Masters in Transportation Engineering: Everything You Need to Know
The transportation sector is constantly undergoing a sea of changes. The industry is involved in making our everyday lives more advanced and convenient. From building complex transportation networks over water to international airports and large harbors, this field deals with it all.
If you want to pursue a career in Transportation Engineering, this blog will help you cover a major part of your initial research. Read below to find out all about a Master’s in Transportation Engineering abroad and decide your future.
What is a Master’s in Transportation Engineering?
A Master’s program in Transportation Engineering deals with infrastructure, logistics, and transport that shape our daily lives. Here’s an overview of the program:
| Aspect | Details |
| Introduction | Advanced study of transportation systems, infrastructure, traffic management, and sustainable mobility. |
| Duration | Typically 1–2 years, depending on the university and country. |
| Eligibility | A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field; GRE/TOEFL/IELTS may be required. |
| Core subjects | Traffic engineering, transportation planning, intelligent transport systems, and logistics. |
| Important skills | Data analysis, simulation modeling, project management, and sustainable design principles. |
| Career prospects | Roles in urban planning, traffic analysis, logistics management, and public transit systems. |
Top colleges for Transportation Engineering
There are many great institutions around the world offering master’s programs in Transportation Engineering. Here’s a list of the top 10 colleges that you can explore:
| Institutions | QS World University Ranking 2025 | Relevant Programs Offered |
| University of California – Berkeley, USA | 12 | Master of Science in Transportation Engineering, Master of Engineering in Transportation Engineering |
| Beijing Jiaotong University, China | 901-950 | Master’s in Traffic and Transportation Engineering |
| Delft University of Technology, Netherlands | 49 | MSc Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA | 1 | Master of Science in Transportation (MST) and dual degree options with the following programs:
|
| The University of Auckland, New Zealand | 65 | Master of Civil Engineering in Transportation Engineering |
| University of Leeds, UK | 82 | Transport Planning and Engineering MSc (Eng), Transport Planning MSc |
| Illinois Institute of Technology, USA | 601-610 | Master of Engineering in Transportation Engineering |
| University of East London, UK | 901-950 | MSc Intelligent Transport Planning and Engineering |
| George Washington University, USA | 371 | Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a focus in Transportation Engineering |
| The University of New South Wales, Australia | 19 | Master of Engineering Science (Transport Engineering) |
It’s clear that the universities listed above are among the best in the world for Transportation Engineering. However, simply going by rankings or reputation may not be the most effective way to choose the right university for you.
What matters more is finding a program that aligns with your specific career goals, offers a high return on investment, and increases your chances of success in the field. That’s where GradRight’s university-search platform comes in.
Here’s how it works:
- Create Your Profile
Share your academic and career preferences to get started. - Advanced AI-Powered Shortlisting
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Look beyond rankings—compare universities based on alumni networks, recent placements, industry relevance, tuition costs, and more. - Personalized Guidance
Speak to an expert who can answer your specific queries and help you make an informed decision. - Confident Choices
Get a fundable, achievable shortlist to maximize your chances of admission and success.
With GradRight, you can skip the guesswork and focus on what truly matters: finding the best university and program for your aspirations.
Now that you know how to select the best program for your needs, let’s dive into the specific details of what these top colleges offer.
#1 Transportation Engineering college in the world – University of California – Berkeley
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley offers MS and MEng programs in Transportation Engineering. These programs focus on equipping students with advanced expertise in designing, maintaining, and operating transportation systems. Students also develop skills in evaluating system performance, rehabilitation, and problem-solving, alongside analytical, management, and design competencies.
UC Berkeley has a team of expert faculty members for the programs. These members come from diverse backgrounds, including business administration, industrial engineering, economics, city planning, political science, and operations research.
The university offers flexibility in the program curriculum. For instance, you can pursue an MS in Transportation Engineering program with either 20 units or 24 units. You also have the option to complete the program in either 2 semesters or 4. The main areas of research and focus for these programs are:
- Intelligent Transportation
- Aviation, Airport Design and Operation
- Transportation Finance
- Transit
- Traffic Safety
- Infrastructure Design and Maintenance
- Transportation Economics
- Logistics
- Traffic Theory
- Public Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Systems Analysis
#2 Transportation Engineering college in the world – Beijing Jiaotong University
Beijing Jiaotong University offers a two-year master’s program in Traffic and Transportation Engineering. The program is taught in English by a team that participated in the entire development process of Chinese railways, such as the Qinghai-Tibet railway and the Datong-Qinhuangdao railway.
