Illinois Institute of Technology MS in Electrical Engineering: Fees, Living Costs, Test Scores, Visa Process, Work during Study, Entry Requirements.

Illinois Institute of Technology Master of Science [M.S] Electrical Engineering Fees, Deadlines, Eligibility etc.

Chicago, IllinoisLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1890established year
7164enrollment
Private (Not for Profit)
7.4/10

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

2 years
Full Time
On Campus

$33,318 /Yr

5 Students Applied
3 Students Admitted
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Oct 27, 2026

Illinois Institute of Technology Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is a 30-credit graduate degree completed in three full-time semesters on campus in Chicago. Spring 2027 applicants need a four-year bachelor’s degree, normally in electrical or computer engineering. They also need a 3.0/4.0 GPA, about 60% to 65% or CGPA 7.0 to 7.5/10; tuition is US$57,750 (INR 54.83 Lakhs).

The curriculum combines theoretical and applied electrical engineering across signal processing, microelectronics, power and control, with coursework-only and six-credit thesis routes. It best suits technically prepared applicants who want specialization choice, while the thesis route demands early faculty alignment and is recommended for doctoral study.

  • Optional specializations let students formalise a focus in Power Systems and Power Electronics or Microelectronics.
  • At least 18 of the 30 credits must be completed through courses numbered at the 500 level or higher.
  • The on-campus programme is STEM-designated and meets F-1 student visa requirements.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 15 November 2026.

The form opened on 1 July 2026, so submit complete academic and English documents before the international deadline. Financial documents and the enrollment deposit follow by 1 December 2026.

Also Check: Illinois Tech graduate admission

Illinois Tech M.S. Electrical Engineering Fees and Living Costs 2027

The 2026-27 graduate rate is US$1,925 per credit (INR 1.83 Lakhs), making 30-credit tuition US$57,750 (INR 54.83 Lakhs). Illinois Tech publishes this rate for Spring and Summer 2027, while later-year rates may change.

Spring 2027 fee basis: The amounts below come from Illinois Tech’s current graduate fee schedule and apply to the on-campus programme. Course-specific laboratory charges remain unpublished, so they are not included.

Cost itemAmount in US$INR equivalent
Tuition per creditUS$1,925INR 1.83 Lakhs
Calculated 30-credit tuitionUS$57,750INR 54.83 Lakhs
Graduate application feeUS$100INR 9,495
Admission depositUS$300INR 28,484
Full-time activity fee per semesterUS$125INR 11,869
New full-time student service fee per semesterUS$800INR 75,958
Annual health insuranceUS$2,510INR 2.38 Lakhs
Optional UPass per Fall or Spring semesterUS$155INR 14,717

Source: Illinois Tech Student Accounting, 2026-27 graduate tuition and fees; 30 credits from the 2026-27 graduate catalog.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 94.9481 as of 26 October 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

  • The tuition total is calculated as 30 credits multiplied by US$1,925 (INR 1.83 Lakhs), not a university-published flat programme price.
  • Three semesters of currently published activity and service fees total US$2,775 (INR 2.63 Lakhs), before insurance, transport and course charges.
  • A Spring starter should request partial-year insurance pricing because Illinois Tech publishes only the annual US$2,510 (INR 2.38 Lakhs) charge.

Cost of Living in Chicago for Electrical Engineering Students

Illinois Tech estimates US$23,255 (INR 22.08 Lakhs) for nine months of housing, food, books, transportation and personal costs. The monthly figures below divide each official component by nine for budgeting.

ExpenseMonthly in US$INR monthly equivalentNine months in US$INR nine-month equivalent
HousingUS$1,300INR 1.23 LakhsUS$11,700INR 11.11 Lakhs
FoodUS$550INR 52,221US$4,950INR 4.70 Lakhs
Books and suppliesUS$111.67INR 10,603US$1,005INR 95,423
TransportationUS$233.33INR 22,155US$2,100INR 1.99 Lakhs
Personal and miscellaneousUS$388.89INR 36,924US$3,500INR 3.32 Lakhs
TotalUS$2,583.89INR 2.45 LakhsUS$23,255INR 22.08 Lakhs

Extending the official monthly average across 18 months gives US$46,510 (INR 44.16 Lakhs) for living costs. A calculated planning total is US$109,945 (INR 1.04 Crore), combining tuition, three-semester fees, application, deposit, one annual insurance charge and that living estimate.

