by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Engineering Science explores Engineering Science. A Program With A General Focus On The General Application Of Various Combinations Of Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Analysis And Evaluation Of Engineering Problems, Including Applied Research In Human Behavior, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, The Earth And Planetary Sciences, Atmospherics And Meteorology, And Computer Applications. Continue reading for the key facts every general engineering science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general engineering science programs.
In the U.S., general engineering science is a widely-pursued major, with 1,348 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Engineering Science Schools ranking analyzes these 85 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general engineering science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general engineering science programs later in this article.
Programs in General Engineering Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general engineering science graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a general engineering science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general engineering science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general engineering science 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 | 319 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 521 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 369 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 139 |
People currently working in careers related to general engineering science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 30.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general engineering science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general engineering science opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general engineering science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general engineering science.
| 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 general engineering science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $80,132 |
| 4 years | $77,602 |
| 5 years | $85,312 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general engineering science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general engineering science 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 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
With 85 different general engineering science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general engineering science school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
