by our College Data Analytics TeamThe field of Engineering will allow you to explore the science behind the amazing gadgets that we use in everyday life. Engineers build bridges, program robots, create waste treatment plans, design alarm clocks, and work with basically anything that moves mechanically. This major will involve advanced classes in math and science, teaching you principles that will allow you to build and operate machines, structures and systems. Not only should you like math and science, but you should also love building and creating things. You have power to improve the world by making new advancements.
There are many majors in this field; General Engineering allows students to master general engineering principles that can be applied in a multitude of fields. Another popular major is Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering, where students learn the science of flight and spacecraft. In Civil Engineering students learn how to build large and important buildings and structures like roadways and tunnels, while Computer Engineering majors learn to create computer programs and chips. Mechanical Engineering is another popular major where students learn to build and operate mechanical systems and manufacturing equipment.
These are just a few of the most well-known areas, but there are many majors to explore in this field.
A major in Engineering covers Engineering. Instructional Programs That Prepare Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Solution Of Practical Problems. Continue reading for the essential details every engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering engineering programs.
Across the country, engineering is a popular field of study, with 197,615 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 1,162 schools to determine the best overall colleges for engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations engineering graduates commonly enter.
There are numerous majors and concentrations in the engineering field allowing for students with many different interests. However, there are certain skills that all students entering this field should have. Engineering programs will involve classes in advanced math and science, including physics and calculus. Be prepared to memorize formulas in order to apply and use them in practical situations.
This major requires a lot of dedication and long hours of study. Dedicated students are rewarded for their persistence with many "aha!" moments. You should be dedicated to the field and not get discouraged easily.
Engineers love to learn through hands-on projects. You will constantly be asked to push boundaries in order to understand and create things in your particular interest area. Many times you will be doing this with a team, so you should be good at working with people. Communication skills are essential to all types of engineers. You need to be able to explain your ideas, but also keep other viewpoints in mind.
Many colleges will require an internship or a co-op job. This will help guide you in a specific direction while allowing firsthand experience in your field. Experience will help make you stand out in order to obtain a job.
Skills built by a engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several engineering 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 | 1,123 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6,440 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 118,394 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 59,439 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11,767 |
People currently working in careers related to engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.5% |
| Master’s degree | 12.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 8.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.0% |
| Some college courses | 1.4% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
This major is vast and there are a lot of different positions available to you depending on your field. You could decide to work specifically with certain materials, such as plastics or metal, or you could work with natural elements as in Forestry Engineering or Ocean Engineering.
By the end of your first year you should decide what interests you most and then specialize in that specific area. Most job fields have plenty of openings, with certain niche areas offering more advancement than others. Work experience will set you apart when applying for a competitive position.
Majoring in engineering prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Petroleum Engineers | 432,291 | 13.1% |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 412,134 | 11.3% |
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | 395,031 | 12.1% |
| Transportation Engineers | 392,941 | 1.1% |
| Water/Wastewater Engineers | 383,114 | 5.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $75,905 |
| 4 years | $86,943 |
| 5 years | $98,290 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $138,303 |
| Petroleum Engineers | $137,336 |
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Chemical Engineers | $130,903 |
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | $128,495 |
| Electrical Engineers | $127,814 |
| Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | $122,967 |
With 1,162 different engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