The planning total is not a university bill because later tuition, second-year insurance and course charges are unpublished. Indian applicants should preserve a separate buffer instead of treating INR 1.04 Crore as a funding ceiling.

Read More: cost of living in the USA

ROI reality: Tuition alone is INR 54.83 Lakhs, while the 18-month planning total reaches INR 1.04 Crore before unpublished later-cycle charges. Secure funding headroom before paying the admission deposit.

Illinois Tech M.S. Electrical Engineering Admission 2027

Regular admission requires a 3.0/4.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA and sufficient electrical engineering preparation. Meeting that threshold permits review, but the published programme page does not provide an admitted-class GPA or acceptance rate.

Spring 2027 academic requirements: Illinois Tech evaluates international credentials directly, so the Indian equivalents below are approximate planning ranges rather than automatic conversions.

CriterionPublished requirementApplicant implication
DegreeFour-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institutionElectrical or computer engineering is the normal preparation
Minimum GPA3.0 on a 4.0 scale, approximately 60% to 65% or CGPA 7.0 to 7.5/10Illinois Tech makes the official credential and GPA equivalency decision
Non-electrical engineering backgroundProficiency in circuits, digital systems, electrodynamics, signals, electronics, multivariate calculus and differential equationsMissing foundations may require courses or satisfactory departmental examinations
GREOptional for master’s applicants under the current graduate admission policyNo current M.S. Electrical Engineering score benchmark is published
Work experienceNo minimum publishedAcademic preparation and programme alignment remain the evidence to demonstrate

The programme accepts a coursework-only plan or a thesis plan, so applicants should connect preparation to the intended route. A thesis applicant needs evidence of research readiness, while a coursework applicant should map prior modules to one technical concentration.

The university’s three-year Indian degree exceptions do not list Electrical and Computer Engineering. An applicant holding only a three-year bachelor’s degree should obtain written eligibility confirmation before paying the US$100 (INR 9,495) application fee.

English Language Proficiency

International applicants must prove English proficiency unless they meet a published exemption route. For tests taken after 21 January 2026, Illinois Tech uses the revised TOEFL iBT 1.0 to 6.0 scale.

RouteCurrent requirement
TOEFL iBT taken on or after 21 January 20264.5 overall and 4.5 in each subsection
IELTS Academic6.5 overall and 6.0 in each subsection
Duolingo English Test115 overall and 110 in each subsection
India-specific English routeDegree from a NAAC A institution plus at least 60% in undergraduate English
Medium of Instruction routeRegistrar-issued letter for eligible NAAC A graduates who studied another first or second language
  • Choose IELTS when subsection control is stronger because every band must reach 6.0 even when the overall score is 6.5.
  • TOEFL candidates testing now must prepare for Illinois Tech’s published 1.0 to 6.0 requirements rather than self-converting an older score.
  • Applicants using the India waiver should secure accreditation and English-course evidence before submitting because conditional English study may otherwise be assigned.

Illinois Tech may offer conditional admission with concurrent or prior English study when the minimum is missed. Check the official English requirements before ordering a score report because the TOEFL scale changed in 2026.

Tip for Indian students: The 3.0/4.0 minimum is only the eligibility floor, while missing circuit or signals foundations can add coursework. Build a transcript map before submitting.

Illinois Tech M.S. Electrical Engineering Application 2027

The next applicant-accessible entry is Spring 2027, with a final international deadline of 15 November 2026. Illinois Tech normally issues a decision two to four weeks after receiving every required item.

Published master’s calendar: The central graduate schedule lists Spring, Summer and Fall entry, and the Electrical Engineering page publishes no different calendar. Closed priority dates are omitted from the forward-looking plan below.