This program teaches students the theory and technical skills to operate and manage railways. They also get exposure to relevant engineering practices and scientific research. To complete the program, students must achieve a minimum of 32 credits. Here’s more detail on the curriculum of the Master in Traffic and Transportation Engineering at Beijing Jiaotong University:
| Course Type | Credits | Topics |
| General requisite | 7 |
|
| Subject requisite | 4 |
|
| Foundation Theory | 2 |
|
| Subject elective | 14 |
|
| Practice | 5 |
|
#3 Transportation Engineering college in the world – Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
Delft University of Technology offers a two-year MSc program in Transport, Infrastructure, and Logistics. It is a full-time course taught in English and is accredited by NVAO (the Netherlands-Flanders Accreditation Organization).
To graduate with an MSc in Transport, Infrastructure, and Logistics, you must complete 120 credits in 24 months. The university offers four specializations under this program; you must choose one. Each specialization is a package of courses or subjects with a common theme. Here’s more detail on the packages:
| Specializations | Courses Included |
| Transport Governance |
|
| Logistics Systems |
|
| Transport Networks |
|
| Traffic Operations |
|
#4 Transportation Engineering college in the world – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT offers interdisciplinary transportation programs with an MS degree. The institute also allows you to opt for the following dual degree options with an MS in Transportation:
- Master in City Planning
- Master of Science in Technology and Policy
- Master of Science in Operations Research
- Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Admission to these programs doesn’t necessarily require you to hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering. However, the institute expects candidates to have strong backgrounds in social sciences, physical sciences, management, urban planning, or relevant disciplines. You must also have an aptitude for analytical thinking.
The program generally takes two years to complete and includes the following courses:
| Courses | Topics Included |
| Transportation Systems Analysis |
|
| Performance and Optimization | Applied Probability and Stochastic
Models |
| Demand |
|
| Planning and Policy |
|
| Networks |
|
| Logistics |
|
#5 Transportation Engineering college in the world – The University of Auckland
The Master of Civil Engineering in Transportation Engineering program at the University of Auckland focuses on the following aspects of transport systems:
- Maintenance
- Construction
- Design
- Planning
- Operation
- Environmental, economic, and social impacts
The program requires you to complete 120-180 credit points to graduate. With a specialization in Transportation Engineering, the program curriculum deals with the following core elements:
- Highway and transportation design
- Transport systems economics
- Infrastructure asset management
- Sustainable transport
- Planning and design of transportation facilities
- Road safety and crash investigation
- Transport and land use planning
- Traffic engineering
- Pavement materials and management systems
To apply for the program, you must have passed a Bachelor of Engineering degree with at least Second Class Honours Second Division. The university also requires you to hold a minimum of three years of work experience in the relevant industry. You can also apply to the program if you hold a Bachelor of Technology or a Bachelor of Science with relevant specializations.
This program leads to promising careers in the following roles:
- Civil Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Construction Engineer
- Site Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Project Manager
- Structural Engineer
- Construction Project Manager
Entrance exams for Transportation Engineering
As an international student, you have to take some entrance exams to pursue a master’s program in Transportation Engineering. To demonstrate your proficiency in the English language, universities require you to score well on the following tests:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic)
- Duolingo English Test
- Cambridge English Language Assessment
Other than the language tests, some universities require you to demonstrate a strong academic background and grasp of the relevant subjects. To do so, you must submit your GRE scores.
NOTE: Not all universities accept or require all these tests. Please check the official website of the intended institution to get more details.
What does a transportation engineer do?
You have understood what a master’s program in Transportation Engineering entails, the top colleges offering it, and its eligibility requirements. Now, let’s find out what your life would look like after graduating with the degree and becoming a transportation engineer.
As a professional in this field, you will engage in the following responsibilities:
- Designing and building transportation infrastructure, such as bridges, highways, tunnels, and streets.
- Creating and implementing strategies to incorporate innovation and technologies into the building and designing processes.
