Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Engage in Purdue University’s world-class mechanical engineering education that pushes the boundaries as our faculty and leaders in their respective fields, will guide you through transformative projects. Choose from specializations like fluid mechanics or nanotechnology within the 30-credit-hour curriculum and gain expertise that goes beyond conventional limits.
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Engage in Purdue University’s world-class mechanical engineering education that pushes the boundaries as our faculty and leaders in their respective fields, will guide you through transformative projects. Choose from specializations like fluid mechanics or nanotechnology within the 30-credit-hour curriculum and gain expertise that goes beyond conventional limits.
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Overview
Embark on an unparalleled journey with Purdue’s Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. At the forefront of innovation, our program offers a unique blend of unwavering faculty support and industry collaboration. Specialize in fluid mechanics, nanotechnology, simulations, or system design. Master the skills that transcend disciplines.
The 30-credit hour master’s degree is taught by the same professionals who teach the on-campus graduate program and courses. This program offers you the prestige, affordability, and flexibility you desire in a Master’s degree, without compromising on quality.
Our world-class faculty will nurture your innovative thinking, helping you tackle practical, complex problems in the engineering world. Throughout your journey, you’ll receive dedicated guidance from a faculty advisor and a team of professionals, ensuring your degree aligns with your career goals.
Build a Foundation for Innovation
A degree in Mechanical Engineering equips students with a deep understanding of how things work—from simple machines to complex mechanical systems. You’ll study core principles such as mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, and design, which form the backbone of countless technologies. This strong technical foundation empowers you to analyze problems, think critically, and create practical solutions that can be applied across industries like manufacturing, energy, aerospace, robotics, and automotive engineering.
Open Doors to Diverse Career Paths
Mechanical Engineering is one of the most versatile engineering disciplines, offering graduates a wide range of career opportunities. With this degree, you can pursue roles in product design, research and development, systems engineering, automation, or project management. Because mechanical engineers are trained to work at the intersection of hardware, software, and processes, they are in demand across both traditional industries and emerging fields such as renewable energy, autonomous systems, and advanced manufacturing.
Make a Real-World Impact
Mechanical engineers play a vital role in solving real-world challenges that affect everyday life. Whether improving energy efficiency, developing medical devices, enhancing transportation systems, or designing sustainable technologies, your work can have a tangible impact on society. Earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering allows you to contribute to innovations that improve safety, sustainability, and quality of life while building a career centered on problem-solving and continuous learning.
For many professionals, earning a master’s degree can provide a big return-on-investment. In addition to financial benefits like salary increases and promotions, master’s degrees also help professionals learn in-demand skills, which can improve their job prospects, help them pivot to a new industry, or help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Many employers value the advanced skills that master’s programs teach, and research shows that job candidates with master’s degrees have average salary increases from 25% to more than 75% in select fields. Ask your enrollment counselor for details on Purdue’s online master’s programs or learn more about the benefits of earning a master’s here.
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Plan Your Path
The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
Base Requirements
The Online MSME consists of 30 credit hours of graduate-level courses (50000-level and above) and includes 1-, 2-, and 3-credit hour courses. All courses must be technical and quantitative in content.
Mechanical Engineering courses: a minimum of 15 credit hours must be ME courses.
Link to ME courses
Graduate Math courses: 6 credit hours must be graduate-level math courses; 3 credits being directly from the Math department, and the other 3 can be from the approved applied math course list
Link to approved Math courses
Technical Electives: up to 9 credit hours of graduate-level courses in engineering, math, or science. These could be mechanical engineering, or you could pursue classes in civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, aeronautics & astronautics, or other technical subjects, as long as they are technical and quantitative in content.
Link to approved Technical Electives
Not allowable: you can take these grad-level classes for your own personal enrichment, but they will not count towards your degree requirements.
*You will create a plan of study (POS) during the 3rd-6th week of your first semester that lists the courses you plan to take and when you plan to take them. This is your initial plan and can be updated as things change, as long as changes keep you in degree compliance.
Academic Eligibility
Applicants should have a minimum recommended GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. A bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in engineering or a related science field such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
Transcripts and Academic Records
Applicants must upload official transcript copies from all universities attended, regardless of whether a degree was awarded. For international applicants, transcripts must be provided in both the original language and English translation. Student-system downloads are not accepted, but official copies or student copy transcripts are allowed. After admission, final official transcripts showing the awarded degree must be submitted to Purdue University Graduate School, either by sealed mail or approved electronic transcript services. Domestic applicants must ensure Social Security numbers are removed from transcripts before uploading. International applicants must also upload a copy of their bachelor’s diploma or a provisional certificate showing the expected graduation date, in both original language and English.
Application Materials
In addition to academic records, applicants must submit written statements and supporting documents that describe their academic goals, background, and experience.
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
- Resume
Recommendations and Test Scores
Three letters of recommendation are required and are submitted directly by recommenders through an email link. Applications may be submitted before letters are received. International applicants from non-English-speaking countries must submit official English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) that are no more than two years old, unless eligible for a waiver. The GRE is not required.
Source: LightcastTM (2025). Unique job postings for July 2024-25. Projected growth for years 2019-2029.
Top Job Titles
Mechanical engineering prepares professionals for a wide range of technical and leadership roles across diverse industries. These include Mechanical Engineers, Engineering Managers, and Project Engineers, each contributing to the design, development, and execution of complex mechanical systems. Additionally, Principal Engineers and Mechanical Design Engineers play key roles in advancing innovation, optimizing performance, and guiding large-scale engineering projects.
Top Industries
Several major industries offer strong career opportunities for professionals in mechanical engineering. These include Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing and Engineering Services, both of which rely on mechanical engineering expertise to design, test, and maintain complex systems. Additionally, Aircraft Manufacturing depends on skilled mechanical engineers to support production, ensure safety, and drive innovation in aerospace technologies.
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