Mechanical engineering is a multidisciplinary program dealing with the construction or enhancement of thermal and mechanical devices utilizing analysis and computer-aided design. A degree in Mechanical Engineering incorporates skills related to design, manufacture, testing, and development of mechanical systems employed in almost every industry imaginable.
The United States is the world's greatest economy and we can imagine the vastness of its industrial sector. A Masters in Mechanical Engineering in the US could be what you are looking for if you are passionate about creating machines and new tools that eases human lives.
The average cost of pursuing a Masters's degree in Mechanical engineering in the USA ranges from 25000 to 75000 and it could take up to 2 years to complete.
Due to their versatility and the number of work options available after graduation, mechanical engineers are the third highest-paid profession in the United States. Mechanical engineers might earn between 81,900 USD and 95,000 USD per year on average.
Some Common areas of specialization for students who pursue this degree are:
- Manager of mechanical engineering
- Engineer in robotics
- Engineer in automation
- Inspector of mechanical systems
- Engineer in mechanical engineering
- Engineer in ceramics
Why study Master of Mechanical Engineering in the USA
Benefits of studying Master of Mechanical Engineering in the USA:
- Mechanical engineer employment growth in the United States is 4% until 2028, equal to the country's average growth
- Mechanical engineers will gain 12,800 new jobs in the United States between 2018 and 2028
- Mechanical engineers in the United States are the third highest-paid globally, with compensation of 80,000 USD annually
- Michigan and California have the highest percentages of mechanical engineers in the United States
- Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire are the highest paying cities for Mechanical engineers
- There are over 150 renowned engineering and medical universities in the United States
Top Universities for Master of Mechanical Engineering in USA
Top American institutions that offer a Master of Mechanical Engineering Courses are as follows:
Universities in the United States are frequently ranked as among the top-notch in the world. Some of the best universities in the world are included below, along with their QS world rankings.
Rank (QS 2022) |
University Name |
Program |
1 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years |
2 |
Stanford University |
MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years |
4 |
Harvard University |
Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering; 2 years |
6 |
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) |
MEng Mechanical Engineering; 2 years |
11 |
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years |
14 |
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
MS Mechanical Engineering; 1 year |
15 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years |
17 |
Purdue University |
MS Mechanical Engineering; 2 years |
24 |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
M.Eng.ME/ Mechanical Engineering; 2 years |
=27 |
Pennsylvania State University |
MS Mechanical Engineering: 2 years |
Source: 2022, QS World University Rankings by Subject
Master of Mechanical Engineering in the USA: Tuition fees for international students
The United States is home to most of the world's leading engineering universities, with MIT atop the list. The state is home to some of the largest and most prominent educational institutions in the country.
Top American universities that offer a Master of Mechanical Engineering courses with fees are in the table below:
University |
Course Duration |
Tuition Fee(per year) |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
2 Years |
55,510 USD |
Stanford University |
2 Years |
37,602 USD |
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) |
2 Years |
25,825 USD |
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor |
2 Years |
37,985 USD |
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
1 Year |
20,265 USD |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
2 Years |
50,240.98 USD |
Purdue University |
2 Years |
41,100 USD |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
2 Years |
54,225 USD |
Pennsylvania State University |
2 Years |
36,280 USD |
Master of Mechanical Engineering in USA: Entry Requirement
Entry Requirements for international students as specified by different universities are as follows:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- 4-year bachelor with 87%; GRE: 156 -168
- 3 LOR and a SOP
English Language Requirements:
- TOEFL: 85 with at least a 40 in each of the four components,
- PTE: 65 or higher and no part less than 60
Stanford University
- 4-year BS in Physics or BEng; GRE
- 3 LOR, a SOP, and a CV
English Language Requirements:
- TOEFL: 80 with at least a 30 in each of the four components
- IELTS: 6.5 overall score band
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
- Bachelors in related field with 80%; GRE
- 3 LOR, a CV; SOP; and a Personal History Statement
English Language requirements:
- TOEFL: 90-100/120, 22 in reading, hearing, and writing and 20 in speaking
- IELTS: 7/9 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- BSE or equivalent with 90%; GRE
