by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Ocean Engineering involves the study of Ocean Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Systems To Monitor, Control, Manipulate And Operate Within Coastal Or Ocean Environments, Such As Underwater Platforms, Flood Control Systems, Dikes, Hydroelectric Power Systems, Tide And Current Control And Warning Systems, And Communications Equipment; The Planning And Design Of Total Systems For Working And Functioning In Water Or Underwater Environments; And The Analysis Of Related Engineering Problems Such As The Action Of Water Properties And Behavior On Physical Systems And People, Tidal Forces, Current Movements, And Wave Motion. Continue reading for the essential details every general ocean engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general ocean engineering programs.
Nationwide, general ocean engineering is a popular field of study, with 276 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Ocean Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 15 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general ocean engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general ocean engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in General Ocean Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general ocean engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a general ocean engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general ocean engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 general 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general ocean engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general ocean engineering can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general ocean engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general 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 general ocean engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 general ocean engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general 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 general ocean engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general ocean engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
