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MS in Electrical Engineering in USA is a 1-2 year full-time course offered by over 140 universities across the country. It is mainly designed for graduates having a 3 to 4 bachelor’s degree in similar fields such as power engineering or electronics. Most of the universities of USA offer masters in electrical engineering in combination with computer engineering.
- Two types of masters in electrical engineering is available in this country: MS and MEng.
- The fees of universities offering MS in Electrical Engineering in USA ranges between 29,900 USD to 77,500 USD per annum.
- Graduates can earn up to 111,000 USD per annum with a masters in electrical engineering in USA.
Why Study MS in Electrical Engineering in USA?
Good job prospects and high-quality education attracts international students to pursue a masters in electrical engineering in USA.
- According to Times Higher Education, 37 out of the top 100 universities offering electrical and electronic engineering are located in the US.
- Electrical Engineers working in the United States typically earn an average of 96,000 USD per year compared to only 6,550 USD in India, (more than 12 times higher).
- USA is also the second-highest paying country for graduates of electrical and electronics engineering.
- The salary of a graduate with a degree in MS in Electrical Engineering in USA is 53% higher than the those with a bachelor’s degree.
- In 2018 alone, there were 330,300 electrical engineering jobs in the USA which increased by 2% from last year.
- Wealthy states like New York, California, and Texas have a high demand for professionals in this field with an average income of over 100,000 USD annually.
Top Universities for MS in Electrical Engineering in USA
According to QS Ranking 2020 for electrical and electronics engineering, following are the top universities in USA offering masters in electrical engineering
| QS Ranking 2020 | University | Program Offered & Duration | Total Program Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | M.B.A + Master in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; 2 years | 148,400 |
| 2 | Stanford University | MS Electrical Engineering; 2 years | 111,810 |
| 3 | University of California – Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | MEng Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences; 1 year | 55,755 |
| 13 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | MS Electrical Engineering; 1 year | 52,506 |
| 14 | Georgia Institute of Technology | MS Electrical and Computer Engineering; 1 year | 42,690 |
| 15 | University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) | MS Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering; 2 years | 65,336 |
| 24 | Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) | MS Electrical and Computer Engineering; 1.5 years | 75,150 |
| 25 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | MS Electrical and Computer Engineering: 1.5 years;MEng Electrical and Computer Engineering: 1 year | 80,814;53,876 |
| 32 | Princeton University | MEng in Electrical Engineering; 1 year | 51,870 |
| 41 | Purdue University | MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering: 1 year | 29,918 |
MS in Electrical Engineering in USA: Highlights
| Duration | 1 – 2 years |
| Eligibility | Bachelors in electrical engineering or similar fields like power engineering and electronics |
| Course Fee | 29,900 USD to 77,500 USD per annum |
| Average Salary | 111,000 USD per annum |
| Jobs Available | Industries including Research, Development, Engineering Services, Manufacturing Equipment, Telecommunications, and the Federal Government. |
| Types of Recruiting Organizations | Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation; International Business Machines Corporation (IBM); Google, Apple, General Electric, Shell Oil Company; BMW Group |
| Similar Fields of Study to Consider | Power Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science |
Admission Process for MS in Electrical Engineering in USA
International students who wish to pursue a masters in electrical engineering are required to have a 3 to 4-year bachelor’s degree in the same or related fields. To secure admission to one of the top universities of the USA offering this course, one must score well in the GRE or GMAT exam.
Apart from GRE/GMAT score, you might also need to submit a statement of purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation (LOR) from professors or employers, CV, proof of relevant work experience, etc for studying in the USA.
Admission Requirements for MS in Electrical Engineering in USA
Following table provides detailed requirements for admission in some of the top universities for MS in Electrical Engineering in USA:
| University | Bachelors Requirement | Minimum GRE/GMAT Score Required | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 90% (recommended) | GRE: 166 or GMAT: 736 (recommended) | 5 years of Work experience (recommended); Resume; Video Statement; SOP; 2 LORs; Record of courses (optional) |
| Stanford University | No minimum requirement | Not Required | SOP; 3 LORs; |
| UC Berkeley | Required: 83%; Recommended: 90% | GRE recommended score: 90% (quantitative), 70% (verbal), 3.5 (analytical) | Experience in programming, algorithms and data structure |
| California Institute of Technology | 87% (recommended) | Required | LORs; SOP; Resume |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 87% | GRE: 146 (Verbal); 155 (Quantitative); 3.5 (Analytical) | SOP; LORs; Work Experience |
| UCLA | 83% | GMAT: 713 (avg) or GRE equivalent | 3 LORs; SOP; Personal Statement |
| Carnegie Mellon University | No minimum requirement | GRE required | 3 LORs; SOP; Resume |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 90% | GRE Required | 3 LORs; SOP; ECE Interest form |
| Princeton University | No minimum requirement | Required | 1000 words SOP; CV; 3 LORs; |
| Purdue University | Mandatory: 83%;Recommended: 90% | GRE Recommended: 152 (verbal); 166 (quantitative); 3.6 (analytical) | No additional requirements |
Note: Although some of the universities do not specify a minimum GRE score required for admission, however, a student with a score above 150 in both GRE verbal and quantitative sections have a higher probability of selection.
