Masters in Engineering Science in Usa 2025: Top Universities, Fees & Ranking

The decision to study for a Master of Engineering Science degree in the US is a life-changing event for a lot of Indian students. With its highly acclaimed universities, cutting-edge research, and an established employment market, the USA offers the perfect setting for aspiring engineers. This all-inclusive book covers everything Indian students need to know to prepare for 2025, including the best institutions, costs, rankings, admissions procedure, and employment opportunities.

What is a Master's in Engineering Science?

Unlike traditional MS in Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical Engineering, the Master’s in Engineering Science (MESc) is:

Interdisciplinary in nature
Research-heavy or thesis-based
Ideal for students aiming for PhDs or research careers
Offered by top research-intensive universities in the USA

Ideal Candidates: Students with strong mathematical foundations, research interests, and ambitions for PhD or advanced R&D careers.

Top Universities for MS in Engineering Science in USA in 2025

Here’s a curated list of the top-ranked U.S. universities offering an MS in Engineering Science or its equivalent interdisciplinary programs, ideal for Indian students.

University Name	QS World Ranking 2025	Average Tuition per year (USD/INR)	Program Duration	Notable Research Areas
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	#1	$57,590 (₹49.1L)	2 years	Materials Science, Nanotech
Stanford University	#2	$56,487 (₹48.2L)	2 years	Renewable Energy, Robotics
University of California, Berkeley	#5	$48,465 (₹41.3L)	2 years	Civil Systems, Biomechanics
Georgia Institute of Technology	#16	$29,140 (₹24.8L)	2 years	Smart Manufacturing
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor	#19	$52,098 (₹44.4L)	2 years	Artificial Intelligence
Carnegie Mellon University	#24	$49,610 (₹42.3L)	2 years	Computational Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	#33	$38,828 (₹33.1L)	1.5–2 years	Energy Systems, Microelectronics
University of California, San Diego	#34	$32,352 (₹27.6L)	2 years	Bioengineering, Ocean Engg.
Purdue University	#45	$29,132 (₹24.8L)	2 years	Thermodynamics, Dynamics
Texas A&M University	#61	$28,200 (₹24L)	2 years	Structural Engineering

Note: The amount may change depending on the courses & currency exchange rate.

Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students

To qualify for admission to MS in Engineering Science programs in 2025:

Criteria	Requirements
Academic	Bachelor’s in Engineering/Technology/Science (CGPA 7.5+/10 preferred)
GRE	Required by 60% of top schools (325+ recommended)
English Proficiency	IELTS 6.5–7.5 / TOEFL 90–105
Letters of Recommendation	2–3 academic/professional LORs
SOP	A clear research-oriented Statement of Purpose
Resume/CV	Detailing internships, research, and projects

Application Timeline for Fall 2026 Intake

Timeline	Milestone
Mar–Jul 2025	Shortlist universities, prep for GRE/IELTS
Aug–Oct 2025	Take tests, start drafting SOP & LORs
Oct–Dec 2025	Apply for early deadlines (MIT, Stanford)
Jan–Feb 2026	Regular deadlines for most public universities
Mar–Apr 2026	Admission results
May–Jun 2026	Apply for visa, book flights
Aug 2026	Classes begin

Cost of Studying MS in Engineering Science in the USA

Let’s break down the expected costs for Indian students in 2025.

Tuition Fees (Annual)

Public Universities: $25,000 – $35,000
Private Universities: $45,000 – $60,000

Living Expenses (Annual)

Expense Type	Estimated Cost (USD/INR)
Rent (shared apartment)	$6,000 – $12,000 (₹5.1L - ₹10.2L)
Food & Groceries	$3,000 – $5,000 (₹2.5L - ₹4.2L)
Health Insurance	$2,000 (₹1.7L)
Transport & Miscellaneous	$2,000 – $3,000 (₹1.7L - ₹2.5L)
Total (Living)	$13,000 – $22,000 (₹11.1L - ₹18.7L)

Note: The amount may change depending on the location & currency exchange rate.

Scholarships for Indian Students Studying MS in Engineering Science

Many U.S. universities and foundations offer merit- and need-based financial aid for MS Engineering students:

University-Specific Scholarships for Indian Students

University	Scholarship / Funding Type	Amount	Eligibility (Indian Students)
MIT	MIT Fellowships	Partial to full tuition (up to $60,000/year)	Exceptional academic record, strong research interests, and department nomination. No separate application required; considered during admission.
UC Berkeley	Graduate Division Grants & Fellowships	$5,000 – $25,000/year	Indian students with academic excellence, financial need, and faculty endorsement. Some awards are diversity-focused. Apply via the Graduate Division portal.
Georgia Tech	Graduate Research Assistantships (RA)	Full tuition waiver + monthly stipend ($2,200–$2,800/month)	Open to MS students engaged in funded research projects. Strong academic profile and research alignment with faculty required. Apply early and reach out to faculty.
Carnegie Mellon University	College of Engineering Fellowships	$10,000 – $25,000	Offered to top applicants in research-based MS tracks. Automatically considered; Indian students with strong GRE scores and research experience preferred.
University of Michigan	Rackham Merit Fellowships	Full tuition + stipend ($30,000/year)	Competitive program for international students with outstanding academic potential. Faculty nomination required. May also include health insurance.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Graduate College Fellowship	Up to full tuition + $25,000 stipend	Offered to underrepresented or financially needy international students. Academic excellence and alignment with faculty projects prioritized.
Purdue University	Andrews Fellowship / Ross Fellowship	$25,000 – $30,000	Indian students applying for thesis-track MS or PhD programs. Department nomination and research proposal recommended.

External Scholarships

Scholarship	Amount	Eligibility
Fulbright-Nehru	Full tuition + living	Indian students with excellent academics
Tata Scholarship	Full/Partial	UG/PG at select U.S. universities
Inlaks Foundation	Up to $100,000	Exceptional academic & creative talent

Pro Tip

Apply early and highlight research potential in SOP to increase chances of securing assistantships or RA/TA positions.

Job Prospects & Salary after MS in Engineering Science

A master's degree in engineering science gives you a broad range of analytical and practical abilities that make you a desirable candidate for positions in systems engineering, R&D, and product development in industries including biotechnology, automotive, and aerospace. With quick advancement into specialised and leadership roles, graduates usually fetch beginning salaries between $75,000 and $95,000 (₹64L - ₹81L) in the United States (and comparable competitive packages internationally). Your advanced degree puts you in a position for both technical and administrative career routes, as industries place a greater emphasis on creativity and multidisciplinary solutions.

Top Hiring Sectors:

Aerospace & Defense
Biomedical Engineering
Data Science & AI
Renewable Energy
Manufacturing & Automation

Popular Roles:

Research Engineer
Process Engineer
Systems Analyst
Robotics Specialist
Energy Consultant

Degree Outcome	Average Salary (Annual)
Entry-level MS Graduate	$80,000 – $95,000
With 2–3 yrs exp	$100,000 – $130,000
PhD Track or R&D Engineer	$110,000 – $140,000

Top Recruiters:

Tesla
Boeing
Intel
General Electric
NASA
Apple
Lockheed Martin
Siemens
Honeywell

Comparison with MS in Core Engineering Fields

Feature	Engineering Science	Core Engineering (e.g., MS in Mech/Civil)
Focus	Interdisciplinary / Research	Technical / Applied
Ideal for	Research, PhD aspirants	Industry roles
GRE Requirement	Often waived	Commonly required
Program Flexibility	High	Medium
Career Path	R&D, Academia, PhD	Corporate, Product Dev