by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Telecommunications Engineering explores Telecommunications Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development, And Maintenance Of Telecommunications Technology, Networks, And Systems. Includes Instruction In Telecommunications, Computer Networking, Communications Networks And Systems, Signals, Circuits, Fiber Optics, And Wireless Systems And Technology. Examples: [Communications Systems Engineering]. Read on to learn the important information every telecommunications engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering telecommunications engineering programs.
Across the country, telecommunications engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 194 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Telecommunications Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 11 schools to determine the best overall colleges for telecommunications engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of telecommunications engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in Telecommunications Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations telecommunications engineering graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a telecommunications engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a telecommunications engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several telecommunications 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 124 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to telecommunications engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.2% |
| Master’s degree | 11.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.0% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.4% |
| 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 telecommunications engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in telecommunications engineering can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to telecommunications engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to telecommunications 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% |
| 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% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of telecommunications engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $82,923 |
| 4 years | $94,702 |
| 5 years | $107,414 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for telecommunications engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers telecommunications engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $122,969 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
With 11 different telecommunications engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased telecommunications engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in telecommunications engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 25,975 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other | 434 |
| Laser and Optical Engineering | 157 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
