M.Eng. Vs. M.S. - Is One Degree Better Than the Other?

We begin from the end. The answer to the aforementioned question, Masters of Engineering vs. Master of Science in Engineering is a No; one degree is not better than the other. Both are exceptional choices for international students thinking of studying Masters's level courses in engineering abroad. Why? Because within the STEM field, engineering graduates have the highest salaries.
 

How do you choose between the two then? The answer lies among the differences between M.S. in Eng. and M.Eng. degrees. We help you understand them below.

M.Eng. v/s M.S.: What is the difference?

Let’s understand master of engineering vs master of science:

While there is not much difference between the scopes of the degrees (both tend to lead to good employment), it is the method of learning that varies between the two.

Before explaining the variances further, let’s clarify two exceptions. In Australia, M. Eng. is research, not a professional degree. The program lasts for two to three years and requires a thesis submission at the end of it. In the U.K., M.Eng. is a five-year course with the last year spent in the industry. At the end of the degree, students become chartered engineers.
To make the difference between the two Masters courses in Engineering simpler, we pick Cornell as an example in this article. It is one of the top universities in the US that offers both the courses.

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M.Eng. v/s M.S. Difference in Duration

• Master of Science takes two years to complete. This is typical for other universities as well.
• Master of Engineering takes one year to complete. In other universities, M. Eng. ranges between 1-2 years, with several universities offering the 1-year option.

What’s the Difference in Cost?

The annual tuition fee for a Master of Science (MS) in Engineering is $29,500, while a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) costs $54,584 per year. Despite the higher annual cost, M.Eng. is often more economical overall because it typically takes one year to complete, compared to the two years required for an MS in Engineering.

In some institutions, the tuition fees for both degrees may be similar, but the overall cost for M.Eng. remains lower due to its shorter duration. This demonstrates a key difference between a Master of Science and a Master of Engineering: while both prepare students for advanced roles, M.S. in Engineering (full form: Master of Science in Engineering) is more research-oriented, potentially leading to further academic pursuits like a Ph.D., whereas M.Eng. is geared towards immediate industry application. Understanding the difference between a Master of Science and a Master of Engineering is crucial for prospective students evaluating their educational and career goals.

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M.Eng. v/s M.S. Eligibility Criteria

The requirements for Masters courses in Engineering for the two degrees remain mostly the same. Both M.S. and M.Eng. require:

A bachelor’s degree:

• TOEFL or IELTS score
• The GRE General Test score
• Three Letters of Recommendation

Difference in Curriculum of M.Eng. and M.S.?

• The biggest difference in M.S. Eng. and M.Eng. is how the curricula are taught. 
• Since M.S. is an academic degree, it focuses on research and theoretical work. The student is tested via a thesis (some may have a non-thesis option as well), in addition to regular exams and projects.

M.Eng. is a professional degree. Therefore, it focuses on teaching students on how to apply theory to practical applications. The coursework is chiefly about developing the skills of the student to find appropriate employment in the industry. The student is tested through examinations or projects.
 

If you look through Cornell’s M.S. in Mechanical Eng. page and M.Eng. in Mechanical Eng. page, you’ll note that they teach the same specializations and concentrations. The difference lies in the outcome and process of education.

• M.S. teaches the student advanced research skills such as how to apply the current techniques and methodologies to a project, critical analysis of findings, etc.
• M.Eng. teaches technical skills “designed to put engineers on an accelerated career track.”

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M.Eng. v/s M.S. Employment Oppurtunities

The kind of job you get can be another major difference between M.S. in Engineering and a Masters of Engineering. 

• Students who complete M.S. have the option to continue studies and enroll in Ph.D. courses. Of course, one can pursue employment as well.
• M. Eng. is what you call a terminal degree. It is the final course a student studies before getting a job in the industry.

Even though M.S. is more research-oriented, the chances of getting employment are similar for both the Masters’ degrees. By no way does opting for an M.S. reduce your chance of finding a good position. The vice versa is not valid. Choosing an M.Eng. does limit your chances of getting into a sound Ph.D. program. It rarely happens that a Masters of Engineering graduate is accepted into a doctoral degree.

Top Colleges in for M.S. and M.Eng Degrees in US

The list of top-ranking colleges offering M.S. and M.Eng is (Source: US News):

Comparative Analysis of Masters Courses in Engineering Salary 

After M.S. in Engineering, these are the average salaries a student should expect:

• Software Engineer: $91,000
• Electrical Engineer: $90,000
• Mechanical Engineer: $84,000
• Senior Software Engineer: $112,000

After Masters of Engineering, these are the average salaries a student should expect:

• Software Engineer: $94,000
• Electrical Engineer: $81,000
• Mechanical Engineer: $77,000
• Senior Software Engineer: $117,000

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How to Choose: Masters in Science or Masters of Engineering?

Master of Science is a more commonly offered degree by colleges around the world than a Master of Engineering. But it shouldn’t factor in your decision. 

• M.S. in Eng. is right for you if: You aspire for admission in a top Ph.D. program. M.S. will give you the research experience doctoral degrees demand. The course will not only make you a better engineer but also prepare you for further studies.
• Masters of Engineering is right for you if: You want to learn the fundamentals of the field and get the technical knowledge for a job in the concerned industry