If you want to make an impact in the development of new technologies, you should advance your degree with one of the best master’s degrees in Engineering.
What Is a Master’s In Engineering?
If you’re exploring online master of engineering degrees, you probably already know that engineering primarily is problem solving to find practical applications of ideas. The scope of engineering includes computer science, industrial, civil, chemical, and mechanical. Subspecialties of the field include aeronautics and environmental engineering.
There are two types of graduate degrees for engineering, the Master of Science in Engineering and the Master of Engineering. The Master of Science in Engineering is the usual advanced degree option in the field. It is interdisciplinary in approach, includes research, and requires a thesis. The MSE prepares you for an engineering career or academics. The other master’s degree, the Master of Engineering, is more professionally oriented and enhances technical knowledge without devoting time to research. This may be a good option if you’re currently working in the field and want to improve your career opportunities.
How Much Can You Earn with a Master’s In Engineering?
Simple salary estimates for engineering are difficult to determine due to the several sub-categories of the field. PayScale lists average salaries for an MS in Engineering ranging from $79,000 (Project Engineer) to $111,000 (Software Engineer). Other mean salaries include $84,000 (Mechanical Engineer), $90,000 (Electrical Engineer), $70,000 (Industrial Engineer), $69,000 (Civil Engineer), and $80,000 (Chemical Engineer).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that engineering jobs will grow in a range from 2%-8% depending on speciality. Industrial Engineer jobs will grow at an average 8% and Electrical Engineers positions at 2%, which is slower than the national average.
What Is Required for a Master’s in Engineering?
The majority of online MSE or MEng degrees will require you to have a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a related field for admission. You may also need to submit GRE/GMAT scores and have a particular GPA (usually between 2.5-4.0) as well.
In general, graduate engineering programs will have core coursework in subjects such as physics, math, project planning, statistics, and perhaps, prerequisites. Of course, your choice of concentration will dictate your major subject curriculum. For instance, an MS in Civil Engineering may require classes in physical hydrology, engineering support systems, environmental monitoring, etc. If you’re pursuing an MSE you’ll probably need to complete a thesis research project.
What Are the Best Online Master’s In Engineering?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department. These numbers are self-reported by colleges to the US Department of Education.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
