25 Most Affordable Master’s In Engineering (MEng, M.E., M. Eng.) Grad Degree Programs
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Engineering is a diverse and rapidly evolving field typically involving mathematical and scientific methodologies, concepts, and design philosophies. It is mostly responsible for developing technologies and structures that revolutionize modern living.
Due to its high demand, many students are eyeing for a Master’s in Engineering degree. However, high costs often hinder them from pursuing advanced studies.
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Methodology
GradSchoolCenter.com writers compiled a list of the 25 Most Affordable Schools for Master’s in Engineering, offering low tuition rates and fees for graduate students in the lucrative field.
However, because affordability is just one part of the equation, our list also outlines the graduate schools across the United States offering Engineering programs with these salient features:
- An array of standardized financial aid in the form of scholarship programs or student loans for eligible graduate students,
- High-quality learning experience, which constitutes numerous Engineering specializations delivered in rigorous and in-depth coursework,
- Satisfactory statistics in student admission, retention, and graduation, as well as high job placement rates,
- An impressive faculty consisting of professionals with a reputation for success and significant contribution in the field of engineering,
- Positive feedback from academic publications and high positions in academic rankings,
- Displays proper accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the primary accrediting agency for academic programs in Engineering.
Most Affordable Schools for Master’s in Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas
Master of Science in Engineering
| Tuition: | $1,215 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 36 |
The MS in Engineering at UT Austin offers thirteen specialization options:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Engineering Mechanics
- Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Operations Research and Industrial Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Software Engineering
Prospective full-time graduates can pursue executive programs in electrical, computer, mechanical, and engineering management, completing mostly through distance learning.
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Master of Science in Engineering
| Tuition: | $370 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 33 |
UGA’s MS in Engineering program offers a rigorous curriculum and research environment. It focuses on equipping students to leverage disciplinary depth to handle multi-scale challenges outside traditional engineering disciplines and combine discoveries from many domains.
Prospective graduates can select an emphasis area such as mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and civil engineering.
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
| Tuition: | $54,000 total tuition |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
TAMU’s Master of Engineering program suits working professionals because it offers distance learning courses. However, this may not be the best option for students wanting a research-based MEng degree for doctoral studies. The curriculum is course-based, which means that it focuses on practical application.
This MEng program offers various concentration options, allowing students to align their coursework with their goals. The specialization options include Electrical & Computer Engineering Emphasis and Mechanical Engineering Emphasis.
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, Maryland
Master of Engineering in Project Management
| Tuition: | $1,130 per credit (on-campus) $1,394 per credit (online) |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
The MEng in Project Management at UMD College Park is a part-time practice-centered program designed for working engineers. Prospective graduates can select from 16 specializations for which they can deepen their knowledge on a specific subject.
The core curriculum has five courses in project management fundamentals, team management, legal aspects of design and construction, cost accounting and finance, and risk management. Elective courses include Web-Based Project Management, Sustainability Fundamentals for Project Managers, and Evolving as a Project Leader.
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
Master of Engineering Management
| Tuition: | $825.83 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
KSU’s Master of Engineering Management is a 100% online, interdisciplinary program integrating engineering topics with HR and business management skills. Some core required courses include Advanced Industrial Management, Advanced Engineering Economy, and Industrial Logistics Engineering.
Upon completion of the student’s final semester, a master’s culminating experience presentation is mandatory for each student. They can generally complete their graduate program in two or four years of study.
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia
| Tuition: | $383 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
In addition to affordable tuition costs, KennesawState’s MEng program is also among the most flexible and highly customizable programs. Offered entirely online, this MEng program has six concentration options:
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Intelligent Robotic Systems
- Mechanical Engineering
- Systems Engineering
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
| Tuition: | $440 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
UA’s MS in Mechanical Engineering is a non-thesis and interdisciplinary program developed mainly for working professionals with bachelor’s degrees in Engineering. Prospective graduates may follow the standard engineering program or concentrate on other topics like Mechatronics, Biomechanics, Robotics, Smart Manufacturing, and more. Regardless, they will complete a comprehensive final examination as part of the requirements for program culmination.
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
| Tuition: | $9,804 per term (resident) $17,512 per term (non-resident) |
| Credit Hours: | 36 |
TTU’s MEng is completed through a hybrid learning format, a mixture of on-campus and online courses. It is a non-thesis program, meaning it’s best for those seeking application- and course-based learning. Those who want to have research and assistantship opportunities may not fit well in this program.
