by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Engineering Acoustics explores Engineering Acoustics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Acoustics And Signals Processing To Undersea And Antisubmarine Warfare. Includes Instruction In Acoustics; Electrical Engineering; The Generation, Propagation And Reception Of Underwater Sound Waves; Military Applications Of Underwater Sound; And Acoustic Signal Processing. Continue reading for the key facts every engineering acoustics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering engineering acoustics programs.
Across the country, engineering acoustics draws strong interest, with 17 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Engineering Acoustics Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for engineering acoustics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of engineering acoustics programs later in this article.
Studies in Engineering Acoustics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations engineering acoustics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a engineering acoustics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a engineering acoustics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several engineering acoustics 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 17 |
People currently working in careers related to engineering acoustics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 47.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.9% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Master’s degree | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in engineering acoustics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in engineering acoustics can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to engineering acoustics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to engineering acoustics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of engineering acoustics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $89,751 |
| 5 years | $58,787 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for engineering acoustics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers engineering acoustics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 1 different engineering acoustics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased engineering acoustics school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in engineering acoustics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Military Applied Sciences, Other | 143 |
| Space Systems Operations | 127 |
| Combat Systems Engineering | 43 |
| Undersea Warfare | 40 |
| Operational Oceanography | 13 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