EntryApplications openPriority deadlineInternational final deadlineFinancial documents
Spring 20271 July 2026Closed on 15 October 202615 November 20261 December 2026
Summer 20271 September 202631 January 202715 March 20271 April 2027
Fall 20271 September 202631 January 202715 June 2027 for applicants outside the United States7 July 2027

The university publishes deadline dates without a portal cutoff time or timezone, so a precise IST conversion is unavailable. An Indian applicant should use 14 November 2026 IST as a personal submission limit for Spring entry.

Application Documents and Positioning

A complete file combines verified academic records with a focused case for one electrical engineering direction. The statement should connect prior modules or projects to signal processing, microelectronics, power systems or control rather than repeat a general interest in technology.

  • Upload original transcripts, semester mark sheets and the final or provisional degree certificate in PDF format.
  • Use the resume to evidence circuit design, embedded systems, power, communications or research work relevant to the chosen route.
  • Ask one academic or professional recommender to assess technical preparation when the department requests a master’s recommendation.
  • Submit an accepted English score or documented India-specific waiver evidence, while treating the GRE as optional.

The coursework route rewards a coherent specialization plan, while the thesis route needs a plausible research question and prospective faculty alignment. Submit through the official graduate application portal only after every uploaded mark sheet is legible.

Applicants meeting the published deadline receive automatic consideration for graduate scholarships and departmental assistantships. However, funding is limited, so a Spring applicant should not delay until the final date when the priority round has already closed.

Check Out: US university application process

Application tip: Spring 2027 remains open through 15 November 2026, but the funding-priority date has passed. Submit a complete technical narrative and preserve an unfunded budget scenario.

Illinois Tech M.S. Electrical Engineering Scholarships 2027

Illinois Tech automatically considers graduate applicants for institutional scholarships and departmental funding during admission review. Current pages do not publish Spring 2027 award values, so no reduction is applied to the tuition or budget calculations.

Current published funding routes: Each route below can support an eligible Electrical Engineering applicant, but selection and available funding remain competitive.

Funding routeSupport and eligibilityApplication routeTiming
Graduate Pathway ScholarshipMerit-based tuition scholarship for admitted master’s studentsAutomatic consideration with admissionApply by the programme deadline
Institutional Graduate ScholarshipTuition support for applicants with competitive academic credentialsAutomatic consideration with the university applicationNotification normally accompanies admission or follows shortly
Departmental FellowshipMay defray tuition and/or provide a living stipend for selected full-time studentsConsidered by the academic departmentFunding availability governs selection
Teaching AssistantshipTeaching duties with a tuition scholarship and stipend under the published assistantship policyDepartmental appointmentLimited awards are normally communicated with admission
Research AssistantshipFaculty-funded research work with a tuition scholarship and stipendDepartment or faculty appointmentDepends on research grants and project fit

Approximately 30% to 40% of Illinois Tech graduate students receive scholarships annually, but this is a university-level figure rather than an M.S. Electrical Engineering probability. The evidence supports building a funding case, not assuming an award.

  • Use the statement and resume to match one departmental research area because assistantships depend on technical fit and available projects.
  • Keep the gross US$57,750 tuition (INR 54.83 Lakhs) in the funding plan until a written award states its value and duration.
  • Check whether an award covers tuition only because student service fees, insurance and living costs may remain payable.

The Spring 2027 priority deadline closed on 15 October 2026, while the international final deadline is 15 November 2026. Automatic consideration continues for complete applications meeting the published deadline, but limited departmental funds may already be allocated.

Also Check: Illinois Tech scholarships

Scholarship reality: No Spring 2027 award value is published, and departmental support is limited. Treat every award as zero until the admission letter confirms its amount and conditions.

Illinois Tech M.S. Electrical Engineering Salary 2027

Illinois Tech does not publish a course-cohort salary or offer rate for the M.S. Electrical Engineering. University-level 2025 evidence reports 86% of master’s and doctoral graduates secured full-time employment within six months, not an M.S. EE placement rate.

Evidence scope matters: The official course page provides individual alumni examples, while the university supplies a broader advanced-degree outcome. Neither source establishes a typical M.S. Electrical Engineering result.

