MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA: Course Guide for International Students

MS in Mechanical Engineering in the USA is a full-time program that takes 2 years to complete. The mode of education can be online or on-campus. Some universities in USA also offer a 1 to 2 year MEng in Mechanical Engineering. 

  • Total program fees of MS in Mechanical Engineering in the USA ranges between upto 100,000 USD (~76.95 lakhs).
  • A 4-year bachelor's degree and a GRE score are required for admission in universities offering Masters in Mechanical Engineering in USA.
  • The average salary of a mechanical engineer in the USA is 81,900 USD (~63.02 lakhs) per annum. 

Why Study Mechanical Engineering in the USA

Following are some of the reasons for pursuing an MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA:

  • Job growth for mechanical engineers in the USA is projected to be 4% till 2028 which is equivalent to the country’s average growth rate.
  • 12,800 new jobs are expected to b created for mechanical engineers in the USA from 2018 to 2028.
  • Across various countries of the world, mechanical engineers in the USA are third highest-paid with an annual salary of 80,000 USD per annum. 
Top paying countries
  • Michigan and California are the highest employing cities in USA for mechanical engineers.
  • However, the highest paying cities are Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire. 
  • The USA is home to more than 150 prestigious Medical and Engineering colleges, offering courses that are not only flexible but also can be customized according to preferences based on the choice of optional subjects and extracurricular activities.

Top Universities in USA for MS in Mechanical Engineering

The universities of the USA have been very instrumental in nurturing the students to become successful. It is dwelling to most of the topmost universities of the world and with MIT topping the list. Let us see the details of the universities and their duration and fees:

QS Ranking 2022 University Program Offered Annual Tuition Fees (in INR)
1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years 42.81 lakhs
2 Stanford University MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years 58.1 lakhs
6 University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

MEng Mechanical Engineering; 2 years

47.48 lakhs
12 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor  MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years 47.5 Lakhs
14 Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) MS Mechanical Engineering; 1 year 21.94 lakhs
17 California Institute of Technology (Caltech) MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years 38.09 lakhs
20 Purdue University

MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years

31.66 lakhs
26 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years 49.17 lakhs
36 Cornell University

MS Mechanical Engineering: 2 years

44.12 lakhs
38 Northwestern University MS Mechanical Engineering: 1 year 42.01 lakhs

Admission Process of MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA

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

  • Where to Apply: The majority of the universities accept applications via their own portal.
  • When to Apply: Students can apply to USA universities for fall or spring semester. Some universities also accept application for the summer semester. 

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: 

University Eligibility Additional Requirements
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 4-year bachelor with 87%; GRE: 156 -168 3 Letter of recommendations; Statement of Purpose
Stanford University 4-year BS in Physics or BEng; GRE 3 Letter of recommendations; Statement of Purpose; CV
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) Bachelors in related field with 80%; GRE 3 Letters of recommendation; CV; Statement of Purpose; Personal History Statement
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor  BSE or equivalent with 90%; GRE: 80th to 90th percentile 2 Letters of recommendation; Statement of Purpose; Personal Statement; CV
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Bachelors in related field; GRE (recommended) CV
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 4-year bachelors with mathematics and science; GRE Letters of recommendation
Purdue University Bachelors with 82%; GRE: 162 in Quantitative Statement of Purpose; 3 Letters of recommendation; CV
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bachelors in related field; GRE 3 Letters of recommendation
Cornell University Bachelors in related field; GRE Statement of Purpose; 3 Letters of recommendation; CV
Northwestern University Bachelors in related field; GRE Letters of recommendation; Statement of Purpose; Publications

English Language Proficiency for International Students

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

Entrance Exams Minimum Scoring Points
IELTS 6.5 – 7.0
TOEFL iBT 80 – 100

Cost of Studying Masters in Mechanical Engineering in USA

Planning to study in the USA? There are certain unavoidable expenses that you will suffer. These 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: 

Type of Expense Cost in INR
Program Application Fees 7,456- 14,913
US Student Visa Application Fees 11,931
IELTS Fees 17,870
TOEFL Fees 14,900
GRE Fees 15,918
Tuition Fees for MS Mechanical Engineering in USA

Tuition fees are an important and major expense post-arrival in the USA. For pursuing master's in mechanical engineering in USA the tuition ranges from 25000 to 55000. The graphical image below discusses the cost of pursuing the program at some popular universities offering mechanical engineering in USA. 

