Master of Science in Engineering [M.S.E] (Civil and Environmental Engineering)
Field of Study:
$24,773 /Yr
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) Civil and Environmental Engineering is a four-semester, full-time, on-campus course in Las Vegas, Nevada. Spring 2027 entry requires a relevant bachelor’s degree and a grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on 4.0. For Indian applicants, 2.75 is approximately 65% to 75%, or 6.5 to 7.5 on 10; annual tuition and fees are US$28,895 (INR 27.66 Lakhs).
The Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction (CEEC) department lets students specialise in construction, geotechnical, structural, transportation or water resources and environmental engineering. Thesis students build research and data interpretation skills, while non-thesis students emphasise technical communication and applied coursework. It suits civil or closely related engineering graduates who can name a concentration and prefer a focused technical route over a broad management degree.
- The current plan supports 30 credits for both Thesis and Non-Thesis tracks, while the Integrated BS-MSE route requires 24 to 27 credits.
- UNLV identifies environmental, structural, geotechnical and transportation laboratories within the department’s research facilities.
- International applicants can submit unofficial English scores for initial evaluation, then provide official scores after admission.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 1 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST (Pacific Standard Time) (2 October 2026 at 1:29 p.m. Indian Standard Time).
Indian applicants should use the earlier international deadline, even though the department table shows a later Civil Engineering date. Submit a complete application by the university cutoff because UNLV’s Graduate College and department review the file together.
Also Check: UNLV M.S.E. admission requirements
UNLV Civil Environmental Engineering Fees and Living Costs 2027
For Spring 2027, UNLV’s 2026-27 international graduate estimate uses a nine-credit semester basis. The published annual charge separates tuition and fees from the required health-insurance estimate.
Target-cycle fee context: The following amounts are the official 2026-27 international graduate figures used for the Spring 2027 intake.
| Cost item | 2026-27 amount (US$) | INR equivalent | Official treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| International graduate tuition and fees, annual | US$28,895 | INR 27.66 Lakhs | Fall and Spring, nine credits per semester |
| Mandatory health insurance estimate, annual | US$4,350 | INR 4.16 Lakhs | Not included in tuition and fees |
| Graduate application fee, one-time | US$95 | INR 9,094 | Nonrefundable |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.7292 as of 21 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
Source: UNLV 2026-27 Tuition and College Costs and International Graduate Admissions.
At the target-cycle annual rate, two annual tuition charges would be US$57,790 (INR 55.32 Lakhs), calculated as US$28,895 multiplied by two. The separate insurance estimate adds US$4,350 (INR 4.16 Lakhs) per year, while the US$95 (INR 9,094) application fee is paid once.
UNLV’s international graduate charge is built on nine credits per semester, so applicants taking a different load should confirm the billed amount before budgeting.
Cost of Living in Las Vegas for Civil and Environmental Engineering Students
The official 2026-27 graduate cost-of-attendance page gives a living estimate for a single-occupancy off-campus student. The figures below exclude tuition, health insurance and federal student-loan fees, so they should not be confused with a separate visa maintenance amount.
| Expense | Monthly (US$) | Monthly INR equivalent | Annual (US$) | Annual INR equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing and utilities | US$1,448.25 | INR 138,640 | US$17,379 | INR 16.64 Lakhs |
| Food | US$502.00 | INR 48,056 | US$6,024 | INR 5.77 Lakhs |
| Books, course materials, supplies and equipment | US$107.50 | INR 10,291 | US$1,290 | INR 1.23 Lakhs |
| Transportation | US$253.33 | INR 24,251 | US$3,040 | INR 2.91 Lakhs |
| Miscellaneous and personal | US$275.33 | INR 26,357 | US$3,304 | INR 3.16 Lakhs |
| Total living estimate | US$2,586.42 | INR 247,596 | US$31,037 | INR 29.71 Lakhs |
UNLV’s one-year baseline is a calculated US$64,377 (INR 61.63 Lakhs), adding annual tuition and fees, health insurance, living costs and the application fee. A two-year planning illustration using those 2026-27 annual figures is US$128,754 (INR 1.23 Crore), before future fee changes and travel costs.
