Applying to graduate school and wondering what’s the average GRE score for engineering programs? Want to know what score you need to get accepted to the best engineering schools? Unfortunately, the average scores vary greatly by school and not all schools are forthcoming with their admittance scores. Luckily for you, each year, the US News and World Report is kind enough gather whatever score data they can get from graduate schools and put it all together for us in a nifty little book and website.
For engineering programs, the report tells us the average quantitative GRE scores for admitted students in the top 100 engineering programs. Everyone knows that for engineers, math is more than a little important. While we can’t exactly infer the average math scores across all programs nationwide with just this data, we can compare it to the data released by the ETS that show scores by intended major.
Average GRE Scores for engineering – accepted and aspiring
| Accepted and Intended | Avg Quant Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Top 10 Engineering | 162.8 | 88 |
| #11-25 Engineering | 162.1 | 87 |
| #26-50 Engineering | 161.8 | 86 |
| #51-100 Engineering | 159.8 | 84 |
| Top 100 Engineering | 161.2 | 86 |
| Intended Applicants | 158.9 | 79 |
| ALL GRE test takers | 151.4 | 50 |
You can see that for aspiring engineering majors, the bar is pretty high for your quantitative GRE scores. If the average for the top 100 engineering programs is 161 and the average score of all engineering program aspirants is 159, there’s not a whole lot of breathing room for the rest of the programs. But you should remember that averages include scores above and below the average, so a 157 in math won’t kill your admission chances, but it will put you behind your peers.
Verbal score for engineering?
So where’s the verbal data? Well according to the ETS, the average verbal score for engineering aspirants is 149, which puts it right at the average for all GRE test takers. What does that mean for you? Well, while an average GRE quantitative score will put you at a major disadvantage in your application, an average verbal score will put you right in the middle of the pack. That’s not say don’t study for verbal! Definitely check with your intended schools and see what information they reveal about the weight of verbal scores. It could be that scoring in the 75th percentile puts you ahead, or it could be that only your quantitative score is important. That might ultimately be a mystery, but just keep in mind that scoring around average in verbal won’t be killer.
Average GRE scores for engineering focus
The ETS also breaks down the scores by intended engineering focus:
| Engineering Focus | Verbal | Quantitative |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | 153 | 160 |
| Civil Engineering | 150 | 158 |
| Electrical Engineering | 148 | 159 |
| Industrial Engineering | 149 | 159 |
| Materials Engineering | 153 | 161 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 151 | 159 |
| Other | 153 | 159 |
Again, you can see there’s not a whole lot of flexibility in scores, but that’s not surprising, given the quantitative nature of engineering.
What GRE score do you need for engineering?
While there is no magic bullet score that will get you in to the best engineering schools, a quantitative score around 159 will put you in average company. Therefore, you should try to get into the 160s. Again, that’s not a ton of breathing room, but, hey, you want to be an engineer? You should probably be pretty decent at math.
How do you get a score good enough to get in?
The answer to this tough question depends on your available time and skill level in math (and verbal!). First you’ll need a good study plan, probably a math focused one. A lot of Magoosh students have used these schedules to great success. You’ll also need some good GRE resources. Be careful, there’s a lot of GRE prep materials out on the market to sift through, and a lot of it’s not great. My colleague Chris Lele has reviewed the major GRE prep books and it’s worth a read. And of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend checking out Magoosh, as our students regularly experience strong gains in quantitative scores.
**UPDATE!**
Due to the overwhelming response in the comments, I’ve had to shut them off, so some final advice for those in search of whether or not your scores are good:
1. Remember that schools assess more than your GRE
2. The internet is your friend. Go through US News and then check the internet for schools that seem like a good fit.
3. Snoop on the forums for more specific advice. There are always people willing to help there.
4. If you still have questions, don’t be afraid to reach out to admissions committees, professors, current students.
Good luck everyone!
More from Magoosh
By the way, students who use Magoosh GRE improve their scores on average by 8 points on the new scale (150 points on the old scale.) Click here to learn more.
Hey Chris !
