University of Nevada MS Electrical Engineering: Fees, Living Costs, Test Scores, Visa Process, Work during Study, Entry Requirements.

Master of Science [M.S] [Electrical Engineering] From University of Nevada

Las Vegas, NevadaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1957established year
30471enrollment
Public
Partner [6 Courses]
7.0/10

Master of Science [M.S] (Electrical Engineering)

2 years
Full Time
On Campus

$24,773 /Yr

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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Aug 14, 2026

University of Nevada, Las Vegas M.S. Electrical Engineering is a two-year full-time on-campus degree in Las Vegas, Nevada, with thesis and comprehensive-exam tracks. Spring 2027 applicants need a four-year relevant bachelor’s degree and the Graduate College minimum GPA; annual international tuition and fees are US$28,895 (INR 27.57 Lakhs). A calculated two-year planning baseline is US$128,659 (INR 1.23 Crore), including two annual fee estimates, living and study costs, insurance, and the application fee.

The course builds depth across communications, control, electronics, power systems, signal processing, and solid-state devices through either a comprehensive exam or a thesis and oral defense. It suits Indian applicants with electrical or computer engineering preparation who want technical specialisation, research exposure, or doctoral preparation, but track choice changes the assessment burden.

  • The 2026-27 programme page lists current comprehensive-exam and thesis study plans, allowing applicants to inspect the intended route before enrolling.
  • Research areas connect communications, power, optics, robotics, nanotechnology, and signal processing to laboratories and externally funded faculty projects.
  • An Integrated BS-MS option exists, but it is intended for eligible UNLV undergraduates rather than a normal international master’s entry route.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 1 October 2026.

The international cutoff is earlier than UNLV’s standard Electrical Engineering deadline, so Indian applicants should submit a complete file by 1 October 2026. UNLV requires financial certification and a bank letter before issuing the I-20.

Also Check: UNLV M.S. Electrical Engineering admission

UNLV M.S. Electrical Engineering Fees and Living Costs 2027

For Spring 2027, UNLV publishes an international graduate annual estimate based on two semesters of nine credits each. The university lists health insurance separately, so applicants should read the annual figure as tuition and institutional fees rather than a complete attendance bill.

2026-27 target-cycle costs below use UNLV’s international graduate estimate and the current application charge; the insurance line is excluded from the annual tuition estimate.

Cost itemOfficial amount (USD)INR equivalentCoverage
International graduate tuition and fees, annual estimateUS$28,895INR 27.57 LakhsFall and Spring, nine credits per semester
Mandatory health insurance, annual estimateUS$4,350INR 4.15 LakhsSeparate from tuition and fees
Graduate application feeUS$95INR 9,066Non-refundable and paid once

Source: UNLV 2026-27 international graduate cost and application information.

UNLV’s annual figure covers two nine-credit semesters, while mandatory health insurance is separate and the application fee is paid once. Tuition and fees may change because the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents establishes rates. The Board’s rate-setting role makes the annual estimate a billing baseline rather than a guaranteed final degree cost.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.4309 as of 14 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

  • Budget the US$28,895 (INR 27.57 Lakhs) university estimate separately from US$4,350 (INR 4.15 Lakhs) annual insurance when preparing the financial plan.
  • Treat the US$95 (INR 9,066) application fee as an upfront cash requirement because it is non-refundable and separate from enrolment charges.
  • Ask Electrical and Computer Engineering whether your planned credit load differs from the nine-credit estimate before accepting the published financial baseline.

Cost of Living in Las Vegas for M.S. Electrical Engineering Students

UNLV’s official graduate estimate uses off-campus single-occupancy housing and combines housing with utilities rather than publishing a rent-only figure. The monthly values below are calculated by dividing each annual official amount by 12, so they are planning aids rather than separate university quotations.

