by our College Data Analytics TeamThe assembly line was a huge manufacturing advancement when it was implemented by the Ford Motor Company. Since that time manufacturing has grown by leaps and bounds, now using complex computer systems and robotics to do the jobs of what people used to do. Behind these advanced systems are Manufacturing Engineers.
Manufacturing Engineering students take classes in statistics, physics, product systems, nanotechnology, bio-optics, and computer science to acquire the skills to develop systems and customize machines to improve the manufacturing process. Upon graduation, students will be able to analyze processes to improve efficiency and ensure materials and energy are not wasted during manufacturing.
Studying Manufacturing Engineering explores Manufacturing Engineering. Read on to learn the essential details every manufacturing engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering manufacturing engineering programs.
Across the country, manufacturing engineering draws strong interest, with 900 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Manufacturing Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 67 schools to determine the best overall colleges for manufacturing engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of manufacturing engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in Manufacturing Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations manufacturing engineering graduates commonly enter.
Students who are successful in Manufacturing Engineering often have a strong background in math and science. Since this career requires professionals to develop solutions to manufacturing issues or create unique systems, strong analytical and critical thinking skills are necessary. Students must also be creative and have teamwork skills that allow them to collaborate with others from different professions.
Most Manufacturing Engineering graduates work full time. Although the majority of work is done in an office setting, professionals must also travel to observe manufacturing problems and assess what solution may work best.
Internships, or participation in cooperative engineering programs that give students the ability to work and gain school credit at the same time, are extremely beneficial. Employers value relevant experience, plus these opportunities give students the chance to work hands-on in their desired fields.
While a bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering will allow students to find good jobs, those who pursue their master's degree will have the option to become professors, conduct research and development, and possibly pursue higher paying jobs.
Skills developed in a manufacturing engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a manufacturing engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several manufacturing 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 | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 485 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 403 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to manufacturing engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 38.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.4% |
| Master’s degree | 14.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 5.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
| 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 manufacturing engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates in Manufacturing Engineering pursue careers at different occupations that use manufacturing. These include automobile, aeronautic, medical, and other companies and businesses. Since this degree is not specialized in one field, graduates have multiple career choices.
Majoring in manufacturing engineering prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to manufacturing engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to manufacturing 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% |
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | 395,031 | 12.1% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Validation Engineers | 298,574 | 4.8% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of manufacturing engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $77,503 |
| 4 years | $79,954 |
| 5 years | $88,040 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for manufacturing engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers manufacturing engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists | $128,495 |
| Industrial Engineers | $120,863 |
| 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 |
With 67 different manufacturing engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased manufacturing engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in manufacturing engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering | 900 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