I will be awarded a Masters Degree in Mechanical engineering from an Indian University in May 2014. Having said that, will it affect the required GRE score to get into top 10 US Universities for pursuing MS in Mechanical Engineering field?
Hey Rahul! It’s impossible to be certain, especially in a rare-ish circumstance like yours. Definitely reach out to adcoms and see what they think!
Best,
Chris
What is the chances of getting into a top 10 electrical engineering PhD program with the following scores:
GRE
170Q
162V
5.5 writing
GPA: 2.7
I think my GRE scores are high, and my GPA is low. Can my High GRE scores carry me?
Your GPA is definitely low, but it’s impossible to say for certain whether or not it will hold you back. Reach out the schools you want to apply to and see how you can minimize the negative effect of a low GPA.
Best,
Chris S
hey.i have completed my engineering and planing for MS in US…but my academics GPA is too low i.e 5.3
beside this i have 1 IEEE paper publication, 2 international conference paper publication , 1 national conference paper publication and 6 monts of industrial training…
iam palning to give GRE…
if any chances to admit in good universities in usa for Computer science…please suggest me what gre score should i expect…
Hey Shashank! Hard to say for certain. A bad GPA could be wiped away by a great GRE. Definitely make sure you rock it!
Best,
Chris S
many thanks Chris, u r doing a very great job here that is really helpful to many people.
u and ur team in Magoosh r fantastic, that’s the truth !
I have read all ur comments here, u really make our way to the future shorter, thanks a lot Chris!
Thanks Hani! Glad to help!
Best,
Chris S
Hey Chris !
I gave my GRE recently and got a score of 313 ( Q -166 – 93% & V – 147 – 32%, AWA – 3.5) . I’ve two years of experience in Software development field and I’m planning to do MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering. My undergrad GPA is 6.74/10, which I feel is a major drawback in my profile.
I would like to know if its a good idea to apply to universities in the range #25 – #53 in US News & World Report with my current profile.
Thanks !
Hey Thejas! Hard to say exactly, best to check the forums and directly with the school!
Best,
Chris S
Hey Chris
My scores for GRE are 322 (Quant: 164 ,Verbal:158) and AWA: 3.
I am yet to appear for TOEFL.
My Current CGPA is 7.9 (I have finished my 6th semester).
I wish to apply for my masters in MECHANICAL ENGINEERING for fall of 2014.
I have 2 internships.
Have participated in BAJA 2012 by SAEINDIA.
A couple of projects.
I want to do I have any possibility of getting into top ones like Purdue,Carnegie Melon,GaTech,ASU or any where in top 10-15 for Mechanical Engg.
Because I may consider to retake GRE is if 322 wont be enough to get into these ones.
Also I wish to know will my low score in AWA i.e 3 be a problem by any means.
Also I may increment my Undergrad scores to 8 or 8.1 (in 7th semester) but that will be in mid december this year. So will it be possible to send those scores as well or I have to send my scores till 6th semester only.
Thanks.
Hey! You’re right around the average, maybe on the low end for some the more elite programs. I’d reach out to adcoms to see if they can get you in contact with current students and professors.
Best,
Chris S
Thanks a lot Chris.
Hey Chris, it’s really good that people like you are there to guide us, because frankly speaking, I am clueless here. I’ve scored a 328 in my GRE, 161(86th percentile) in verbal and 167(96th percentile) in quant and a 4 in AWA(I know it’s not great). I also have a CGPA of 9.24/10. I want to pursue masters in Computer Science. Which schools should I apply?
Hey Nikita! Those are great scores! Definitely check out the US News report I mentioned and see where your interests/scores line up.
Best,
Chris S
Hi Chris,.
I am undergoing an UG course in industrial engineering and is yet to take the gre…Apart from a good gre score and gpa what can i do to make my profile appealing…
I think the best bet is to do a lot of research on the schools you’d like to attend. Make sure you’re specific in your study goals and career goals. Then as the time nears, reach out to professors and current students to get a feel if the school’s a good fit.
