The world of mechanical engineering is an intriguing blend of innovation, problem-solving, and creating tangible solutions that impact our everyday lives. From designing sleek new cars to crafting state-of-the-art medical devices. Are you an ambitious engineer yearning to push your boundaries, advance deeper into specialized fields, and set your career to new heights? This is where a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering comes in, and guess what? You can now acquire this coveted credential without compromising your work-life balance thanks to online learning!
This article features the top 30 Master’s in Mechanical Engineering online programs. Whether you are a recent graduate eager to hit the ground running or a seasoned professional seeking to upskill and specialize, this article will equip you with the knowledge you need to choose the right program for you.
But before we go into the details of this article, let us address the burning question: Why pursue a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering online? There are many answers to this question. Firstly, flexibility reigns supreme. Online programs cater to your busy schedule, allowing you to learn at your own pace, from the comfort of your home or anywhere with an internet connection.
Secondly, specialization is key. These programs offer diverse concentrations, from robotics and mechatronics to sustainable energy and computational mechanics, enabling you to tailor your education to your specific interests and career aspirations.
Thirdly, accessibility expands. Online learning breaks down geographical barriers, opening doors to prestigious universities and renowned faculty, regardless of location.
Get ready to explore the diverse range of online Master’s in Mechanical Engineering programs. We will provide insight into their unique strengths, curriculum highlights, accreditation details, and cost considerations. You will discover programs that boast industry-relevant coursework, incredible research opportunities, and world-class faculties with real-world experience. We will also shed light on programs that cater to specific needs, such as those designed for working professionals, offering accelerated tracks or flexible scheduling options.
Remember, choosing the right Master’s program is a personal decision. This article empowers you to compare and contrast your options, carefully considering factors like program focus, faculty expertise, and alumni network. With the right information and a touch of self-reflection, you will be well on your way to selecting the program that guides you toward your engineering dreams.
 Best Master’s in Mechanical Engineering Online
1. Penn State – World Campus
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Penn State offers an online mechanical engineering program through Penn State World Campus, mirroring their on-campus instruction. The 32-credit online curriculum provides advanced knowledge in mechanical engineering, covering areas like heat transfer, fluid mechanics fundamentals, automatic control systems, solid mechanics, and engineering optimization.
The collaborative nature of the online courses fosters strong connections among students, allowing for diverse perspectives from various disciplines and industries. The program prioritizes flexibility to accommodate individual professional needs while upholding high academic standards. The tuition fee is $1,100 per credit.
2. Georgia Institute of Technology
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Tech’s online mechanical engineering degree is tailored for students holding a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or an equivalent field. The program offers a wide array of courses, with dozens of options available. To complete the master’s degree, students must fulfill a total of 30 credits, regardless of whether they opt for a thesis track or not.
For the non-thesis option, students must complete 21 credits in their major area, six credits in a minor area, and three credits in mathematics. A minimum of 24 credits must be at the 6000 level or higher, with at least 18 credits from courses designated as ME (mechanical engineering). Additionally, students in this option can take a three-credit course in special problems.
On the other hand, the thesis option entails nine credits from mechanical engineering courses and 15 credits at the 6000 level or higher. The thesis itself counts as nine credits toward the degree requirement.
Regarding tuition fees, in-state students are charged $575 per credit hour, while out-of-state students are charged $1,191 per credit hour.
3. Columbia University
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Columbia University has a longstanding history of offering mechanical engineering programs, spanning over a century. Throughout this time, its faculty members have been notable leaders in the field, making significant contributions, particularly in lubrication, kinematics, biomechanics, and thermofluids.
Columbia’s programs are characterized by their high degree of personalization, tailored to meet individual students’ interests and career goals while emphasizing specialization. Students collaborate closely with advisors to design a course sequence that aligns with their desired area of expertise or industry requirements.
