by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Applied Engineering Technologies covers A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers Engaged In The Management And Design Of Systems, Execution Of New Product Designs, Improvement Of Manufacturing Processes, And The Management And Direction Of The Physical Or Technical Functions Of An Organization. Includes Instruction In Basic Engineering Principles, Project Management, Industrial Processes, Production And Operations Management, Systems Integration And Control, Quality Control, And Statistics. Examples: [Applied Engineering]. Read on to learn the key facts every applied engineering technologies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering applied engineering technologies programs.
Across the country, applied engineering technologies draws strong interest, with 113 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Applied Engineering Technologies Schools ranking analyzes these 15 schools to determine the best overall colleges for applied engineering technologies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of applied engineering technologies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Applied Engineering Technologies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations applied engineering technologies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a applied engineering technologies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a applied engineering technologies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several applied engineering technologies 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 7 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 44 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 25 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 37 |
People currently working in careers related to applied engineering technologies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 24.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 12.9% |
| Some college courses | 11.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 5.0% |
| Master’s degree | 3.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.0% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in applied engineering technologies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying applied engineering technologies opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to applied engineering technologies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied engineering technologies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | 376,668 | -2.8% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 266,539 | 2.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 138,570 | -0.5% |
| Robotics Technicians | 45,207 | 12.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of applied engineering technologies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,327 |
| 4 years | $67,578 |
| 5 years | $74,923 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for applied engineering technologies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers applied engineering technologies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $134,632 |
| Robotics Technicians | $131,252 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,036 |
With 15 different applied engineering technologies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased applied engineering technologies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in applied engineering technologies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | 3,770 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
