by our College Data Analytics TeamEngineering is a large field that allows students to choose a variety of very specialized areas.
Broad areas of engineering include civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Within these broads sections are more specialized areas from agricultural and socioeconomic engineering to geospatial and environmental engineering. With the many different schools and programs available to you, you will be able to hone in on your area of interest and major in any number of specific engineering fields.
While classes vary depending your chosen area of interest, some engineering classes are similar. Topics covered in all areas of engineering include applied mathematics, computer science, computer-aided design, physics, and statistics. As you become more specialized, you will take advanced and very specific courses.
A degree in Other Engineering explores Engineering, Other. Continue reading for the essential details every other engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering other engineering programs.
In the U.S., other engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 3,529 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Other Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 113 schools to determine the best overall colleges for other engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of other engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in Other Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations other engineering graduates commonly enter.
Any specialization in engineering requires students to have a strong background in mathematics and science. Professionals are constantly employing math and science principles when creating designs for structures or machines. Strong critical and analytical skills are also important for designing projects to solve problems or when troubleshooting technical errors that may be found in original plans. Leadership skills will help students work in a team when participating in large projects with other engineering or professionals in a different field.
Engineers often work full time in an office setting. Depending on the area of expertise you plan to pursue, you may spend more time in the field observing and overseeing projects. Since many projects are often done under a contract, professionals may have to work long hours to meet a deadline.
Levels of education and required certifications vary depending on your area of specialization. However, it is common for engineering majors to pursue an advanced degree as in can lead to a job with higher responsibility and potentially a higher salary.
Skills developed in a other engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a other engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several other 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 230 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 21 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 758 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,304 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 216 |
People currently working in careers related to other engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.2% |
| Master’s degree | 11.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 1.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| 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 other engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Depending on the type of career you wish to pursue, job locations and work environments differ. However, engineers work in a variety of industries allowing you to go into any number of career fields.
Engineers are in constant demand as technology, building styles, and societal needs change. While some areas are growing at an extremely fast rate, others are maintaining an average rate. Spend some time exploring your field of interest and gain work experience to make yourself more attractive to employers. This means graduates of a variety of engineering specialties should be able to find a job after graduation. Salaries will vary depending on your speciality.
Majoring in other engineering prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to other engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to other 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% |
| Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | 334,450 | -0.8% |
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of other engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $88,163 |
| 4 years | $99,464 |
| 5 years | $111,604 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for other engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers other engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | $122,967 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $122,201 |
| 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 113 different other engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased other engineering school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in other engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering, Other | 3,529 |
| 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.