Popular specialization options at Columbia include thermodynamics, manufacturing engineering, kinematics, and power generation, among others. All courses must be at least at the 4000 level, with a requirement of six points from 6000-level or higher lecture courses. Additionally, students are required to take mathematics and statistics courses early in the program, and a minimum of five courses must bear the mechanical engineering designations (EEME, MEBM, IEME, and MECE). The tuition fee for the program is $1,936 per credit hour.
4. Stanford University
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
At the graduate level, Stanford’s Mechanical Engineering program integrates academic coursework with research to equip scholars with expertise in specialized areas within the mechanical engineering field. Human-centered design and sustainability are overarching themes across all departmental programs.
This program mandates students to complete 45 units as part of a tailored course of study. If essential courses are not available online, students may be required to attend classes on campus to fulfill requirements. The degree must be completed within a maximum of five years from the program’s start.
Tuition fees vary depending on the program, ranging from $249 to $1,295 per course.
5. Case Western Reserve University
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program at Case Western Reserve University entails completing nine courses or 27 credit hours. Case Western has a notable history of research and instruction in various fields, including fluid mechanics, combustion science, biologically inspired robotics, aerospace engineering, experimental and computational solid mechanics, and biomechanics. The faculty leverages their expertise and experience to deliver the curriculum for online courses.
Furthermore, Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering provides reduced tuition for all new online students through automatically applied scholarships, eliminating the need for additional paperwork. The tuition fee for the program is $5,571 per credit hour.
6. University of Washington
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The University of Washington’s Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) program is designed for students who hold undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering or closely related fields, such as aerospace engineering. Prospective students should have completed core mechanical engineering courses covering topics like fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mechanics of materials, dynamics of mechanical systems, systems analysis, and machine design. This degree program comprises 42 credits and targets individuals aiming to establish themselves as professional mechanical engineers with a solid academic foundation.
Tuition fees are set at $535 per credit for residents and $985 per credit for non-residents and international students.
7. The University of Southern California
The University of Southern California offers an Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program, which equips engineering professionals across various industries like aerospace, automotive, energy and power, utilities, petrochemical, design, manufacturing, and transportation with the necessary technical knowledge.
Each track’s curriculum is meticulously designed to provide a robust education encompassing both fundamental principles and practical applications, preparing students for doctoral programs or furthering their careers in engineering industries.
To earn the MS in Mechanical Engineering degree, students must complete a minimum of 27 units, with a graduation requirement of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The tuition fee for the program is $2,005 per unit.
8. Purdue University
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Purdue University’s online master’s program in mechanical engineering comprises 30 credits of coursework and is available as either a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering or an Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering with a concentration in mechanical engineering. Students have the option to decide whether they want to pursue a thesis as part of the program.
The program at Purdue emphasizes finding a balance between work, life, and academics. Students are permitted to take breaks from their studies if unexpected work or personal challenges arise, and many students initially enroll in one course at a time. Academic advisors collaborate with each student to devise a personalized study plan. Typically, students who take one class per semester complete the program in approximately three years.
Online courses at Purdue adhere to the same rigorous standards as their on-campus counterparts. Common courses for online students encompass biomechanics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, design, automotive systems, and materials processing.
The tuition fees for the program are as follows: Resident – $600.45, Non-resident – $948.30, International – $1018.30.
9. University of Florida
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The University of Florida offers master’s degree programs from seven engineering departments through its UF EDGE initiative, including the mechanical and aerospace engineering program for aspiring mechanical engineers. This program provides specializations in mechanics, dynamics, and thermal science.
Regardless of the chosen emphasis area, all programs mandate students to complete 30 credit hours of coursework, with 18 credits from mechanical and aerospace engineering and the remaining 12 from any technical field. Students have the flexibility to use these additional credits to enhance their understanding of STEM topics, improve their skills as mechanical engineers, or pursue up to two six-credit minors.
A thesis is not required for this program. Instead, students opting for the non-thesis track must pass a comprehensive exam. The tuition fees for the program are as follows: Resident – $448 per credit hour plus a $15 Distance Learning Fee, Non-resident – $690 per credit hour.
