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MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA: Top Universities, Tuition Fee, Eligibility, & More

Updated on 11 February, 2024

Anupriya Mukherjee

Anupriya Mukherjee

Sr. Content Writer

Aerospace engineering is a branch that deals with developing, designing, producing, and testing aircraft, spacecraft, and related technology. Masters in Aerospace Engineering in the USA is an advanced degree that helps gain a deeper knowledge of aircraft design and technology. 

Recommended Read: Study in USA

Masters in Aerospace Engineering in USA: Highlights

Program NameMaster of Science
Level of ProgramPostgraduate
DurationOne to two years
Specializations

Aerospace, Aerospace Computational Engineering (ACE), Aircraft Systems Engineering, 

Space Propulsion and Plasmas, 

Space Systems, Aeronautics, Space Engineering

Eligibility Criteria
  • A Bachelor’s degree
  • More than 3.0 GPA
  • 89+ score in TOEFL
Average Annual Tuition Fee$18,810 to $62,580
Average Annual Salary After MS in Aerospace Engineering in US$61,198 to $768,592

What is MS in Aerospace Engineering

Pursuing an MS in aerospace engineering in USA means completing a one to two-year program in full-time, online, or part-time modes. There are two main branches of this course, namely astronautics and aeronautics. Astronautics is the discipline that studies spacecraft, while aeronautics is focused on studying the construction and design of aircraft. USA universities offering aerospace courses have accreditation from the ABET (Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology). 

Doing MS aerospace engineering in USA requires students to know physics, mathematics, and engineering. They should have done their bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering or similar fields. These courses require you to spend around $18,810 to $62,580 per year. It yields an average salary ranging from $61,198 to $768,592 annually. 

Why Study MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA

There are numerous compelling reasons to pursue masters in aerospace engineering in USA. Below is the list:

  • Renowned Universities: The USA is home to the world’s top-ranked universities for aerospace engineering. The list includes institutions such as MIT, University of California, University of Michigan, and many more.
  • Invaluable Networking Opportunities: The USA is also home to the world’s biggest recruiters in this industry, including NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin Corp, and Northrop Grumman Corporation. The industry in the USA offers students plenty of scope for research and development.  
  • Access to Advanced Technology and Resources: The US has always been at the forefront of aerospace technology. Therefore, conducting groundbreaking research provides students access to the latest and cutting-edge resources and facilities.  
  • Exceptional Career Opportunities: Jobs in the field are expected to witness substantial growth in the USA over the next decade. Based on the Payscale reports, the annual base salary for an aerospace engineer in USA ranges from $61,198 to $768,592.

Top Universities for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA

Many reputed universities are offering MS courses in aerospace engineering for graduates. Based on the US News & World Report Ranking Data, the best 10 universities for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA are here: 

USNWR RankInstitution NameFields of StudyDuration Average Annual Tuition Fee*
#1Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge

Aerospace Computational Engineering (ACE), Aerospace, Energy, and the Environment, Aircraft Systems Engineering, 

Space Propulsion and Plasmas, 

Space Systems

1 to 2 years$29,875
#2California Institute of Technology (Caltech), PasadenaAeronautics, Space Engineering1 year$60,816
#3Stanford UniversityAeronautics and Astronautics1 to 2 years$62,580
#4Georgia Institute of TechnologyAerospace2 years$29,802
#4University of Michigan – Ann ArborAerospace2 years$54,720
#6Purdue University – West LafayetteAeronautics and Astronautics2 years$ 29,104
#7University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign (Grainger)Aerospace Systems2 years


 

$36,068 -  $43,894

#8University of Colorado – BoulderAerospace2 year$18,810
#9University of Texas – Austin (Cockrell)Aerospace2 year$27,310
#10Princeton UniversityAerospace2 years$59,710

*Source: Official website of universities

Eligibility Criteria for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA

The eligibility criteria to get admission to top universities in USA for a Masters in Aerospace Engineering include the following:

  • A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or medicine or a four-year bachelor’s degree. Must have a strong technical background in engineering, physics, or a comparable science program.
  • A GPA score of 3.0 and above is required.
  • A minimum of 89 scores in TOEFL for English language proficiency.
  • GRE score is optional.

Documents Required for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA

Here is the list of documents that you must submit to get admission to top universities in the US for studying master’s in aerospace engineering.

  • Transcript of your academic record
  • Application form
  • Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
  • Statement of Purpose or SOP
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation or LORs
  • Personal Statement; if applicable
  • Official IELTS/TOEFL score card
  • Valid passport and Visa
  • Proof of fund to cover your tuition and living costs
  • Proof of GRE score is optional

Admission Process for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA

Here’s a comprehensive step-by-step guide that will help you understand the process involved in pursuing your MS in Aerospace Engineering in US.

  1. Research and identify the university from where you want to study MS in aerospace.
  2. Keep a check on the college application deadline and fill out the application form beforehand.
  3. Upload and submit all the documents required for admission. Pay the application fee.
  4. Check your mail regularly, as you will receive an offer letter mail from the university. Accept the offer letter over email.
  5. Make the university fee payment. You will receive a confirmation from your college.
  6. You will have to apply with the I-20 form and submit documents like your bank statements, DS-160 and I-20 forms, passport, university offer letter, and proof of proficiency in the English language. 
  7. The final step in the process is to appear for the visa interview.

You can also talk to our study abroad experts for any further guidance.

Scholarships for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA

Below are the scholarships granted to candidates pursuing masters in aerospace in the top US universities.

Scholarship NameAmount*
Neil Armstrong Graduate Award$5,000
Dr. Hassan A. Hassan Graduate Award in Aerospace Engineering$6,000
Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Award $5,000
Guidance, Navigation and Control Graduate Award$3,500
Luis de Florez Graduate Award$3,500
Liquid Propulsion TC Graduate Award$2,500
William T. Piper, Sr. General Aviation Systems Graduate Award$1,500
John Leland Atwood Graduate Award$1,250
Martin Summerfield Propellants and Combustion Graduate Award$1,250
Gordon C. Oates Air Breathing Propulsion Graduate Award$1,000

*Source: Official website of university

Jobs and Salaries After MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA

Completing an MS in Aerospace Engineering in the USA offers you a plethora of career opportunities in various sectors that include research and development, aerospace manufacturing, government agencies, and emerging industries like space exploration. Here’s the list:

Job ProfileAverage Annual Base Salary*
Aerospace Engineer$91,327
Aeronautical Engineer$768,592
Aircraft Technician$61,198
Aircraft Design Engineer$72,276
Aircraft Maintenance Manager or Aircraft Quality Assurance$85,308
Design Engineer$91,551
Systems Engineer$95,992
Technical Analysis$93,767
Aerospace Project Manager$100,077

*Source: Payscale

FAQs

What is the duration of MS in Aerospace Engineering in US universities?

Typically, a masters degree in aerospace engineering in US is of two year duration. However, some universities also offer a one-year MS degree.

Is GRE important for MS Aerospace Engineering in USA?

No, usually a GRE score is not required for admission to pursue a Masters in aerospace engineering in US universities. You can submit your GRE scores if you have them, but that won’t impact your admission.

What are the core subjects of Aerospace Engineering?

The core subjects of Aerospace Engineering include aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, propulsion systems, space systems, aeronautics, astronautics, and many more.

Anupriya Mukherjee

Sr. Content Writer

Anupriya Mukherjee is a passion-driven professional working as a Content Marketer and earlier worked as a Digital Marketeer. With around 6 years of work experience, she has experience creating high-quality, engaging content for websites, blogs, news articles, video scripts, brochures, and ebooks.

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