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Masters in Electrical Engineering in the USA – An Overview

Updated on 10 September, 2023

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

Pursuing Masters in electrical engineering in the USA is usually a 1-2 year full-time program offered at more than 140 American educational institutions. This course is tailored for graduates with three to four-year degrees in engineering, electronics or related disciplines. 

Most universities in the United States of America (USA) offer this course combined with computer engineering. M.Eng and MS (Masters in Science) programs in electrical engineering are available in many universities across the country. The average fees for these courses hover around $29,900-77,500 per annum (roughly INR 22.22-57.58 lakh). Successful graduates can earn up to $111,000 per year or INR 82.47 lakh in the USA. 

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Masters in Electrical Engineering in the USA- Key Highlights 

Here are some vital details on masters courses in the USA for electrical engineering: 

Course Tenure

One to Two years 
Eligibility CriteriaBachelor degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field such as electronics. Should have a 3-4 year Bachelor’s degree. 
Average Fees for the Course$29,900-77,500 per year or roughly INR 22.22-57.58 lakh
Average Salaries for Graduates$111,000 (INR 82.47 lakh) as the median salary for graduates in the field. 
Available Job Opportunities Sectors and industries include telecommunications, engineering firms, research and development, Federal Government departments, manufacturing, and more. 
Leading RecruitersLockheed Martin, Boeing, IBM, Apple, Google, Shell Oil Company, BMW Group, General Electric, and many more. 

Top Universities in the USA for MS in Electrical Engineering

Here is a list of some of the leading universities to pursue masters in electrical engineering in the USA.

University

Program Offered & DurationTotal Costs 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)MBA & Master in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science for two years $148,400 (INR 1.10 crore) 
Stanford UniversityMS in Electrical Engineering for two years $111,810 (INR 83.07 lakh)
University of California – Berkeley (UC Berkeley)MEng in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences for one year $55,755 (INR 41.43 lakh)
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)MS in Electrical Engineering for one year $52,506 (INR 39.01 lakh)
Georgia Institute of TechnologyMS in Electrical and Computer Engineering for one year $42,690 (INR 31.72 lakh)
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering for two years $65,336 (INR 48.54 lakh)
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering for 1.5 years$75,150 (INR 55.84 lakh)
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering for 1.5 years

MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering for one year 

$80,814 (INR 60.04 lakh)

$53,876 (INR40.02 lakh)

Princeton UniversityMEng in Electrical Engineering for one year$51,870 (INR 38.53 lakh)
Purdue UniversityMS in Electrical and Computer Engineering for one year $29,918 (INR 22.22 lakh)

Getting Admission into the Course

Getting admission into an MS in electrical engineering in the USA is not a difficult procedure. A candidate should have a three or four-year Bachelor’s degree in the field or any related subject along with high scores in your GRE or GMAT tests. You should also provide your SOP (Statement of Purpose), LOR (Letter of Recommendation), CV, and work experience details.

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In most cases, admission into MS in ECE in the USA requires you to ensure the following: 

  • 83-90% in your Bachelors 
  • GRE 166 with more than 150 in both quantitative and verbal sections. Alternatively, you will need a GMAT score of 713-736 on average. 
  • 3-5 years of work experience might be needed (varies across universities). 
  • You will require a CV/Resume, SOP (Statement of Purpose), and 2-3 LORs (Letters of Recommendation)
  • Some programs require experience in data structures, programming, and algorithms. 

Regarding English language proficiency, you will have to get a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score for obtaining admission into these programs. The curriculum is majorly taught in English. Students who come from English-speaking countries are not required to demonstrate their proficiency in the language.Here is a look at the minimum English language test criteria across leading institutions.

Name of the Institution

Minimum Score Required in TOEFLMinimum Score Required in IELTS
Stanford UniversityiBT: 897.0
California Institute of TechnologyiBT: 907.0
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyiBT: 1007.0
University of California – Berkeley (UC Berkeley)PBT: 570, CBT: 230, iBT: 907.0
UCLAiBT: 777.0
The University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignPBT: 610, CBT: 253, iBT: 1027.0
Carnegie Mellon UniversityiBT: 847.0
Purdue UniversityiBT: 806.5
Georgia Institute of TechnologyPBT: 577, iBT: 907.0
Princeton UniversityZero minimum requirements though 27 is ideal for the iBT speaking categoryZero minimum requirement though 8.0 is recommended for the speaking section 

Here are the visa-based requirements that international students have to follow: 

  • A valid passport. 
  • Receipt of payment for the application fee. 
  • I-20 Form. 
  • DS-160 Form or confirmation page of nonimmigrant visa application. 
  • Proof of funds. 

Studying electrical engineering in the USA is certainly a gateway to a fruitful career, especially with demand skyrocketing across various business sectors and industries. 

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upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education process for all. Our diverse experience as journalists, content writers, editors, content strategists, and marketers helps create the most relevant and authentic blogs for our readers.

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