collageAs a matter of fact, PhDs in mechanical engineering can lead to a variety of exciting careers in academia, research, and engineering firms. Entering PhD students are fully funded in their first year. During the first year, incoming PhD students have to pursue research and funding discussions with the research faculty.
Read more on this post to see further details on phd in aerospace engineering salary, phd programs for aerospace engineering, phd position in aerospace engineering, and phd in aerospace engineering in europe.
fully funded phd programs in aerospace engineering.
Best Universities for Aerospace Engineering on PhDPortal
| Universities | Location | Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ranking (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, United States | 1 |
| Beihang University | Beijing, China | 2 |
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, United States | 3 |
| Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) | Delft, Netherlands | 4 |
MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA is a 1 to 2 year degree available as full-time, part-time and online program. It has mainly two branches: aeronautics and astronautics. Aeronautics deals with design, construction, and science of aircraft. On the other hand, astronautics is the study of spacecrafts. All aerospace programs at universities of the USA are accredited by Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Since, the degree requires basic knowlegde of maths, physics and engineering, bachelors in mechanical or related field with strong technical knowledge in before mentioned subjects is mandatory for admission. Cost of pursuing MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA universities ranges between 15,000 USD to 56,000 USD (equivalent to 11 lakhs – 41 lakhs INR). Comparatively, you can earn an average of 88,867 USD (65 lakhs INR) per annum after graduation. Although entry level jobs do not require a Professional Engineering (PE) license, more advanced professions may demand one.
Top Universities for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA
The table below shows the top universities for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA, according to QS News World University Ranking 2020 for mechanical, aeronautical and manufacturing engineering:
| Rankings | Universities | Program Offered and Duration | Total Program Fees (in USD) | Intake Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MIT | MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics; 2 years | 53,450 | December |
| 6 | University of California, Berkeley | MEng in Mechanical with Aerospace Engineering: 9 months | 55,754 | September |
| 10 | University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | MS in Aerospace Engineering: 1 year | 26,480 | January |
| 13 | Georgia Institute of Technology | MS in Aerospace Engineering: 1 year | 40,522 | Fall & Summer: December; Spring: October |
| 17 | California Institute of Technology | MS in Aerospace Engineering: 1 year | 52,506 | December |
| 20 | Purdue University | MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics: 1 year | 15,104 | Fall: December; Spring: October |
| 26 | University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) | MS in Aerospace Engineering: 1 year | 32,669 | December |
| 36 | Cornell University | MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: 2 years | 29,500 | Fall: February; Spring: October |
| 38 | University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign | MEng in Aerospace Systems: 2 – 2.5 years | 28,464 | Fall: July; Spring: December |
| 40 | Princeton University | MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering: 2 years | 51,870 | December |
Why Study MS in Aerospace Engineering in the USA?
- 15 top universities in USA offering MS in Aerospace Engineering are among the top 50 global universities according to QS Rankings 2020.
- Overall job growth for aerospace engineers is expected to be 3% from 2019 to 2029 in USA.
- In 2019, 66400 jobs were available for graduates of aerospace engineering.
- Median wage of aerospace engineers in USA was 116,500 USD per annum in 2019. This is comparatively higher than the overall engineering average of 94,500 USD per year.
The overall job growth for aerospace engineers in not very promising in USA. The field is very competitive and most of the jobs are generated from resignation or retirement. Hence, international students are recommended to go for studying MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA only if they are really passionate about this subject.
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Admission Process of MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA
The applications to universities in USA begin usually in June and November. Students are required to apply directly through university’s website for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA.
Eligibility for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA
- UG degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, natural sciences, or a related field of study from a recognized university.
- Proof of English language proficiency
- TOEFL (iBT): 90+
- IELTS: 7.0
- Scores of standardized exams to study in USA such as GRE
Requirements for some of the top universities offering MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA is tabulated below:
| University | Eligibility | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | Background in mathematics & physics | 3 LORs; Statement of Objective |
| University of California, Berkeley | Background in engineering | CV; 3 LORs; 2 short essays; GRE: 90% in quantitative, 70% in verbal, 3.5 in analytical (recommended) |
| University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | Background in maths and engineering with 3.6 GPA | GRE: 320 in verbal + quantitative, 4.0 in analytical; 3 LORs; SOP |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Bachelors in related field | 3 LORs; SOP |
| Caltech | Background in maths, physics and engineering science with 3.5 GPA (recommended) | 3 LORs; CV; SOP |
| Purdue University | Bachelors in related field with 3.25 GPA | GRE: 156 in verbal, 159 in quantitative, 4.0 in analytical; 3 LORs; SOP; CV |
| UCLA | Bachelors in related field | 3 LORs; SOP; GRE |
| Cornell University | Bachelors in related field with 3.6 GPA | 3 LORs; 1 page SOP; CV; GRE: 157 in verbal, 164 in quantitative, 3.0 in analytical |
| University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign | Bachelors in natural sciences or engineering with 3.0 GPA | 3 LORs; SOP; CV: GRE: 80th percentile in quantitative (recommended) |
| Princeton University | Bachelors in related field | CV; SOP; 3 LORs |
Documents Required for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA
Students are required to submit all the required documents along with the admission application. These include-
- Academic transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- Proof of scores of standardized exams to study in USA
- Letters of Recommendation-Usually, 3-4 letters of recommendation are needed.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)- A statement of purpose depicting the academic arc of the applicant in detail. It should be a 1-2 page essay.