Best,
Chris S
I have scored 330 in GRE (170 Q+ 160 V). My TOEFL score is 112. I am doing B.TECH in Computer Engineering from NIT. My current CGPA 7.7/10. I had scored 98% ( 100% in Maths, 99% in Chem & 95 % in Phy) marks in XII (CBSE, India) Examination. I want to apply for MS in Computer Science/Engineering in the Top 10 Engineering Schools viz. Carnegie Melon, UT Austin, Cornell , UCLA, plus some other schools ranked in the range 10-20 .
Please let me know if I will have a chance of getting admission in these dream schools.
Eagerly awaiting your reply.
Hey Chirag! You’ve got some amazing GRE scores! Not to mention your TOEFL scores are really great and your undergrad is pretty good as well. Those are all signs that you should definitely give it a shot!
There’s never any guarantee with such high competition, but you fit the profile well.
Best,
Chris S
Hey Chris,
I am also one of the aspirants who dreams for MS in USA. I have yet not taken GRE nor TOEFL .I have done my B.E. in Civil (2013) and CGPA is 6.41 up to the 7th Semester on the scale of 10 (Too poor i know). What should be the minimum GRE score, i should aim at? I know you have stated, min. required score varies from college to college but, looking at my weak academic’s what score would you suggest so that it covers up some of my negative points? Or else I should give up my dream, frankly speaking i don’t wanna give up at any cost!
Hey Kush!
Honestly the best answer for you is to get some work experience under your belt and then blow the GRE out of the water. You’ve got to be above average at whatever school your applying. Work experience and a great GRE will help distance you from your undergrad GPA.
Best,
Chris S
Hi Chris,
I’ve been following magoosh blog throughout the period of my GRE preparation and let me first say that you guys are doing a great job!
Now, I took my GRE yesterday and got 161 in quant and 163 in verbal. Now here’s the problem : 161 in quant has been a bit of a let down for me because in the two ETS practice tests(CAT) I got 163 &164. In Manahattan practice tests I got 163+ in all of them with the results in last two tests being 166. As you can see, my preparation was basically verbal intensive (to get my verbal score above 160).
Is 161 going to be a problem for me when applying to top engineering programs? My academics are above average (8.0/10 CGPA)
Hey Priti!
Your scores are pretty great, though I suppose they don’t reflect the typical GRE scores of an engineering applicant. Naturally there’s some variance between practice tests and actual tests. In Magoosh’s dashboard, we provide a projected range of scores since it’s impossible to say exactly what your score will be on test day. If you really feel you can do better, then study up and do!
Best,
Chris S
Thanks Chris! Can you provide me the link to the projected range of scores you mentioned above?
Hey Priti. I was referring to the range provided when you’re a premium member of Magoosh (and have access to over 1000 practice questions).
You’ve got to sign-up and answer at least 50 questions per section to get a projection!
Best,
Chris
Hi Chris!
Thanks a lot for the informative blog, first of all.
I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, and in the future, hope to make it to an international graduate school for my masters. I’ve just finished my second year and my GPA is 8.34/10, which I imagine is a little on the lower side. I will try and pull it up as much as I can in the upcoming two years. At any rate, it keeps me very worried, so I’m wondering if you could throw some light on the issue. It has me worried because my GPA is actually lower because of Cs and Ds in Math courses, essentially, with most of the rest being straight As. And I’m actually not bad at Math, there’s just some issues which caused the string of bad grades. Nevertheless, I think it can badly affect my chances of admission, seeing as how you’ve stressed good Math being an essential requirement.
I’m going to try and offset it as much as I can by doing well in the GRE (for which I will now begin my preparation in earnest). I’ve got two more years of my undergraduate program to go, of course, and any tips you could offer (for GRE prep and just improving my application in general) would be very useful.
Once again, thanks for your time.
P.S. I’ve always wanted to study at Yale and UPenn, btw, for whatever reasons.
You’ve still got time to work things out grade-wise. I recommend getting into some tough math classes your last two years and knocking ‘em dead. That and a good GRE quant score will help immensely in your application.
Best,
Chris S
Hi Chris,
I recently came across this blog….and found it really helpful…
I need some suggestion from u…
My GRE Score is 305(Q – 159/V – 146) and IELTS band 7.
