Engineering Tech

About Engineering Tech

Wondering whether Engineering Tech is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what an Architectural & Engineering Manager earns and how the role is projected to grow.

Applied engineering training tied to specific industries. Manufacturing, electronics, and mechanical systems, with faster time to employment than a traditional engineering degree. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $93,843, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 1,610 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 86,188 students complete a degree in this area every year.

Median Earnings · 1yr

$64,745

Median Earnings · 4yr

$93,843

Colleges Offering

1,610

Graduates / Year

86,188

Specializations

19

Avg Net Price / yr

$17,577

Is an Engineering Tech Degree Right for You?

Is the Investment Worth It?

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $93,843 against an estimated $70,308 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

How Much Do Engineering Tech Majors Earn?

Pay for Engineering Tech graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $64,745 one year after graduation, rising to $93,843 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 1,610 US institutions offering programs in this field.

What Can You Do With an Engineering Tech Degree?

Career Paths for Engineering Tech Graduates

Studying Engineering Tech does not lock you into one job title. It opens 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Architectural & Engineering Manager pays the most among them at a median $171,270 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.

Another common path leads to what a Software Developer typically earns and how the field is trending.

Engineering Tech Specializations

Which specialization you pick inside Engineering Tech matters more than usual here. Engineering Tech breaks into 19 specializations, and four-year earnings swing from $66,185 to $120,399 depending on which one you choose. Each row below links to a full program profile, sorted highest-paying first. Source: College Scorecard.

The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Nuclear Engineering Tech program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.

Best Colleges for Engineering Tech

These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Engineering Tech, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for Texas A&M University-College Station.

Ranked by number of Engineering Tech graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How Engineering Tech Compares to Similar Majors

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Engineering Tech degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

Engineering Tech Degree: Pros & Cons

On the numbers that matter most financially, Engineering Tech beats most other majors: earnings are strong and the career field is growing. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are pulled from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS data, not editorial scoring.

Engineering Tech Degree: Frequently Asked Questions