Evidence scopePublished outcomeHow to use it
University advanced degrees, Class of 202586% secured full-time employment within six monthsBroad institutional context only
Individual M.S. EE alumnus, 1999Head Scientist for Amazon AlexaCareer possibility, not cohort probability
Individual EE and M.S. EE alumna, 2022Technical Program Manager at TeslaOne applied career path
Individual M.S. EE alumnus, 2021DOE fellowship work on quantum computers at FermilabResearch pathway example

These examples span different years and career stages, so they cannot support a salary forecast. They do show that coursework, thesis research and specialisation can lead toward distinct technical or research pathways.

Electrical Engineering Market Benchmarks

The latest national wage data below are May 2025 US labour-market medians, not Illinois Tech graduate salaries. Their value is in sizing occupational opportunity after choosing a matching specialisation.

External benchmarkAnnual pay in US$INR annual equivalent
Electrical engineers, national medianUS$120,630INR 1.15 Crore
Electronics engineers except computer, national medianUS$130,220INR 1.24 Crore
Electrical engineers in aerospace manufacturing, medianUS$141,160INR 1.34 Crore
Electrical engineers in research and development, medianUS$135,230INR 1.28 Crore
Electrical engineers in electric power, medianUS$122,430INR 1.16 Crore

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics electrical engineering data, May 2025.

Gross pay varies by occupation, geography and experience, while take-home pay also depends on federal and state tax. Use the IRS tax withholding estimator after receiving an actual offer.

Return on Investment for Indian Applicants

The calculated US$109,945 (INR 1.04 Crore) planning cost must be judged against uncertain course-level outcomes. The national wage benchmarks are unsuitable for a guaranteed payback calculation because they cover workers at many experience levels.

  • The US$57,750 tuition (INR 54.83 Lakhs) is fixed only at the 2026-27 rate, so preserve borrowing capacity for later-cycle increases.
  • The US$120,630 electrical engineer median (INR 1.15 Crore) is gross occupational pay, so never size loan repayment from that benchmark alone.
  • STEM designation may allow up to 36 months of OPT work, making employer eligibility and specialisation-aligned experience central to the US case.
  • The 86% university advanced-degree employment figure lacks programme detail, so request electrical engineering outcomes before accepting a high-interest loan.
  • An India-return plan should use Indian role offers and compensation because US medians do not transfer across labour markets or tax systems.
ROI reality: The curriculum supports several valuable technical paths, but published evidence cannot prove a course-specific payback period. Funding terms and a credible specialisation-to-role plan should drive the decision.

USA Visa for Illinois Tech M.S. Electrical Engineering Students 2027

The on-campus programme meets F-1 student classification requirements and is STEM-designated. Visa issuance, work authorisation and later employer sponsorship remain separate decisions from admission.

  • Government filing costs include a US$185 (INR 17,565) visa fee and US$350 (INR 33,232) SEVIS fee, totaling US$535 (INR 50,797).
  • OPT (Optional Practical Training) provides 12 months, while eligible STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) graduates may seek a 24-month extension.
  • An H-1B employer must pay the higher applicable actual or prevailing wage because the category has no single national salary threshold.
  • An F-2 spouse or unmarried child under 21 may accompany the student but cannot work, and the degree creates no automatic permanent residence route.

Read More: F-1 student visa process

Visa reality: STEM eligibility can extend the work window to 36 months, but it does not guarantee a qualifying job or sponsorship. Evaluate employers and role alignment before relying on US earnings.

Illinois Tech M.S. Electrical Engineering Ranking 2027

Illinois Tech reports Electrical Engineering among the top 100 US graduate engineering specialties in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 edition. The ranking applies to the graduate specialty, not this individual master’s curriculum.

Programme-relevant ranking evidence: Only the subject-level result is included because overall university rankings cannot establish M.S. Electrical Engineering teaching quality or employment outcomes.