My undergraduate percentage is 90.2% while topper’s is 90.8
I have a total of 3 years work experience as software engr at ADP.
Do you think i can get into these universities for MS in CS…
Texas A&M University-College Station
Indiana university bloomington
University of Minnesota Twin cities
Purdue University-West Lafayette(as gre scores are not required for this)
Please suggest some good universities if you have any in mind.
Thanks!
Hey! Your scores are a little on the low side, but your work experience might help out. Try getting in touch with someone from those schools as they’ll be able to direct you a little more clearly on what your next steps should be.
Also check out that US News article I cited. 
Best,
Chris S
HI Chris,
I have got a score of 313 (V-148, Q-165) and AW 4.5.
I have work exp of 2 years as Software Developper (C++, C#, Storage Area Networking, SQL)in TCS.
I have 76% in Engineering Bachelors, and 86% in 12th and 88% in 10th.
which among the below would accept my application -
University of Texas at Austin
Texas A& M Univ
North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UC at Sandiago
Uni of Illinois at Urbana Camp
Penn State Unive
Also please recommend me the suitable universities
‘m looking for MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering
I recommend checking out the US News report I cited as a good resource for your university research.
Best,
Chris S
Hi,
My GRE score is:
Verbal: 147
Maths: 163
Total: 310
Yet to receive TOEFL score!
- I have a CGPA of 8.77/10 (4th among 240)
- One publication
- One Journal article
- Good extra curicullar participation certificates
- 2 Year relevant job experiance (Petroleum Engineering)
- Need not to mention, above 75% 10&12th Std. scores
I want to pursue MS in petroleum engineering. There are few colleges that I have shortlisted:
1. Texas A&M College Station
2. University of Texas at Austin
3. Louisiana State University
What are my chances??
Thanks in advance.
Hey! Your scores are pretty good, so I recommend reaching out to a few people at those universities for guidance.
Best,
Chris S
Hey Chris,
The info you have provided for engineering programs GRE has helped me realize a lot. I gave my GRE in August last year and scored Quant: 162 Verbal:154, I had an undergrad gpa of 3.1. I had applied as an international student for fall this year to 8 different Programs for Masters in Computer Engineering in the US namely Stanford,CMU,Illinois,Purdue,USC,UCSD,YALE & UT Austin. Unfortunately, I did not get an offer from any of the mentioned schools due to which i started thinking that maybe I should retry my GRE’s. But after reading your post im not so sure. What do u suggest I should do??
Hey Faizan! Your scores definitely put you behind the pack at most of those schools, so if you’re really determined to get into those schools you’ve got to make them forget about the mediocre undergrad GPA and wow them with your GRE score, which means retaking it. On top of that, make sure you’re getting in touch with as many people from the school as you possibly can.
Best,
Chris S
I wrote my GRE and got 312 ( Q 159 V 153). I have a CGPA of 8.56/10 in Chemical engineering. I want to apply in Renesselaer Polytechnic Institute for Phd. Is it advisable? Can you suggest some universities wherein i should apply for phd in chemical engineering.
Hey.
Looks like Rensselaer is ranked at #38, so I don’t think your GRE scores will hold you back there, though they are a little lower than the school’s average. I would definitely be looking at schools in the #25-50 range on the US News report. 
Chris
Hello Chris, thanks for your information. I would like to ask u a question that concern me a lot. MY GPA in undergraduate was 2.10 out of 4
, while in master I got 3.76 out of 4 from UK. do you think if I got high score in GRE will help me to get accepted in a high ranked university in USA? I’m really looking to hear your advice.
Hey Hani!
It’s hard to say. If your Master’s was in a related field, then schools might be inclined to overlook a poor undergrad GPA. If the Masters was completely unrelated to what you intend to study, then you’ll have a harder time escaping that undergrad GPA. Of course this is all assuming you have a good enough GRE score to get in.
