University of Nevada MS in Materials and Nuclear Engineering: Fees, Living Costs, Test Scores, Visa Process, Work during Study, Entry Requirements.

Master of Science [M.S] [Materials and Nuclear Engineering] From University of Nevada

Las Vegas, NevadaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1957established year
30471enrollment
Public
Partner [6 Courses]
7.0/10

Master of Science [M.S] (Materials and Nuclear Engineering)

2 years
Full Time
On Campus

$24,773 /Yr

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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Aug 14, 2026

University of Nevada, Las Vegas Master of Science in Materials and Nuclear Engineering is a two-year recommended master’s degree in Las Vegas, Nevada, with thesis and non-thesis routes. UNLV also lists an Integrated BS-MS route and a Nuclear Engineering Online route, but this page uses the full-time F-1 study route for Indian applicants. For Spring 2027, applicants need a four-year bachelor’s equivalent and GPA 2.75 overall or 3.00 in the last 60 credits. Annual international tuition is US$28,895 (INR 27.57 Lakhs). The GPA is assessed on a 4.00 scale, while mandatory health insurance is estimated at US$4,350 (INR 4.15 Lakhs).

The Materials Engineering track connects materials science, metallurgy and materials performance with corrosion, mechanical metallurgy and nuclear materials. The Nuclear Engineering track focuses on applied nuclear science, used fuel management, criticality and radiation detection, while the thesis route requires independent research and a defense. The combined curriculum suits Indian engineering graduates who want a focused materials or nuclear pathway and can fund a research-led United States degree.

  • The 2026-27 plans confirm 30 credits for both thesis and non-thesis routes, which keeps the degree requirement explicit for funding calculations.
  • Non-thesis students complete a design project or comprehensive exit examination, creating a structured alternative to thesis research.
  • Department laboratories cover corrosion, material characterization, nuclear engineering, smart materials and solar energy, giving applicants several technical directions to investigate.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 1 October 2026.

The portal closes at 11:59 p.m. PST on the stated date, which is 12:29 p.m. IST on 2 October 2026 for Indian applicants. The university timezone controls the portal timestamp, so submit the complete file before the listed cutoff and retain the confirmation.

UNLV Materials and Nuclear Engineering Fees 2027

The 2026-27 international graduate estimate is US$28,895 (INR 27.57 Lakhs) per academic year for a nine-credit semester load. UNLV’s target-cycle table excludes the mandatory health insurance estimate, so the first-year baseline adds US$4,350 (INR 4.15 Lakhs). An international application fee of US$95 (INR 9,066) is payable separately.

The 2026-27 estimate is a university budgeting figure rather than a course-specific total, because the programme can be completed through different subplans and credit patterns. The current plans confirm 30 credits for thesis and non-thesis routes, while the recommended duration remains two years. Use the annual figure for financial certification, then keep a separate reserve for travel, deposits and fee changes.

Target-cycle fee context: The table uses UNLV’s 2026-27 international graduate estimate for Fall and Spring semesters, with the health insurance estimate shown separately.

Cost itemOfficial 2026-27 amount (USD)INR equivalent
International graduate tuition and fees, annual estimateUS$28,895INR 27.57 Lakhs
Mandatory health insurance, annual estimateUS$4,350INR 4.15 Lakhs
International graduate application feeUS$95INR 9,066

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.

Source: UNLV 2026-27 Tuition and College Costs.

  • The annual tuition estimate includes the international F-1 fee of US$145 (INR 13,837) per semester, so do not add that fee again.
  • Health insurance is outside tuition, so include the US$4,350 (INR 4.15 Lakhs) estimate in the financial certification plan.
  • The 30-credit plans support a two-year study schedule, but the university bills by enrolment and may revise future rates.

Check Out: USA study costs for international students

Cost of Living in Las Vegas for Materials and Nuclear Engineering Students

UNLV estimates graduate living costs using a single-occupancy off-campus budget. Monthly figures below divide each official 2026-27 category by 12.

Living-cost context: The table excludes tuition, mandatory health insurance and the federal loan fee, because those items answer different budgeting questions.

ExpenseMonthly (USD)Monthly (INR)Annual (USD)Annual (INR)
Housing and utilitiesUS$1,448.25INR 1.38 LakhsUS$17,379INR 16.58 Lakhs
FoodUS$502.00INR 47,906US$6,024INR 5.75 Lakhs
Books, course materials, supplies and equipmentUS$107.50INR 10,259US$1,290INR 1.23 Lakhs
TransportationUS$253.33INR 24,176US$3,040INR 2.90 Lakhs
Miscellaneous and personalUS$275.33INR 26,275US$3,304INR 3.15 Lakhs
Total listed living categoriesUS$2,586.42INR 2.47 LakhsUS$31,037INR 29.62 Lakhs

Source: UNLV 2026-27 Cost of Attendance Estimates for Graduate Students.

