20 Best Master’s Degrees in Engineering

Grad School Hub's first-place master's program in Engineering is offered by the University of California, Berkeley, which concentrates specifically on Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Applicants should have a strong technical background equivalent to a bachelor's degree in computer science. They should also have experience in algorithms, data structures, programming, and theory at or above the undergraduate level. Students can choose from five concentration areas: Data Science and Systems, Physical Electronics and Integrated Circuits, Robotics and Embedded Software, Signal Processing and Communications, and Visual Computing and Computer Graphics. The program is multidisciplinary in nature, with students from multiple engineering departments working together. The curriculum is comprised of courses in technical specialization and engineering leadership. Students also have the opportunity to participate in capstone design experiences in Physical Electronics & Integrated Circuits and Visual Computing & Computer Graphics. The curriculum culminates in a team-oriented capstone project. The full-time program is designed to be completed in one academic year.

Founded in 1868, Berkeley is the flagship institution of the University of California system. The public research university is one of the founding members of the Association of American Universities. Berkeley lab researchers have discovered 16 chemical elements of the periodic table, more than any institution. Further research developments include the discovery of carcinogens, the flu vaccine, and vitamin E, as well as the invention of the hydrogen bomb, the wetsuit, and the polygraph test. The university is also noted for its pivotal student-led Free Speech and Anti-Vietnam War Movements. It is considered one of the nation's "Public Ivy" universities. U.S. News & World Report ranks Berkeley No. 22 in National Universities, No. 2 in Top Public Schools, and No. 3 in graduate engineering schools. The university's graduate engineering programs rank first in computer engineering and second in electrical engineering.

Stanford University offers an interdisciplinary program leading to a Master of Science in Engineering degree. The degree is available in any of the nine departments of the School of Engineering, including but not limited to aeronautics and astronautics, bioengineering, computer science, management science, and materials science. Curricula vary depending on department, but they generally involve department-specific courses, math courses, technical electives, and electives in unrelated areas of study. The degree requires a minimum of 45 quarter units of coursework. It does not require a master's thesis, but students are offered opportunities to participate in research projects. A part-time program is available. Students must complete the degree program within three years.

Founded in 1885, Stanford University ranks among the world's top universities. The private research university played a formative role in the development of Silicon Valley. Located in Stanford, California, on the San Francisco Peninsula, the campus is one of the largest in the United States. The university's research centers and affiliates include the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design; the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace; and the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute. Stanford developments include DNA synthesis and the laser. Stanford alumni have gone on to start companies including Google, Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, and Yahoo!. U.S. News & World Report ranks Stanford No. 7 in National Universities, No. 5 in Best Value Schools and Most Innovative Schools, and No. 2 in graduate engineering schools.

The University of Texas at Austin offers a Master of Science in Engineering through its Cockrell School of Engineering. These degrees are offered in several majors, including but not limited to aerospace engineering, materials science and engineering, operations research and industrial engineering, and petroleum engineering. Students who work full-time can follow an executive program in engineering management, mechanical engineering, or electrical and computer engineering. Executive programs can be completed primarily online, though occasional weekend courses may be required. Students can complete an MS in Engineering degree program with a master's thesis, research report, or coursework only.

Founded in 1883, UTA is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. It has the eighth-largest single-campus enrollment in the United States. A public space-grant institution, it is a member of the Association of American Universities. It is counted among the nation's "Public Ivy" universities. Its facilities include the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, the J.J. Pickle Research Campus, and the McDonald Observatory. The university conducts significant research in computer science, energy, neuroscience, software development, and more. U.S. News & World Report ranks UT-Austin No. 49 in National Universities, No. 16 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 15 in Top Public Schools. The university also ranks at No. 11 in graduate engineering schools.

Harvard University offers a Master of Engineering in Computational Science and Engineering. The research-based program requires completion of a master's thesis, and students can expect to spend most of their second year conducting research. Each student is expected to complete a substantial project with a research mentor. The program of study includes 16 required courses with eight thesis credits. Required courses include Numerical Methods, Computing Foundations of Computational Science, and Systems Development for Computational Science. Students also select elective courses in the realms of applied math and computer science. Elective offerings include Artificial Intelligence, Decision Theory, and Visualization. The degree program is designed to be completed in two years.

Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Its long history, academic influence, and bountiful wealth contribute to its position as one of the world's most prestigious universities. It has the largest financial endowment of any academic institution. The private Ivy League research university was one of the founding members of the Association of American Universities and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a comprehensive doctoral university with very high research activity. The Harvard Library is the largest academic and private library system in the world. The university is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 14 in Most Innovative Schools and No. 2 in both Best Value Schools and National Universities. It also ranks at No. 21 in Best Engineering Schools at the graduate level.

Cornell University offers a Master of Engineering in Computer Science. The professionally-oriented degree program is designed to build practical skills for a wide range of careers relating to computer science. Students can personalize their program by selecting from pre-approved electives in math, science, engineering fields, and management. Elective offerings include Data Mining and Machine Learning; Games, Economic Behavior, and the Internet; Robotic Manipulation; and Women in the Workplace. The 30-credit program involves six courses and a research project and can be completed in two semesters.

Cornell was founded in 1865 and intended for both theoretical and practical study in all fields of knowledge. It is a private, state-supported university, a member of the Ivy League, and the only land-grant university in the state of New York. In addition to its main campus in Ithaca, Cornell administers medical campuses in New York City and Qatar and a technological graduate program on New York's Roosevelt Island. Additional Cornell facilities include the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Shoals Marine Laboratory. The university also owns more than 4,300 acres of botanic gardens. U.S. News & World Report ranks Cornell at No. 21 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 16 in National Universities, and No. 14 in best graduate engineering schools.

