M.Eng. Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right program really comes down to your career goals and the kind of preparation you want.

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.): A professional, coursework-based degree designed for those aiming to advance quickly in industry. Typically finished in 2–3 semesters, the M.Eng. focuses on hands-on projects, industry engagement, and building specialized skills that boost career readiness and earning potential.

Master of Science (M.S.): A research-focused degree that takes about two years to complete. It includes advanced coursework and a written thesis, preparing you for research roles or further study toward a Ph.D.

If your goal is to deepen technical expertise and move quickly into (or ahead within) industry, the M.Eng. is often the better fit. If you’re more interested in research, academia, or continuing on to a doctoral program, the M.S. may be right for you.

Absolutely. The Master of Engineering degree is designed to help professionals deepen their technical expertise, build leadership skills, and open doors to new opportunities, whether that means advancing in your current field or pivoting to a new one. Many of our students join straight from undergrad, but we also welcome early-career professionals who want to accelerate their career growth, specialize in a new area, or make a strategic industry change.

Taking advantage of the Early Admit Pathway option requires some strategic planning prior to your senior year with your undergraduate and major advisors. As long as you meet the criteria outlined on the Early Admit Pathway webpage, building on your Cornell foundation and graduating with two top-notch degrees with only one additional semester at Cornell is definitely within your reach.

A thesis‑based master’s (like an M.S.) focuses on research and prepares you for Ph.D. study or research careers. The M.Eng., a non‑thesis program, emphasizes coursework, applied learning, and industry‑relevant projects, and is ideal for students looking to enter or advance in engineering careers quickly.

A Master of Science (M.S.) degree, with its emphasis on research training, is the more typical path to a Ph.D. degree. There are Cornell M.Eng. students who do apply for and are admitted to Ph.D. programs, but they are not the norm.

M.Eng. students at Cornell cannot “transfer” to a Ph.D. program at the University. They would be required to go through the formal application process again in order to be considered for admission to a Ph.D. program at Cornell.

Yes, you can. An engineering B.S. isn’t always required. Many M.Eng. programs welcome students with strong technical or quantitative backgrounds, such as math, physics, or computer science, as long as you’ve met the necessary prerequisites. Admissions committees look for coursework, projects, or work experience that show you’re ready for advanced engineering studies. Always check the specific requirements of the program you’re applying to, as they can vary.

Cornell Master of Engineering on-campus students are subject to the Tier 1 Master’s degree tuition rate. Distance Learning students are charged per credit. See Office of the Bursar for current M.Eng. tuition and fees.

At any point in time, you may submit only one graduate application to Cornell for consideration. Where indicated on your application, you may list a second-choice field of study or program. If you do not receive an offer of admission from your first-choice program, you may request for your application to be forwarded to your second-choice program.

Some, but not all, M.Eng. programs accept applications for spring admission. Check individual program pages to see whether they admit for both fall and spring.

As a professional graduate degree, the M.Eng. is self-funded. Cornell does not provide need-based financial aid for M.Eng. students. Please see the Paying for Your Degree webpage to learn more.

A limited number of M.Eng. students may be awarded Graduate Teaching Research Specialist (GTRS) positions by their admitting programs. Most GTRS positions entail half-time duties and a stipend (see Graduate School: Stipend Rates) equivalent to half of the Ph.D. stipend. Contact your M.Eng. program to inquire about these opportunities.

Early Admission is a pathway available only to Cornell undergraduates. It is an opportunity to begin M.Eng. coursework during the final undergraduate semester. See the Early Admission for Cornell Undergraduates page for more details and eligibility requirements.

Deadlines vary by program, and some offer rolling admission. Visit the individual program pages to learn about deadline dates, notification dates, and other information.

Application fee waivers are generally not available for M.Eng. applicants. Financial hardship waivers are available for domestic applicants who are able to prove they are in exceptional circumstances.

To apply for a financial hardship waiver, you will need to provide a brief but well-reasoned explanation of how the application fee presents a financial hardship for you. Relevant factors include unemployment or underemployment, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from a recent FAFSA, etc. Use the fee waiver request page of the application form to submit your explanation.

Most of our M.Eng. programs do not require the GRE, but some of them do. Make sure to check individual program pages  for program-specific admissions requirements.

