Master of Science [M.S] (Aerospace Engineering)
Field of Study:
$24,773 /Yr
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering is a two-year recommended, full-time, on-campus master’s degree in Las Vegas, Nevada. The programme offers Non-Thesis and Thesis Tracks, while the Integrated BS-MS Track is intended for eligible current UNLV undergraduates. For Spring 2027, applicants need a relevant engineering background, and annual international tuition and fees are US$28,895 (INR 27.57 Lakhs).
The degree trains students for aircraft design and development, propulsion and aerodynamics through coursework, sponsored research and a design project or thesis. Thesis students complete research and a defense, whereas Non-Thesis students complete a design project or comprehensive exit examination. Estimated mandatory health insurance is US$4,350 (INR 4.15 Lakhs), and the final programme total needs confirmation because official current documents differ on 30 versus 33 credits.
- The Non-Thesis Track combines 700-level coursework with an aerospace design project or comprehensive exit examination.
- The Thesis Track supports a hypothesis-driven research project, experimental or modelling work and a formal defense.
- Full-time international students normally carry at least 9 credits per semester, which supports campus-based research and assistantship planning.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 1 October 2026.
UNLV’s international cutoff is earlier than the 1 December standard spring deadline. Indian applicants should upload complete materials by 1 October and check the portal’s PST cutoff.
UNLV M.S. Aerospace Engineering Fees and Living Costs 2027
The official 2026-27 international graduate estimate is US$28,895 (INR 27.57 Lakhs) per academic year for a nine-credit semester load. This is the target-cycle budgeting baseline, not a final degree total, because the published credit requirements conflict.
2026-27 official fee context: The table separates annual international tuition and fees, estimated mandatory health insurance and the international graduate application charge.
| Cost item | Official 2026-27 amount (USD) | INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| International graduate tuition and fees, annual estimate | US$28,895 | INR 27.57 Lakhs |
| Mandatory health insurance, estimated annual amount | US$4,350 | INR 4.15 Lakhs |
| International graduate application fee | US$95 | INR 9,066 |
Source: UNLV 2026-27 Tuition and College Costs.
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.4309 as of 14 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
The annual estimate assumes nine graduate credits per semester and includes the listed new-student and international F-1 fees. UNLV states that health insurance is estimated separately, so Indian applicants should keep that amount outside the tuition payment plan.
- Reserve US$4,350 (INR 4.15 Lakhs) for estimated annual health insurance because it is excluded from the tuition and fee estimate.
- Pay the US$95 (INR 9,066) application charge only after checking that the Aerospace Engineering application is complete enough to submit.
- Use the annual estimate for cash-flow planning rather than multiplying it by two, because credits and future rates can change the final bill.
Cost of Living in Las Vegas for Aerospace Engineering Students
UNLV’s 2026-27 cost-of-attendance page gives annual indirect expenses rather than a rent-only estimate. The figures below separate housing, food and other academic costs from tuition and visa maintenance rules.
Official living-cost basis: Monthly figures are calculated by dividing UNLV’s 2026-27 annual off-campus single-occupancy estimates by 12.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Housing and utilities | US$1,448 | INR 1.38 Lakhs |
| Food | US$502 | INR 47,906 |
| Books, course materials and equipment | US$108 | INR 10,259 |
| Transportation | US$253 | INR 24,176 |
| Miscellaneous and personal expenses | US$275 | INR 26,275 |
| Indirect-cost total | US$2,586 | INR 2.47 Lakhs |
The annual indirect-cost estimate is US$31,037 (INR 29.62 Lakhs). Adding the four official inputs gives a calculated one-year planning baseline of US$64,377 (INR 61.44 Lakhs). This excludes any final degree-credit adjustment or special course charge.
Las Vegas housing is therefore a material part of the budget even before tuition is considered. Keep the university estimate separate from any residence quote and from the financial-maintenance amount used for visa documents.