Read More: USA cost of living for international students
ROI reality: The calculated two-year baseline reaches INR 1.23 Crore before future rate changes, so secure a funding plan before treating the Spring 2027 offer as financially viable.
UNLV Civil and Environmental Engineering Admission 2027
UNLV’s current M.S.E. policy requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related discipline. It also requires an overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and 3.0 for the last 60 undergraduate credits.
The current Civil and Environmental Engineering M.S.E. test table lists no standardized test requirement. That means a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is not required under the published programme policy for Spring 2027.
Intakes and track fit
Spring and Fall are the relevant intakes for this full-time on-campus degree, while the official deadline table lists Summer as not available. All three current tracks use the same department, but their culminating work differs.
The track choice matters because the Thesis route builds research evidence, whereas the Non-Thesis route concentrates the degree in approved coursework and a culminating exam.
| Track | 2026-27 credit structure | Culminating requirement | Best preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis | 30 credits: CEE 700, 18 elective credits, CEE 790 and 6 thesis credits | Thesis prospectus and oral defence | Applicants targeting research, advanced design or doctoral study |
| Non-Thesis | 30 credits of adviser-approved electives, including 9 credits in one concentration | Culminating examination after at least 21 approved credits | Applicants seeking a coursework-led technical route |
| Integrated BS-MSE Thesis | 24 to 27 credits: CEE 700, 12 to 15 electives, CEE 790 and 6 thesis credits | Thesis prospectus and oral defence | Eligible UNLV integrated students continuing from the bachelor’s route |
A thesis applicant should identify a concentration and possible faculty fit before applying because the advisory committee must reflect the chosen area. The Non-Thesis route is a clearer fit when the goal is applied technical depth without a research thesis.
Academic eligibility
Applicants need an engineering or closely related bachelor’s degree, and applicants with science backgrounds may need prerequisite engineering coursework for their chosen specialisation. Indian applicants should submit complete transcripts and let UNLV determine the final equivalency.
The approximate Indian ranges below are planning guides because the checked UNLV pages do not publish a country-specific conversion table.
| Requirement | UNLV published standard | Approximate Indian reading |
|---|---|---|
| Previous degree | Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related discipline | Relevant Indian engineering degree or closely related qualification, subject to UNLV equivalency review |
| Overall undergraduate GPA | GPA 2.75 on a 4.0 scale | Approximately 65% to 75%, or 6.5 to 7.5 on a 10-point scale |
| Last 60 undergraduate credits | GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale | Approximately 70% to 79%, or 7.0 to 7.9 on a 10-point scale |
| Specialisation readiness | Applicants identify an area such as construction, geotechnical, structural, transportation or water resources and environmental engineering | Show relevant subjects, projects or work in the selected area |
| Standardized test | No standardized test listed for Civil and Environmental Engineering M.S.E. | Do not schedule a GRE only for this programme unless UNLV later changes the policy |
The department’s graduate page describes its Civil Engineering graduate programme as Top 100 in the U.S., but it does not display a ranking edition or exact position. Treat that statement as context rather than a current ranked position.
English language proficiency
Indian applicants can use TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or DET. TOEFL iBT means Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test, while IELTS means International English Language Testing System. PTE means Pearson Test of English and DET means Duolingo English Test.
Scores must be less than two years old at application. An English-medium degree may qualify for exemption when the applicant proves English was the primary language of instruction.
| Test route | UNLV minimum |
|---|---|
| New TOEFL iBT, beginning January 2026 | Overall 4.0 on the 1.0 to 6.0 scale, with no band below 3.5 |
| Legacy TOEFL iBT | Overall 80 on the 0 to 120 scale |
| IELTS Academic | Overall 6.5, with no band below 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | Overall 65, with no communicative skill below 59 |
| DET | Overall 105, with no subscore below 100 |
| Other accepted routes | ELS Level 112, CEFR Level B2 or MET 58 |
- A component floor can block an application even when the overall English score meets UNLV’s minimum.
- Applicants targeting Spring 2027 should schedule the test early enough to upload a valid score before 1 October 2026.
- An English-medium degree needs documented proof of instruction because India is not listed among UNLV’s automatic English-speaking-country exemptions.