ExpenseAnnual (USD)Annual (INR)Monthly (USD, calculated)Monthly (INR, calculated)
Housing and utilitiesUS$17,379INR 16.58 LakhsUS$1,448INR 1.38 Lakhs
FoodUS$6,024INR 5.75 LakhsUS$502INR 47,906
Books, course materials, supplies and equipmentUS$1,290INR 1.23 LakhsUS$108INR 10,259
TransportationUS$3,040INR 2.90 LakhsUS$253INR 24,176
Miscellaneous and personalUS$3,304INR 3.15 LakhsUS$275INR 26,275
Listed living and study costs totalUS$31,037INR 29.62 LakhsUS$2,586INR 2.47 Lakhs
Federal student loan fees, conditionalUS$600INR 57,259US$50INR 4,772

The official living and study estimate excluding conditional federal loan charges is US$31,037 (INR 29.62 Lakhs), while insurance adds US$4,350 (INR 4.15 Lakhs). Adding annual tuition and fees plus the application charge produces a calculated first-year planning baseline of US$64,377 (INR 61.44 Lakhs). A two-year total remains an illustration because enrolment credits and annual charges can change.

Read More: USA student living costs

Key insight: UNLV’s annual tuition estimate excludes health insurance, so reserve the separate insurance line and validate your credit load before submitting financial documents.

UNLV M.S. Electrical Engineering Admission 2027

UNLV admission requires a four-year bachelor’s degree or approved international equivalent, a Graduate College GPA minimum, transcripts, English proof, and programme documents. The course page lists comprehensive-exam, thesis, and Integrated BS-MS tracks, so applicants must match the application to the intended route.

UNLV’s general minimum is GPA 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, approximately 69% to 75% or CGPA 6.9 to 7.5 on 10 for Indian applicants. Applicants using the last-60-credit alternative need GPA 3.0 on 4.0, approximately 75% to 80% or CGPA 7.5 to 8.0.

Academic and application requirements below distinguish university-wide requirements from department-specific preparation, because meeting the GPA floor does not establish Electrical Engineering readiness.

RequirementUNLV evidenceAction for an Indian applicant
Academic credentialFour-year bachelor’s degree or approved international equivalentUse the degree-granting institution’s final records
Overall GPAGPA 2.75 on 4.0, approximately 69% to 75% or CGPA 6.9 to 7.5 on 10Show the transcript grading scale with the academic record
Last 60 semester hoursGPA 3.0 on 4.0, approximately 75% to 80% or CGPA 7.5 to 8.0 on 10Use this alternative only when the transcript supports the calculation
Electrical Engineering preparationMost students have a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering; related preparation should be mapped with the departmentList relevant circuits, signals, systems, electronics, and mathematics coursework
GREOptional for Electrical Engineering M.S.E.; no score preference is publishedSubmit a score only if it strengthens the wider file
RecommendationsTwo letters are listed for master’s engineering applicationsSelect referees who can discuss technical work or research
Transcripts and Indian documentsEvery postsecondary record is required; certified translations are required when records are not English, and Indian applicants provide a provisional certificateUse a consolidated marks record when yearly records are unavailable and include the grading scale

GRE is optional, which removes a required test from the published Electrical Engineering pathway but does not replace evidence of technical preparation. Two recommendation letters and complete postsecondary records therefore deserve attention alongside the GPA calculation.

The official Electrical Engineering degree page identifies comprehensive-exam, thesis, and Integrated BS-MS options. Check the current 2026-27 study-plan materials for the selected track’s credit sequence.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

UNLV’s current international graduate policy accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, and several additional routes. The university reports TOEFL iBT from January 2026 on a new 1.0 to 6.0 scale, so applicants must use the scale shown on their score report.

English testOverall minimumComponent minimumValidity or route note
TOEFL iBT, new scale4.0 on the 1.0 to 6.0 scaleNo component below 3.5Policy applies to TOEFL iBT beginning January 2026
TOEFL iBT, legacy scale80 on the 0 to 120 scaleUse the university’s published legacy scaleDo not self-convert from the new scale
IELTS Academic6.5No band below 6.0Academic version is specified
PTE Academic65No communicative skill below 59Academic test route
Duolingo English Test105No subscore below 100Online test route accepted by the policy

English scores must be less than two years old at application, and UNLV permits unofficial scores initially before requiring official scores when applicable. ELS Level 112, CEFR B2, and MET 58 are also listed as alternative routes.