Read More: USA study costs and city expenses
Budget note
The calculated baseline covers one academic year and excludes a final degree total. UNLV’s public degree page states 33 credits, while its 2026-27 plan documents state 30 minimum credits. Ask the department which plan applies before committing to a loan.
ROI reality: The annual tuition baseline, living estimate and insurance are separate costs. The 30-versus-33-credit conflict makes written programme confirmation the next financial step.
UNLV M.S. Aerospace Engineering Admission 2027
Admission is built around a relevant engineering degree, a strong academic record and the Graduate College’s international documentation rules. The current Aerospace Engineering policy lists no required standardized test, but it prefers a 3.00 post-baccalaureate GPA and a 3.00 average in engineering courses.
Indian applicants should show how their aerospace, mechanical or related engineering preparation connects with the selected track. The Thesis Track needs research readiness, while the Non-Thesis Track needs evidence that the applicant can complete graduate design work.
Academic and application requirements: The table distinguishes department preferences from Graduate College minimums and identifies the action required from an Indian applicant.
| Requirement | UNLV evidence | Indian applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Department GPA | Preferred post-baccalaureate GPA 3.00 on a 4.00 scale and 3.00 in all engineering courses | Target approximately 60% to 70% or CGPA 6.0 to 7.0 on 10, while UNLV makes the official equivalency decision |
| Graduate College GPA floor | Overall GPA 2.75 on a 4.00 scale or 3.00 in the last 60 semester hours | Use approximately 55% to 65% or CGPA 5.5 to 6.5 for 2.75, and 60% to 70% or CGPA 6.0 to 7.0 for 3.00 |
| Previous degree | Four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent | Upload the degree certificate and complete academic record with the grading scale |
| Academic background | Common preparation includes mechanical or aerospace engineering, applied physics or applied mathematics | Map core subjects and projects to aerodynamics, propulsion, structures or related preparation |
| Academic records | Transcripts from every postsecondary institution are required, with certified translations when records are not in English | Submit consolidated marksheets only when issued by the degree-granting institution, and add the provisional certificate when applicable |
| Standardized test | Aerospace Engineering M.S.A.E. is listed as requiring no GRE or other standardized test | Do not treat a GRE score as mandatory, but follow any new department instruction in the application portal |
No current programme-specific Aerospace Engineering ranking was verified in the allowed ranking sources, so no ranking is presented.
English Language Test Requirements
UNLV’s current graduate English policy accepts several routes, and the Aerospace Engineering page does not publish a higher course-specific English threshold. Scores must be less than two years old when the application is submitted.
Target-cycle English score table: TOEFL policies are shown on their published scales, without self-conversion between the new and legacy versions.
| Test | Minimum graduate score | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT, new scale from January 2026 | Overall 4.0 on the 1.0 to 6.0 scale | No component below 3.5 |
| TOEFL iBT Legacy | Overall 80 on the 0 to 120 scale | Use this row only when the score report is on the legacy scale |
| IELTS Academic | Overall 6.5 | No band below 6.0 |
| PTE Academic, Pearson Test of English | Overall 65 | No communicative skill below 59 |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 105 | No subscore below 100 |
| Other accepted routes | ELS 112, CEFR B2 or MET 58 | CEFR means Common European Framework of Reference for Languages |
The English requirement may be waived for a postsecondary degree taught at an institution where English is the primary language, but applicants must provide proof. Indian applicants should choose a test whose score report matches UNLV’s published scale and keep the report valid through submission.
- Use IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or the new TOEFL scale when you want a clearly published current route for Spring 2027.
- Check every TOEFL component because meeting the overall score alone does not satisfy UNLV’s new-scale minimum.
- Submit the official grading scale with Indian transcripts because UNLV makes the final equivalency decision.
Credit-plan check
UNLV’s live degree page states 33 credits, while the target-cycle 2026-27 plan documents state a 30-credit minimum. Read the 2026-27 Aerospace Engineering plan and ask the graduate coordinator which requirement applies to your admission offer.