- Oversee day-to-day operations, prepare schematics, and provide technical expertise on projects.
- Analyzing and calculating safety concerns and then assisting in resolving the programs.
- Analyzing and auditing civil and electrical systems for improvements.
- Participating in on-call or triage engineering rotation.
- Performing hydraulic and hydrologic designs on highway structures.
- Assisting with surveys for construction projects.
- Learning the installation and repair of joints or bridges.
- Conducting drainage policies and procedures to implement improvements.
- Identifying transportation and traffic issues through neighborhood meetings to propose solutions.
- Writing technical documents for data centers.
Apart from the technical responsibilities, you will also be involved in the following management work:
- Communicating with clients to understand their needs and goals
- Researching to develop plans for complex problems
- Reviewing and modifying reports
- Managing or assisting on small or large-scale projects
- Managing suppliers, vendors, and contractors at worksites
Skills required to become a transportation engineer
Apart from knowing how to deal with the responsibilities mentioned above, the following technical skills help you get high-paying jobs in the transportation engineering field:
| ArcGIS | Data Analysis |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Data Modeling |
| Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D | Engineering Design |
| Simulation | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) |
| Bentley InRoad Software Suite | Strategic Planning |
| Bentley MicroStation | Technical Analysis |
| Bentley OpenRoads | Technical Writing |
| Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD) | Project Management |
| Construction Site Inspection | Windows Operating System General Use |
| Microsoft Excel | Bentley CAD Software |
| Microsoft Office | Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite |
| Microsoft Word | Project Coordinating |
Here are some soft skills that are also crucial to excel in the professional world:
- Ability to harness leadership
- Familiarity with the field and strong work ethic
- Attention to detail
- Ability to collaborate with teams
Scope of Transportation Engineering
As of July 2024, the transportation sector employs over 32 million people globally, which is 1.4 million higher than in 2023. The sector will grow further every year thanks to urbanization and constant infrastructural development. Due to the increasing global demand, many countries and major cities have now become industry hubs, including:
- India
- The USA
- Germany
- The UK
- France
- Singapore
- Melbourne
- New York City
- London
- Sydney
You can work in the public, private, or non-profit sectors as a transportation engineer. Most jobs are available in transportation corporations, state, local, or central governments, construction companies, and engineering firms. In the USA, you can earn an average salary of $82,331 – $98,473 per annum. Here’s how much your average salary may increase based on your experience:
| Levels | Salary |
| Entry Level Transportation Engineer | $79,484 |
| Intermediate Level Transportation Engineer | $79,711 |
| Senior Level Transportation Engineer | $81,188 |
| Specialist Level Transportation Engineer | $85,121 |
| Expert Level Transportation Engineer | $86,376 |
With salaries for transportation engineers starting at $79,484 in the USA and growing significantly with experience, a Master’s in Transportation Engineering is clearly a strong investment in your future. However, the upfront costs—ranging from tuition fees to living expenses—can feel daunting.
This is where GradRight’s loan-search platform becomes your trusted ally.
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Now, let’s find answers to some more commonly asked questions about Transportation Engineering.
FAQs
1. Is an M.Tech in Transportation Engineering good?
If you are interested in building a career in urban planning, sustainable mobility, and traffic systems, pursuing an M.Tech in Transportation Engineering is a good option for you. The program opens doors for career opportunities in private, public, and non-profit sectors with competitive salaries. You can also pursue higher studies at top universities like MIT and UNSW and get involved in research work.
2. What are the concepts of Transportation Engineering?
A program in Transportation Engineering deals with:
- Infrastructure design
- Traffic management
- Sustainability
- Intelligent transport systems
- Pavement design
- Traffic flow theory
- Logistics and safety
- Public transit optimization
- Environmental impact, etc.
3. What is the scope after an M.Tech in Transportation Engineering?
With an M.Tech in Transportation Engineering, you can explore careers in engineering firms, construction companies, government bodies, etc. A transportation engineer can earn an average annual salary of up to $100,000 in the USA.
4. What is the future of Transportation Engineering?
Due to constant technological advancements and urbanization, the transportation and logistics field is projected to grow by 10% by 2030. With AI-driven traffic management, smart cities, and autonomous vehicles, the future of this industry seems to be gaining prominence.
