by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Manufacturing Engineering explores Manufacturing Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Scientific And Mathematical Principles To The Design, Development, And Implementation Of Manufacturing Systems. Includes Instruction In Materials Science And Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Process Engineering, Assembly And Product Engineering, Manufacturing Systems Design, And Manufacturing Competitiveness. Read on to learn the essential details every general manufacturing engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general manufacturing engineering programs.
In the U.S., general manufacturing engineering is a popular field of study, with 900 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Manufacturing Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 67 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general manufacturing engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general manufacturing engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in General Manufacturing Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general manufacturing engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a general manufacturing engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general manufacturing engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 general 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general manufacturing engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying general manufacturing engineering opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general manufacturing engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general manufacturing engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 general manufacturing engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general 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 general manufacturing engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general manufacturing engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
