MS in Civil Engineering in USA is a STEM course that can be pursued full-time and part-time by students around the world. Anyone having an understanding of designing and building structures with a bachelor's in civil engineering or a related field can apply for this program. A GRE score above 300 may also be required for admission to some USA universities offering masters in civil engineering. Its time period ranges between 9 months to 2 years for a full-time degree.
MS in Civil Engineering USA universities costs somewhere around 12,000-150,000 USD (9.81 lakhs-1.22 crores INR). Foreign students can avail scholarships to study MS in Civil Engineering in the USA. The entry-level salary of a civil engineer in this country is approximately 47,000 USD (34.5 lakhs INR) per annum which can go up to 135,000 USD (99.2 lakhs) per year with experience.
MS in Civil Engineering in USA: Highlights
| Duration | 9 months to 2 years |
| Degree Offered | Master of Science (MS) |
| Specializations Available | Environment, Architecture, Landscape Planning, Construction Management, etc |
| Eligibility | Bachelors in Civil Engineering with a minimum of 63% |
| Minimum GRE Requirement | 155 in verbal and quantitative, 4.0 in analytical writing |
| Average Tuition Fees | 12,000-150,000 USD (9.81 lakhs-1.22 crores INR). |
| Average Annual Salary | Entry-level: 47,000 USD (34.5 lakhs INR) With Experience: 135,000 USD (99.2 lakhs INR) |
COVID-19 Update: The majority of the universities in the USA have waived-off the GRE requirement due to testing difficulties.
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Top Universities for MS in Civil Engineering in USA
According to QS News ranking of 2023 for civil and structural engineering, the following are the top 10 universities offering MS in Civil Engineering in the USA:
| University | Program Offered & Duration | Application Deadlines | Tuition Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MEng Civil and Environmental Engineering: 9 months; | December 1, 2022 (applications closed) | 57,590 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | MEng Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering; 9 months | January 6, 2023 (applications closed) | 11,700 |
| Stanford University | MS Civil and Environmental Engineering; 2 years | December 6, 2022 (applications closed) | 149,080 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | MS Civil Engineering; 1 year | July 15, 2023 | 18,900 |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) | MS Civil and Environmental Engineering; 1 year | February 15, 2023 | 36,798 |
| University of Texas at Austin | MS Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering; 1 year | December 15, 2022 (applications closed) | 19,786 |
| Purdue University | MS Civil Engineering: 1 year | April 15, 2023 | 28,203 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | MS Civil Engineering; 1 year | January 15, 2023 (applications closed) | 52,095 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | MS Civil and Environmental Engineering; 2 years | December 15, 2022 (applications closed) | 58,479 |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | MS Civil Engineering: 1 year | December 15, 2022 (applications closed) | 33,238 |
| Columbia University | MS in Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics: 1 year | February 1, 2023 | 56,688 |
| Northwestern University | MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering | June 30, 2023 | 82,884 |
| Cornell University | MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering: 1 to 2 years | February 1, 2023 | 29,500 |
Why Study MS in Civil Engineering in USA?
Civil engineering is one of the most quick-moving domains in the USA, where the students can nurture their skills and can explore various career paths. Following are some of the reasons for pursuing higher education in USA in this field:
- Ten universities in the USA rank among the top 50 universities offering civil engineering abroad as per QS Rankings of 2023.
- The employment of civil engineers is anticipated to increase by 7% between 2021 and 2031
- Over the next ten years, there are expected to be, on average, 24,200 openings for civil engineers.
- The median annual pay for civil engineers went as high as 88,050 USD (72 lakhs INR) as of May 2021,.
MS in Civil Engineering in USA Admissions
The admission requirements for international students are slightly different from domestic students. However, some of the general eligibility requirements and admission requirements are discussed below.
