by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Engineering Design explores Engineering Design. An Instructional Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To Engineering Problems Involving Marrying Or Coordinating Multiple Dissimilar Systems To Carry Out Single Functions Or Achieve Common Purposes, Organizing System Components For Maximum Flexibility And Utility, Planning Engineering Projects Involving Multiple Tasks And Design Solutions, Planning Design Testing And Evaluation Procedures, Resolving Specification And Requirement Conflicts, And Choosing Among Competing Theoretical Solutions. Note: This Program Was Re-Instated After Being Deleted From Cip 2000; Previously, It Was Coded As 14.2901. Continue reading for the essential details every engineering design major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering engineering design programs.
Across the country, engineering design is a popular field of study, with 267 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Engineering Design Schools ranking analyzes these 9 schools to determine the best overall colleges for engineering design students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of engineering design programs later in this article.
Coursework for Engineering Design develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations engineering design graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a engineering design program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a engineering design major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several engineering 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 267 |
People currently working in careers related to engineering design tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 30.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in engineering design careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in engineering design opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to engineering design.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to engineering design.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of engineering design graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $86,644 |
| 4 years | $91,137 |
| 5 years | $104,461 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for engineering design graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers engineering design grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
With 9 different engineering design programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased engineering design school rankings to help you.
Those considering engineering design, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering/Industrial Management | 7,766 |
| Packaging Science | 391 |
| Engineering-Related Fields, Other | 209 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
