Aerospace Engineering in the USA is one of the highest paying occupations across the world. The scope of Masters in Aerospace Engineering in USA is high to become the most popular occupation in the economy. According to various surveys, the overall employment in aerospace engineering is estimated to grow by 8 percent by 2030.
Moreover, choosing USA to pursue masters in aerospace engineering will explore with multiple diverse and interdisciplinary areas. Therefore, if you are interested in designing aircraft systems, spacecraft, missiles, rocket propulsions, etc. then you must choose the US as your higher studies destination. Many top aeronautical engineering universities assist the students in shaping their better future while providing quality education. Keep reading to know more about the scope of aerospace engineering masters USA.
Why Study Masters in Aerospace in the USA?
The scope of aerospace engineering in USA is vast because of its high paying and intriguing job opportunities which will uplift your career growth. The USA is one of the prominent places with its top colleges offering multiple aerospace engineering degree programs. There are various reasons to pursue an MS in aerospace engineering in USA, a few of them are
- World Class Institutions: USA is well known because of its excellent quality of education globally. Most of the US universities have been ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2023. And it is more worthwhile to say that top US universities like MIT, Harvard offering Aerospace Engineering have been ranked in the Top 10 QS Aeronautical Subject Rankings with other 3 universities.
- Better Learning: Most of the best aerospace engineering universities are well equipped with labs and an easy to adapt education system that makes it effortless for the learners to understand the curriculum. The universities also provide top aeronautical tools and equipment to learn and understand the things in an experiential way.
- Scope: According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, there are more than 5,100 employment opportunities for aerospace engineers in USA. Not only, after completing the degree you can also get high paying jobs in the country. The annual wage of an aerospace engineer in USA is around 122,270 USD.
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Course Curriculum For Masters in Aerospace in USA
The course curriculum of aerospace masters in USA mainly revolves around its graduate coursework and the research. You need to complete around 33 semesters hours of coursework, including 3 credit hours of special problems research credit to earn the degree. Its masters degree level curriculum allows specialisation in the following areas.
- Aerodynamics and Fluid Dynamics
- Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics
- Flight Mechanics and Control
- Propulsion and Combustion
- Structural Mechanics and Materials Behaviour
- System Design and Optimization
- Cyber Physical Systems, Safety, Security, & Reliability
- Space Exploration & Earth Monitoring
Now that we know about the course curriculum of masters in aerospace engineering. Let's discuss the eligibility for MS in aerospace engineering in USA.
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Eligibility Criteria and Admission Requirements for Masters in Aerospace in USA
Irrespective of the type of program you are pursuing in the aerospace engineering universities in the USA, the eligibility for MS in aerospace engineering in USA are the same for all. Some of the common ones are
- Bachelor's Degree
- Language Test Scores
- GRE Scores
- US Student Visa
Let's elaborately discuss the qualifications of MS in aerospace engineering in USA.
Bachelor's Degree
You must have a four bachelor degree in aeronautics engineering, mathematics, physics or any related subject from a recognised university. A minimum grade of B or a GPA score of 3.0 to 3.5 or above is recommended for the admission.
Language Test Scores
International students from a non native countries need to submit English language proficiency test scores in terms of IELTS or TOEFL etc for admission. You are expected to have the minimum scores
- IELTS: 6.5 - 7.0
- TOEFL: 90 - 100
GRE Scores
Not all the universities in the US require you to submit GRE scores for admission. However, if you are seeking into a top University like MIT or Georgia Tech you can submit the GRE scores to boost your application.
US Student Visa
All international students seeking to get admission into aerospace or aeronautical engineering masters in USA are required to have a US Student Visa. Do make sure you can apply for the US Student Visa as soon as you get the acceptance letter to avoid any delay.
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Documents Required for Masters in Aerospace in USA
To complete the application form of universities in USA for MS in aerospace engineering, you are required to submit some essential documents to support the application form. These may includes
- Official Academic Transcripts
- Bachelor's Degree Certificate
- Test Scorecards
- Two letter of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Updated CV or Resume
- Work Experience Certificate (if required)
- Proof of Financial Resources
Admission Process for Masters in Aerospace in USA
The application for MS in aerospace engineering in USA is available for the Fall, Summer and Winter intakes in the USA. You must check out the available intakes of the university before planning to apply. And try to be an early applicant as the top universities in USA for MS in Aerospace Engineering receive a lot of applications every year. Here is a step by step guide for the admission process
- Go to each university website and check out their entry requirements.
- Complete the university application and pay the required fees.
- Prepare all your essential documents and submit them in the application.
- Check the university status daily until you get a conditional letter.
- If you are selected at the university accept the offer and pay the required deposit fees.
- Once you get your acceptance letter, you can apply for the student's visa by visiting any nearest embassy.
After getting all the information regarding the admission process and MS in aerospace engineering in USA requirements. Let's look at some best universities for the program.
Top Universities in USA for Masters in Aerospace
The majority of the world's best aerospace universities are located in the USA. Most of them are highly recognised and offer quality education. But it is very difficult to choose the right one from a lot of options. Therefore, here we have curated a list of top universities in USA for MS in aerospace engineering.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbour
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of California Los Angeles
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Let us know about each of these best universities in USA for MS in aerospace engineering, in detail.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Masters in Aerospace Engineering in USA at MIT is a two year program with a beginning of research or design experience represented by the SM thesis. This degree assists the students in preparing for an advanced position in the aerospace engineering field and provides a solid foundation in the field. The course content of the program includes aerodynamics, aerospace propulsion, autonomy principles, flight vehicle engineering etc.
