Masters in Chemical Engineering in the USA

10 mins

The average tuition cost for a master's degree in chemical engineering in the USA is 62,630 USD for the whole course.

American universities offer chemical engineering master's degrees with a variety of specialties, including Masters of Science (MSc.) and Masters of Engineering (M.E.). For admission, universities in the USA that offer master's degrees in chemical engineering require a strong GRE and ELPs score.

Each semester, students can be directed to attend a seminar series where experts in the subject present the most recent advances in science and technology. Students frequently concentrate on one or two chemical engineering subfields that are closely connected.

With the help of an adviser or advisory committee, they are free to create a study plan that fits their interests and objectives.

A thesis or a particular project, independent study, and a thorough final test are requirements for some degrees. Students who are obliged to submit theses must defend them orally, and the final exam will cover thesis-related content.

Depending on the university selected, the total cost of the master's degree might range from 22,884 USD to 114,442 USD. The cost of earning a master's degree in chemical engineering in the United States increases from 16 lakhs to 84 lakhs for an Indian student. A higher investment raises the possibility of better returns.

After earning a master's degree in chemical engineering, the typical beginning income in the USA is around 66,165 USD (or 48.7 Lakhs INR) per year.

Researchers make up the second-highest population group, followed by graduates working in the petroleum and pharmaceutical industries. Most chemical engineering graduates may find employment in the USA with manufacturing companies.

Why Pursue a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering in the United States?

  • Most of the best colleges in the USA offering master's degrees in chemical engineering are ranked among the top 50 universities in the world, according to Q.S. World Ranking 2020.
  • A chemical engineer may earn up to 115,000 USD yearly, with an average income of roughly 74,238 USD.
  • In the USA, the average income increase for chemical engineering graduates is roughly 9%.
  • Currently, there are about 32,700 chemical engineers in the U.S., and it is predicted that the industry will increase by 7.3% over the next five years.
  • After earning a master's degree, there is the option to pursue a doctorate, with a wage increase of about 23%.
  • In 2018, there were around 148,000 occupations available in the United States, while the unemployment rate stayed at roughly 4%.
  • In the Global Health and Education Index, the U.S. is ranked 27th.

Course Highlights for Chemical Engineering Masters

Courses Available

MSc. in Chemical Engineering

Masters of Engineering in Chemical and Biological Engineering

MSc. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

EligibilityBSc degree or its equivalent in any field of engineering or related areas with a minimum of 65% aggregate.
Entrance Exams

GRE: 160(Verbal Score), 163(Quantitative Score)

IELTS: 6.5-7

TOEFL: 78-111

Course Duration1-2 Years
Course TypeFull Time
Average Tuition fees62,630 USD/Year
Top recruiting companiesExxonMobil Corporation, Dow Chemical Corporation, E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Company, The Boeing Company, 3M Company, etc.
Average starting salary66,165 USD/Annum

Top Universities for Masters in Chemical Engineering in the USA

The majority of the world's best colleges are thought to be located in the USA. The USA provides top-notch higher education, with more than ten universities rating the program. The top colleges offering master's degrees in chemical engineering are listed below.

Name Of the UniversityCoursesTotal Program Tuition Fee (in USD)
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMSc. in Chemical Engineering63,336
Stanford UniversityMSc, in Chemical Engineering114,442
University of California- Los AngelesMSc. in Chemical Engineering63,898
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMSc. in Chemical Engineering53,702
University of Minnesota- Twin CitiesMSc. in Chemical Engineering52,824
Cornell UniversityMSc. in Chemical Engineering58,808
University of Michigan- Ann ArborMSc. in Chemical Engineering65,886
University of PennsylvaniaMSc. in Chemical Engineering56,786
Pennsylvania State UniversityMSc. in Chemical Engineering38,466
University of DelawareMSc. in Chemical Engineering66,680
Carnegie Mellon UniversityMSc. in Chemical Engineering97000
University Of California- San DiegoMSc. in Chemical Engineering22,884
University of Illinois-Urbana ChampaignMSc. in Chemical Engineering54,648
Michigan State UniversityMSc. in Chemical Engineering56,560
University of California- BerkeleyMSc. in Chemical Engineering60,218
Northwestern UniversityMSc. in Chemical Engineering54,559


The United States graduate schools are distinguished from other nations in terms of instruction and amenities thanks to their excellent place in the world rankings. Apart from the conventional pharmaceutical and petroleum industries, the United States also provides a range of sectors for chemical engineering master's degree candidates to work in.

