by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Packaging Science involves the study of Packaging Science. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Scientific, Technological, Design, And Business Principles To The Development Of Packages And Packaging Materials, Including Raw Material Production, Conversion Of Raw Materials Into Usable Forms, Design, Distribution, And Post-Use Recycling And Reuse. Includes Instruction In Principles Of Packaging, Materials Sciences, Distribution And Transportation, Engineering And Technology, Graphic Design, Packaging Regulations, And Business And Marketing. Continue reading for the key facts every packaging science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering packaging science programs.
In the U.S., packaging science draws strong interest, with 391 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Packaging Science Schools ranking analyzes these 11 schools to determine the best overall colleges for packaging science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of packaging science programs later in this article.
Coursework for Packaging Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations packaging science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a packaging science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a packaging science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several packaging science 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 301 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 87 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to packaging science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.3% |
| Master’s degree | 11.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 8.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.0% |
| Some college courses | 5.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in packaging science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying packaging science can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to packaging science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to packaging science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | 395,031 | 12.1% |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | 387,029 | 12.4% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Validation Engineers | 298,574 | 4.8% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of packaging science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 packaging science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers packaging science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | $128,495 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Industrial Engineers | $120,863 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Manufacturing Engineers | $91,427 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
With 11 different packaging science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased packaging science school rankings to help you.
Students interested in packaging science, 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 |
| Engineering Design | 267 |
| Engineering-Related Fields, Other | 209 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
