The Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering provides an advanced theoretical and research-oriented curriculum with significant depth in aerospace-specific disciplines beyond the general fundamentals of the engineering bachelor’s degree. Aerospace engineers typically specialize in one of two types of engineering: aeronautical or astronautical.
Studying an aerospace program in the USA exposes international students to a racially and culturally diverse and tolerant environment. A Master’s degree in the USA is usually a 1-2 year course offered by some of America's top universities.
The tuition for the program is anywhere in the range of $12,000 to $54,000 per year. The average salary after a graduate degree in aerospace engineering in the USA is $91,000 annually.
A Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering offered by universities and colleges allows students who have background knowledge, either through a bachelor’s degree or sufficient work experience, to build upon their knowledge in more specialized ways. These skills will prepare graduates to enter the professional world with high-demand skills.
Why pursue a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering in the United States?
- Widely recognized courses offer broad career perspectives in and outside the USA.
- Several scholarships and other funding opportunities exist.
- In the United States, a bachelor's degree in information technology can lead to lucrative jobs such as aerospace engineer, satellite and missile designer, aerospace product and parts designer, researcher, etc.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for aerospace engineers will increase by about 2% between now and 2028.
Top Universities for Master of Aerospace Engineering in the USA
Several top universities in the USA offer Master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering. It is commonly available as a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering or an M.E. in Aerospace Engineering.
University |
Program |
Arizona State University |
M.S. in Aerospace Engineering |
University of Florida |
MS in Aerospace Engineering |
University of California - Los Angeles Campus |
Master of Science Aerospace Engineering |
Purdue University |
Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics |
University of Michigan |
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering |
Kent State University |
Aerospace Engineering - Master of Science |
California State University, Long Beach |
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (STEM) |
University of Maryland |
MS in Aerospace Engineering |
North Carolina State University |
MS Aerospace Engineering |
University of Washington |
Master of Aerospace Engineering |
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering |
Florida Institute of Technology |
M.S in Aerospace Engineering |
Wright State University |
Master of Science in Aerospace Systems Engineering |
University of South Carolina |
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering |
Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering in USA
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Master of Aerospace Engineering in the USA: Tuition fees
The cost of studying master’s degree in aerospace engineering in the USA for international students is as follows:
University |
Duration |
Tuition fee per year |
Arizona State University |
1.5-2 years |
$25,200 |
University of Florida |
1.5 - 2 years |
$30,130 |
University of California - Los Angeles Campus |
1-2 years |
$32,858 |
Purdue University |
1.5 -2 years |
$31,104 |
University of Michigan |
1.5 -2 years |
$50,646 |
Kent State University |
1.5 -2 years |
$21,952 |
California State University, Long Beach |
1.5 -2 years |
$15,446 |
University of Maryland |
1.5 -2 years |
$17.060 |
North Carolina State University |
1.5 -2 years |
$14,844 |
University of Washington |
3 years (Part-time) |
$23,751 |
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
2 years |
$36,798 |
Florida Institute of Technology |
1.5 -2 years |
$39,490 |
Wright State University |
1.5 -2 years |
$12,143 |
University of South Carolina |
1.5 -2 years |
$29,760 |
University-Specific Entry Requirements
Arizona State University
- Possibilities for meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements include:
- TOFEL IBT: Minimum score of 80.
- TOEFL PBT: Minimum score of 550.
- PTE: 68.
- Academic requirements: A bachelor’s degree in a related field from an international institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in the last 60 hours of the program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in an applicable master's degree program.
University of Florida
- Possibilities for meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements include:
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.0.
- TOFEL IBT: 80
- TOEFL PBT: 550
- Verbal GRE: 140
- Academic requirements: A bachelor’s degree in a related field from an international institution or an applicable master's degree program.
University of California - Los Angeles Campus
- English Language Proficiency requirements are:
- IELTS: Minimum score of 7.0.
- TOFEL IBT: Overall 87, Minimum of 25 in writing, 24 in speaking, 21 in reading and 17 in listening.
- TOEFL PBT: Minimum score of 560.
- Academic requirements: Bachelor’s degree in architecture and engineering with a first-class placement or an average GPA of 3.0 or a master’s degree awarded in first or high second class. A GRE verbal score above the 79th percentile, quantitative above the 92nd percentile, and an analytical writing score above 4.0 is recommended.
Purdue University
- English Language Proficiency requirements are:
- IELTS: Overall 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in writing, 6.0 in listening and speaking, and 6.5 in reading.
- TOFEL IBT: Overall score of 80 with a minimum of 18 in writing and speaking, 14 in listening, and 19 in reading.
- Academic requirements: Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.25 or equivalent (A=4.0) from most recently conferred undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree in a related field. A GRE verbal score above 156, a quantitative above 159, and an analytical writing score above 4.0 are recommended.
University of Michigan
- Possibilities for meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements include:
- IELTS: Minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
- Minimum TOEFL score of 84.
