Masters (MS) in Automotive Engineering in USA: Top Universities, Admissions, Cost of Study, Scholarships and Job Opportunities
Masters (MS) in Automotive Engineering in USAMasters in Automotive Engineering in USA is one of the growing fields. It can be your best decision if you're actually interested in converting your passion for cars into your game-changing career. Most popular courses and specializations in MS in Automotive Engineering in the USA include Vehicle Dynamics, Design and Control of Mechatronic Systems, and more. Students undergo a practical approach to learning to comprehend the concept. The bare minimum to apply for schools would require a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from any college or university, coupled with good GRE test scores.
Top programs have tuition fees that average anywhere between $14,000 (₹11 lakhs) and $55,100 (₹45 lakhs). After college, students can earn anything between $72,000 (₹60 lakhs) and $89,600 (₹74 lakhs) on an annual basis. The application fee for an MS in Automotive Engineering in the USA varies from $40 (₹3400) to $90 (₹7500). Top universities announce intakes for the MS in Automotive Engineering in the USA for the academic year 2025-2026 during fall, summer, and spring semesters.
Students are given state and university grants that pay tuition costs. Living costs in some cases can be paid from these grants as well. Better job opportunities are offered by companies with good pay scales. An automotive engineer on average earns a salary of about $1,00,000. Job roles offered to the graduates of MS in Automotive Engineering in USA are automotive technician, automotive engineer, vehicle engineer, automotive systems engineer, automotive lead engineer, and so on.
MS Program in Automotive Engineering in USA: Quick Highlights
The quick highlights of MS in Automotive Engineering in USA are presented in the table below.
Particulars | Details |
Full Form of Course | Masters in Automotive Engineering |
Course Level | Postgraduate |
Course Duration | 1-2years |
Course Type | Full time (on-campus) Part time (online) |
English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS: 6.5 or higher TOEFL: 90+ |
GPA (Grade Point Average) | At least 3.0 out of 4.0 or 75% |
Top Recruiters | Waymo (Google), Mercedes-Benz USA, Honda R&D Americas, BMW of North America etc. |
Let’s Understand What is Automotive Engineering
Automotive Engineering is a branch of mechanical engineering that deals with automobile applications and the manufacturing and designing of various automobiles. It's another growing field of engineering that has developed over the years. Many of the renowned and leading companies are hiring automotive engineers to play a game-changer role in their organization.
Why Master's in Automotive Engineering in USA in Demand?
Presently, Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA is one of the popular courses of engineering. The best public research institutions or national universities have a solid industry network, global connections, advanced-level research facilities and an interdisciplinary approach.
Students are opting for this field for their impressive job openings, learning scope & industrial network. These are some convincing reasons:
- The USA has major auto manufacturers such as Ford Motors, Tesla, and General Motors.
- Universities emphasize electric vehicles, AI, and autonomous mobility.
- Starting compensation typically ranges from $85,000 to $130,000.
- Strong collaboration enables students to engage in internships.
- The world EV market is expected to become $800 billion by 2025, of which 25% comprises the United States.
- Tesla sold above 1.3 million EVs in 2023, with the number expected to rise at around 30% till 2025.
Also Check:
Other Popular Countries for Studying Masters in Automotive Engineering
Germany | UK |
MS in Automotive Engineering in USA: Top 5 Universities
Candidates for enrolling in Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA, should be aware of the top universities in USA.
Below we have listed down the top 5 universities in the USA for MS programs in automotive engineering with their QS ranking. If you are planning to study abroad for your further education in the automotive industry, these universities can provide you with the best industry network.
University Name with Location | QS Ranking |
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | 44 |
University of Wisconsin - Madison | 116 |
Ohio State University - Columbus, Ohio | 208 |
Minnesota State University - Mankato, Minnesota | 203 |
Florida Institute of Technology | In the band of 301-350 |
Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA: Fees Structure
For selecting your MS in Automotive Engineering in USA institution, the fee structure plays a significant role. University names with tuition and application fees are listed below.
University Name | Annual Tuition Fee (approx.) | Application Fee (approx.) |
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | ₹45lakhs | ₹7600 |
University of Wisconsin - Madison | ₹21 lakhs | ₹6300 |
Ohio State University - Columbus, Ohio | ₹11.74 lakhs | ₹5900 |
Minnesota State University - Mankato, Minnesota | ₹8.5 lakhs | ₹3300 |
Florida Institute of Technology | ₹35 lakhs | ₹5000 |
Masters MS in Automotive Engineering in USA: Admission
After knowing about the Automotive Engineering MS admissions requirements in USA, you must think about the procedure to apply for this interesting discipline. Here are the few steps you need to follow.
- The first step is always to research and go through all the sources to select your university preference.
- The next step is to check eligibility & qualifications to optimize your interest.
- Prepare for the GRE, or English qualifying exams like TOEFL or IELTS.
- Gather all the documents specified according to your chosen university & requirements.
- By following your university website and other guidelines, complete and submit your application online.
- Apply for a scholarship, if required. This will help you in planning your budget.
- After all this, it's time to prepare for your visa (F-1 student Visa).
Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA: Eligibility Criteria
The below tabulated representation highlights eligibility criteria for the MS in Automotive Engineering program in USA.
Particulars | Details |
GRE required score | 320 or more among top universities and minimum 300 for Mid Tier Universities |
GPA | At least 3.0 out of 4.0 or 75% |
Educational Qualification | A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Automotive /Electrical or related field |
English Proficiency | IELTS: 6.5 or higher TOEFL: 90+ |
Work Experience | 1-2 years |
Please Note: The documents required may differ depending on the chosen university & course.