Publisher and editionRanked scopePositionInterpretation
U.S. News & World Report 2025Graduate Electrical Engineering specialty in the United StatesTop 100Department-level signal, not a placement measure

The subject result can support an initial shortlist, but curriculum route, faculty fit and funding determine the personal value. Thesis candidates should prioritise research alignment, while coursework candidates should inspect their intended specialisation modules.

Check Out: Illinois Tech subject rankings

Honest take: A top-100 graduate specialty supports academic visibility, but it does not resolve the course’s unpublished salary evidence. Use ranking only after cost, route and faculty fit pass review.

Illinois Tech’s M.S. Electrical Engineering fits applicants with strong circuit and mathematical foundations who want depth across power, microelectronics or signal processing. The thesis option strengthens its research value, while the coursework route supports structured technical specialisation. Its material tradeoff is an INR 1.04 Crore planning cost without course-cohort salary evidence. Before committing, secure an affordable funding structure and map one curriculum route to a credible host-country or India-return role.

Illinois Tech M.S. Electrical Engineering FAQs

Ques. Is Illinois Tech’s M.S. Electrical Engineering worth the cost for an Indian student?

Ans. The programme can fit an applicant targeting power, microelectronics or signal processing with a defined role plan. However, the calculated US$109,945 (INR 1.04 Crore) budget lacks course-cohort salary validation, so funding terms must support the decision.

Ques. Can a non-electrical engineering graduate enter the Illinois Tech M.S. Electrical Engineering?

Ans. Yes, provided the applicant demonstrates proficiency across the eight published circuit, digital, signals, electronics and mathematics foundations. Missing preparation may require coursework or departmental examinations, making a transcript map essential before application.

Ques. Should an applicant choose the thesis or coursework-only route?

Ans. Choose the six-credit thesis route when a research question and faculty match support doctoral or research goals. Choose coursework-only when broader technical electives better serve an industry specialisation and no supervised thesis is needed.

Ques. What is the best application timing for Spring 2027?

Ans. The Spring funding-priority round has closed, while the international application remains open through 15 November 2026. Submit only a complete file, then retain an unfunded plan because automatic consideration does not establish award availability.

Ques. How does the STEM designation affect work options after this degree?

Ans. Eligible graduates may combine 12 months of Optional Practical Training with a 24-month STEM extension. The window supports job search and experience, but qualifying employment, employer compliance and later sponsorship remain separate requirements.


Important Alert

  • Last Day to Submit Financial Documentation for Spring intake - Dec 1, 2026

Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$33318

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Housing Cost$11700
Food$4700

Tuition Fee Per Credit- $1,851

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2024$29616
2023$30816
2021$51648

Important Dates

EventApplication Date
Application Deadline For Summer Intake Sep 1, 2025 - Mar 15, 2026
Last Day to Submit Financial Documentation for Summer intake Apr 1, 2026
Application Deadline For Fall Intake Sep 1, 2025 - Jun 15, 2026
Last Day to Submit Financial Documentation for Fall intake Jul 7, 2026
Application Deadline For Spring Intake Jul 1, 2026 - Nov 15, 2026
Last Day to Submit Financial Documentation for Spring intake Dec 1, 2026

Scores Required

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

80 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

115 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo

100

Application Fees

32

ECTS Credits


Ranking

2026202520242023202220212019

Collegedunia Study Abroad logo

QS World University logo
Engineering 401 out of 556 in Global Ranking
( #54 out of 74 in USA 2026)

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TOP Scholarships

Scholarship nameAward amountEligibility
Graduate Pathway ScholarshipTuition fee of 2 consecutive semesterHave received an Offer for Full time study, on campus course.



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Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids

NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
QS Connect Master’s ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 5,000/Yr$5,000Level Of StudyMasterTypeMerit-Based
Go Clean ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 3,500/Yr$3,500Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Business Administration ScholarshipsScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Novus Biological Scholarship ProgramScholarship per student$ 1,500/Yr$1,500Level Of StudyAssociateTypeMerit-Based
Washington DC ScholarshipsScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
TEC ScholarshipScholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based

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USD 33,318 /Yr
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • TOEFL: 80
  • Duolingo: 115

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