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    University of South Carolina-Columbia

    Mechanical Engineering - MS

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Columbia, USMSIn-person2 years
    STEM-OPT
    $37,200.00
    Tuition
    over 24mo
    30
    Credits
    $50.00
    App fee

    Mechanical Engineering - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia is a 30-credit, 2-year, in-person MS program based in Columbia, US. Tuition is $37,200 and the program is STEM-OPT eligible for international students.

    About the program

    Thesis-based program requiring 24 hours of graduate coursework and 6 hours of thesis preparation. Students select a disciplinary pathway in engineering mechanics, energy systems, dynamics and control, manufacturing, or nuclear engineering.

    Focus: research
    Part-time option

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    Deadlines

    Spring 2027
    Oct 1, 2026
    Fall 2027
    May 1, 2027

    Standardized tests

    GRE
    optional
    Min GRE Verbal ≥ 150; GRE Quantitative ≥ 155
    V 150 · Q 155
    TOEFL
    optional
    Min TOEFL ≥ 80 (for tests before January 21, 2026) or 4.0 (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)
    IELTS
    optional
    Min IELTS ≥ 6.5

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (F-1) followed by up to a 24-month STEM OPT extension if the degree/CIP code is STEM-eligible.

    $17,000.00
    Annual living cost

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    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 - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Mechanical Engineering - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia is $37,200 across 30 required credits.
    Is Mechanical Engineering - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia online or in-person?
    Mechanical Engineering - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia is offered in-person.
    How long does Mechanical Engineering - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia take to complete?
    Mechanical Engineering - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia is structured around 2 years and 30 credits.
    What GPA is required for Mechanical Engineering - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
    Per the program's published guidance: Undergraduate Engineering GPA ≥ 3.0/4.0
    Is Mechanical Engineering - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia STEM-OPT eligible?
    Yes - Mechanical Engineering - MS at University of South Carolina-Columbia is STEM-OPT designated, allowing international graduates to extend their post-completion OPT for up to 36 months total.