  • Choose IELTS Academic when band-level control is clearer for your preparation, because every band must reach 6.0.
  • India is not listed among UNLV’s country-based English exemptions, so request confirmation before relying on an English-medium degree for a waiver.
  • Keep the score report valid through application because an expired test can create a document deficiency even when the score meets the threshold.
Tip for Indian students: Calculate the GPA rule from your transcript, then align English, recommendations, and Electrical Engineering coursework to the chosen track.

UNLV M.S. Electrical Engineering Application 2027

Spring 2027 is the target applicant-accessible intake, and international materials are due on 1 October 2026 even though the Electrical Engineering department deadline is 1 December 2026. The official deadline table marks Summer as N/A for this M.S.E., leaving Spring and Fall as the listed application cycles.

UNLV states that applications and supporting documents must reach both the Graduate College and department by the applicable date. Because the portal closes at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST), Indian applicants should use the equivalent India Standard Time (IST) cutoff shown below.

Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 Deadlines

The dates below combine UNLV’s international materials rule, the Electrical Engineering M.S.E. department row, the stated admission-letter date, and the separate graduate assistantship schedule. The official graduate application deadline page controls if the portal displays a different local time.

Published stageSpring 2027Fall 2027Applicant action
Application opens1 February 20261 September 2026Prepare the file before the international cutoff
International materials deadline1 October 2026, 11:59 PM PST; 2 October 2026, 1:29 PM IST1 May 2027, 11:59 PM PST; 2 May 2027, 1:29 PM ISTSubmit the complete international file by this earlier date
Electrical Engineering M.S.E. department deadline1 December 20261 May 2027Do not use this later date when the international cutoff is earlier
Admission letter target15 November 20261 July 2027Use the letter date for visa and financial planning
Graduate assistantship deadline1 November 20261 March 2027Submit the separate funding application by its cycle deadline

For Spring 2027, the 1 October international cutoff controls your file even though the department lists 1 December. The 1 November assistantship date is a separate funding deadline, so a Spring applicant should prepare the admission and funding files in parallel.

  • Upload every required document by 1 October 2026 rather than waiting for the 1 December department date.
  • Use the 2 October 2026, 1:29 PM IST conversion as a planning aid, while treating the university portal’s displayed PST cutoff as controlling.
  • Submit the assistantship materials by 1 November 2026 because an admission file does not automatically create a funding application.

Application Documents and Sequencing

UNLV permits unofficial transcripts during initial review, but admitted students must provide official records when requested. Indian records not issued in English need certified translations, and the university asks Indian applicants for a provisional certificate when applicable.

Prepare two recommendation letters for the master’s engineering application, the English score or approved exemption evidence, and the transcript grading scale before submission. Financial certification and a bank letter are required before UNLV issues the I-20, even when an assistantship is being considered.

  • Choose the thesis or comprehensive-exam route before writing the statement because the selected academic proposition should match your preparation.
  • Ask referees to explain technical coursework, laboratory work, research, or engineering projects rather than supplying generic character references.
  • Keep official transcripts ready after an initial unofficial upload so an offer is not delayed by document verification.
Application tip: Treat 1 October 2026 as the real Spring 2027 deadline, then complete the separate 1 November assistantship submission if funding is part of your enrolment plan.

UNLV M.S. Electrical Engineering Scholarships 2027

UNLV offers funding routes for graduate engineering students, but no target-cycle award is published as a guaranteed tuition reduction for this M.S. Electrical Engineering course. The most usable routes are a College of Engineering assistantship, the engineering scholarship application, and Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) sponsorship.

UNLV’s funding guidance permits scholarships and fellowships regardless of immigration status. Many require enrolment, graduate credits, a curriculum vitae, a statement of purpose, and a recommendation provider. Funding therefore changes the financial plan only after the applicant confirms the award’s cycle, eligibility, and payment mechanics.

Funding routes for an Indian applicant are summarised below, with published values preserved as stipends or maximum sponsorships rather than converted into assumed tuition discounts.

