The United States offers both full-time and part-time MS in Civil Engineering programs to students from all around the world. This program is open to anyone with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field who has expertise designing and building structures. A minimum GRE score of 300 may also be required by several American universities that offer master's degrees in civil engineering. A full-time degree might take between 9 months and 2 years to complete.
The cost of an MS in civil engineering at a US university ranges from 13,800 USD to 149,080 USD, or 10,14 lakhs to 1.09 crores INR. With the aid of scholarships, international students can study for an MS in civil engineering in the USA. In this nation, a civil engineer's base pay is roughly 47,000 USD (34.5 lakhs INR) per year, and with experience, that compensation can rise to 135,000 USD (99.2 lakhs) per year.
Why Choose the USA to Study MS in Civil Engineering?
In the USA, one of the fields with the fastest pace is civil engineering, where students can develop their abilities and explore a variety of employment options. The motives for obtaining higher education in this field in the USA include the ones listed below:
- Civil engineering was recognized as the second-best engineering job and the 17th-best STEM job in the USA by US News Ranking 2020.
- Nine American colleges are listed among the top 50 global institutions that offer civil engineering in the QS Rankings for 2021.
- In the USA, there are about 326,800 employees in the field of civil engineering.
- There will be about 20,500 vacancies for civil engineers in this country by the year 2028, according to projections.
- Federal government employees receive the highest wage in this industry, which is 95,380 USD yearly (median salary).
Cities with the Highest Pay for Civil Engineers
New Orleans, Sacramento, San Francisco, Redding, and Naples are the cities with the highest pay rates for civil engineers.
- Civil engineers in New Orleans, Louisiana, receive an annual salary of $125,910.
- Civil engineers in Sacramento, California, receive an annual salary of $121,970.
- Civil engineers in San Francisco, California, receive an annual salary of $119,860.
- Redding, California pays its civil engineers $119,250 annually.
- Naples, Florida pays its civil engineers $118,110 annually.
The 5 Best-Paying Cities for Civil Engineers
The states and districts with the highest mean salaries for civil engineers are California ($113,200), New York ($105,210), New Jersey ($100,690), Alaska ($100,160), and Oklahoma ($98,940).
California pays its civil engineers $113,200 annually.
New York pays its civil engineers a yearly salary of $105,210.
How much does a Civil Engineer make depending on where they work?
The income of a civil engineer is influenced by factors such as specialty, industry, and employer in addition to geography and degree. Oil and gas extraction ($174,550), Aerospace product and Part Manufacturing ($129,420), Scientific and Technical Services ($126,090), Manufacturing of Petroleum and Coal Products ($124,710), and Semiconductor and other Electronic Component Manufacturing ($118,220) are the highest-paying industries for this profession.
American MS in Civil Engineering Admissions Documents
To successfully apply to US institutions, a foreign student's application package needs to include the items listed below:
- Official copies of your college transcripts
- Non-English transcripts are translated into English
- Two or three letters of endorsement
- CV/Resume
- Purpose statement
- The results of the English language test and other standardized exams were provided by the testing company.
International Students Need a US Visa
Students applying for a student visa to the US should follow the instructions below:
- Visit and get the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) clearance at least six to twelve months in advance.
- Complete the visa application form and attach a current photo.
- Pay the application fees for a visa.
- Bring all necessary paperwork with you to the visa interview.
Cost of an MS in Civil Engineering in the USA
Pre-departure expenditures and post-departure costs can be used as general categories to describe the cost of study for an international student. The pre-departure expense covers the cost of numerous exams completed in preparation for studying in the United States, as well as application fees, travel expenses, and other expenditures. The university's tuition charges will make up the largest portion of the post-departure expense. Once you have arrived in the USA, you will be required to pay these costs. The cost of living in the USA will also be included.
Expenses before departure
Listed below are some costs you'll have to cover before traveling to study abroad:
- The price of GRE is USD 205.
- TOEFL would be $170.
- The application fee would be $1,200.
- IELTS would be $250.
- A one-way flight will set you back USD 700.
- There would be a USD 170 VISA Fee.
- SEVIS Fee would be $200.
MS in Civil Engineering tuition costs in the USA
Some of the top colleges in the USA that provide an MS in civil engineering have annual tuition costs ranging from 13,800 USD to 74,540 USD. You can also apply for one of the many loans available for overseas students going to study in the United States to help finance your education.
American living expenses
In comparison to other nations, the USA has a greater cost of living. It is expected to be between 10,000 and 12,000 USD annually. The amount spent varies according to the tastes and interests of the students and is particularly influenced by the cost of housing and eating habits. Your cost of living in the USA will also be influenced by the type of student housing you choose. Students often go to study Master of Civil Engineering in Australia.
- The annual cost of lodging would be between USD 5000 and USD 7000.
- The annual cost of food would be $2500.
- 350–800 USD a year would be spent on public transportation.
- Annual entertainment expenses would be between $1,000 and $2,000
Scope of the US MS in Civil Engineering
The majority of civil engineers in the USA earning the highest salaries are employed in the oil and gas extraction sectors. On the other hand, Houston, Texas, Hinesville, Midland, and Georgia have the highest salaries in the USA.
After earning a master's degree, the median pay scale for civil engineers in the US is 86,640 USD annually, with the maximum and least pay scales being $112850 and $67430, respectively.