- 2 LOR, a CV; SOP; and a Personal History Statement
English Language requirements:
- TOEFL: 86/120, with at least 20 in each of the four component scores
- IELTS: 6.5/9 overall
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
- Bachelors in related field; GRE (recommended)
- CV
English language requirements:
- TOEFL: 100/120, with a minimum score of 20 in each section
- IELTS: 6.5/9, with a minimum of 5.5 in each test band
Purdue University
- Bachelors with 82%; GRE: 162 in Quantitative
- SOP; 3 LOR; and a CV
English language requirements:
- TOEFL: 93/120, with a minimum of 20 in each category
- IELTS: 7/9, with a minimum of 6.5 in each section
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Bachelors in related fields; GRE
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
English language requirements:
- TOEFL: 86/120, with a minimum of 20 in each category
- IELTS: 6.5/9, with a minimum of 6 in each section
Cornell University
- Bachelors in related fields; GRE
- 3 LOR (Letters of recommendation), an SOP, and a CV
English language requirements:
- TOEFL: minimum 100 (internet-based)/ 600 (paper-based)
- IELTS: 7.5/9, with a minimum of 7 in each section
Northwestern University
- Bachelors in related fields; GRE
- LOR (Letters of recommendation), an SOP, a CV, and Publications
English Language Requirements:
- IELTS: a band score of 6.5 or higher is required (Academic module)
- TOEFL: 86 overall, with a minimum of 20 in each of the four component scores
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- 4-year bachelors in mathematics and science; GRE
- LOR
- CV
English Language Requirements:
- IELTS: a band score of 6.5 or higher
- TOEFL: 80-90 overall, with a minimum of 20-25 in each
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- A graduate of an institution awarding a baccalaureate degree equivalent to that granted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- A minimum grade point average of 3.25 (A = 4.00) for the last two years of undergraduate study is required
- A minimum grade point average of 3.50 (A = 4.00) is required for any previous graduate work completed
English Language Requirements:
- IELTS: 6.5 min -7.5 max
- TOEFL /TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Home Edition/ TOEFL iBT Paper Edition: 79-103 overall
- Duolingo (Accepting temporarily): 105-125
Pennsylvania State University:
- A minimum of 30 graduate course credits
- A minimum of 12 credits in 400 and 500 level courses in mechanical engineering. ME 410, 440W, 442W, 443W, 450, and any other required undergraduate courses cannot be included in those 12 credits
- GRE required
English Language Requirements:
- IELTS: 6.5 min -7 max
- TOEFL: minimum of 80 or higher on the internet-based test with a 19 or higher in the speaking section.
Master of Mechanical Engineering in the USA: Scholarships
The US, which is seen as the greatest in the world economy, is also regarded as the top study destination for Master of Mechanical Engineering by international students. One of the major reasons for students' attraction is the available number of scholarships in almost every field of study in the United States.
There are numerous scholarships in the US offered by universities in collaboration with government agencies in the United States. Following are some of the most popular university-specific scholarships for international students.
Master of Mechanical Engineering Scholarships in the USA with estimated costs
University | Institute | Scholarships |
Amount Offered (Approx.) |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for Engineers |
22476.23 USD |
The Fulbright Scholarships |
Tuition and other expenses |
The American Association of University Women |
Upto 30409 USD Scholarship |
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 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for Engineers |
23798.36 USD |
Partial funding-1500 USD |
Scope of Master of Mechanical Engineering in USA
According to statistics, there are approximately 1.1 million international students in the United States, representing every country globally. With a degree in Master of Mechanical Engineering in the USA, students can pursue various careers in transportation, aerospace, construction and even robotics.
Some of the Jobs Mechanical Engineering graduates can aim for are:
- Mechanical engineering manager
- Robotics engineer
- Automation engineer
- Mechanical inspector
- Mechanical engineer
- Ceramic engineer
Job Title |
Average salary USD /per year |
Mechanical engineering manager |
99,159.82 USD |
Robotics engineer |
95,193 USD |
Automation engineer |
88,582 USD |
Mechanical inspector |
84,616 USD |
Mechanical engineer |
81,590 USD |
Ceramic engineer |
81,972.12 USD |
HVAC engineer |
79,327.86 USD |
Marine engineer |
74039.34 USD |
Mechanical design engineer |
83294.25 USD |
Nuclear engineer |
87260.65 USD |
Undoubtedly, the US has most of the renowned machinery and technology companies. Some of the popular employers hiring Master of Mechanical Engineering graduates in USA are listed below:
Company |
Average Salary |
Apple |
$146,951 |
FCA US |
$103,876 |
L&T Technology Services |
$84,523 |
Satyam-Venture Engineering Services Pvt. |
$68,858 |
Cummins |
$92,044 |
HCL America |
$85,340 |
Altair product Design |
$86,036 |
Rivian Automotive |
$124,930 |