To meet the admissions requirements, applicants should have a GPA of at least a 2.7 on a 4.0 scale and at least a 2.5/4.0 for each of the three most recent terms. Many programs require a higher minimum GPA for admissions consideration.

The most helpful letters are those submitted by faculty members or professional references who are familiar with your capabilities and can comment on your past performance.

After you input the information for your recommenders into the application, they will receive an automated email from lor_help@collegenet.com asking them to establish an account. They will then be asked to fill out a brief form and upload a letter.

The letter should be written on letterhead and include an electronic signature. Tell your recommenders to check their spam box if they do not see the email. Have your letter writers email lor_help@collegenet.com if they experience any difficulties.

Let your intended program know right away if you expect any delays. Most programs are willing to accept letters after the deadline, but should be informed that the letter is arriving late. Applications cannot be reviewed until all material is received so encourage your recommenders to meet the deadline!

Applicants needing technical support for the CollegeNET ApplyWeb system should contact help@applyweb.com.

As an international applicant, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by taking a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. For exceptions and minimum requirements, please see the M.Eng. Application Guide.

All academic records must be official documents issued by the college or university and provided in the original language. A certified or notarized English translation must accompany the academic records if the original language is not English.

No, the exemptions state that you need to have been physically present in an English-speaking country for the majority of your degree.

Once you complete your admissions supplement, you will be issued your I-20. We recommend completing the admissions supplement as soon as you are able.

Please contact the Cornell Office of Global Learning international team for support and guidance.

Yes, with an M.Eng. degree, you are eligible for the STEM-OPT.

Students must be physically located in the United States to participate in the MEM Distance Learning program. Some international students meet this requirement because they are employed in the U.S. and sponsored by their employers. If you are an active member of the U.S. military and expect to be stationed overseas while pursuing the degree, please contact us for guidance.

Cornell Engineering has dedicated M.Eng. Career Services staff to support on-campus and distance learning M.Eng. students through one-on-one career advising, strategies for leveraging the Cornell alumni network, and group events. Additionally, the University-wide Cornell Career Services office provides a variety of online resources, career fairs, employer information sessions, and professional development workshops offered on campus and virtually throughout the year.

The Cornell Outcomes Dashboard shares employment data from our graduates. Filter your search by “Degree” and select “MEN” for information on M.Eng. students.

While return on investment will vary by industry and field, M.Eng. graduates overall secure a higher annual salary than their undergrad counterparts and report accelerated career advancement.

A wide array of employers, representing every industry, recruit Cornell engineering students. Students have the opportunity to engage with employers and alumni through coffee chats, information sessions, and in-person and virtual career fairs. Additionally, M.Eng. students have tailor-made career and professional development courses which feature alumni speakers and panels, as well as effective communication, leadership, and job search strategies – all specific to M.Eng. careers.

Explore detailed information about on-campus Graduate and Professional Student housing at Cornell Graduate and Professional Student Campus Housing.

For information about off-campus housing, visit Cornell Campus Living.

There are several non-university options available such as Roomsurf, Meetyourclass, as well as a Facebook Group.

Learn about on campus employment opportunities: Cornell Student Employment.

The M.Eng. Project is faculty supervised and provides a “hands on” experience for students to learn and develop their skillsets. The skills gained from the M.Eng. Project is a key component for why many recruiters hire M.Eng. students. A thesis is the culmination of a research-based degree, and differs from the M.Eng. Project.

M.Eng. programs nominate students to be ambassadors for the College. If you are interested, let your program know.

Ithaca, NY, is located in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. In addition to Cornell, Ithaca is also home to Ithaca College so it really is a thriving college town. Ithaca has a lot to offer, from beautiful state parks, waterfalls, a farmer’s market, and many fun local activities in an around the Commons (downtown pedestrian shopping area). Ithaca is about 4 hours away from New York City by bus and also offers multiple flights daily from its airport.

Currently, four programs offer a distance learning mode:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Mechanical Engineering
• Systems Engineering

While it is possible to complete the degree in two years on a part-time basis, most distance learning students will finish in 2.5 to 3 years.

Distance Learning students have opportunities to engage with courses both synchronously and asynchronously. The programs are designed to be flexible for working professionals.

Depending on the program, you may have the opportunity to come to campus for a residential week in the summer. Reach out to the individual programs for more information.