Admissions for Masters Degrees in Chemical Engineering in the USA

The eligibility requirements for admission to American institutions are covered in detail in this part, along with university-specific GRE and ELP cutoff scores for those wishing to pursue a master's degree in chemical engineering in the USA.

Qualifications for Chemical Engineering Masters Programs

  • To study in the United States, international students must have completed 16 years of education (10+2+4). In other words, the candidate has to hold a four-year bachelor's degree.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is required for a bachelor's degree in science or equivalent in any engineering subject or a related field (physics, mathematics, chemistry, or material science).
  • 3.0 is comparable to a percentile equivalent of 83–86% and a grade equivalent to B.
  • International students must score well on the ELPs; the typical cutoffs are as follows: 6.5-7 IELTS | 100+ TOEFL
  • The needed GRE score is typically 323, with an average verbal and quantitative score of 160 and 163, respectively.

Requirements for M.S. in Chemical Engineering in the USA in terms of English

The typical cutoff scores for the GRE and ELPs (IELTS and TOEFL) have previously been covered in the top section. This section primarily focuses on providing the cutoff marks necessary for applying to master's programs in chemical engineering at U.S. institutions, broken down per university.

Name of the UniversityTOEFLIELTS
Massachusetts Institute of Technology90Accepted
Stanford University1007
University of California- Los Angeles777
University of Wisconsin-Madison1007
University of Minnesota- Twin Cities796.5
Cornell University1007
University of Michigan- Ann Arbor907
University of Pennsylvania1007
Pennsylvania State University806.5
University of Delaware796.5
Carnegie Mellon University1027.5
University Of California- San Diego857
University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign1067
Michigan State University796.5
University of California- Berkeley806.5
Northwestern University1117


International candidates need to be aware of the deadlines for admission to the best colleges in the USA.

GRE requirements for Masters in Chemical Engineering in the USA

Name of the UniversityGRE
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

164 (V)

163 (Q)

Stanford University

159 (V)

167 (Q)

University of California- Los Angeles

163 (V)

168 (Q)

University of Wisconsin-Madison

155 (V)

164 (Q)

University of Minnesota- Twin Cities

163 (V)

165 (Q)

Cornell University

155 (V)

165 (Q)

The University of Michigan- Ann Arbor

155 (V)

165 (Q)

University of Pennsylvania

159 (V)

165 (Q)

Pennsylvania State University

153 (V)

165 (Q)

University of Delaware

155

Carnegie Mellon University

165 (V)

163 (Q)

University Of California- San Diego

165

University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign

161 (V)

166 (Q)

Michigan State University

162 (Q)

University of California- Berkeley

162 (V)

166 (Q)

Northwestern University

160 (V)

161 (Q)

 

Student Visa for Study Abroad

The third most requested visa worldwide in the USA is a student visa, with an approval rate of about 86 percent. For international students wishing to pursue any degree in the United States, there are two types of visas available: work and student.

Student visas for American universities

Depending on the duration and type of courses requested, three different types of student visas exist. These may differ depending on the many universities and courses offered in the United States.

  • F-Visa: These visas are for students who want to study for a degree at a US-approved university or college or who want to think about studying English at a university or an English institute.
  • M-Visa: Those who wish to enroll in non-academic, training, or vocational programs at any US-accredited institution are eligible for these visas.
  • J-Visa: J-visas are given to students participating in exchange programs. These visas have shorter stays than F- and M-visas do.

Documents Needed to Apply for a U.S. Visa

  • A current passport-sized picture and a valid passport.
  • A DS-160 form.
  • Receipt for an application fee.
  • To apply for a student visa, you must have Form I-20.
  • The number of the receipt in the petition file ( I-129).
  • To use SEVIS, you must pay a charge (180 USD for J-Visa and 200 USD for F-Visa)

Cost of a Master's in Chemical Engineering in the USA

The cost of the college-specific programs was previously covered in the section above; the primary purpose of this part is to emphasize the total costs associated with planning your stay in the United States. This includes both the pre-arrival cost and the typical cost of personal expenses in the U.S.

Cost of Arrival

This section includes the prices for applying for a visa and the costs of the various tests and entrance exams needed to study in the USA.

CategoriesCost(in USD)
Visa Application Cost510
IELTS fee240
TOEFL fee200
GRE fee190
SEVIS fee

180 for J-visa

200 for F-visa

Total1340


Fees for a Master in Chemical Engineering in the USA

As stated in the section on the best universities, a master's degree in chemical engineering costs approximately 62,630 USD per year in the U.S., with a minimum cost of 22,884 USD for the entire program at UC-San Diego and a maximum cost of roughly 114,442 USD for the whole of the program at Stanford University.