Check Out: UNLV graduate programme options
Tip for Indian students: The M.S.E. has no published GRE requirement, but the 3.0 last-60-credit GPA and English component floors still shape eligibility. Align your transcript, concentration and score evidence before submission.
UNLV Civil Environmental Engineering Application 2027
Spring 2027 is the earliest future intake with a published international deadline, and Fall 2027 is the next listed intake. The application combines Graduate College processing with department review, so upload a complete file rather than treating the general portal as a separate shortcut.
UNLV closes applications at 11:59 p.m. PST (Pacific Standard Time) on the published date. The Indian Standard Time conversions below keep the university cutoff controlling.
Application stages and deadlines
The table separates admission submission, assistantship timing and the university’s stated admission-letter milestone. Summer is not available for the Civil Engineering M.S.E. in the current deadline table.
| Intake and stage | Published date | Indian local time or meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 international application | 1 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. PST | 2 October 2026, 1:29 p.m. IST; portal cutoff remains PST |
| Spring 2027 graduate assistantship | 1 November 2026 | Separate funding process after the admission submission deadline |
| Spring 2027 admission letter | 15 November 2026 | UNLV states international students must receive the letter by this date for visa timing |
| Fall 2027 graduate assistantship | 1 March 2027 | Separate funding process and earlier than the international admission deadline |
| Fall 2027 international application | 1 May 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST | 2 May 2027, 1:29 p.m. IST; portal cutoff remains PST |
| Fall 2027 admission letter | 1 July 2027 | UNLV states international students must receive the letter by this date for visa timing |
Spring applicants should prioritise the 1 October international deadline because the department’s table shows a later Civil Engineering date that does not replace the international rule. Applicants seeking funding should track the separate assistantship deadline because admission does not create an assistantship offer.
How to submit a complete file
Start with the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable US$95 (INR 9,094) evaluation fee. UNLV does not process the application until the fee is received.
Upload transcripts, English evidence and any department-required documents in the application portal. The Graduate College says programme materials vary, so confirm the current CEEC checklist before submitting the final file.
- Choose Thesis, Non-Thesis or Integrated BS-MSE before writing your statement because the track changes the culminating requirement.
- Use the Spring 2027 international deadline for admission and the separate 1 November 2026 date only for assistantship consideration.
- Keep financial certification and bank evidence ready because UNLV requires Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, before visa processing.
Application tip: Submit Spring 2027 by 1 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST, or 2 October at 1:29 p.m. IST. Use 1 November only as the separate assistantship deadline.
UNLV Civil Environmental Engineering Scholarships 2027
Funding is possible through departmental assistantships and university-wide graduate awards, but UNLV does not treat admission as an assistantship offer. For Spring 2027, the most relevant routes are a separate CEEC assistantship process, the College of Engineering scholarship application and Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) sponsorship after enrolment.
The target-cycle College of Engineering application is closed for 2026-27, while the next 2027-28 application is expected to open around December 2026. That timing makes assistantship contact more important for a Spring 2027 applicant who needs funding before arrival.
Verified funding routes
The table separates admission-linked funding from awards that become available only after a student is enrolled. Amounts are shown exactly where the current official source publishes them.
| Award or funding route | Published value | Eligibility and application route | Spring 2027 meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEEC Teaching or Research Assistantship | Teaching assistantship minimum for College of Engineering master’s students: US$17,000 (INR 16.27 Lakhs) for Fall and Spring, or US$8,500 (INR 8.14 Lakhs) for one semester | Separate CEEC process; offers depend on merit, available funds and faculty research appointments | Apply separately by the assistantship deadline; admission does not guarantee an offer |
| College of Engineering Scholarship Application | Amount varies by donor and is not fixed on the current page | One general application considers eligible undergraduate, graduate and professional engineering students; annual reapplication is required | 2026-27 application is closed; 2027-28 application is expected around December 2026 |
| GPSA Sponsorship Award | Up to US$2,500 (INR 2.39 Lakhs) during a master’s student’s UNLV tenure, with a US$1,250 (INR 1.20 Lakhs) limit per application | Competitive research, travel or professional-development funding for enrolled degree-seeking graduate students with 6 graduate credits completed or in progress and a 3.0 GPA | Post-enrolment support, not a Spring 2027 tuition award or admission scholarship |
The assistantship is the only verified route that can materially change the first-year funding gap, but its selection depends on a separate review and available work or research. The College of Engineering scholarship route is useful for later planning, while GPSA funding supports specific academic activity rather than tuition.
