by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Structural Engineering involves the study of Structural Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Materials And Systems Used In Building Load-Bearing Structures For Various Purposes And In Different Environments, Including Buildings, Roads, Rail Lines, Bridges, Dams, Conduits, Offshore Platforms And Work Stations, And Other Structural Shells; And The Analysis Of Structural Problems Such As, Failure, Fabrication, Safety, And Natural Hazards. Read on to learn the essential details every structural engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering structural engineering programs.
In the U.S., structural engineering is a popular field of study, with 338 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Structural Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 21 schools to determine the best overall colleges for structural engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of structural engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in Structural Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations structural engineering graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a structural engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a structural engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several structural 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 148 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 172 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 14 |
People currently working in careers related to structural engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 26.8% |
| Master’s degree | 12.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 8.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in structural engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in structural engineering can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to structural engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to structural engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Transportation Engineers | 392,941 | 1.1% |
| Water/Wastewater Engineers | 383,114 | 5.6% |
| Civil Engineers | 278,890 | 11.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of structural engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $71,056 |
| 4 years | $78,886 |
| 5 years | $88,976 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for structural engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers structural engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Transportation Engineers | $120,210 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Water/Wastewater Engineers | $86,573 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
| Civil Engineers | $72,457 |
With 21 different structural engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased structural engineering school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in structural engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering, General | 19,293 |
| Civil Engineering, Other | 173 |
| Transportation and Highway Engineering | 127 |
| Water Resources Engineering | 53 |
| Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering | 21 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