Tuition Fees

Cost of Living 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 applicant, city/university of choice. The details of expenses in various cities are detailed below:

Item Approximate Expense Range in INR (Monthly)
Rent of Apartment 0.77 lakhs to 1.53 lakhs
Meals 0.02 lakhs to 0.04 (one-meal)
Transportation 0.07 lakhs to 0.23 lakhs
Personal Expenses 0.23 lakhs to 0.46 lakhs
Health Insurance 0.35 lakhs to 0.54 lakhs

The image below details the maximum and minimum costs of studying in various coasts of the USA:

Monthly Cost of Living by Coast

Scholarships for Masters in Mechanical Engineering in USA

It is true that studying in the USA is quite praise-worthy but at the same time quite heavy on the pockets. But the USA has never failed the students and therefore here we present you with the top-notch scholarships offered to the students:

It tops the list yet again, MIT caters to 6 out of 10 students by providing them with a scholarship amount of US$ 22, 647 which in another way round is the finance needed to pursue a degree from a state school. Furthermore, if any family’s income is less than $90,000 annually then it tends to them by ensuring the tuition fee. 

Some of the popular scholarships available to international students in USA are listed below:

Scholarship/Institute Offering Amount (INR)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for Engineers 17.40 lakhs
The Fulbright Scholarships Tuition and other expenses
The American Association of University Women Upto 23.05 lakhs fellowships
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship 50% grant and 50% loan
BrokerFish International Student Scholarship Health Insurance
Go Clean Scholarship Tuition fee waiver
Comindware Scholarship Tuition fee waiver

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 the engineers will be escalated by 3,25,700 by 2028 from 312,900 in 2018. An average income of 77,900 USD is earned by an engineer, with the lowest 43,100 USD and the highest being 103,000 USD.

Some of the popular jobs in USA you can land into with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering are listed below along with their average annual salaries: 

Job Designation Salaries (INR)
Mechanical engineering manager 75.60 lakhs
Robotics engineer 72.07 lakhs
Automation engineer 67.99 lakhs
Mechanical inspector 64.23 lakhs
Mechanical engineer 62.92 lakhs
Ceramic engineer 62.69 lakhs
HVAC engineer 60.31 lakhs
Marine engineer 56.39 lakhs
Mechanical design engineer 63.61 lakhs
Nuclear engineer 66.74 lakhs

Also Check: High paying jobs in USA

Studying in the USA is a dream for many. It not only presents one with a prosperous future but also with a happening life. There are numerous electives to choose from and the majority of the universities are high-end. One will even get to nurture their English skills which is a great add-on. Lastly, your CV will get an international touch - which will make you fly high. 

MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA FAQs

Ques. What is the GPA prerequisite for admissions to MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA?

Ans. For master's programs, the GPA needed is roughly 3.0-3.5. This is equivalent to an 83-86 and 87-89% score. The grade equivalent of the same is B and B+. 

Ques. What are the requirements for pursuing a MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA?

Ans. Documents required for studying masters in mechanical engineering in USA are GRE/TOEFL/IELTS/ scores report, LORs, SOP, Transcripts, resume. Competitive scores are required in GRE and other tests. 

Ques. What is the cost of pursuing a MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA?

Ans. The cost of pursuing a MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA is 27,000 to 56,000 USD. This is equivalent to 20,56,387 to 42,65,100 INR for an Indian student.

Ques. How much can I earn with a masters in mechanical engineering in USA?

Ans. At an entry-level mechanical engineers can make up to 43,100 USD to 103,000 USD. This is equivalent to 32,60,000 INR to 77,90,000 INR. This makes MS in Mechanical Engineering in USA a lucrative program with high return on investment.

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