English Proficiency Requirement for International Students
The entire curriculum of MS in Electrical Engineering in USA is in English. Hence, students from a country where English was not the first language or whose previous education was not in English are required to demonstrate proficiency in the same. Minimum IELTS and TOEFL scores required to apply in universities of the USA are as follows:
| University | Minimum TOEFL Score | Minimum IELTS Score |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | iBT: 100 | 7.0 |
| Stanford University | iBT: 89 | 7.0 |
| University of California – Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | PBT: 570; CBT: 230; iBT: 90 | 7.0 |
| California Institute of Technology | iBT: 90 | 7.0 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | PBT: 577; iBT: 90 | 7.0 |
| UCLA | iBT: 77 | 7.0 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | iBT: 84 | 7.0 |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | PBT: 610; CBT: 253; iBT: 102 | 7.0 |
| Princeton University | No minimum requirement (Recommended: 27 in speaking section of iBT) | No minimum requirement (Recommended: 8.0 in speaking section) |
| Purdue University | iBT: 80 | 6.5 |
Visa Requirements for International Students
International students interested in pursuing a full-time academic course must apply for an F-1 student visa in the USA. Following documents are required for the same:
- A valid passport
- Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant visa application confirmation page)
- Application fee payment Receipt
- Form I-20
- Proof of financial support
Cost of Studying MS in Electrical Engineering in USA
The cost of studying abroad can be divided into 3 categories – pre-arrival cost, tuition fees, and living expenses.
Pre-arrival Expenses
Pre-arrival costs include one-time charges such as visa fees, flight tickets, application fees, and registration fees of exams required to study in the USA, etc. The total cost may add up to 2,895 USD (2,21,088 INR). Following table provides an estimate of pre-arrival expenses:
| Types of Fees | Cost Estimate (in USD) |
|---|---|
| GRE | 205 |
| TOEFL | 170 |
| Application fee | 1,200 |
| IELTS | 250 |
| Flight fare (one-way) | 700 |
| Visa Fee | 170 |
| SEVIS Fee | 200 |
Tuition Fees of MS in Electrical Engineering in USA
Average fees of universities offering masters in electrical engineering in USA ranges between 29,900 USD to 77,500 USD per annum. 
Cost of Living in USA
The total living cost is influenced by various factors such as city, travel, and student housing in the USA. An estimate of such costs is provided below:
| Type of expense | Cost in USD/ year |
|---|---|
| Apartment rent | 9600 – 14400 |
| Health insurance | 2000 |
| Travel | 1440 – 3000 |
| Food cost and grocery | 3000 |
| Gas and electricity | 2000 |
| Entertainment | 2500 |
| Learning materials | 2400 |
Scholarships for MS in Electrical Engineering in USA
Tuition fees coupled with living expenses can be quite expensive, especially for students from countries with lower exchange rates. Despite the high cost of studying, the USA offers various scholarship programs to help students aid their education financially. Your living and tuition expenses can be fully or partially covered depending upon the fellowship or scholarship.
Below is a list of fellowships and scholarships for international students in USA enrolled in masters in electrical engineering:
| Scholarship | Awarding Institute | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AACE International Scholarship | AACE International Education Board | 2,500 |
| Fullbright Foreign Student Scholarship | Fullbright Foundation | Tuition Fees, Airfare, Stipend, Health Insurance |
| National Science Foundation Graduate Research Scholarship | National Science Foundation | 34,000 per annum |
| NRC Research Associate Program | National Research Council and National Academy of Science | 75,000 |
| John Bardeen Fellowship | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Varies |
| Dilip and Sandhya Sarwate Graduate Fellowship | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 25% of the salary of a research assistantship |
| Walter Hesse Scholarship | Purdue University | Full tuition fees |
Scope after MS in Electrical Engineering in USA
The average salary of an electrical engineer in the USA is 89,900 USD per annum. The yearly pay range fluctuates between 48,600 USD to 136,000 USD. With MS in Electrical Engineering in USA, students can earn up to 111,000 USD per annum.
- People working in this field are likely to observe an annual increment of 11% every 17 months.
- Biggest metropolitan cities like San Jose, Washington, Seattle, and San Francisco are some of the top-paying areas for this occupation.
- Industries like architecture, power generation, communication, and manufacturing are some of the industries in this country with the highest number of electrical engineers.
| Job Description | Average Annual Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Manager | 99,100 |
| Electromechanical Engineering Technologist | 91,500 |
| Electromechanical Equipment Assembler | 73,500 |
| Energy Engineer | 87,800 |
| Engineering Chief Designer | 83,000 |
| Engineering Consultant | 92,800 |
| Engineering Planning Manager | 95,200 |
| Equipment Engineer | 75,200 |
| Engineering Safety Coordinator | 73,400 |
| Engineering Technician | 74,200 |
With a salary scale above the average pay grade of a person, MS in Electrical Engineering in USA is worth pursuing. The job opportunities in the USA are plenty with a strong industry-based economy. Also, most industries require electrical equipment or machinery, so electrical engineers will always be in demand.
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