Funding routePublished valueINR equivalentCycle and eligibilityFinancial effect
College of Engineering graduate assistantshipUS$17,000 academic-year master’s stipend scheduleINR 16.22 LakhsSpring 2027 deadline 1 November 2026; teaching or research appointment subject to department selectionTuition, fee, out-of-state waiver, and insurance benefits vary by offer
College of Engineering Scholarship ApplicationAmount varies by donor and is not publishedNot applicableGraduate applicants are eligible; 2027-28 application is expected to open around December 2026One general application; do not subtract an award before the donor value is confirmed
GPSA SponsorshipUp to US$1,250 per academic yearINR 1.19 LakhsEnrolled graduate students applying for research materials, scholarly travel, or research travel supportSupports approved academic activity and is not a tuition award

The College of Engineering schedule lists US$17,000 (INR 16.22 Lakhs) for a master’s academic-year assistantship, but that figure is not an offer to every admitted student. Request the written appointment terms because tuition reductions, fees, insurance, hours, and renewal conditions can differ.

Many named Graduate College awards carry conditions such as prior UNLV credits, team membership, American Indian Alliance membership, or federal financial-aid eligibility. Those conditions make them unsuitable as general entry funding for an Indian applicant unless the applicant independently satisfies the stated restriction.

  • Submit the Spring 2027 assistantship file by 1 November 2026 because admission and assistantship review are separate processes.
  • Monitor the College of Engineering scholarship application around December 2026 for the 2027-28 route, then confirm the donor amount before revising the budget.
  • Reserve GPSA sponsorship for eligible research or travel expenditure after enrolment because its published maximum does not reduce the initial tuition invoice.

Read More: scholarships for Indian students in the USA

Funding reality

The assistantship stipend schedule is the only substantial published engineering figure, but an appointment is not assured and its fee benefits vary. Build the admission budget without subtracting US$17,000 (INR 16.22 Lakhs), then revise it only after receiving written terms.

Scholarship reality: Funding can materially reduce the cost, but Spring 2027 applicants should meet the 1 November assistantship deadline and treat every stipend, waiver, and scholarship benefit as offer-specific.

UNLV M.S. Electrical Engineering Salary 2027

UNLV does not publish a course-cohort salary, offer rate, or placement percentage for this M.S. Electrical Engineering. The official programme evidence instead points to industry, national-laboratory, patent, and PhD pathways without quantifying their frequency.

The calculated two-year planning baseline is US$128,659 (INR 1.23 Crore). The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupation benchmark is US$125,100 (INR 1.19 Crore) mean annual wage for electrical engineers. BLS is a government labour-market measure, not a UNLV graduate salary, so it cannot establish payback.

Career evidence by scope keeps the course-specific gap separate from the broader occupation benchmark, which matters because a market average cannot prove a graduate outcome.

Evidence scopePublished evidenceMeaning for an applicant
Course-cohort outcomeNo course-specific salary, offer-rate, placement, or employer report is publishedDo not treat any benchmark as a UNLV outcome
UNLV programme evidenceThe programme identifies industry, national laboratories, patent work, and PhD continuation as possible directionsTrack and research fit must be tested against the intended role
External occupation benchmarkBLS May 2025 mean annual wage: US$125,100Use INR 1.19 Crore only as broad gross-pay context, not starting salary

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

ROI and Career Risk

ROI is rational only when the applicant values Electrical Engineering specialisation and can fund a two-year commitment without assuming the BLS benchmark. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the post-completion work authorisation available to eligible F-1 students, but it depends on immigration compliance and qualifying employment.

  • The calculated two-year baseline is US$128,659 (INR 1.23 Crore), so seek written funding before borrowing.
  • Because UNLV publishes no course salary or offer rate, request recent Electrical and Computer Engineering career destinations and build the decision without assuming placement support.
  • The BLS mean is gross occupation data rather than a starting salary, so use a current American tax calculator and include relocation and loan interest.
  • A 12-month OPT period and possible 24-month extension for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics degrees create a work-authorisation window, not an employment promise.
  • For an India-return plan, exclude the American benchmark and request role-specific Indian compensation evidence because UNLV has not published a course outcome.

