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    University of California-San Diego

    Mechanical Engineering

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    La Jolla, USMSIn-person21 months
    STEM-OPT
    $36,575.00
    Tuition
    over 21mo
    42%
    Acceptance
    of applicants
    62
    Cohort
    students
    36
    Credits
    $155.00
    App fee

    Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego is a 36-credit, 21-month, in-person MS program based in La Jolla, US. Tuition is $36,575 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

    About the program

    Master's program in mechanical engineering covering core engineering fundamentals and contemporary subjects through either a thesis-based plan with research or a coursework plan culminating in a comprehensive exam. Offered under major code MC81 with specializations available.

    Focus: both
    Times Higher Education: 42 | US News #22
    Part-time option

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    Admissions

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    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

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    Deadlines

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    Exact application deadlines for each term (Fall, Spring, Summer, Rolling), with priority and final dates where the program distinguishes them.

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    Standardized tests

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    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US), 24 months STEM OPT (US)

    $93,191.00
    Avg starting salary
    $29,811.00
    Annual living cost

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    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego is $36,575 across 36 required credits.
    Is Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego online or in-person?
    Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego is offered in-person.
    How long does Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego take to complete?
    Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego is structured around 21 months and 36 credits.
    What GPA is required for Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego?
    Per the program's published guidance: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
    Is Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego STEM-OPT eligible?
    Yes - Mechanical Engineering at University of California-San Diego is STEM-OPT designated, allowing international graduates to extend their post-completion OPT for up to 36 months total.