Check Out: UNLV graduate programmes
Tip for Indian students: A relevant engineering transcript can meet the academic direction, but the track choice and credit conflict make a written departmental confirmation essential before submission.
UNLV M.S. Aerospace Engineering Application 2027
The Spring 2027 application is open, but international applicants must use the earlier Graduate College cutoff rather than the programme’s standard date. UNLV publishes the portal closing time as 11:59 p.m. PST, and the Indian conversion below is 12:29 p.m. IST on the following date.
Forward-looking intake schedule: Aerospace Engineering lists Fall and Spring entry, while Summer is not offered for the M.S.A.E. programme.
| Stage or intake | Published date and cutoff | Applicant implication |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 international Graduate College materials | 1 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. PST; 2 October 2026, 12:29 p.m. IST | Use this earlier cutoff for an F-1 application, including complete supporting documents |
| Spring 2027 admissions letter deadline | 15 November 2026; time not published | UNLV states that international applicants must receive the admissions letter by this date |
| Spring 2027 Aerospace Engineering standard deadline | 1 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. PST; 2 December 2026, 12:29 p.m. IST | This later date is not a safe cutoff for international applicants who need an F-1 visa |
| Fall 2027 international Graduate College materials | 1 May 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST; 2 May 2027, 12:29 p.m. IST | Use the published international rule and confirm the portal once Fall applications open |
| Fall 2027 Aerospace Engineering standard deadline | 1 August 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST; 2 August 2027, 12:29 p.m. IST | The international cutoff remains earlier than this programme deadline |
| Summer 2027 | Not offered by Aerospace Engineering M.S.A.E. | No Summer application date is listed for this degree |
The October cutoff controls Spring 2027 planning even though the department’s standard deadline is in December. Submit before the published PST cutoff because the portal’s timestamp controls, not a self-calculated Indian conversion.
How to Apply
Apply online and submit the Graduate College documents together with the materials requested by Aerospace Engineering. International applicants must also provide the Financial Certification form and bank letter before UNLV can issue an I-20.
- Upload transcripts from every postsecondary institution with grading scales and certified translations where required.
- Choose Thesis or Non-Thesis only after matching your research goals or design portfolio to the track requirements.
- Submit assistantship materials by 1 November 2026 for Spring 2027, but finish the full international application by 1 October 2026.
Also Check: UNLV graduate admission guidance
Application tip: Treat 1 October 2026 as the real Spring 2027 cutoff, then verify the uploaded file and PST timestamp before the portal closes.
UNLV M.S. Aerospace Engineering Scholarships 2027
UNLV does not publish a programme-specific Aerospace Engineering award amount in the current degree materials. The practical funding stack is a competitive departmental assistantship plus post-enrolment grants that support research, professional development or documented need.
2026-27 funding routes: The Graduate College says its listed awards are available for the 2026-27 academic year unless an award states otherwise. International students should check each route’s immigration and enrolment conditions before relying on it.
| Funding route | Award or value (USD) | INR equivalent | Eligibility and route | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering teaching or research assistantship | Amount and tuition impact are not published on the current programme page | Not applicable | Competitive department route; apply with the admission file and remain degree-seeking | Spring assistantship materials by 1 November 2026, subject to any earlier department date |
| GPSA Sponsorship Program | Up to US$2,500 (INR 2.39 Lakhs) during a master’s degree, with a US$1,250 (INR 1.19 Lakhs) application limit | INR 2.39 Lakhs overall; INR 1.19 Lakhs per application | Enrolled degree-seeking graduate student with six credits completed or in progress, a 3.0 GPA and one enrolled credit | No target-cycle deadline published; apply after enrolment for research, travel or professional development |
| Graduate Access Childcare Scholarship | US$150 to US$2,500 (INR 14,315 to INR 2.39 Lakhs), based on documented need and expenses | INR 14,315 to INR 2.39 Lakhs | Admitted or enrolled graduate student with young dependants, documented need and professional childcare costs; international students are exempt from FAFSA | Applications are accepted throughout the year with no stated deadline |
| GPSA Continuation Support Grant | Up to US$500 (INR 47,715) | INR 47,715 | Enrolled graduate or professional student experiencing a financial or life crisis | May be requested twice during a graduate career at UNLV |
Assistantship value and tuition remission are not confirmed for this Aerospace Engineering degree, so they should not reduce the cash requirement in your first budget. UNLV also requires the Financial Certification form and bank letter before issuing an I-20, even when an assistantship is expected.
