MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA: Top Universities, Fees, Requirements & Salaries

Highlights:

• MS in Mechanical Engineering in the USA is offered across more than 172 colleges.
• The top MS in Mechanical Engineering Colleges in the USA include Stanford University, MIT, Princeton, and Harvard University.
• The average annual cost of pursuing a Masters in Mechanical Engineering in US is approximately INR 42 Lakhs with a living expense of INR 8 Lakhs. 
• After the completion of your Masters in Mechanical Engineering, you can apply for an H1B visa to live and work in USA.
• Popular job roles for mechanical engineering graduates in US include aerospace engineer, automotive engineer & manufacturing engineer. 
• The average annual salary of a mechanical engineer in USA is USD 93,221.

MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA is a full-time program of 2 years. The program is also offered as an MEng in Mechanical Engineering. The field of mechanical engineering involves the study of the design, analysis, manufacturing and operation of mechanical systems. The admission requirements for Masters in Mechanical Engineering in USA are a 4-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Some popular colleges offering MSME programs in USA include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University. 

Many MSME programs offer specializations in robotics, mechatronics, aerospace engineering, and bioengineering. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the jobs for mechanical engineers are projected to grow by 4% from 2020 to 2030. The average salary after MS in mechanical engineering in USA is INR 77 Lakhs per annum. A Master's in Mechanical Engineering in USA can give you a competitive edge in the job market and qualify you for leadership roles in the engineering field.

Top Universities in USA for MS in Mechanical Engineering

US universities consistently rank higher as per QS Rankings in the Engineering category with MIT often topping the charts. The top programs for MS in Mechanical Engineering include –   

Why Study Mechanical Engineering in the USA

Some of the reasons for pursuing an MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA are as follows:

• The job growth rate for mechanical engineers in the US is projected to be 10% from 2022 to 2032, equal to the country’s average growth rate.
• 28,500 new jobs are projected for mechanical engineers in the USA from 2022 to 2032.
• USA is the second highest-paid country for MS in Mechanical Engineering graduates with an average annual salary of 78,113 USD. 

Michigan and California are the cities that employ the highest number of mechanical engineers in USA. However, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire are the highest-paying cities. 

Check Out: Why Study in USA in 2024?

Admission Process for MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA

Most universities require a 4-year undergraduate degree in science or engineering for admission to MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA. GRE scores also play an important role in the admission decision. 

• Where to Apply: Most universities accept applications via their portal.
• When to Apply: Students can apply to USA universities for the fall or spring semester.

Check Out: US universities application deadlines

Admission Requirements for Masters in Mechanical Engineering in USA

Eligibility and additional requirements for admission in top universities in USA for MS in Mechanical Engineering are tabulated below: 

English Language Proficiency for International Students

International students have to demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting IELTS or TOEFL test scores. However, if you are from an English-speaking country or your previous education was conducted in English, you might get an exemption from submitting these scores. The minimum score requirement is provided below: 

Cost of Studying Masters in Mechanical Engineering in USA

The cost of pursuing an MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA can be broadly divided into pre-arrival and post-arrival expenses. 

Pre-Arrival Expenses

The fees of visa applications, admission applications, tests required to study in the USA, etc make up the pre-arrival expenses of an international student. Some of these are tabulated below: 

Tuition fees are an important and major expense post-arrival in the USA. For pursuing a master's in mechanical engineering in USA the tuition ranges from USD 24,300 to 89,625 (equivalent to INR 20.24 Lakhs to 74.74 Lakhs). The graphical image below depicts the cost of pursuing the program at some popular universities offering mechanical engineering in USA. 

The cost of living in USA will depend on various factors. These include the type of student accommodation opted for in US, the lifestyle of the students, and the university they opt for. The breakdown of cost of living in US is as follows – 

• Low-end: $10,000 - $15,000 per year (Economical but might be difficult to maintain in most locations)
• Moderate: $15,000 - $25,000 per year (This is a more realistic budget for many students)
• High-end: $25,000+ per year (This would allow for a more comfortable lifestyle with additional spending on activities and travel)

Scholarships for Masters in Mechanical Engineering in USA

Studying in USA is quite beneficial for your career, but it is also heavy on your pocket. However, US universities offer multiple scholarships for Indian students. For instance, MIT caters to 6 out of 10 students by providing them with a scholarship amount of USD 22,647. Some of the popular scholarships available to international students in USA are listed below:

Also Check: Education loans to study in USA

Job Opportunities in USA after MS in Mechanical Engineering

According to the U. S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, the job outlook of engineers is expected to increase by 5% by 2032 from 2022. Some of the popular jobs in USA you can land with a Master in Mechanical Engineering are listed below along with their average annual salaries: 

Also Check: High-paying jobs in USA

A Master in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) from a US university can help you build your engineering career. The median annual wage for mechanical engineers in the US was USD 99,640 in 2023. If you're an aspiring engineer, a US university MSME program could be the perfect choice due to the strong job market, high salary potential, and access to cutting-edge education.

MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA FAQs