by our College Data Analytics TeamDid you know that ceramics are part of almost every modern technology? Ceramics are needed in electronics, transportation, defense systems, and environmental technologies. As a Ceramic Engineering major you will learn how to use mathematical concepts and science to develop materials. These materials are porcelain, cement, and ceramics; they are not metal or organic materials such as plants or animals.
Courses they may be required to take in the subject could include, but are not limited to: chemistry, engineering graphics, introduction to engineering, engineering mechanics, physics, electrical engineering, statistics, pottery, art, applied mathematics, and design. However, there are only a handful of schools that offer this major, so it is important to know that you want to go into this field when you are apply to college.
In 2021-2022, ceramic engineering was the 343rd most popular major nationwide with 100 degrees awarded. This year's Best Ceramic Engineering Schools ranking compares 2 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ceramic engineering programs later in this article.
This major appeals to those who are curious and innovative and love to spend time experimenting, inventing, and solving puzzles. The curriculum is heavy with science and math, and students will need to hone their critical thinking skills as well. Using reason and logic along with deductive reasoning will help you find solutions to the problems that you come across.
Good communication skills will assist you in completing oral presentations and written assignments, as well as listening to feedback and ideas. Although engineering students aren't typically as interested in English language and literature, it's important to take classes that will teach you effective writing skills. You will be required to write plans and reports clearly so that even people without a background in ceramic engineering can understand the plan.
You will also be asked to work in teams to complete projects with your classmates. This will prepare you for the workforce when you are asked to work with engineers from other backgrounds and scientists to find a solution to the problem presented. You will need to accept input from your professional peers as well present and defend your own ideas.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most ceramic engineering degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific ceramic engineering careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different ceramic engineering degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in ceramic engineering to something that takes less time like a . Different ceramic engineering degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to ceramic engineering, with approximately 36.4% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for ceramic engineering workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 45.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 27.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 12.8% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.9% |
About 58.0% of workers in careers related to ceramic engineering obtain at least master's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in ceramic engineering have received.
This of course varies depending on which ceramic engineering career you choose.
As a ceramic engineer you will develop materials to help make them useful products. This can range from creating spaceships or rocket nozzles to glass for LCD displays.
Want a job when you graduate with your ceramic engineering degree? Ceramic Engineering careers are expected to grow 6.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ceramic engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
| Materials Engineers | 27,500 | 1.9% |
Ceramic Engineering graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $72,907 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $69,162 to as high as $77,305. As you might expect, salaries for ceramic engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for ceramic engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers ceramic engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Materials Engineers | $96,930 |
With over 14 different ceramic engineering degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased ceramic engineering school rankings to help you with this.
Ceramic Engineering is one of 41 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ceramic Sciences & Engineering | 100 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 44,794 |
| Electrical Engineering | 26,528 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,655 |
| Computer Engineering | 16,954 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 13,222 |