- Contact the department about assistantship availability before the 1 October 2026 international cutoff because the published assistantship date is later than the visa-file deadline.
- Use GPSA funding for research or travel after enrolment rather than treating it as first-year tuition support.
- Apply for the childcare scholarship only when you can document eligible expenses because the award reimburses qualifying costs.
Funding note
The published awards can reduce specific research, travel or care costs, but none replaces proof of funds for the initial immigration file. Ask for the assistantship amount and any remission terms in writing before changing your loan calculation.
Scholarship reality: The strongest pre-arrival funding possibility is a department assistantship, yet its amount is unconfirmed, so submit the visa financial plan without assuming an award.
UNLV M.S. Aerospace Engineering Salary 2027
The calculated one-year baseline is US$64,377 (INR 61.44 Lakhs), combining annual tuition and fees, indirect living costs, health insurance and the application charge. It excludes a final degree-credit adjustment, so a payback period would be unreliable before UNLV reconciles its 30-credit plan with the public page’s 33-credit requirement.
- Course-cohort outcome: UNLV does not publish a current Aerospace Engineering salary, offer rate or placement report, so ask for recent department evidence before borrowing.
- Funding input: The first-year baseline is US$64,377 (INR 61.44 Lakhs) before a final credit adjustment, so build a loan plan that works without unconfirmed assistantship remission.
- External market benchmark: The May 2024 aerospace engineer median is US$134,830 (INR 1.29 Crore), but it is not an UNLV graduate outcome.
- Work-window input: Standard post-completion authorization lasts 12 months, and a science, technology, engineering and mathematics extension can add 24 months; confirm the degree code with UNLV.
- India-return input: A United States salary benchmark cannot represent Indian earnings, so model an India-return scenario separately before comparing the degree with a domestic offer.
The official course evidence supports a career direction in aircraft design and development, propulsion and aerodynamics, but it does not establish a typical graduate salary. The department also names academia, national laboratories, aerospace, automotive, energy and manufacturing as possible employment areas.
Evidence scope: The table distinguishes course information from department-level career scope, because neither source reports a course-cohort placement percentage.
| Evidence scope | Verified evidence | Decision use |
|---|---|---|
| Course-level | Aircraft design and development, propulsion and aerodynamics are named career areas | Build projects and coursework that demonstrate the technical area you want to enter |
| Department-level | Possible sectors include aerospace, automotive, national laboratories, energy, manufacturing and academia | Check whether your chosen thesis or design work matches the sector you will target |
| Course-cohort outcome | No current salary, offer-rate or placement report was verified | Do not convert the external benchmark below into a placement promise or payback forecast |
The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) provides the external benchmark used below. It reports occupation-level wages, not UNLV graduate outcomes.
| External aerospace engineer benchmark, May 2024 | Annual salary (USD) | INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| All aerospace engineers, median | US$134,830 | INR 1.29 Crore |
| Research and development industry, median | US$143,860 | INR 1.37 Crore |
| Federal government, median | US$140,710 | INR 1.34 Crore |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, median | US$134,950 | INR 1.29 Crore |
Source: BLS aerospace engineer wage data.
The federal median is a gross annual wage for an established occupation, not an entry offer for an international graduate. Take-home pay varies with tax residence, state and benefits, so use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator after receiving an offer.
Outcome note
The absence of a course-cohort salary report is itself a financing risk. Ask the department for recent destination evidence, then test the offer against the verified cost baseline and your intended work-authorisation window.