The University of Pennsylvania offers a Master of Science in Engineering through its Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering. Students can choose from four major options: Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems, Robotics, and Systems Engineering. Those majoring in Electrical Engineering can choose to focus in Circuits and Computer Engineering, Information and Decision Systems, or Nano Devices and Nano Systems. Each major program has its own unique core curriculum and elective offerings. All MSE programs offer a master's thesis and independent study options.

Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, UPenn is one of the nine colonial colleges founded prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was also the nation's first institution of higher learning to refer to itself as a university. The private Ivy League university was home to the first medical school, university teaching hospital, collegiate business school, and student union building in the United States. Notably, the first general-purpose electronic computer was born at the university's Moore School of Electrical Engineering in 1946. Penn is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a doctoral university with the "highest research activity." It is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 32 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 12 in Best Value Schools, and No. 8 in National Universities. It also ranks at No. 2 in Best Engineering Schools at the graduate level.

The University of Georgia offers a rigorous program leading to a Master of Science degree in Engineering. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science degree in order to be admitted. If applicants do not have an undergraduate engineering background, they may be required to take selected preparatory coursework. Students can choose an emphasis area in civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, or mechanical engineering. Civil engineering courses cover structural and geotechnical engineering and environment and water. The electrical engineering curriculum offers tracks in control systems, electronics and photonics, and cyber-physical systems. The mechanical engineering emphasis includes courses in design, optimization, and manufacturing; energy, fluid, and thermal systems; and mechanics and materials. In any of the emphasis areas, the MS in Engineering program curriculum includes a minimum of 33 semester hours of study including graduate courses, master's research, and thesis work.

Founded in 1785, UGA is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. A land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant institution, it is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having the "highest extensive research activity." The Center for Measuring University Performance ranks it among the nation's top research universities. The main campus is located in Athens, Georgia, which consistently ranks among the nation's best college towns for its vibrant food, drink, and music scenes. The university also operates satellite campuses in Atlanta and Lawrenceville and centers in Washington, D.C.; Monteverde, Costa Rica; Oxford, England; and Cortona, Italy. Off-campus properties include the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Oconee Forest Park, Lake Herrick, and the Herrick Creek Loop. The university is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 46 in National Universities and No. 13 in Top Public Schools.

Texas A&M University offers a non-thesis program leading to a Master of Engineering degree in Aerospace Engineering. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a closely related field. The plan of study requires a minimum of 30 credit hours, one-third of which must be completed outside the Department of Aerospace Engineering. Major course offerings include Advanced Aerodynamics, Damage and Failure in Composite Materials, Multifunctional Materials, and Theory of Elasticity. The program culminates in a final research project.

Established in 1871, Texas A&M was the first public institution of higher learning in Texas. It has since grown into the largest university in the state and the second-largest in the nation by student enrollment. Since 1948, it has been the founding institution of the Texas A&M University System. A land-, sea-, and space-grant institution, A&M is a member of the Association of American Universities. It receives research funding from such organizations as NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research. The university's research centers include the Cyclotron Institute, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, and the Texas Transportation Institute. Along with its main campus in College Park, A&M operates two additional Texas branch campuses and another in Qatar. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university No. 66 in National Universities, No. 44 in Best Value Schools, No. 37 in Most Innovative Schools, and No. 24 in Top Public Schools. The site also ranks the university No. 15 in Best Engineering Schools and No. 10 in Aerospace Engineering at the graduate level.

Duke University. Duke's Master of Engineering in Electrical & Computer Engineering is an industry-focused degree program. Its 30-credit curriculum includes eight graduate courses in electrical and computer engineering and two in business and management. Required courses include Business Fundamentals for Engineers and Management of High Tech Industries. Students must select three technical electives in a specific concentration area, such as Micro-Nano Systems, Photonics, or Sensing and Waves. The degree program culminates with an internship or research project.

Founded in 1838, Duke is a private research university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university operates three campuses in Durham, North Carolina, and a marine lab in the town of Beaufort. The university also administers schools in Singapore and China. The university's academic facilities include an art museum, a nuclear lab, several language labs, a forest, a herbarium, and a lemur center. Once a historic tobacco and textile hub, Durham now lies at the heart of the Research Triangle anchored by three major research institutions: Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, and NC State. U.S. News & World Report ranks Duke No. 16 in Most Innovative Schools, No. 13 in Best Value Schools, and No. 8 in National Universities. The university also ranks at No. 24 in Best Engineering Schools at the graduate level.

Johns Hopkins University offers a Master of Science and Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. The research-based program is designed to prepare students for research-based careers or doctoral studies in biomedical engineering. Students can choose to follow a thesis track, which includes supervised research projects and completes the degree in two years. Alternatively, students can complete a non-thesis program with a focus area in one year. The program offers six focus area options, including but not limited to Computational Medicine, Genomics and Systems Biology, and Neuroengineering. Students in the program can make use of the university's Biomedical Design Studio which is a space to brainstorm, design, and develop prototypes for biomedical solutions.

JHU was established in 1876 with help from a massive donation from abolitionist and entrepreneur Johns Hopkins. The university is considered the nation's first research university. It was a founding member of the Association of American Universities. The private university's research centers include the Berman Institute of Bioethics, the Center for a Livable Future, the Center for Talented Youth, and the Space Telescope Science Institute. JHU operates campuses in Maryland; Washington, D.C.; China; Italy; and Singapore. The university is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 18 in both Best Value Schools and Most Innovative Schools and No. 10 in National Universities. It is also ranked No. 17 in Best Engineering Schools at the graduate level.