According to the current exchange rate, the total cost of a master's degree in chemical engineering in the United States ranges from 17 lakhs to 86 lakhs of Indian rupees (June 2020).

Cost of Living in the United States

The breakdown of the various expenditures you'll incur when visiting the USA is listed below. A person's lifestyle and university preference significantly impact the cost of living.

 

CategoriesAverage monthly expenses (in USD)
Accommodation

1000 (On-Campus)

600-800 (Off-Campus)

Meals120-160
Transportation100-300
Personal Expenditures300-600
Health Insurance450-700
Total1,570-2,813


According to the aforementioned parts, the average cost of attending school in the United States ranges from 80,870 USD per year for those pursuing chemical engineering to 94,190 USD per year. Depending on the university a person chooses, this changes. For an Indian student, this is comparable to 61.03 and 71.08 lakhs per year.

Scholarships for Masters in Chemical Engineering in the USA

Applying for financing is always the wiser course of action given the significant amount needed for studying in the United States. Various scholarships are available to international students who wish to learn in the USA. Some scholarships available to master's students in the USA are listed here and can help you financially.

 

Name of the ScholarshipBenefit(in USD)Application Deadline
QS Connect Master's Scholarship2000April 2020
JN Tata Endowment ScholarshipVariable-
Debesh Kamal Scholarships1,385April 2020
Paul Foundation Scholarships20,174-
KC Mahindra Scholarships5,542March 2020


A handful of the chosen candidates are also awarded departmental fellowships at each American University in addition to these scholarships. You can also apply for the fellowship programs offered to students in the United States pursuing master's degrees in chemical engineering. If overseas students fail to receive scholarships, loans are still available for studying in the United States.

Work and Study in the USA

More information on the various methods you can earn money while learning is provided in this area. In the USA, there are many opportunities for part-time work. During your semesters, you are allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week on the F-1 Visa. You can use this time by participating in an internship program or part-time employment.

USA Popular Part-Time Jobs

  • Become a library monitor to earn up to $20 per hour.
  • You may make up to $15 per hour as a tour guide.
  • Teaching assistant: The hourly rate is often between $25 and $30.
  • Earn up to $23 per hour as a peer tutor.

Internships

While thinking about it, you can even choose a different internship program in various roles at different companies. You only need to have good academic results for this. Process engineering, cooperatives, manufacturing, and other fields are popular choices for internship placements since they will enlighten you on the current market landscape and enhance your resume.

Jobs for graduates in chemical engineering in the USA

With an average starting salary of 66,165 USD/Year, students who complete a Master's in Chemical Engineering in the USA are hired by the most well-known corporations in the world, including ExxonMobil Corporation, Dow Chemical Corporation, Honeywell International INC., E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Company, The Boeing Company, etc.

Graduates in chemical engineering may expect to earn an average income of 74,238 USD annually, with the lowest pay of 55,000 USD and maximum pay of around 115,000 USD. A fresher might expect an average annual wage increase of 3 percent to 5 percent.

Work Visa After Studying in the USA

Most non-US students look for employment in the U.S. when their studies are over; thus, they must apply for a work visa. The H1-B visa is the most typical form of work visa.

To be eligible to apply for an H1-B work visa, you must:

  • a work offer.
  • You must submit an I-129 petition to immigration and the U.S. citizen.

The following list includes several standard job titles and their typical yearly salaries.

DesignationsAverage Yearly Salary( in USD)
Petrochemical Engineer93,900
Biochemical Engineer90,300
Product Manufacturing Engineer84,000
Product Engineer80,000
Materials Engineer78,900
Process Improvement Engineer77,470
Chemical Process Engineer75,915
Quality Assurance Engineer75,900
Project Engineer( Chemical)74,727

Conclusion

Chemistry, physics, and mathematics all come together in chemical engineering. It has handled significant social concerns throughout history, such as food scarcity, healthcare, water and air pollution, and the sustainable generation of energy.

Chemical engineering master's degree programs train future industry leaders to find innovative solutions to issues that will benefit society. Theoretical knowledge, research and communication skills, inventiveness, analysis, and critical thinking abilities are all developed in students.

They also learn professional abilities, including teamwork, research ethics, and writing for academic journals. These courses typically last two years to complete.

Courses in transport phenomena, engineering thermodynamics, chemical reaction engineering, and other essential skills and knowledge are frequently required as part of program requirements.

Students could also be asked to present in person and prepare academic papers and reports throughout the program. Graduates are equipped for jobs in the chemical engineering sector or for Ph.D. studies that lead to positions in academia.

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