ROI reality: UNLV offers an aerospace pathway and the market benchmark shows earning potential, but missing course outcomes require funding decisions based on verified offers.
USA Visa for UNLV M.S. Aerospace Engineering Students 2027
International students normally use the F-1 academic student visa for this full-time degree. UNLV requires financial certification and a bank letter before issuing the I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, which supports the visa application after admission. The current visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,655). The I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee is US$350 (INR 33,401); verify the visa charge on the current visa fee schedule.
- Post-study work: Optional Practical Training (OPT) can provide up to 12 months of employment authorization related to the degree, subject to application and approval.
- STEM extension: A qualifying science, technology, engineering and mathematics classification can add 24 months; confirm the exact code with UNLV’s designated school official.
- Skilled-worker route: H-1B status depends on employer sponsorship, selection rules and required wage compliance, with no single Aerospace Engineering salary threshold.
- Dependants and settlement: F-2 dependent status may cover a spouse and unmarried minor children, while permanent residence has no fixed course-linked timeline and F-2 dependants cannot work.
Read More: USA F-1 visa process
Visa reality: The degree creates an F-1 study route and possible work-authorisation options, but the STEM classification, employer sponsorship and permanent-residence outcome must be verified separately.
UNLV’s Aerospace Engineering M.S. suits Indian mechanical, aerospace or related engineering graduates who want a choice between research defense and design-focused assessment. The programme’s aerospace focus, campus research access and no required GRE make it useful for applicants with strong technical preparation. The material tradeoff is financial uncertainty because annual costs are clear, but official documents differ on the minimum credit total and no course salary report is published. For Spring 2027, submit the complete international file by 1 October 2026, then obtain written credit and funding confirmation before accepting an offer.
UNLV M.S. Aerospace Engineering FAQs
Ques. Is UNLV’s Aerospace Engineering M.S. suitable for an Indian engineering graduate?
Ans. Yes, when your bachelor’s degree covers aerospace, mechanical or related engineering and your projects match propulsion, aerodynamics or structures. Choose Thesis for hypothesis-driven research and defense, or Non-Thesis for design work and a comprehensive exit route.
Ques. What does the 30-versus-33-credit conflict mean for total cost?
Ans. UNLV’s public degree page states 33 credits, but the 2026-27 plan documents state a 30-credit minimum. Use the annual 2026-27 cost baseline for planning, then ask the department which plan controls before calculating a two-year total.
Ques. What is the Spring 2027 deadline for international applicants?
Ans. The international Graduate College cutoff is 1 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST. That equals 12:29 p.m. IST on 2 October under the published timezone, and the portal timestamp controls.
Ques. Which English scores and standardized tests apply to this degree?
Ans. UNLV lists no standardized test requirement for Aerospace Engineering M.S.A.E. and accepts routes such as IELTS 6.5, PTE 65 or new-scale TOEFL iBT 4.0. TOEFL component minimums still apply, and applicants should use the published scale rather than convert scores themselves.
Ques. Can this degree support work in the United States after graduation?
Ans. The degree supports an F-1 route and standard OPT of up to 12 months, with a possible 24-month STEM extension if the exact classification qualifies. UNLV publishes no course salary or placement report, so verify the degree code and compare any offer with the complete budget before choosing a United States work plan.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $24773 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Books and supply | $1240 |
| Miscellaneous expenses | $2908 |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $24050 |
| 2022 | $23411 |
Reviews
4 Reviews Found
Likes
- World-class and advanced infrastructure and highly esteemed faculty.
- Wide range of extracurricular activities and part-time opportunities.
- Well-renowned university life and beautiful city life (especially safe nightlife).
Dislikes
- Tuition Fee is expensive.
- The evaluation of exams could have been better.
- No placement opportunities.
I chose this university because of it's top international ranking - 27th. Highly reputed with world-class infrastructure. More opportunities for research in engineering field.
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