10. Johns Hopkins University
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The Mechanical Engineering program at Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals features instructors who are prominent mechanical engineers. Their courses cover a wide array of topics, including advanced vehicle technologies, modern energy systems, enhanced robot control, and the integration of contemporary technologies into manufacturing processes. Geared toward practicing engineers, students benefit from cutting-edge facilities and a continually evolving curriculum, preparing them for leadership roles in these expanding fields.
Graduation requirements mandate the completion of at least 10 courses within a five-year timeframe. Given that many students are employed as engineers, the program offers both full-time and part-time study options. The faculty comprises mechanical engineers who are distinguished leaders within their field. Tuition fees start at $5,374 for up to 3 credits, with subsequent credits charged at $1,791 each.
11. Southern Methodist University
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University enrolls over 1,000 graduate students annually, offering a favorable 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Within the engineering program, students can specialize in three concentrations: Design and Dynamic Systems and Controls, Mechanics and Manufacturing, and Thermal and Fluid Sciences. The LOGin learning management system facilitates remote access to instructional videos worldwide.
To earn an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, students must complete 30 credits and can opt for either a thesis or non-thesis track. Course options include subjects such as Microfluidics and Microfabrication, Nontraditional Manufacturing Processes, and Optimal and Robust Control. The tuition fee is set at $1,350 per credit hour.
12. Missouri University of Science and Technology
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Missouri S&T offers a Distance and Continuing Education program, providing opportunities for students to pursue online master’s degrees like the 30-credit MS in Mechanical Engineering. This program offers both thesis and non-thesis tracks and utilizes live streaming for course delivery, with recordings available for asynchronous access.
The curriculum, requiring 30 credits, covers a range of subjects including control systems, environmental systems, instrumentation manufacturing processes, materials science, mechanical design and analysis, and thermal science. While the program is fully online, students have the option to engage in research at the university’s labs and centers under faculty supervision.
Admission criteria entail a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace, or a related engineering or science discipline, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and submission of GRE scores.
Tuition fees are set at $1200 per credit hour.
13. Mississippi State University
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Mississippi State University offers a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program, emphasizing key areas such as fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, energy systems, thermal sciences, and mechanical design.
For the thesis option, students must complete 24 credit hours of coursework, a 1-hour graduate seminar, and 6 hours of thesis research. Alternatively, the non-thesis option requires 30 credit hours of coursework and a 1-hour graduate seminar.
The university maintains a student-faculty ratio of 20:1, with 34.7% of classes having fewer than 20 students.
Tuition fees are $456 per credit hour for residents and $1236 per credit hour for non-residents and international students.
14. Villanova University
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) program at Villanova University spans approximately two years and requires completion of 30 semester credit hours. For those opting for the thesis route, six credits are allocated to thesis research. However, students who secure positions as graduate or research assistants are obligated to write a thesis, while others have the choice.
Regardless of the thesis option, all MSME students must enroll in a course covering advanced engineering analysis.
To tailor their studies to specific industries, students can take up to six credits of courses outside the department. These courses may enhance knowledge in project management, quality management, or a particular industry. Credits transferred from previous coursework, whether in mechanical engineering or another field, count towards this limit. Approval from the graduate committee chair is necessary for all courses taken outside the Villanova Mechanical Engineering Department. Tuition fees are set at $1,395 per credit hour.
15. University of Idaho
Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The University of Idaho offers an off-campus Master of Engineering degree tailored for engineers with industrial experience, eliminating the requirement for a master’s thesis. This program aims to equip students for roles such as project manager or project engineer within industrial settings. Completion of the degree mandates a minimum of 30 credit hours, typically spanning 3 to 4 semesters.
With a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, the University of Idaho fosters an environment where 53% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
Tuition fees vary based on enrollment status, with full-time students (9-20 credits) charged at $4,432 per credit hour, while part-time students (1-8 credits) incur a fee of $492 per credit hour.