The calculated first-year baseline is US$64,377 (INR 61.44 Lakhs): tuition and fees, health insurance, listed living costs and the application fee. A two-year planning illustration is US$128,659 (INR 1.23 Crore), using the same annual inputs twice and the application charge once. These are calculated figures, not a guaranteed programme bill, because fees and living costs can change.

Budget note

Use the US$64,377 (INR 61.44 Lakhs) first-year baseline for financial planning, then ask UNLV to confirm the online fee treatment before choosing a non-F-1 route.

Key insight: UNLV’s published annual estimate makes the first-year cost visible, but the two-year total remains a planning figure, so secure funding for the full route before enrolment.

UNLV Materials and Nuclear Engineering Admission 2027

Admission to this M.S. requires a four-year bachelor’s degree equivalent and the UNLV Graduate College minimum GPA. The minimum is 2.75 overall or 3.00 over the last 60 semester hours on a 4.00 scale. Materials and Nuclear Engineering lists no standardized test requirement, including the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is therefore not compulsory under the current published policy.

The course page names materials science, metallurgy, materials performance and applied nuclear engineering as core directions. Applicants should map their undergraduate subjects, projects and recommendations to the chosen track because the department reviews the full application rather than a single score.

Academic eligibility context: The table shows UNLV’s published minimums and approximate Indian planning equivalents, while UNLV makes the final credential decision.

RequirementUNLV standardApproximate Indian planning equivalentApplicant action
Bachelor’s degreeFour-year baccalaureate or approved equivalentFour-year BE, BTech or related degreeUpload every post-secondary transcript and the grading key.
Overall GPAMinimum GPA 2.75 on a 4.00 scaleApproximately 55% to 59%, or CGPA 5.5 to 5.9 on 10Show the institutional grading scale for UNLV evaluation.
Last 60 semester hoursMinimum GPA 3.00 on a 4.00 scaleApproximately 60%, or CGPA 6.0 on 10Include semester or year-wise marks so the final two-year record can be reviewed.
Standardized testNo test required for Materials and Nuclear Engineering M.S.No GRE submission is required under the current policyUse the application checklist if the department requests any additional evidence.
Indian academic documentsEnglish translation and grading scale are required when applicableConsolidated marks sheets may be accepted when yearly sheets are unavailableProvide institution-issued marks sheets, provisional certificate and certified translations where needed.

UNLV performs an in-house credential evaluation and may accept a course-by-course evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency. Indian applicants should provide the university grading scale because a third-party estimate does not replace UNLV’s decision. UNLV also states that consolidated marks sheets are acceptable when yearly sheets are unavailable, but the degree-granting institution must issue them.

Read More: UNLV graduate programme options

English Language Proficiency for UNLV Materials and Nuclear Engineering

English language proficiency (ELP) is required unless your post-secondary degree was taught primarily in English and you provide proof. Test scores must be less than two years old at application.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) has separate new and legacy rows. UNLV’s current page preserves both scales without conversion, so applicants should use the row matching their score report.

Published score context: These are graduate minimums for all colleges, and each component minimum applies where shown.

English testOverall minimumPublished scaleComponent rule
New TOEFL iBT Test, beginning January 20264.01.0 to 6.0No band below 3.5
TOEFL iBT Test, legacy800 to 120No component rule shown
IELTS Academic6.5Band scoreNo band below 6.0
PTE Academic65ScoreNo communicative skill below 59
Duolingo English Test (DET)105ScoreNo subscore below 100
English Language Services (ELS)Level 112LevelNo component rule shown
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)Level B2Framework levelNo component rule shown
Michigan English Test (MET)58ScoreNo component rule shown
  • Indian applicants should schedule the selected test early enough to receive an official score before the 1 October 2026 international deadline.
  • IELTS Academic and PTE Academic provide familiar testing routes, while TOEFL applicants must select the scale matching their score report.
  • An English-medium degree may support an exemption only when UNLV accepts proof that English was the primary instruction language.

Eligibility note

A 2.75 overall GPA meets the Graduate College floor, but the department still reviews preparation for the selected materials or nuclear specialization, so map transcripts and projects before uploading.

Tip for Indian students: The no-GRE policy removes one application task, but English proof and transcript equivalency still need a complete file before the international cutoff.