- Academic requirements: A four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering and technology.
Kent State University
- English Language Proficiency requirements are:
- TOEFL PBT: A minimum score of 550 is recommended.
- TOEFL IBT: A minimum score of 79 is recommended.
- IELTS: A minimum score of 6.5 is recommended.
- PTE: A minimum score of 58 is recommended.
- Duolingo: A minimum score of 100 is recommended.
- Academic requirements: A bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a closely related area from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA (on a 4.0-point scale).
California State University, Long Beach
- Possibilities for meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements include:
- IELTS: A minimum of 6.0 in each sub-section is required.
- TOFEL IBT: A minimum score of 80 is required.
- TOEFL PBT: A minimum score of 550 is required.
- PTE: A minimum score of 58 is required.
- Duolingo: A minimum score of 115 is required.
- Academic requirements: A bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.25 or equivalent. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required.
University of Maryland
- Possibilities for meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements include:
- IELTS: Overall, 7, a minimum of 6.5 in speaking and 7 in other sectors.
- TOFEL IBT: Overall 96, Minimum of 22 in speaking, 24 in writing and listening and 26 in reading.
- PTE: A minimum score of 68 is required.
- Academic requirements: B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering (or closely related field) with a recommended minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0 from an accredited institution.
North Carolina State University
- English Language Proficiency requirements are:
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80 with 18 or higher in each section.
- IELTS: Score of 6.5 or higher on each section.
- Duolingo: Score of 110 or higher.
- Academic requirements: A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace from an accredited institution with an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
University of Washington
- English Language Proficiency requirements are:
- IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.5.
- TOFEL IBT: Minimum overall score of 80.
- Duolingo: 105.
- Academic requirements: An undergraduate degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Florida Institute of Technology
- Possibilities for meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements include:
- An Internet-based TOEFL with an earned score of at least 79.
- An IELTS with an earned score of at least 6.0.
- A PTE Academic with an earned score of at least 58.
- A Duolingo English Test with an earned score of at least 100.
- Academic requirements: A bachelor's degree (four-year) in a related field from a recognized, regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Wright State University
- English Language Proficiency requirements are:
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 89.
- IELTS: Score of 6.5 or higher on each section.
- Academic Requirements: 3.4 Undergraduate GPA
University of South Carolina
- Possibilities for meeting the English Language Proficiency requirements include:
- An Internet-based TOEFL with an earned score of at least 80.
- An IELTS with an earned score of at least 6.5.
- A PTE Academic with a minimum score of at least 53.
Master in Aerospace Engineering in the USA: Scholarships
Scholarships, awards, fellowships, and bursaries are available to international students in the USA. Several universities also have departmental scholarships, which are reserved for aerospace engineering students only. Some scholarships offered to international students at different universities are listed below.
University |
Scholarship |
Amount |
Purdue University |
AAE Quarter Time TA Award |
N/A |
Kent State University |
The Jim "SeaBass" Sebastian Endowed Scholarship |
N/A |
The Leland Keller Scholarship Award |
$1,500 |
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North Carolina State University |
Dr Hassan A. Hassan Graduate Award |
$5,000 per year |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Maria Pia Gratton International Award |
$10,000 |
Pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering might be too expensive, especially in a country as pricey as the United States. Nevertheless, many scholarships for international students in the USA might help ease the financial burden.
Aside from pursuing scholarships for overseas students, students can also seek financial assistance. They can work part-time or apply for loans while studying in the USA.
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Master of Aerospace Engineering in the USA: Scope
Professionals with a master's degree in aerospace engineering have substantial opportunities at most levels in aerospace engineering in research, design, and manufacturing at companies of all sizes as well as national laboratories (DOE, DOD, NASA). Analytical skills learned in aerospace engineering are also valued for other non-engineering positions.
The scope of an aerospace degree is vast. Potential career choices include, but are not limited to:
- Aerospace engineer
- Aircraft designer
- Satellite and missile designer
- Aerospace materials specialist
- Combustion and propulsion specialist
- Flight mechanic
- Mechanical engineer
- Computer hardware engineer
- Aerospace product and parts designer
- Researcher
Likewise, some top recruiters for aerospace engineers are-:
- NASA
- Raytheon
- Northrop Grumman
- Boeing
- Harris Corp.
- GE
- Pratt and Whitney
- Mainstream engineering firms
- US Department of Defense
- Lockheed Martin
- SpaceX
- Federal Department of Transportation
- Department of Homeland Security
- Federal defence contractors
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
Aerospace Engineer |
$66k - $117k |
$86,615 |
Aerospace Systems Engineer |
$76k - $125k |
$91,634 |
Senior Systems Engineer |
$87k - $150k |
$114,060 |
Senior Mechanical Engineer |
$78k - $132k |
$101,377 |
Propulsion Engineer |
$66k - $116k |
$86,062 |
Project Engineer |
$65k - $117k |
$85,551 |