by our College Data Analytics TeamIt's not often that an entirely new career track is created out of thin air. In just the last decade, nanotechnology has gone from being science fiction to reality. While nanotech in the news has focused on the medical aspects, this technology can be applied to other areas of life such as food safety, computing, and electronics.
Because of the new nature of this field, finding a college to take nanotechnology courses can be difficult. Only a small number of colleges and universities offer related courses, and as you explore institutions offering nanotech programs, you'll see they fall under a wide variety of degrees including associates, bachelors, doctorate and master's degrees.
While some colleges offer nanotechnology as a ??specialization" or minor to a larger program such as physics, materials science or electrical engineering, some colleges offer full-blown degrees in nanotechnology. College Factual is a good place to start when seeking your undergraduate degree in nanotechnology. Be sure to check the ??Most Popular" rankings to see Nanotechnology programs ranked by the number of graduates.
Nanotechnology careers are centered on using technology at an extremely small scale - at the nanoscale to be precise. The applications of this technology are vast, and it is now used to build faster processors and semiconductors, in the medical field to deliver medicine to targeted cells, in waste disposal, robotics, and more.
Studying Nanotechnology covers Nanotechnology. Read on to learn the essential details every nanotechnology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering nanotechnology programs.
Across the country, nanotechnology is a popular field of study, with 108 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Nanotechnology Schools ranking analyzes these 13 schools to determine the best overall colleges for nanotechnology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nanotechnology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Nanotechnology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations nanotechnology graduates commonly enter.
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology, you may be exposed to classes in science, biology, mathematics, physical and computer sciences. You must have an inquisitive nature and be able to work in a fast-paced environment - frequently research is driven by profits so the first to the finish line wins.
Skills emphasized by a nanotechnology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a nanotechnology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several nanotechnology 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 | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 57 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 38 |
People currently working in careers related to nanotechnology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 46.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.2% |
| Master’s degree | 11.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 6.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.8% |
| Some college courses | 3.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.4% |
| First professional degree | 1.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in nanotechnology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Careers are varied and can exist in any number of industry verticals. Food science, medicine, technology, cosmetics - all are practical nanotechnology applications. Because the field is so new, it is difficult to put numbers on average salaries and the number of positions available. Because the demand is strong and the stakes are high, you will likely need higher levels of education to make it in the nanotechnology field.
Majoring in nanotechnology can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to nanotechnology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nanotechnology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Robotics Engineers | 141,385 | 8.6% |
| Mechatronics Engineers | 101,153 | 3.6% |
| Photonics Engineers | 46,226 | 13.0% |
Salaries for nanotechnology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers nanotechnology 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 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
| Robotics Engineers | $72,925 |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | $59,756 |
With 13 different nanotechnology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased nanotechnology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in nanotechnology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nanotechnology | 108 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
