by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Integrated Circuit Design explores Integrated Circuit Design Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills To Design Circuits In Microelectronics. Includes Instruction In Circuit Design, Circuit Layout, Circuit Analysis, Computer-Aided Drafting, And Semi-Conductor Technologies. Examples: [Integrated Circuit Design], [Integrated Circuit Design And Layout], [Microcircuit Mask Design]. Continue reading for the important information every integrated circuit design student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering integrated circuit design programs.
Across the country, integrated circuit design is a popular field of study, with 10 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Integrated Circuit Design Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for integrated circuit design students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of integrated circuit design programs later in this article.
Coursework for Integrated Circuit Design build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations integrated circuit design graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a integrated circuit design program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a integrated circuit design major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several integrated circuit design degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to integrated circuit design tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 23.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 21.1% |
| Some college courses | 6.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.1% |
| Master’s degree | 2.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in integrated circuit design careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in integrated circuit design opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to integrated circuit design.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to integrated circuit design.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | 161,833 | 12.3% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 150,615 | 0.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of integrated circuit design graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,062 |
| 4 years | $60,768 |
| 5 years | $67,536 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for integrated circuit design graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers integrated circuit design grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $109,781 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,455 |
With 2 different integrated circuit design programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased integrated circuit design school rankings to help you.
Students interested in integrated circuit design, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