- Statement of Financial Resources- An applicant must submit credible evidence of financial eligibility for the first year of study.
- Copy of passport
- Payment of non-refundable application fee
English Proficiency Requirement for International Students
International students are required to submit IELTS or TOEFL test scores to apply at USA universities. The minimum required for Masters in Aerospace Engineering program is tabulated below:
| University | IELTS | TOEFL (iBT) |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | 7.0 | 100 |
| Georgia Tech | 7.0 | 90 |
| Caltech | No minimum requirement | No minimum requirement |
| Purdue University | Not Specified | 80 |
| University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | 6.5 | 84 |
| UC Berkeley | 7.0 | 90 |
| UCLA | 7.0 | 90 |
| Cornell University | 7.0 | Writing: 20; Listening: 15; Reading: 20; Speaking: 22 |
| University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign | 6.5 | 79 |
| Princeton University | Speaking: 8.0 | Speaking: 27 |
Student Visa to USA
An international applicant is required to apply for a student visa to USA to study MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA. Upon successfully completing the admissions at an American university, applicants receive an I-20 form from the university required to apply for a student visa to USA. Documents needed for the visa process include:
- Passport
- Financial Statement
- Bank Statements or Funding Letter
- I-20 or DS-2019 form
- Offer letter from the university
- Proof of English language proficiency
Students will need to appear for a visa interview with the US Embassy.
Cost of Study for Masters in Aerospace Engineering in USA
USA is way costlier in comparison to any other study abroad destination. Studying here costs around 208.97% higher than India. The cost of study includes pre-arrival expenses, tuition fees and living expenses.
Pre-arrival Expenses to USA
Pre-arrival expenses in USA include the one time fees for test registrations, the application fees for admissions, visa application fee, etc.
| Categories | Fees (in USD) |
|---|---|
| GRE fees | 205 |
| TOEFL fees | 180 |
| Visa registration fees | 190 |
| Application fees | 150 |
Tuition Fees for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA
Average tuition fees of studying MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA range between 15,000 USD to 56,000 USD which is equivalent to 11 lakhs – 41 lakhs INR from top universities. Purdue University is the cheapest among them with total fees of 15,104 USD or 11.09 lakhs INR.
Living Expenses in USA
The cost for living varies with the state as well as the type of student housing in USA, living standards, etc. In Boston, the monthly cost would be USD 1500-3000 whereas in San Diego it is USD 1400-2400.
| Categories | Annual Cost (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | 900 |
| Food | 6318 |
| Apartment Housing with amenities | 16,700 |
| Dormitory Housing | 7,402-11,622 |
| Meal Plan for Dormitory Residents | 2,426 |
| Miscellaneous | 6470 |
Scholarships for MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA
Various scholarships for masters students are available through universities or even private agencies and organizations. The table below shows the some of the international scholarships to study in USA:
| Scholarships | Requirements | Award (in USD) |
|---|---|---|
| William Asbjornsen Albert Memorial Fellowship | PG student at MIT with research in modern science and engineering. | Tuition, health insurance and stipend of USD 2,100 |
| AIAA Foundation Scholarship | Enrollment in the aerospace engineering program | 2500 |
| Women in Aerospace Scholarship Foundation Scheme | 3.0 GPA; Studied engineering, math or science in bachelors | 2,000 |
| Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Award | Participating in a research program on aerospace engineering | Varies |
| Guidance, Navigation and Control Graduate Awards | Current AIAA member; 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; 500 – 1000 words essay; Research outline of 20 pages; 3 LORs | Varies |
Scope of MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA
The demand for graduates of MS in Aerospace Engineering in USA is not much. Only 1,900 jobs are expected to be created by 2029 according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can start working as an Aerospace Engineer immediately after getting a degree at entry-level positions. However, for further advancement in career, a Professional Engineering (PE) license is required. The process of acquiring this license is as follows:
- Pass Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. A title of Engineer in Training (EIT) is given to them after passing this exam.
- Complete 4 years of on-the-job training.
- Pass the PE exam.
Bachelors students can also apply for a Professional Engineering license. Aerospace Engineers work in aircraft, missiles, systems for national defense, or spacecraft. They engage in manufacturing, analysis and design, research, and development for the federal government.