UNLV Materials and Nuclear Engineering Application 2027

Spring 2027 is the earliest future intake with an open international application window. UNLV lists 1 October 2026 as the international deadline, while the programme table lists 1 December 2026 for Spring. The earlier international date controls the F-1 route. International applicants should receive the Graduate College admissions letter by 15 November 2026.

UNLV publishes Fall, Spring and Summer deadlines for this M.S., and applications open each year on 1 September, 1 February and 1 July respectively. Because the course page lists an online option, confirm whether your intended route needs an I-20 before using the international timing.

Forward-looking application stages: Dates below use the current UNLV programme schedule and the international submission rule, with IST conversions based on UNLV’s published 11:59 p.m. PST cutoff.

Intake and stageApplication deadlineDecision or next milestone
Spring 2027 targetInternational: 1 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. PST; 2 October 2026, 12:29 p.m. ISTGraduate College admissions letter by 15 November 2026
Fall 2027International: 1 May 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST; 2 May 2027, 12:29 p.m. IST; programme: 1 August 2027Graduate College admissions letter by 1 July 2027
Summer 2027Programme: 1 May 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST; the current page gives separate international dates only for fall and springAsk UNLV whether a Summer F-1 start is permitted for the selected route before paying the fee.

Engineering applicants use the Centralized Application Service (CAS), and UNLV lists engineering programmes under the current Summer, Fall and Spring application cycle. CAS is the platform through which international applicants submit the central graduate application and supporting documents.

Prepare the completed application, the nonrefundable US$95 (INR 9,066) fee, transcripts from every post-secondary institution, English proof and department materials. UNLV also requires a financial certification form and bank letter before issuing Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The financial document is required even when an applicant expects a graduate assistantship.

  • Submit a complete international file by 1 October 2026 because the F-1 deadline is earlier than the 1 December 2026 programme deadline.
  • If you seek a Spring 2027 graduate assistantship, prepare the funding file by 1 November 2026 while still meeting the earlier international admissions cutoff.
  • The checked pages publish no programme-specific interview requirement, so use the application portal checklist before paying and submitting.

Application tip

The 1 October international deadline comes before the 1 December programme deadline, so treat 1 October as controlling. Request department confirmation on the F-1 and online routes before paying the application fee.

Application tip: Spring 2027 is open, but the October international cutoff controls the file, so finish transcripts, language scores and funding evidence before the portal closes.

UNLV Materials and Nuclear Engineering Scholarships 2027

The official funding pages identify departmental teaching and research assistantships, enrolled-student sponsorships and emergency support, rather than a fixed pre-arrival award for this M.S. UNLV’s Mechanical Engineering page confirms multiple teaching and research assistantships, while the Graduate College says awards are subject to funding and amounts change annually.

Graduate scholarships and fellowships are open regardless of immigration status, but many require UNLV credits or current enrollment. Apply for assistantship consideration through the graduate application route and keep full financial proof because UNLV requires a bank letter even when funding is expected.

Funding options for 2026-27: These opportunities match the published applicant profile, but assistantship availability and final packages remain department or committee decisions.

Funding optionPublished value or benefitINR equivalentEligibility, route and timing
Mechanical Engineering teaching or research assistantshipStipend, reduced tuition, health insurance coverage and out-of-state fee waiver; appointment amount variesNot publishedAsk the department about openings and apply through the graduate funding route; the Spring 2027 assistantship consideration date is 1 November 2026.
GPSA Sponsorship Award ProgramUp to US$2,500 during the master’s degree tenureUp to INR 2.39 LakhsApply after enrolment with at least 6 graduate credits completed or in progress and a 3.0 GPA; submit at least 60 days before the activity.
Graduate College Emergency Retention Grant or GPSA Continuation Support GrantEmergency financial assistance; amount varies by approved need and fundingNot publishedEnrolled international graduate students may apply after admission through the relevant support office.

UNLV’s current named fellowships include several doctoral-only awards, while the Alumni Graduate Scholarship requires a UNLV bachelor’s degree. Those criteria exclude a newly applying Indian M.S. student, so they are not presented as usable funding here.

  • Treat an assistantship as competitive funding, not as a guaranteed fee waiver, because stipend and remission terms are appointment-specific.
  • Use GPSA funding after enrolment for research, professional development or travel, not as first-term tuition funding.
  • Retain a no-award budget because UNLV requires financial certification before issuing Form I-20.