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Master of Science in Engineering
| Tuition: | $12,376 per term (resident) $34,290 per term (non-resident) |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
ASU’s MS in Engineering is an interdisciplinary curriculum that applies advanced design ideas directly to system design, control, and management. ASU requires their candidates to have a baccalaureate degree in any related discipline, such as physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
There are three ways students can complete the degree. Prospective doctoral students can pursue a thesis, while others can pursue an Applied Project course or a portfolio. Each pathway offers its own benefits and challenges, allowing students to tailor their academic experience to align with their career goals and interests.
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Management
| Tuition: | $383 per credit (resident) $1,029 per credit (non-resident) |
| Credit Hours: | 32 |
OSU’s MS in Engineering and Technology Management is a distance learning program designed for experienced engineers and scientists to accelerate their management careers. The program combines academic coursework with business practices, focusing on effective technology management and decision-making for career and business success, addressing industry leaders’ needs.
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi
| Tuition: | $537 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
Mississippi State’s distance MEng offers a unique learning experience to students without access to traditional programs. The engineering graduate program doesn’t have any core requirements. Instead, graduate students select courses from a variety of offerings in different sub-areas of engineering to customize their individualized program.
Among the concentration options include Aeronautics & Aerodynamics, Civil, Transportation & Construction Systems, Management & Leadership, Engineering Systems, and more.
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
| Tuition: | $32,602 per semester |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
Cornell’s MEng is for those who want to have access to Computer Science courses. Prospective graduates can customize their graduate program by choosing from pre-approved elective courses in management, engineering, science, and mathematics fields.
Elective courses include Women in the Workplace, Robotic Manipulation, Games, Economic Behavior, and the Internet, and Data Mining and Machine Learning.
University of Illinois-Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
| Tuition: | $896 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 36 |
IllinoisChicago’s MEng program can be completed fully online at an affordable rate, making it accessible to working professionals on a budget. The curriculum focuses on developing students” knowledge and skills in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
It offers nine courses in leadership development, AI/ML, and AI/ML theories, techniques, and tools. Students can also apply their knowledge in Image Analysis, Computer Vision, Deep Neural Networks, and Natural Language Processing.
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Master of Science in Engineering
| Tuition: | $303.88 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
UArk’s MS in Engineering is a 100% online program that follows a flat tuition rate, which means that students—regardless of residency status—pay in-state tuition. This engineering-related graduate program encompasses all disciplines of engineering, including operations management, transportation engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, and bioengineering.
It is considered one of the most accelerated master’s programs in engineering that will allow prospective graduates to earn their degree in as quickly as 18 months.
Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Master of Science in Engineering Management
| Tuition: | $25,000 |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
THE MSEM program at FIU features coursework that combines technology and business courses. This program includes Total Quality Management (TQM), engineering project management, and business courses taught by faculty experts. The curriculum focuses on preparing students for various capacities and certifications in engineering management and project management.
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Master of Science in Computer Science – Software Engineering Program
| Tuition: | Varies |
| Credit Hours: | 48 |
Colorado Tech offers a Software Engineering concentration in their MS in Computer Science program. This online degree program offers a unique opportunity to study operating systems, networking, system architecture, and software system engineering. It aims to evaluate complex software systems, compare solutions, analyze software requirements, apply architectural strategies, address technical challenges, and improve software processes.
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, California
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
| Tuition: | $2,750.17-$4,256.17 per term |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
California State University-Fullerton provides students with a core foundation for professional engineering through its Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree program. This engineering-related master’s program is developed to offer a concentrated education for professional advancement for advanced credentials toward a doctorate in an engineering program.
Lincoln, Nebraska
Master of Engineering Management
| Tuition: | $675 per credit hour |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
UNLincoln’s MEM is a non-thesis program integrating courses from the College of Business Administration and the College of Engineering. This 100% online master’s degree offers six elective courses to allow students to align their learning with their career advancement goals. It’s also certified by the American Society for Engineering Management.
Ohio University
Columbus, Ohio
Master of Science in Welding Engineering
| Tuition: | $2,663.71 – $5,227.42 per semester |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
The MS in Welding Engineering at Ohio University is a 100% online program offered in two options, namely, MS Non-Thesis based on Candidacy Exam and MS Non-Thesis as Final Degree. It can be completed in a length that depends on students” time frame of learning.