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
1 |
QS WUR Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering |
1 |
Type of University |
Private |
Annual Average Fees |
28,795 USD |
Program Offered |
MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics |
University of Michigan – Ann Arbour
Michigan's aeronautics is one of the oldest and highly ranked collegiate aeronautics programs in USA. It offers a renowned research centre in both aircraft and spacecraft systems, a rich curriculum in some of the newest aerospace topics at the forefront of academics and research. The specialised areas of this program includes flight dynamics, aerodynamic & propulsion, structures, space systems, computation and much more.
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
25 |
QS WUR Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering |
11 |
Type of University |
Public |
Annual Average Fees |
28,094 USD |
Program Offered |
MS in Aerospace Engineering |
Georgia Institute of Technology
Aerospace Masters at Georgia Tech consists of 33 semester hours of coursework and a 3 credit hours of Special Problems research credit. The institute also offers this program with 24 semester hours of coursework along with 9 hours of MS thesis work. It emphasises the fundamental theoretic, experiential and research based approaches to the full spectrum of aerospace engineering disciplines.
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
88 |
QS WUR Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering |
14 |
Type of University |
Public |
Annual Average Fees |
34,000 USD |
Program Offered |
MS in Aerospace Engineering |
University of California Los Angeles
UCLA offers aerospace engineering in a broad interdisciplinary area from rocket and spacecraft, to robots, medicine, advanced materials, energy and sustainability. The program features theoretical, numerical and experiential studies in a wide range of courses. The system and control field covers a wide range of topics, emphasising the primarily aerospace and mechanical engineering applications.
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
44 |
QS WUR Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering |
29 |
Type of University |
Public |
Annual Average Fees |
33,245 USD |
Program Offered |
MS in Aerospace Engineering |
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
The Master in Aerospace Engineering in USA at this university is a professionally oriented degree program for students whose primary intent is to learn about aerospace and aeronautical science. The program is offered in different major areas such as aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, control systems, combustion and propulsion, astrodynamics, dynamical systems, structural mechanics, and materials, and space systems.
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
85 |
QS WUR Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering |
24 |
Type of University |
Public |
Annual Average Fees |
36,150 USD |
Program Offered |
|
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Cost of Studying Masters in Aerospace in USA
The cost of pursuing an MS in aeronautical engineering in USA may vary depending on the type of university you choose. If you select among the best aerospace engineering universities then the cost would rise. Both its tuition fees and the living costs will differ based on the city and state you are studying for this degree.
Tuition Fees
The tuition fees for Masters in aerospace in the USA may vary based on the type of programs and the university you choose. On an average, the fees for this aerospace engineering degree ranges from 15,000 USD to 65,000 USD.
Cost of Living
On an average, the monthly cost of living for an international student in USA is between 1,200 USD to 2,500 USD. That means your yearly cost will be around 14,000 USD to 15,600 USD. This may include your accommodation, food, transportation, healthcare and personal expenses.
After knowing the amount of investment required for MS in aeronautical engineering in USA, we shall now discuss different types of scholarship to help you in managing the expenses.
Scholarships For Masters in Aerospace in USA
The universities in USA offer grants, brusary, financial aids and various scholarships. There are also some entrance scholarships for international students seeking admission to different degrees. There is no need for any separate applications for these. Besides this, you can also apply for some external scholarships and awards. It can help you in managing the costs to a greater extent.
Some of the scholarships available for masters degree students are listed below.
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Benefits |
William Asbjornsen Albert Memorial Fellowship, MIT |
Graduate students with research in modern science and engineering |
Tuition fees |
Rotary Peace Fellowships, Purdue |
International with a full time degree and a commitment to the peace |
Varies |
MEC Scholarship, Cornell |
Students with an engineering degree and a good academic records |
Upto full tuition |
KC Mahindra Trust Scholarship, Cornell |
Students of masters and good academic achievement with a minimum of 65% marks. |
Amount Varies |
Women in Aerospace Scholarship Foundation Scheme |
At least 3.0 GPA of engineering with maths or science in bachelor. |
2,000 USD |
Jobs After Masters in Aerospace in USA
With an average annual salary of USD 88,867 (INR 65 lakhs), students after completing studies from any of the best universities in USA for MS in aerospace engineering get entry-level positions in well-known industries in the world. However for further advancement in your career, you need to pass the Professional Engineering (PE) training programs.
A few of the job profiles are given below.
Job Profile |
Average Salary |
Aerospace Technician |
49,562 USD |
Aeronautical Engineer |
81,653 USD |
Aircraft Manager |
86,977 USD |
Aircraft Mechanic |
74,960 USD |
Aircraft Quality Assurance |
66,398 USD |
Aviation Analyst |
57,696 USD |
Right from a bachelor's degree to a masters and PhD, there are various best universities in USA offering aerospace engineering courses in which you can get quality education and open up a gateway to a bright and promising career. If you are looking for some assistance in getting admission to MS aeronautical engineering USA, connect with our Yocket Counsellors now.