MS in Civil Engineering in USA Eligibility
For pursuing MS in USA, international students are required to have:
- A minimum of 10+2+4 education
- Four-year bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in bachelor's (equivalent to Grade “B” or 83-86%)
- GRE test score
- Proof of English language proficiency
MS in Civil Engineering in USA: GRE Requirement
Submission of GRE scores has been waived-off by the majority of the universities offering Masters in Civil Engineering in the USA as students were facing difficulty in giving this test due to COVID-19. Scores below are the minimum/average requirement before the pandemic:
| University | GRE Requirement |
|---|---|
| MIT | Minimum: 155 (quantitative & verbal); Average of 2021: 156-168 (both) |
| University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | 167 in quantitative; 156 in verbal; 3.5 in analytical writing (average) |
| Stanford University | Average: 157 – 170 (quantitative & verbal) |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Minimum: 155 (quantitative & verbal) |
| UIUC | 165 in quantitative; 155 in verbal; 4.0 in analytical writing (average) |
| University of Texas at Austin | Minimum: 155 in quantitative |
| Purdue University | 163 in quantitative; 160 in verbal (average) |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Average of Fall 2019 class: 165 in quantitative; 156 in verbal; 3.8 in analytical writing |
| Caltech | Not Required |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 153 in quantitative; 150 in verbal (average) |
MS in Civil Engineering in USA: Documents Required for Admission
The application package of the international student must have the following to successfully apply to USA universities:
- Official transcripts of previous institutes
- English translation of non-English transcripts
- 2 to 3 letters of recommendation
- CV/Resume
- Statement of purpose
- Test scores for English language and other standardized tests were submitted directly submitted from the testing agency.
English Proficiency Requirement for International Students
Minimum test score requirements for admission in some of the top-ranking universities of the USA are:
| University | IELTS | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | 7.5 | 100 |
| UC Berkeley | 7.0 | 90 |
| Stanford University | 7.5 | 100 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 7.0 | 90 |
| UIUC | 6.5 | 80 |
| University of Texas | 6.5 | 79 |
| Purdue University | 7.0 | 90 |
| University of Michigan | 6.5 | 84 |
| Caltech | 6.5 | 80 |
| UCLA | 7.0 | 87 |
US Visa for International Students
Students should follow the below-given procedure to apply for a US student visa:
- Visit and accept the approval of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) at least prior to the six to twelve months.
- Complete the visa application form and attach the current photograph.
- Pay the visa application fees
- Attend the visa interview with all the required documents.
MS in Civil Engineering in USA Costs
Cost of study for an international student can be broadly categorized into pre-departure and post-departure costs. The pre-departure cost includes the cost of various exams taken for studying in USA, application fees, airfare, visa fees, and others. The tuition fees of the university will contribute most to the post-departure cost. These are the expenses you will have to pay once you have landed in the USA. This will also include the cost of living in USA.
Tuition Fees for MS in Civil Engineering in USA
The tuition annual fees for some of the top-ranking universities in USA offering MS civil engineering ranges between 12,000-150,000 USD (9.81 lakhs-1.22 crores INR). To support your education finacially, you can also apply for various loans available for international students planning their studies in USA.
MS in Civil Engineering in USA: Fees for Indian Students
Fees of top universities Masters in Civil Engineering in USA for Indian students is tabulated below. Please note these are estimated values and may vary per the conversion rate:
| University | Tuition Fees (USD) | Tuition Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 57,590 | 47.09 lakhs |
| University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) | 11,700 | 9.56 lakhs |
| Stanford University | 149,080 | 1.21 crore |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 18,900 | 15.45 lakhs |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) | 36,798 | 30.08 lakhs |
| University of Texas at Austin | 19,786 | 16.17 lakhs |
| Purdue University | 28,203 | 23.06 lakhs |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 52,095 | 42.59 lakhs |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 58,479 | 47.81 lakhs |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 33,238 | 27.17 lakhs |
| Columbia University | 56,688 | 46.35 lakhs |
| Northwestern University | 82,884 | 67.77 lakhs |
| Cornell University | 29,500 | 24.12 lakhs |
Cost of Living in USA
The cost of living in the USA is higher compared to other countries. It is estimated to be approximately 15,000 USD (12.26 lakhs INR) per annum. The spending is varied based on the taste and preferences of the students, more specifically it is depending upon the room rent, and on the food habit. The choice of student accommodations opted while in USA is also an important factor that decides your cost of living.
| Expense Type | Average Cost (USD) | Cost Equivalent (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 1,538 | 1.25 lakhs |
| Utilities | 180 | 14,683 |
| Food | 290 | 23,656 |
| Transport | 70 | 5,710 |
| Internet | 70 | 5,710 |
| Miscellaneous | 300 | 24,472 |
Scholarships for MS in Civil Engineering in USA
The inflation rate of the USA has been increased from 1.5% to 2.3% from the year 2010 to 2020. Consequently, the tuition fees of the universities have also been increased. Thus, international students look for various sources to fund their education. Some of the options are loans, scholarships, bursaries, part-time work, etc.