For part-time students, the non-thesis graduate program can be earned in approximately six to eight semesters, while full-time students earn their degree in three to four semesters.
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Master of Engineering in Engineering Management
| Tuition: | $791 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
Louisville offers an affordable and flexible online MEng in Engineering Management that can be completed in as few as three semesters of full-time commitment. Building Information Modeling, Airport Planning and Design, GPS Theory and Application, and Traffic Engineering are some of the core courses offered under this program.
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, Wisconsin
Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering
| Tuition: | $656 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
UW Stout offers an online, customized MS in Manufacturing Engineering with a flat-rate tuition fee policy, making it an attractive option for out-of-state remote students. The program provides practical training in manufacturing innovation and enhances knowledge in continuous process improvement, lean manufacturing, project management, and engineering processes.
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
Master of Engineering in Engineering Management
| Tuition: | $619 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 45 |
OregonState’s MEng in Engineering Management is specially designed for engineering and STEM professionals. This program offers core courses like Operations Management, Advanced Engineering Economic Analysis, and Project Management in Engineering, providing unique marketable expertise.
Prospective graduates also have the selection to enroll in elective courses such as Engineering Management, Legal Aspects of Engineering, and Lean Manufacturing Systems. A hybrid learning format is also available for students who prefer a diversity of learning.
University of California, Davis
Davis, California
| Tuition: | $12,264 annually |
| Credit Hours: | 36 |
UC Davis offers one of the most affordable and flexible on-campus MEng programs that accepts applicants with at least one year of background in engineering-level mathematics, chemistry, and physics. The program curriculum has five advanced courses, including transport phenomena in materials processes, the structure of materials, mechanical properties of materials, functional properties of materials, and thermodynamics of solids.
This is a customizable program with a selection of elective courses like Teams and Technology, Stable Isotope Bio-Geochemistry, Molecular Modeling, and Electron Microscopy Laboratory.
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
Master of Science in Engineering – Engineering Management and Leadership
| Tuition: | $833.33 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
Purdue’s MSE in Engineering Management and Leadership is a specialized program that balances and integrates leadership development, industry expertise, and technical knowledge. The program focuses on the global marketplace, offering core engineering courses such as Strategic Management, Business Planning, Operational Management, Strategic Marketing Management, and Accounting and Decision-Making.
Iowa State University
Ames, IA
Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering
| Tuition: | $782 per credit |
| Credit Hours: | 30 |
Iowa State offers an affordable online MEng program in Aerospace Engineering, allowing students to customize their education to suit their career goals. The program emphasizes Advanced Materials Systems, Aerodynamics, Guidance, Controls, Astrodynamics, Aviation Biofuels, and Non-destructive Testing and Evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specialties encompassing Engineering?
Engineering graduate students can specialize in specific fields by blending with other areas of disciplines, including computer sciences, electronic design, laboratory sciences, mathematics, economics, design, physics, and numerous others—all of which offer career opportunities for professionals around the United States.
Some of the most popular specific engineering work include:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineer
- Geological Engineer
- Industrial Engineer
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Mining Engineer
- Petroleum Engineering
Engineering also lets you gain specialized knowledge that marries management and technical expertise and leads to lucrative jobs.
What are the career roadmaps for Engineering and Advanced Engineering graduates?
Although most engineering degrees only require a bachelor’s degree, earning a Master’s in Engineering offers numerous career opportunities for higher-level roles, including those in the private and public sectors. The average growth rate of engineering occupations is estimated to be 5% from 2022-32.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Industrial Engineering occupation is experiencing a faster-than-average employment growth rate of 12%. Mechanical Engineering is the second fastest-than-average, with a growth rate of 12% in employment, while Chemical Engineers ranks third at 8%.
Do Master’s in Engineering students get networking opportunities to accelerate progress in their careers?
Engineering schools’ career development centers provide employment opportunities and networking opportunities for graduate students. Graduate students can attend workshops and seminars, while professional engineering bodies offer exclusive events and social events.
Active membership in engineering communities can make a huge difference in your networking efforts! These associations and organizations include the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).
Are there benefits of having a Master’s in Engineering degree?
A master’s degree is your gateway to increased Engineering career opportunities and high pay. It also provides a foundation for further study and enhances soft skills for workplace success.
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