How Indian applicants should plan funding
Applicants seeking a Spring 2027 assistantship should submit the admission file by 1 October 2026 and the separate assistantship materials by 1 November 2026. Contacting a potential research supervisor is an evidence-based step because research assistantships are offered by faculty with funded projects.
- Budget the full US$64,377 (INR 61.63 Lakhs) one-year baseline before an assistantship decision because the award is competitive and not automatic.
- Prepare a concentration-specific statement and transcript evidence because CEEC funding decisions depend on merit, area fit and available funds.
- Reserve GPSA sponsorship for conference, research or professional-development costs because it is not designed to replace tuition or living funds.
Read More: Scholarships for Indian students in the USA
Scholarship reality: The published US$17,000 (INR 16.27 Lakhs) master’s assistantship minimum is meaningful, but the CEEC route is separate from admission. Treat it as upside until a written offer confirms the amount and term.
UNLV Civil Environmental Engineering Salary 2027
UNLV does not publish a course-specific salary, offer-rate or placement report for this M.S.E. The department reports employer settings and graduate counts, while national wage figures provide external market context rather than a graduate outcome.
The BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) May 2025 estimates below cover occupations, not UNLV graduates. They are useful for testing the scale of the financial decision, but they cannot establish expected starting pay.
| Evidence scope | Published measure | US$ figure | INR equivalent | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course cohort outcome | No course-specific salary, offer rate or placement report published | No course figure | Not applicable | Ask CEEC for current destination evidence before borrowing |
| Department MSE cohort | 37 MSE students in Fall 2025; 13 MSE degrees in 2024-25 | Not a salary measure | Not applicable | Shows programme scale, not employment probability |
| External market benchmark: civil engineers | May 2025 national mean annual wage | US$108,670 | INR 1.04 Crore | Occupation-wide U.S. benchmark, not UNLV graduate pay |
| External market benchmark: environmental engineers | May 2025 national mean annual wage | US$112,910 | INR 1.08 Crore | Occupation-wide U.S. benchmark, not UNLV graduate pay |
Source: UNLV CEEC graduate data and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
UNLV names utilities, design firms, municipal engineering departments, construction and utility companies as employer settings. It also notes that some master’s students continue to doctoral study, but it publishes no sector shares, offer rate or employer-level outcome data.
Take-home pay will differ from the gross mean because taxes, benefits and location change the amount received. Use the Internal Revenue Service Tax Withholding Estimator when testing a specific U.S. offer against the calculated study budget.
ROI for Indian applicants
The calculated two-year planning illustration is US$128,754 (INR 1.23 Crore), and no course-cohort salary evidence is published. The rationality of the investment therefore depends on funding, confirmed employment terms and whether the intended career is in the U.S. or India.
- Because the US$108,670 (INR 1.04 Crore) civil-engineer figure is an occupation benchmark, do not use it as expected UNLV graduate pay; request course-level outcomes before borrowing.
- A confirmed master’s assistantship minimum of US$17,000 (INR 16.27 Lakhs) would reduce the funding gap, so apply separately by the 1 November 2026 Spring deadline.
- CEEC identifies its degrees as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), but verify the degree’s CIP code and employer conditions with UNLV before assigning the 24-month extension financial value.
- American wage benchmarks do not describe Indian salaries, so a return-to-India plan needs a separate offer and currency comparison rather than a payback calculation.
ROI reality: The programme’s research tracks can support doctoral preparation, while the external wage figures do not prove placement. Treat the US$128,754 (INR 1.23 Crore) budget as a funding-risk decision until course-level outcomes are available.
USA Visa for UNLV Civil Engineering Students 2027
An Indian applicant normally uses the F-1 student visa for this full-time, on-campus degree. UNLV requires financial certification and a bank letter before issuing Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). The I-20 is the university document used for the student visa process.