Masters (MS) in Automotive Engineering in USA: Important Dates
Application deadlines for Masters in Automotive Engineering in the USA depend on universities. Some intakes are in the fall season and some are in spring. The application dates are mentioned below.
University Name | Application Deadline (Expected) |
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
|
University of Wisconsin - Madison |
|
Minnesota State University - Mankato, Minnesota |
|
Florida Institute of Technology |
|
Curriculum & Specialization for Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA
When discussing the best Automotive Engineering MS programs in the USA, students will find a market-researched and in-demand curriculum. The curriculum has various interesting core courses and specializations. Let’s walk through the table below to explore the best Automotive Engineering MS programs in the USA.
Particulars | Details |
Core programs |
|
Specializations |
|
Research Projects | Automotive Engineering MS programs with research opportunities in USA include working on the research thesis or capstone project with the collaboration with industry partners. |
Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA: Scholarships
Several institutions provide significant scholarships for Automotive Engineering MS students in the USA, which are highlighted in the tabulated representation.
Scholarship/ Awards | Benefits | Offered By |
Panther Fund Merit Scholarship | Covers 50% of tuition waiver | Florida Institute of Technology |
Seaton Graduation school Fellowship | $5,000 (₹4.17 lakhs) | The University of Tennessee Knoxville |
ISD Merit Scholarship | $20,000 (₹.16.6 lakhs) | University of Michigan |
Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Complete Tuition waiver & Stipend | US Government |
SAE International Fellowship | $5,500-$10,000 | SAE International |
Graduate Fellowships | Full tuition fees (non -resident fees), stipend , and subsidized health insurance | The Ohio State University |
King Morgridge Scholars Program | Covers tuition & fees, on-campus room & board, health insurance, airfare, and a stipend for miscellaneous expenses | University of Wisconsin -Madison |
Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA: Cost of Studying
The cost of studying is a key consideration of planning your budget for pursuing a Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA.
Particulars | Cost (in USD) | Cost (in INR) |
Approx. total tuition fees for fall & Spring semesters | $14,070 | ₹11.7 Lakhs |
Board & Room for 9 months | $10,000-$12,000 | ₹8 Lakhs - ₹9 Lakhs |
Books & Supplies | $1,200 - $1,500 | ₹1 Lakhs - ₹2 Lakhs |
Health Insurance | $2,000 - $3,000 | ₹1 Lakhs - ₹2 Lakhs |
Personal Expenses | $1,700 - $1,800 | ₹1 Lakhs - ₹1.5 Lakhs |
MS in Automotive Engineering in USA: Work Permit Visas
The United States offers work visas for employment, catering to both temporary & permanent positions. Here are key types of temporary work permit visas for the Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA:
Type of USA Visa | Description |
H1B | For highly qualified professionals requiring a U.S. degree. Includes high-merit fashion models and government-related projects. Major sponsors: Amazon, Google, Ernst & Young. |
H-2B | For temporary or seasonal non-agriculture work. Open to nationals of certain countries. |
L1 | For transfer of employees to U.S. branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of a company in the capacity of managerial or specialized function applicant with one year's continuous employment abroad. |
Masters in Automotive Engineering in USA: Career & Job Prospects
The automotive engineering field is increasing with the demand for skilled and talented professionals. After completing the program, graduates can apply for this high-demand, growing sector. See the table below for the job outlook for Automotive Engineering MS graduates in the USA, including key roles and the top recruiters in this field.
Particulars | Details |
Emerging Trend |
|
Career options |
|
Top Recruiters |
|
Expected Salaries After Completing MS in in Automotive Engineering in USA
The given table provides a detailed overview of the job role-wise expected salaries after an MS degree in Automotive Engineering from USA.
Job Roles | Expected Salary |
Automotive Engineer | $100,000-$120,000 |
Electric Vehicle Engineer | $100,000-$130,000 |
Autonomous Vehicle Engineer | $120,000-$140,000 |
Automotive Software Engineers | $110,000-$130,000 |
Powertrain Engineer | $125000-$130,000 |
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Engineer | $130,000-$140,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques 1. Why should I study MS in automotive engineering in USA?
Ans- The USA is the place where, in comparison to other parts of the world, automotive engineering courses have the highest demand. The US offers a better course curriculum and a great learning experience. Reputed automakers are also recruiting fresh graduates from USA and offering good remuneration.
Ques 2: After receiving my MS in automotive engineering from the USA, am I eligible to work in other nations?
Ans- The MS certificate is recognized in most major countries, and you can find jobs with good salary packages globally.
Ques 3: Who are the major recruiters for automotive engineers in the United States?
Ans- Ford, Toyota, General Electric, and Honeywell are some big companies that hire automotive engineers. Some other known names are Boeing, IBM, Intel, and Johnson & Johnson.
Ques 4: What is the job salary of any automotive engineer in the US?
Ans: The average salary for automotive engineers in the US is $90,000 per year or $43.27 per hour. Seasoned automotive engineers can bring home a range of $117,500 per annum, while entry-level engineers start at around $77,898.
Ques 5: How does one do an MS in Automotive Engineering in the USA?
Ans: Students can apply for MS programs in automotive engineering after completion of the 4-year bachelor course in the required area. They also might need to fulfill an IELTS cut-off score of 6.5 or above, provide GRE marks, and satisfy the minimum GPA requirement stipulated by the university, usually 3.0/4.0.