by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Polymer & Plastics Engineering explores Polymer/plastics Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Synthesized Macromolecular Compounds And Their Application To Specific Engineering Uses, Including The Development Of Industrial Materials With Tailored Properties, The Design Of Lightweight Structural Components, The Use Of Liquid Or Solid Polymers, And The Analysis And Control Of Polymerization Processes. Read on to learn the essential details every general polymer & plastics engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general polymer & plastics engineering programs.
In the U.S., general polymer & plastics engineering is a popular field of study, with 264 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Polymer & Plastics Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general polymer & plastics engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general polymer & plastics engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in General Polymer & Plastics Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general polymer & plastics engineering graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a general polymer & plastics engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general polymer & plastics engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general polymer & plastics 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 | 109 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 87 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 68 |
People currently working in careers related to general polymer & plastics engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 36.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 24.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 12.0% |
| Master’s degree | 11.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general polymer & plastics engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general polymer & plastics engineering can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general polymer & plastics engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general polymer & plastics 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% |
| Chemical Engineers | 215,233 | 0.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Materials Engineers | 40,988 | -4.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general polymer & plastics engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $74,032 |
| 4 years | $85,028 |
| 5 years | $100,025 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general polymer & plastics engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general polymer & plastics engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineers | $130,903 |
| 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 14 different general polymer & plastics engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general polymer & plastics engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