Student perspective

One 11 July 2024 review from an M.S. Aerospace Engineering student, not this Electrical Engineering course, described tuition as expensive and raised concerns about exam evaluation and placement support. Use this isolated anecdote to ask the department about assessment feedback and career services, not to infer this course’s outcomes, through the validated student reviews page.

These comments are anecdotal and do not replace official University of Nevada, Las Vegas data.

ROI reality: No course employment report is published, so secure funding terms and track-specific career evidence before committing INR 1.23 Crore.

USA Visa for UNLV M.S. Electrical Engineering Students 2027

International applicants need F-1 (academic student) status for this full-time, on-campus degree. F-1 status requires a valid Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status), and UNLV requires financial certification and a bank letter before issuing it.

The I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee is separate from the visa application charge and university costs. A possible post-study sequence is Optional Practical Training (OPT), followed by H-1B (specialty-occupation work status) sponsorship, while permanent residence (PR) has no fixed course-linked timeline.

  • Budget the US$185 (INR 17,655) visa application fee and US$350 (INR 33,401) I-901 SEVIS fee separately from university charges.
  • The current UNLV handbook specifies 12 total credits with at least 9 in person for F-1 planning, and on-campus work is limited to 20 hours weekly during term.
  • Use the 12-month OPT window and possible 24-month STEM extension only after confirming degree classification, employer eligibility, and related-job requirements.
  • H-1B selection and wage compliance control longer-term work, while PR timing depends on sponsorship, employment category, and visa availability.
  • F-2 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 degree supports a defined F-1 study route and possible OPT period, but financial documents, work authorisation conditions, and employer sponsorship remain separate approval decisions.

UNLV’s M.S. Electrical Engineering fits Indian applicants with relevant technical preparation who want advanced specialisation, research exposure, or a route toward doctoral study. The thesis and comprehensive-exam options make the academic proposition adaptable, but each demands different evidence of readiness and commitment. The material tradeoff is a calculated two-year planning baseline. That baseline is INR 1.23 Crore, and no course-cohort salary report is published. Spring 2027 applicants should submit international materials by 1 October 2026 and file the separate assistantship application by 1 November 2026.

UNLV M.S. Electrical Engineering FAQs

Ques. Is UNLV’s M.S. Electrical Engineering better for a thesis or comprehensive-exam applicant?

Ans. The thesis track fits applicants seeking hypothesis-led research, literature review, study, and oral defense. The comprehensive-exam track fits applicants prioritising advanced coursework and an exam, so match project evidence to the chosen route.

Ques. What GPA and English score should an Indian applicant show?

Ans. UNLV’s general minimum is GPA 2.75 on 4.0 overall or 3.0 on 4.0 in the last 60 credits, with approximate Indian equivalents shown above. IELTS Academic requires 6.5 with no band below 6.0, while new TOEFL iBT requires 4.0 on 1.0 to 6.0 with no component below 3.5.

Ques. What should an Indian applicant budget for two years?

Ans. The calculated planning baseline is US$128,659 (INR 1.23 Crore). It uses two annual tuition and fee estimates, two living and study estimates, two insurance estimates, and one application fee. It is not a university-published final bill, so confirm credits and funding before borrowing.

Ques. What is the actual Spring 2027 deadline, and can I apply for funding?

Ans. International materials are due 1 October 2026 at 11:59 PM PST, shown as 2 October 2026 at 1:29 PM IST. The department deadline is later, on 1 December 2026, while the separate assistantship deadline is 1 November 2026.

Ques. Can graduates work in the USA after this degree?

Ans. Eligible F-1 graduates may use 12 months of OPT and could qualify for a 24-month STEM extension after confirming degree and employer conditions. H-1B selection, wage compliance, and sponsorship are separate, so the pathway is possible but not guaranteed.


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$24773

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Books and supply$1240
Miscellaneous expenses$2908

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2023$24050
2022$23411

Scores Required

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

74 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

65 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

105 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo


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