by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Metallurgical Engineering involves the study of Metallurgical Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Metallurgical Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Metal Components Of Structural, Load-Bearing, Power, Transmission, And Moving Systems; And The Analysis Of Engineering Problems Such As Stress, Creep, Failure, Alloy Behavior, Environmental Fluctuations, Stability, Electromagnetic And Thermodynamic Characteristics, Optimal Manufacturing Processes, And Related Design Considerations. Read on to learn the key facts every general metallurgical engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general metallurgical engineering programs.
Across the country, general metallurgical engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 164 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Metallurgical Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 10 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general metallurgical engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general metallurgical engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in General Metallurgical Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general metallurgical engineering graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a general metallurgical engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general metallurgical engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general metallurgical 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 | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 125 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 29 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 9 |
People currently working in careers related to general metallurgical engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 40.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 17.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 12.8% |
| Master’s degree | 12.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 12.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.3% |
| First professional degree | 1.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general metallurgical engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general metallurgical engineering can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general metallurgical engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general metallurgical 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% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Materials Engineers | 40,988 | -4.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general metallurgical engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $74,103 |
| 4 years | $85,392 |
| 5 years | $90,051 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general metallurgical engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general metallurgical engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
| Materials Engineers | $52,129 |
With 10 different general metallurgical engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general metallurgical engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