Chris
I got a score of 310 160q &150v what are the universities that I can avail for ms in civil engineering
Definitely check out the US News report to see which schools would fit your profile. Remember there’s a lot more than GRE score being considered here. If all else is good, you should be able to get into a top 50 school.
i wrote a gre test and got a score of 162 in quant and 152 in verbal.
i got a cgpa of 8.8 out of 10 in btech, 86% in intermediate and 88% in 10th.
i am looking for a ms program in electronics vlsi or wireless sensors.
(i was not physically well on the day of gre due to fever, and i am used to get above 167 in quant in mock tests but lesser score in quant of about 148.) and i am a bit disappointed at my aw score of 3.0 as well.
do i need to write gre again. or be satisfied with this.
i dont have any papers published yet.
so should i try to write it again and is it possible to get a score of above 320. i am not that great in verbal.
Hey Arun!
It’s hard to say exactly as the admissions process isn’t exactly the most lucid of processes. Of course whether or not you need to retake the test depends on the schools to which you’re applying. If you feel you can do materialistically better on the GRE, then by all means, take it again. I’d say you could probably bring up your verbal by a couple points, but you should check out this blog for more help making the decision:
Should I retake the GRE?
Best,
Chris S
Hey Chris!
I have taken my GRE yesterday and I have scored 309 ( not great though! ).
Verbal:150
Math:159
I m not sure if i will get anything with this score. I m planning on pursuing MS in financial Engineering. I have work ex of almost 2 years in the field of Analytics. Not sure how to go about it. Please help !!!!!
Hey Swati!
Unfortunately we’re not exactly admissions experts, and as I’m sure you know the admissions process is a mystery to most. Your scores look like they put you right at the average for engineering, maybe a little low for financial engineering, though. You can always try to retake it if you’re not confident in your scores!
Chris
Hi Chris,
I got a score of 330 ( Q- 165 & V-165 ) . I have a college GPA of 3.6/4.0 . I wanted to know whether this would be enough for colleges like Georgia Tech or Texas A&M (Industrial Program) ? Or would it require a retake of the GRE for the same .
I understand it would depend on a lot of other factors also but it would be helpful if u could tell me about it in general . Thanks a lot for your work on this blog . Its been a great help to me .
Thanks
Hey! Those are great scores! I definitely would recommend to not take the GRE again. If you don’t get it, it won’t be the GRE holding you back, it’ll be some other part of your application. I’d say you should spend the months leading up to app season focusing on your recommendations, essays, and if possible, research. See if you can reach out to some professors at your Unis of interest and make sure they know you’re passionate about their work. This isn’t quite as important if you’re just doing a masters as it is with a PhD.
Best,
Chris S
Hey i got 152 in verbal and 159 in quant ( Thanks to ur Materials) is it gud enuf for MS or MEng in Petroleum from any of the top univ for the course? like colleges in texas,colorado school of mines,university of alaska fairbanks?
And also my toefl score – 105/120 and 2 years work experience in Gmmco-Caterpillar india (Mechanical company). With 77.4 % in my Bachelors in mechanical engineering (2011 passout)
Hey Srinath! Unfortunately it’s hard to predict exactly whether or not you’ll make the cut. Remember there’s a lot of information that admissions committees take into consideration when making their decisions! Your GRE score puts you right in the average of mid-range schools, so just make sure the rest of your app is in order!
- Chris
Hi Magoosh!
I am one of your students, and I took the GRE exam today.
My temporary scores are 170 in quantitative and 152 in verbal.
I will report my official scores to you once I have them.
By the way, the prep materials which you provide are truly helpful ! Thanks!
That’s great to hear! A 170 in quant is out of this world amazing! I’m really glad Magoosh could help!
Chris S
Hi Chris.
I’ve given my GRE recently and my score is 310 (161Q + 149V) ~ 1210 (770+440) and my AW is 3.0. I’m actually planning to do my masters in computer science in some really good colleges like Georgia Tech, UT-Austin, TAMU or NCSU.
I’m in a dilemma now to retake the GRE or my profile would be good enough to get into. So, I’m listing a briefing of my profile here. Please advice me whether it’s good to retake or i’m already crossed the required threshold to get into this kind of schools.
p.s. some students in UT-Austin, whom i contacted, were saying that they just need a 1200 as a basic cutoff and after all it depends on profile. Similarly you have any idea on overall situation of these top engineering schools.
