • US student visa
  • Application Fee

Ques. How many years is masters in engineering in USA?

Ans. The study duration for masters in engineering in USA ranges between 1-2 years. The program is offered as master of science degree or master of engineering degree across a plethora of disciplines.

Ques. What is the fees for masters in engineering in USA?

Ans. For pursuing masters in engineering in USA as an international student, you should anticipate to spend between 30,000 to 65,000 USD (25.04 to 54.26 lakhs INR). The tuition fees for some popular engineering programs in USA across a few top universities are as follows:

University Program Name Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Equivalent Tuition Fees for Indians (INR)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 59,750 49.88 lakhs
Stanford University MS - Bioengineering 65,083 54.33 lakhs
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) MS in Mechanical Engineering 36,967.5 30.86 lakhs
Harvard University Computational Science and Engineering 55,656 46.46 lakhs
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) MS in Mechanical Engineering 63,402 52.93 lakhs
Georgia Institute of Technology MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering 30,064 25.10 lakhs
Carnegie Mellon University MS in Materials Science and Engineering 57,436 47.95 lakhs
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) M.S. in Aerospace Engineering 33,238 27.75 lakhs
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MENG Bioengineering 39,524 32.99 lakhs
University of Texas at Austin M.S. in Software Engineering 34,000 28.38 lakhs

Ques. Which is better MS or MEng in USA?

Ans. The significance of MS or MEng in USA depends on your academic objective and career goals.

  • A master of science program has research components in it, while, the master of engineering program is inclined towards professional development.
  • If you are planning for a PhD after your graduate studies, MS program is the better option.
  • The job opportunities after MS and MEng in USA might vary depending on the program type. You should do proper research on the industry you are looking to pursue employment and the job market.

Ques. What is the minimum GRE for masters in engineering in USA?

Ans. GRE score requirements vary across the universities in USA for engineering. As an international student, you can target for a GRE score of 150-160 in both verbal and quants. Some universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Stanford University, and Caltech are offering optional GRE requirements for MS in engineering in USA.

Ques. Is it worth pursuing masters in engineering in USA?

Ans. Yes. masters in engineering in USA is a dynamic program in USA offering high earning potential and career advancement. It is a dynamic technical degree with growing specializations, and professional opportunities. USA is home to some top ranked universities in the world for masters in Engineering, like MIT, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Harvard University, Caltech, Georgia Tech and numerous others.

You will get the global exposure for employment options after pursuing masters in engineering in USA. The tuition fees for masters in engineering programs in some top universities in USA and the respective average annual salaries are as follows:

University Annual Tuition Fees (USD) Average Salary of the University Graduates Per Year (USD)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 59,750 120,000
Stanford University 65,083 117,000
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) 36,967.5 97,000
Harvard University 55,656 96,000
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 63,402 117,000
Georgia Institute of Technology 30,064 96,000
Carnegie Mellon University 57,436 109,000
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 33,238 90,000
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 39,524 85,000
University of Texas at Austin 34,000 83,000

Ques. How much can I earn after masters in engineering in USA?

Ans. The average salary after masters in engineering in USA is reportedly 107,000 USD (89.33 lakhs INR) per year in mid-career. The average salary across some highly pursued engineering fields in USA are as follows:

Profession Average Salary Per Year (USD) Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR)
Civil Engineer 77,784 64.94 lakhs
Process Engineer 77,085 64.35 lakhs
Mechanical Engineer 80,223 66.97 lakhs
Environmental Engineer 80,377 67.10 lakhs
Project Engineer 84,890 70.87 lakhs
Controls Engineer 82,426 68.81 lakhs
Electrical Engineer 91,393 76.30 lakhs
Staff Engineer 93,582 78.13 lakhs
Software Engineer 102,449 85.53 lakhs

Ques. Who are the top companies hiring masters in engineering in USA graduates?

Ans. Some top employers hiring graduates after masters in engineering in USA are as follows:

  • Amazon Robotics
  • Dell Technologies
  • Intel Corporation
  • Microsoft
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Oracle
  • Philips
  • AWS
  • IBM
  • Bose
  • Cisco
  • Abbott
  • Salesforce
  • Lockheed Martin

Ques. What is the age limit for masters in engineering in USA?

Ans. There is no age limit to pursue a master’s degree in USA. If you are pursuing work experience of 2-3 years after bachelor’s program, the universities in USA will accept your admission application. In fact, some students prefer gaining work experience before masters programs in engineering in USA.

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