The chart shows the industries hiring aerospace engineers after a masters degree:
The table below shows the average annual salary for MS in Aerospace Engineering graduates in USA:
| Titles | Average Annual Salary(in USD) |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | 100,000 |
| Aerospace Technician | 79,300 |
| Aeronautical Engineer | 85,700 |
| Aircraft Manager | 96,500 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | 76,500 |
| Air traffic controller | 87,100 |
| Aircraft Engineer | 92,600 |
| Aircraft Quality Assurance | 106,000 |
| Airlines Sales Manager | 85,000 |
An aerospace engineer helps design, maintain, test the performance of civil, military aircraft, missiles and satellite, and space vehicles meet the customer requirements.
Salary for aerospace engineers differs from state to state. The following table shows the stats:
| State | Average Annual Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| California | 125,540 |
| Texas | 122,570 |
| Alabama | 115,820 |
| Ohio | 112,480 |
| Maryland | 127,330 |
One of the top US recruiters for aerospace engineers, SpaceX heading projects like Falcon 9 under its wing, offers vast opportunities to graduates. They hire graduates for mission management and space operations to Vehicle engineering. On average, an aerospace engineer earns 117,700 USD per year according to BLS. This makes MS in Aerospace Engineering a lucrative degree for students who aspire to fly high in the sky.
Scholarship Opportunities
Like many professional organizations, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics provides higher education funding for student -members. These recent scholarships reflect the AIAA commitment to educating future aeronautics professionals:
- Money to Learn Scholarships give undergraduate and graduate students a leg up pursuing aerospace engineering education. Awards are given to over 30 eligible candidates and the selection process looks at academic talent, as well as financial need.
- AIAA Foundation Scholarships are given to students enrolled in aerospace engineering programs who are advancing through their sophomore year of study. Special consideration is given to those students who exhibit outstanding aptitude for aerospace engineering, and best embody the tenets of the foundation. Awards are worth as much as $2500 each.
- Abe Zarem Awards are given to students who are talented technical writers, with expertise in aerospace engineering subjects.
NASA Aeronautics Scholarship Program provides educational funding for promising undergraduates, as well as graduate-level researchers. Undergrads qualify for annual scholarships worth $15.000 each, which are earmarked for educational expenses in approved programs. Awards support students for two years, and include a summer internship program valued at 10K. Graduate students receive stipends worth $35,000 annually, in addition to eleven-thousand dollars worth of annual educational funding. Internships are also included, and the graduate program has an option to be extended for an additional year, for qualified researchers.
Women in Aerospace Foundation advocates for females earning their places in the aerospace industry. One Foundation initiative provides college scholarships for deserving students. Each year, two scholarships valued at $2000 are disbursed to aerospace students meeting the following eligibility requirements:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Completed minimum of 2.5 years of instruction at the time of application.
- Attending accredited institution of higher education
- Working toward a Bachelor’s degree
- Female
- Pursuing career in the aerospace industry
Winners are honored at the organization’s annual October awards dinner.
The Aerospace States Association is committed to education in physical science and engineering fields. The ASA puts-forth scholarships worth $2000 each, reserved annually for sophomores and juniors working toward aeronautics degrees. Scholarships are not renewable, so each successful applicant can win only once. Additional requirements for landing ASA Scholarships, which must be submitted by April 30th to be considered for fall-semester tuition assistance:
- Proof of community participation
- Record of scholastic extracurricular activities
- Official high school transcript
- Verifiable cumulative GPA score
Campus Aid for Aerospace Engineers
Individual campuses support their aerospace programs with supplemtntal scholarships that bridge the affordibility gap for stand-out degree candidates. These recent campus-specifc scholarship examples bring aerospace education within reach for top students:
University of Minnesota sponsors scholarships for students enrolled in the Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics Department:
- Dennis Longren Scholarship Fund is open to undergraduate students in the program who show demonstrated academic achievement in combination with financial need.
- R. Minkin Aerospace Engineering Scholarship is given to an outstanding sophomore in the program. Awards are worth $500 each.
- Boeing Scholarships award up to $3,000 each to eligible applicants in their junior year. Successful candidates are at the head of their classes, academically, and interested in careers with Boeing.
Auburn University sponsors nearly a dozen endowed scholarships for students enrolled in the aerospace engineering program:
- Fred Martin Annual Scholarship in Aerospace Engineering is designated for students with academic merit who are members of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
- Rodney Bradford Endowment is awarded annually, to a financially needy student from Alabama pursuing a major in aerospace engineering.
Texas A&M University Aerospace Engineering Department sponsors the following scholarships for students pursuing Aerospace Engineering degrees:
- Benjamin and Deanna Smith Scholarships are awarded to juniors in the aerospace engineering program. Awards are distributed to academic standouts, and are worth $1,000 each year.
- Michael Ebanks Scholarship awards up to $1,000 annually, to an upper level student.
- Patrick and Carol Gibson Scholarships are given to upper level students at the tops of their academic classes. Each applicant must submit an essay to be considered, and include a professional resume and letters of recommendation with the application.
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