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.

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. 

Tuition Fees for MS in Civil Engineering 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
Cost of Living in USA

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: 

Scope of MS in Civil Engineering in USA

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.