Funding note

The 2026-27 pages show assistantships, GPSA sponsorship and emergency support, but none provides a guaranteed amount for a newly admitted international M.S. student. Ask the department for a written package before reducing the US$64,377 (INR 61.44 Lakhs) first-year budget.

Scholarship reality: Assistantships are the main pre-arrival funding question for this degree, but published sources do not guarantee a package. Submit proof of funds without assuming an award.

UNLV Materials and Nuclear Engineering Salary 2027

The programme’s calculated two-year planning baseline is US$128,659 (INR 1.23 Crore) before loan interest, travel and future fee changes. UNLV publishes career areas and research directions, but no course-cohort salary, offer rate or placement report was verified.

  • Course-cohort outcome: UNLV publishes no salary, offer-rate or placement report for this M.S., so ask the department for recent destinations before borrowing.
  • Course input: the two tracks let you target materials performance or nuclear engineering, so choose projects that demonstrate the technical pathway you will market.
  • External market benchmark: May 2024 occupation data report a median of US$108,310 (INR 1.03 Crore) for materials engineers and US$127,520 (INR 1.22 Crore) for nuclear engineers.
  • Work-window input: standard post-completion OPT can last 12 months, and the possible STEM extension requires a qualifying degree code.
  • India-return input: a United States occupational median cannot represent Indian earnings, so model a separate India-return salary and loan scenario.

OPT means Optional Practical Training, which authorizes temporary work directly related to the degree. STEM means science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while CIP means Classification of Instructional Programs. A STEM extension is available only when the exact CIP code appears on the federal list, so confirm the code with UNLV.

UNLV’s department lists academia, national laboratories, automotive, aerospace, nuclear, energy, entertainment and manufacturing as career areas. These are destination sectors named by the department, not placement rates.

Evidence scope: The table separates course evidence, department-level possibilities and missing course-cohort outcomes, because each supports a different financing decision.

Evidence scopeVerified evidenceApplicant use
Course-levelMaterials Engineering and Nuclear Engineering tracks with thesis, non-thesis and online optionsChoose the track and culminating work that match your intended technical role.
Assessment-levelThesis students complete research and a defense; non-thesis students complete a design project or comprehensive examination.Build a portfolio around research evidence or open-ended design problem solving.
Department-levelCareer areas include academia, national laboratories, automotive, aerospace, nuclear, energy, entertainment and manufacturing.Check whether your electives and project support the sector you will approach.
Course-cohortNo current salary, offer-rate or placement report was verified.Request recent destination evidence before using a loan-based payback model.

The missing course report is a material financing risk because occupation medians do not show UNLV placement probability. Use an offer-specific scenario that includes the funding package, work authorization and your India-return alternative.

External market benchmark: The following May 2024 figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), not UNLV graduate outcomes. The BLS median represents workers across experience levels, so it is not an entry salary guarantee.

Occupation benchmark, May 2024Median annual salary (USD)INR equivalent
Materials engineers, all industriesUS$108,310INR 1.03 Crore
Nuclear engineers, all industriesUS$127,520INR 1.22 Crore

Source: BLS architecture and engineering wage data.

For nuclear engineers, BLS lists a May 2024 median of US$140,070 (INR 1.34 Crore) in scientific research and development services. It lists US$135,760 (INR 1.30 Crore) in nuclear electric power generation. These are external occupation benchmarks rather than UNLV outcomes.

Gross salary does not equal take-home pay because tax residence, state rules, benefits and deductions change the amount received. Use a current tax calculator after receiving an offer, then test the net figure against the remaining loan balance.

Check Out: UNLV course and campus profile

ROI note

No course salary report means the external BLS median cannot justify borrowing on its own. Pair any offer with the full cost baseline, funding package and India-return scenario before accepting.

ROI reality: The degree offers a focused technical proposition and a possible United States work window, but missing course outcomes make an offer-specific funding model essential.

USA Visa for UNLV Materials and Nuclear Engineering Students 2027

Indian students entering this full-time degree normally use the F-1 student visa. UNLV issues Form I-20 after receiving admission and financial certification, while the current U.S. visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,655). Students must also pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, which is US$350 (INR 33,401) for F and M students. Review the current U.S. student visa instructions before paying because consular procedures can vary by location.

SEVIS means Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, while the I-901 fee registers the student record used for visa processing. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to the degree. A STEM extension means a science, technology, engineering and mathematics extension, and it requires a qualifying degree code.