The following table provides a list of scholarships available for international students in the USA pursuing MS in Civil Engineering:
| Name of scholarship programs | Amount of scholarship (USD) |
|---|---|
| Anne Naureen Whitney Barrow Memorial Scholarship | $8,000 |
| Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program | $10,000 |
| Arsham Amirikian Engineering Scholarship | $2,500 |
| MSPE Abrams Grant | $3,000 |
For information on other scholarships available for international students, click here. Specific scholarships for Indian students are also available for studying in the USA.
Check Out: Education loan in the USA
Scope of MS in Civil Engineering in USA
Most of the highest-paid civil engineers in the USA are working with the oil and gas extraction industries. On the other hand, the highest-paid positions in the USA are Houston, Texas, Hinesville, Midland, and Georgia. The median pay scale of the civil engineers in the US is 88,050 USD (72 lakhs INR) per annum after completion of the MS.
Some of the jobs in USA for civil engineers are:
| Job Roles | Average Annual Pay (in USD) | Salary Equivalent (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | 75,389 | 61.64 lakhs |
| Structural engineer | 72,616 | 59.37 lakhs |
| Water resource engineer | 73,467 | 60.07 lakhs |
| Transportation planner | 74,150 | 60.63 lakhs |
| Project Engineer | 74,537 | 60.94 lakhs |
| Geotechnical engineer | 74,369 | 60.81 lakhs |
| Environmental Engineer | 64,203 | 52.49 lakhs |
| Field Engineer | 61,839 | 50.56 lakhs |
| Construction Project Manager | 94,267 | 77.08 lakhs |
Apart from the above-mentioned professions, the career path of environmental engineer and construction manager are very sharp. The projected growth rate of environmental engineers and construction managers in is 8% and 11% respectively. Hence, studying MS in civil engineering in this country can give you a vast opportunity to explore your career path in a better way. In addition, the rising employment rate of the country supports the increase in the career growth rate of civil engineers correspondingly.
FAQs
Ques. Which university is best for MS in Civil Engineering in USA?
Ans. Some of the top-ranking universities offering MS in Civil Engineering in USA are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, Georgia Institute of Technology, UCLA etc.
Ques. What is the cost of pursuing MS in Civil Engineering in USA?
Ans. Tuition fees of MS in Civil Engineering in the USA range between 12,000-150,000 USD (9.81 lakhs-1.22 crores INR). In addition to this, the annual cost of living in this country is approximately 15,000 USD (12.96 lakhs INR).
Ques. Can I pursue MS in Civil Engineering in USA without GRE?
Ans. Some universities such as Purdue University and the University of Michigan do not have GRE as a compulsory requirement for admission in MS in Civil Engineering. However, the submission of such scores increases the chances of acceptance into the program. Caltech University doesn't require submission of GRE score.
Ques. What is the scope of MS in Civil Engineering in USA?
Ans. After completion of MS in Civil Engineering in the USA, you can work as Construction Engineer, Structural Engineer, Building Control Surveyor, Water Resource Engineer, etc. The median salary offered to civil engineers is 88,050 USD (72 lakhs INR) per annum.
Ques. What is the eligibility for admission to MS in Civil Engineering in USA?
Ans. Bachelor's degree in civil engineering with a minimum of 63% is required for admission to MS in Civil Engineering in USA. International students are also required to submit a GRE score of 300 or above for admission to some top universities.
Ques. What is the salary after MS in Civil Engineering in USA?
Ans. At entry level, an MS in Civil Engineering graduate in USA earns up to 47,000 USD (34.5 lakhs INR) per annum which can go up to 135,000 USD (99.2 lakhs) per year with experience.
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