by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering involves the study of Mechatronics, Robotics, And Automation Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Computer Controlled Electro-Mechanical Systems And Products With Embedded Electronics, Sensors, And Actuators; And Which Includes, But Is Not Limited To, Automata, Robots And Automation Systems. Includes Instruction In Mechanical Engineering, Electronic And Electrical Engineering, Computer And Software Engineering, And Control Engineering. Continue reading for the important information every mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering programs.
Across the country, mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering draws strong interest, with 1,985 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 83 schools to determine the best overall colleges for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several mechatronics, robotics, & automation 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 | 66 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 119 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 545 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,126 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 89 |
People currently working in careers related to mechatronics, robotics, & automation 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 mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mechatronics, robotics, & automation 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 mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $75,263 |
| 4 years | $85,139 |
| 5 years | $97,576 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers mechatronics, robotics, & automation 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 83 different mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
