Physics BS -> MS ME (csula) or MS AE (sdsu)
Hi everyone,
I’m trying to pick between two grad school options and would really value industry perspectives.
I’m finishing a B.S. in Physics (concentration in Applied Physics & Engineering) from UCR. I want to work in aerospace, ideally around propulsion/energy (renewable energy for propulsion applications — sustainable fuels, thermal/fluids, power/energy systems, controls).
My options:
Cal State LA — M.S. Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
- Looks like I can start the MS directly with no big deficiency list
- Likely finish in about 2 years
- ME electives include stuff like propulsion, aerodynamics, heat transfer, CFD, energy systems (from the catalog)
San Diego State — M.S. Aerospace Engineering (MSAE)
- Admitted conditionally and required to complete 9 undergrad aerospace courses (statics, dynamics, methods, fluids, low/high-speed aero + lab, propulsion, stability/control) by Spring 2027 while maintaining a 3.0
- Realistically feels like 3 years, maybe more depending on prereqs
- Yes the aerospace label is appealing, but the deficiency load worries me
Finances: I’ll likely need significant loans either way. I’m trying to avoid a decision that adds an extra year of debt if the industry outcome is similar.
Question: If the goal is getting into aerospace industry, is it smarter to:
- take the quicker/cleaner MSME route (and tailor electives/projects to aerospace), or
- take the MSAE route even if it realistically becomes 3 years?
If you’re in aerospace hiring / early career engineering: does “MSAE vs MSME” matter much compared to projects + internships? Any advice on making the ME degree clearly aerospace-aligned would help a lot.
Thank you!!