by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Undersea Warfare explores Undersea Warfare. A Program That Focuses On The Principles, Engineering Design And Military Concepts That Govern The Operational Employment Of Underwater Sensors And Weapons Systems. Includes Instruction In Acoustics, Electrical, And Mechanical Engineering; Mathematics; Meteorology; Oceanography; Physics; Operations Analysis; Human Factors; Computer Science; And Robotics. Read on to learn the important information every undersea warfare major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering undersea warfare programs.
Nationwide, undersea warfare is a popular field of study, with 40 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Undersea Warfare Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for undersea warfare students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of undersea warfare programs later in this article.
Studies in Undersea Warfare emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations undersea warfare graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a undersea warfare program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a undersea warfare major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several undersea warfare 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 | 40 |
People currently working in careers related to undersea warfare 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in undersea warfare careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in undersea warfare opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to undersea warfare.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to undersea warfare.
| 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 undersea warfare graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 undersea warfare graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers undersea warfare 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 undersea warfare programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased undersea warfare school rankings to help you.
Students interested in undersea warfare, 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 |
| Engineering Acoustics | 17 |
| Operational Oceanography | 13 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