The student visa fee is US$185 (INR 17,710), and the I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee is US$350 (INR 33,505). Post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training) can provide up to 12 months. A 24-month STEM OPT extension depends on the degree’s CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code and employer conditions.
CEEC identifies its degrees as STEM, but UNLV should confirm the exact classification before an applicant treats the extension as guaranteed work time. No fixed course-linked H-1B salary threshold or permanent-residence timeline is published.
- Budget the US$185 (INR 17,710) visa fee and US$350 (INR 33,505) SEVIS fee separately from the US$64,377 (INR 61.63 Lakhs) one-year university baseline.
- Verify the M.S.E.’s CIP classification with UNLV before assigning a 24-month STEM OPT extension to an employment plan.
- Treat H-1B sponsorship, selection and required wage rules as a later employer-controlled route because no course-specific salary threshold is published.
- F-2 dependent status may cover a spouse and unmarried minor children, but F-2 dependants are not employment-authorized.
Check Out: USA F-1 student visa requirements
Visa reality: The 12-month OPT period is standard, while the additional 24 months depends on STEM classification and employer compliance. Confirm the CIP code on the university paperwork before using the extension in your ROI plan.
UNLV’s M.S.E. suits civil or closely related engineering graduates who can name a concentration and choose between research-led Thesis and coursework-led Non-Thesis study. Its 30-credit plans, research facilities and public-sector or consulting orientation make it relevant for technical roles or doctoral preparation. The material tradeoff is the calculated two-year budget of US$128,754 (INR 1.23 Crore) alongside no course-cohort salary report, so funding risk remains high. Spring 2027 applicants should complete English evidence, financial certification and the full online file by 1 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
UNLV Civil and Environmental Engineering M.S.E. FAQs
Ques. Which UNLV M.S.E. track suits a research-focused civil engineering applicant?
Ans. The Thesis Track is the stronger structural fit because its 30-credit plan includes a thesis prospectus, research coursework and 6 thesis credits. Choose it when doctoral preparation or research evidence matters more than completing a coursework-led culminating exam.
Ques. Does UNLV require the GRE for Civil and Environmental Engineering M.S.E. admission?
Ans. The current programme test table lists no standardized test requirement, so a GRE score is not required under the published Spring 2027 policy. The 2.75 overall GPA, 3.0 last-60-credit GPA and English component floors still apply.
Ques. What two-year budget should an Indian applicant use for this UNLV M.S.E.?
Ans. A calculated planning illustration using the 2026-27 annual tuition, health insurance, living estimate and one application fee is US$128,754 (INR 1.23 Crore). It is not a guaranteed final bill because later tuition, insurance and living figures can change.
Ques. Can I apply for UNLV admission and a CEEC assistantship for Spring 2027?
Ans. Yes, but they are separate processes: submit the international admission file by 1 October 2026 and assistantship materials by 1 November 2026. An admission decision does not guarantee a teaching or research assistantship.
Ques. What salary and post-study work outcome does this UNLV M.S.E. provide?
Ans. UNLV does not publish course-cohort salary or offer-rate data, so the BLS civil-engineer wage is only an external occupation benchmark. F-1 graduates may receive up to 12 months of OPT, with a further 24 months possible only when STEM and employer conditions are met.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $24773 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Books and supply | $1240 |
| Miscellaneous expenses | $2908 |
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $24050 |
| 2022 | $23411 |
| 2021 | $22171 |
Scores Required
Required Document List
Following are the required Documents:
- Resume - This provides a summary of a student's experience and skills.
- Higher Secondary School Certificate - The certificate provided by the education board after completion of the Higher secondary education.
- Statement of Intent – The applicant must submit a Statement of Intent (SOI) with no more than two pages, indicating their interests in the area of specialization (construction, geotechnical, structural, transportation, and water resources/environmental) and objectives in working toward an M.S.E. degree.
- Two Letter of Recommendation - This shows who recommended the student to pursue the degree.
- English Language Requirement - This shows the test score of English Proficiency Exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE, etc.

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| Program | Important Date | Total Fees | Median Exams Score | Action |
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