Why get a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering?
A Masters degree gives you an opportunity to dive deeper into a technical specialty. Choosing a program that allows you to do a fully-online program, complete a thesis, or a project of equivalent scope gives you opportunities to apply your knowledge and develop the design, problem solving, and soft skills necessary to work at the leading edge. Purdue's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers all three.
Industry Demand and Increased Earning Potential
The average salaries of MSEE/MSCE engineers working in their Primary Area of Technical Competency (PATC) with 0-9 years of experience is 23% higher ($118,561) than for engineers with BSEE/BSCE degrees ($96,500).
The benefits of a Masters degree continue throughout your career. The average salaries of MSEE/MSCE engineers working in their PATC with 20-29 years of experience is 12% higher ($184,000) than for engineers with BSEE/BSCE degrees ($164,000).
As careers progress, engineers with MS degrees find opportunities to lead teams as Technical Managers where the average salaries ($198,000) is 27% higher that for engineers working in their PATC without management responsibility ($155,305).
While the total number of jobs that require only a BSEE degree is larger than for MSEE degrees, there is strong demand from industry for engineers with Masters degrees to work on the most interesting, difficult, and promising technical challenges. For EE’s and CE’s, working in their PATC, 21.1% have BSEE/BSCE degrees and 21.7% have MSEE/MSCE degrees (28% have Ph. D’s).
Source: IEEE-USA 2023 Salary and Benefits Survey Report
MSECE vs. MBA?
An MS degree will give you the technical knowledge and skills to work at the leading edge of electronics. A Professional MS degree helps you acquire the related business, management, and leadership skills that will prepare you for opportunities in technical management. For students looking to use their BSECE degree as a springboard to a broader, non-technical career in management, the MBA is a good choice. It’s not all uncommon for engineers to obtain both the MS and MBA degrees. Purdue’s two-year, combined MS/MBA degree is a good option for students interested in this path (https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/InfoFor/DualDegrees).
Decide what’s right for you
You’ll need to decide for yourself whether an MS degree is for you, but if you enjoy working on hard and important problems and leading teams that push the state-of-the-art in technology, you will want to consider a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Why Purdue?
Purdue’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering is one of the top programs in the world (top 10 in the U.S.) where you’ll learn from an extraordinary faculty of more than 100 and interact with outstanding graduate students from across the globe. ECE Facts & Figures
Purdue’s College of Engineering has been one of the nation’s largest and strongest programs since its beginnings in 1875. Today with more than 12,000 students and more than 450 faculty, Purdue is known across the world for its excellence and scale. COE Facts & Figures
Purdue University is a world-renowned, public research university that advances discoveries in science, technology, engineering, agriculture and more. With an enrollment of more than 40,000 students, it is the number 1 U.S. destination for International students in the STEM disciplines. Purdue University
The West Lafayette/Lafayette Indiana community is rich in history and offers much to do when you need to relax and recharge. Visit Lafayette - West Lafayette