  • Post-study work: OPT can provide up to 12 months of employment authorization when approved employment is directly related to the degree.
  • STEM extension: A qualifying degree code can support an additional 24 months, so confirm the exact CIP classification with UNLV before relying on 36 months.
  • Skilled-worker route: H-1B status depends on employer sponsorship, selection rules and the higher of actual or prevailing wage, with no single course-specific salary threshold.
  • Dependants and settlement: F-2 status may cover a spouse and unmarried minor children, but F-2 dependants cannot work and permanent residence has no fixed course-linked timeline.

UNLV’s online option is not automatically an F-1 route because the university states that fully online students who do not need a student visa can use standard programme deadlines. Choose the campus-based route only after the admission offer and I-20 details match your intended study mode.

Read More: USA F-1 visa process

Visa note

The F-1 route depends on campus-based study, financial certification and a qualifying enrolment record. Confirm the degree code, work-authorisation window and dependant documents with UNLV before making a post-study plan.

Visa reality: The degree supports an F-1 study route and possible OPT, but the online distinction, STEM code, employer sponsorship and permanent-residence route require separate confirmation.

UNLV Materials and Nuclear Engineering Ranking 2027

UNLV’s online master’s in engineering ranked No. 44 in the 2026 U.S. News and World Report Best Online Programs ranking. The university says it climbed from a cluster of 85 to 109 the previous year.

The ranking applies to online master’s programmes in engineering, not a campus-based M.S. salary or placement outcome. It is most useful for comparing the online delivery option, while an F-1 applicant should judge the campus route through curriculum, funding and work-authorisation evidence.

Ranking context: The position below is programme-scope evidence from the university’s January 2026 ranking release.

Ranking editionScopePositionPrevious position
U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Online ProgramsOnline master’s programs in engineeringNo. 44Cluster of 85 to 109 in the previous edition

The online ranking does not establish admission selectivity, graduate salary or visa eligibility. Use it as one signal for the distance route, then verify the course plan and fee treatment before choosing an online degree from India.

Read More: UNLV ranking details

Ranking note

The No. 44 position describes online engineering programmes and should not be used as a campus placement claim. Indian applicants should match the ranking scope to the study mode they can fund and legally enter.

Honest take: The online engineering ranking adds useful delivery-scope evidence, but it cannot replace a track-specific review of cost, curriculum, outcomes and visa eligibility.

UNLV’s Materials and Nuclear Engineering M.S. suits Indian engineering graduates who want a focused materials or nuclear specialisation with a thesis or design-based completion route. The programme fits applicants who can connect prior coursework to materials performance, applied nuclear engineering and a two-year funding plan. The material tradeoff is that UNLV publishes no course-cohort salary report, while the No. 44 ranking applies only to the online engineering route. For Spring 2027, submit the complete international file by 1 October 2026 and request written confirmation of the assistantship and F-1 route before accepting an offer.

UNLV Materials and Nuclear Engineering FAQs

Ques. Is UNLV’s Materials and Nuclear Engineering M.S. suitable for an Indian engineering graduate?

Ans. It suits a four-year engineering graduate who can meet the 2.75 overall or 3.00 last-60-credits GPA floor and show preparation for the selected track. Choose thesis for independent research and defense, or non-thesis for a design project or comprehensive examination.

Ques. What is the calculated cost for two years?

Ans. The calculated planning illustration is US$128,659 (INR 1.23 Crore), using 2026-27 annual tuition, health insurance and living categories twice, with the application charge once. It is not a guaranteed final bill, so keep a reserve for future rate changes, travel and loan interest.

Ques. Does this M.S. require GRE or a specific English score?

Ans. UNLV lists no standardized test requirement for Materials and Nuclear Engineering. It accepts new TOEFL iBT 4.0 on the 1.0 to 6.0 scale, with no band below 3.5. IELTS Academic requires 6.5 with no band below 6.0, while PTE Academic requires 65 with no communicative skill below 59.

Ques. What is the Spring 2027 international application deadline?

Ans. The international deadline is 1 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST, which is 12:29 p.m. IST on 2 October 2026. The Graduate College says the Spring 2027 admissions letter should arrive by 15 November 2026, so submit a complete file before the earlier cutoff.

Ques. Can this degree lead to work in the United States after graduation?

Ans. An F-1 student may seek up to 12 months of OPT in degree-related work, with a possible 24-month STEM extension when the exact degree code qualifies. UNLV publishes no course salary or placement report, so use an offer-specific budget and verify the degree code before relying on a United States work plan.

Also Check: UNLV M.S. Materials and Nuclear Engineering admission


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$24773

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Books and supply$1240
Miscellaneous expenses$2908

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2023$24050
2022$23411

Scores Required

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

74 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

65 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

105 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo


Ranking

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