My profile:
-> GRE: 310 (161Q + 149V) ~ 1210 as per old GRE (770Q + 440V)
-> Acad: 75% Engg (JNTU, AP), 92% Intermediate, 87% 10th.
-> Work exp: 4 years as a software engineer in one of the prestigious US based MNCs in IT industry
-> Projects: Finalist IBM’s TGMC (The Great Minds Challenge), Down link scheduling algorithms performance analysis in WIMAX networks
-> Certifications: OCP (DBA), OCA (SQL/PL-SQL Dev), SCJP – 7 certified
-> No publications yet (I’m in process of publishing one) but I have my own blog (http://querycsm.wordpress.com) through which I’ve written more than 25 articles related to Oracle Database technology
-> Architectured and implemented couple of research projects in my company.
-> Silver medal holder in OTN (Oracle Technology Network) forums
Your suggestion may greatly help me!!
Thanks in advance.
Chandu
Hey Chandu! Your scores look like they put you in the running with a lot of the other applicants, so I’d say that shouldn’t hold you back. Unfortunately, I can’t really comment on specific schools as each school has it’s own admissions criteria and it’s difficult to predict exactly what the outcome of any application might be. My recommendation is to make sure your application is in tip-top shape and cross your fingers hard
Of course there’s always room for improvement on the GRE, so if you’re really concerned maybe consider taking it again.
Best,
Chris
Sir
I have got a score of 309(quant-162 verbal-147 awa-yet to come).my btech % is 75 in electronics engineering.Which universities can I look for to apply in US and Canada
Hello Dilpreet! While your scores are competitive, it’s hard to say exactly without having a full picture of your background and your education goals. I recommend checking out the US News and World Report (worth the $$$) and checking out the programs there. Good luck!
I’m finding conflicting information here. Like you say early in the article, the scores needed vary greatly from school to school or among who you are talking to. This article however seems more accurate BECAUSE it indicates the higher the score is, the better. While common sense, most don’t address it anyway! Thank you for stressing math too, the last 2 articles I’ve read have mentioned it’s also important but hardly explain why or go into any detail. Thanks for posting better information than most!
I’m glad you found it useful! It’s definitely confusing when trying to discern information about test scores when so many schools seem reluctant to release full data!
Hi Chris !
I will be giving GRE this coming September and though I am pretty confident with maths, verbal can be a little tricky for me.
Since I am an Indian, would the bar for verbal go higher for me ?
Hi Ritika!
It’s hard to say for certain because it really varies on your education (ie was your university training in English?) and the university to which you’re applying. I’d check in with the schools individually to try to gauge what expectations they’ll have for you. You might need to take the TOEFL for example. An adequate score on that test would mean the admissions committee would likely look at your scores the same way they’d look at a native applicant. Remember, though, you should check with your schools.
Separately, if you’re really concerned about verbal, check around the blog. My colleague Chris Lele is something of a verbal genius and his tips and lessons are indispensable. In fact he’s done quite a bit of the content in our GRE premium program at gre.magoosh.com.
Good luck!
Chris S
Hey, Chris, it’s really useful to read your passages.
You said a lot about the GRE point for applying engineering program. However, I do not find any scores relevant to MFE(Master of Financial Engineering).
Could you please give me some data about the top10 MFE school average GRE score?
Thanks a lot!
Best wishes!
Hey! I’m glad to hear that you found it useful! While I’m hoping to expand this topic into a series on GRE scores for different graduate programs, I think a Master’s of Financial Engineering might be more specific than I’ll have information for, but I’ll poke around and see if I can find enough info for an entire post. I recommend checking out the US News report I linked to in the blog as you’ll get a pretty complete picture there, and of course check with the individual schools you’re interested in.
I have this feeling that GRE math scores for Financial Engineering will be at least as high if not higher than traditional engineering fields. You should be able to run the quant section backwards and forwards!
Thanks
Chris S