Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

For Mechanical Engineering (PhD), tuition fees are 29,500 USD per year.

This PhD program emphasizes basic mechanical sciences to prepare students for research and industrial development. Faculty are strong in areas like biomechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, thermal systems, materials, and robotics. Students engage in advanced training for research, development, education, or advanced engineering analysis.

Focus areas include Biomedical mechanics, Dynamics and control, Energy and sustainability, Fluid dynamics, Micro- and nanoscale engineering, Solid mechanics and materials.

The curriculum requires 15 credits of technical graduate coursework (reduced to 9 for students with an MS), plus a 1-credit seminar and 2 credits of colloquium, totaling 18 coursework credits. Students must also complete a minimum of 72 research credits (12 credits per semester over 6 semesters).

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or physical sciences and meet all Graduate School requirements, including English proficiency. Required application materials include three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, an academic statement of purpose, and a resume or CV. Admission is typically offered only for the fall semester.

The programme totals about 90 credit hours. In Person, typically 6 semesters. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 8% of applicants.

Cornell University, founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is an Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with broad public engagement. As both a privately endowed institution and New York State's statutory land-grant university, Cornell brings together liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, and professional schools to offer wide academic choice across more than twenty colleges and programs. Its historic mission emphasizes teaching, research, and service, making Cornell a global destination for students seeking depth and interdisciplinary opportunity.

Academically, Cornell is known for high-impact research across the sciences, humanities, and applied fields. With about 25,582 students and over 6,200 international learners, the campus provides extensive resources including research centers, interdisciplinary institutes, and industry partnerships that support undergraduate and graduate training. Students benefit from hands-on learning, internship networks, and faculty mentorship that often include international collaborations and community-engaged projects.

Life in Ithaca balances scenic natural spaces with a lively arts and dining scene and strong student services, from career counseling to study abroad advising. Residential options, student clubs, and entrepreneurial hubs help newcomers settle in and build professional pathways both in the United States and abroad. For international applicants seeking world-class research, wide program choice, and a community that values public service and innovation, Cornell offers a supportive and stimulating environment.