by our College Data Analytics TeamThe ocean covers most of the earth's surface, yet is still full of mysteries scientists have yet to uncover. If you would like to develop structures to help us understand, protect, and utilize the world's largest resource, consider majoring in Ocean Engineering.
Ocean Engineers mix different types of engineering from civil to electrical to chemical with a knowledge of the ocean. Some of the tasks they may complete include developing instruments to take measurements, building structures to control water levels, and constructing underwater tunnels. In order to prepare for this career you will take classes in oceanography, civil engineering, naval architecture, computer-aided design, and maritime systems along with more specialized classes like analysis of ocean waves and air-sea interactions to learn everything about the Ocean Engineering field.
Studying Ocean Engineering involves the study of Ocean Engineering. Read on to learn the important information every ocean engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering ocean engineering programs.
Across the country, ocean engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 276 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Ocean Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 15 schools to determine the best overall colleges for ocean engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ocean engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in Ocean Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations ocean engineering graduates commonly enter.
Since Ocean Engineering combines the field of engineering with oceanography, students should have a strong background in math, chemistry, and physics. Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills will aid students in designing new structures that can withstand the corrosive and unpredictable nature of the ocean. It is also important you are able to work in teams and have strong communication skills to explain projects and ensure they move along successfully.
Although most engineers typically work in an office setting, ocean engineers must be flexible enough to make trips to the field location. Depending on your occupation, you may have to travel to work on a project and put in longer hours to ensure timely completion.
Like other engineering majors, experience through internships will give students the ability to work hands-on in the field as well as making them attractive to future employers. Students may work summer jobs, internships, or participate in summer learning programs to gain this additional experience.
Skills built by a ocean engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a ocean engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several ocean 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 163 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 86 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 27 |
People currently working in careers related to ocean engineering 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 ocean engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
The possible career options available to Ocean Engineering majors are as vast as the ocean itself. Graduates have the skills of an engineer and are able to specialize in anything ocean related. Some graduates are working to preserve endangered areas, building dikes and other water control methods, constructing rigs to survey the ocean floor, and developing materials to withstand the corrosive environment. The skills and experience this degree opens many different doors.
Majoring in ocean engineering prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to ocean engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ocean 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 ocean engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $70,358 |
| 4 years | $83,539 |
| 5 years | $91,796 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for ocean engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers ocean engineering 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 15 different ocean engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased ocean engineering school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in ocean engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ocean Engineering | 276 |
| 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.