Some of the jobs in the USA for civil engineers are:
- An average construction engineer makes USD 68,200 per year.
- The average annual income for a structural engineer is USD 67,600.
- The average annual income for a building control surveyor is $56,000.
- The average annual pay for a water resource engineer is $66,000.
- The average annual pay for a transportation planner is USD 57,000.
- The average annual compensation for a quantity surveyor is USD 60,500.
- The average annual income for a geotechnical engineer is USD 66,200.
In addition to the aforementioned occupations, environmental engineering and construction management have relatively direct career paths. The projected growth rate of environmental engineers and construction managers is 8% and 11% respectively. Therefore, pursuing an MS in civil engineering in this country might provide you with a wealth of opportunities to better explore your professional path. Additionally, the nation's expanding employment rate encourages civil engineers' career growth rate to rise in lockstep.
Colleges to Go For in the USA
Columbia University
Private research university Columbia University was founded in 1754 by George II of Great Britain, making it the fifth-oldest higher education institution in the country. One of the nine universities that were established before American independence is Columbia University. The institution was first known as King's College before being renamed Columbia University in 1784. According to university statistics and data from 2021, the university is renowned for its intellectual diversity, with more than 40,000 students and faculty members either teaching, learning, or earning there.
The 36-acre campus of Columbia University, which is situated in Morningside Heights, New York, is the second-largest landowner in the nation. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia University is among the top 20 universities worldwide and in both countries. According to US News & World Report's National University Ranking, Columbia University is ranked #2, while in its Global Universities Ranking for the year 2022, the university is ranked #9. While Columbia University is ranked at #11 and #19, respectively, in the 2022 editions of the Times Higher Education (THE) and QS World University Rankings, among other international universities.
Princeton University
Princeton University is the fourth-oldest university in the US, having been established in 1746 as the College of New Jersey. From colonial times through the twenty-first century, 20 presidents have served as the institution's head. The College of New Jersey relocated to Princeton in 1756 after spending nine months in Newark and one year in Elizabeth. The College of New Jersey was renamed Princeton University in a formal ceremony in 1896. The institution has trained hundreds of people who have further dedicated themselves to public service and to aid communities across the world and in the United States, taking its Rather literally, the slogan is "In the Service of the Nation and the Service of Humanity." Princeton Institution is a private, Ivy League research university.
Princeton University is one of the best universities in the US, per their rankings. Princeton University is ranked 20 in the QS in 2022. It is one of the top colleges in the world and is ranked 16th by US News and World Report for 2022. It has the seventh spot in the Times Higher Education 2022 University Ranking. It is ranked first in the National University Ranking published by US News and World Report in 2022.
Cornell University
Ivy League research university Cornell University was founded in 1865 and has its main campus in Ithaca, New York. The 2,300 acres that make up the Cornell University campus in Ithaca are home to 260 structures. Cornell University has five more campuses in addition to Ithaca, one each in New York, Doha, Geneva, Washington, DC, and Rome. Many students choose to attend Cornell University for two reasons: first, it is an Ivy League institution; and second, its main campus is in Ithaca.
In a first-of-its-kind, Cornell University was the first to establish four-year programs for industrial and labor relations and hotel administration. Cornell also conferred the first journalism degree ever. Cornell University also conferred the first veterinary medical degree and the first doctorate in electrical and industrial engineering in the country. Additionally, Cornell University published the Poincaré Conjecture on arXiv.org before any other institution. Also, Cornell University was the only university to initially offer American Studies as a major.
University of Michigan
The Institution of Michigan is a renowned public research university in the US that was founded in 1817. The main campus of the University of Michigan, which is the oldest university in Michigan, is located in Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan has consistently been placed among the best universities in the world and the United States by both the QS rankings and the THE (Times Higher Education). The university is well known for its eminent academic standing, outstanding research network, and high success rates in finding employment. At 15:1, it boasts one of the best student-to-faculty ratios among elite universities.
More than 250 degree programs are offered in 15 of the University's 19 schools and colleges. According to the QS World University Rankings for 2019 and 2020, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is the best public university in the US. Additionally, it was ranked third among all national undergraduate public colleges by US News in 2020.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The private research university Massachusetts Institute of Technology was founded in 1861 with the motto "men's et manus" or "thought and hand," indicating the fusion of theoretical understanding and useful purpose. The Massachusetts Commonwealth gave an official charter, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was established on April 10, 1861. The Civil War began two days after the nation's establishment.In 1865, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology started holding classes. The first woman to graduate from MIT was Ellen Henrietta Swallow. The beaver was selected as MIT's mascot in 1914.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's rankings reflect the institution's high moral standards, intellectual and artistic prowess, and the standard of its research output. According to the 2022 edition of the QS World University Rankings, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is rated first overall. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has also received rankings from the Shanghai Jiao Tong Ranking 2021, the Times World University Rankings 2022, and the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2021, placing it at positions 4, 5, and 2, respectively.
Conclusion
It is one of the highest-paying careers in America. There are many online programs that offer a Master in Civil Engineering Degree where you can take a few courses at a time and graduate with a degree in less than five years.
A civil engineer usually spends his time designing and overseeing the construction of public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, as well as roads, bridges, ports, and airports.
There are different types of degrees you can pursue in order to be a civil engineer with a bachelor's degree or master's degree being the most common level of education.
