STEM
+1.9%Engineering Tech
Applied engineering training tied to specific industries — manufacturing, electronics, and mechanical systems — with faster time to employment than a traditional engineering degree.
STEM
Engineering
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Engineering
Build physical systems and solve complex technical problems — civil, mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering are the most common specializations. Graduates earn a national median of $86,517 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,297 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 198,720 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $72,052
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $86,517
- Colleges Offering
- 1,297
- Graduates / Year
- 198,720
- Specializations
- 41
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $18,834
Is a Engineering Degree Right for You?
$86,517
Median earnings · 4yr
+4.0%
10yr job growth
41
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~1.3
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $86,517 against an estimated $75,336 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Engineering Majors Earn?
Engineering graduates start at a median $72,052 one year out and reach $86,517 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,297 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$72,052
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$86,517
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$93,642
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Engineering specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $122,531/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $71,680/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$71,680
Lowest
$86,517
Median
$122,531
Highest
What Can You Do With an Engineering Degree?
Career Paths for Engineering Graduates
Engineering connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Physicist leads in median earnings at $172,250/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Physicist
Doctoral or professional degree
$172,250
↗ +4.0% growth
Architectural & Engineering Manager
Bachelor's degree
$171,270
↗ +3.8% growth
Natural Sciences Managers
Bachelor's degree
$167,220
↗ +3.7% growth
Computer Hardware Engineer
Bachelor's degree
$161,740
↗ +7.3% growth
Petroleum Engineer
Bachelor's degree
$144,910
↗ +1.3% growth
Database Architects
Bachelor's degree
$139,500
↗ +8.7% growth
Software Developer
Bachelor's degree
$135,980
↗ +15.8% growth
Aerospace Engineer
Bachelor's degree
$134,960
↗ +6.1% growth
Engineering Specializations
Engineering breaks into 38 specializations. Earnings range widely from $71,680 to $122,531 at the four-year mark. Each row links to a dedicated program profile. Sorted highest-paying first, based on national College Scorecard data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Engineering
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Engineering graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public
Acceptance
49.9%
Net price/yr
$14,600
Earnings 10yr
$72,424
Grad rate
77%
2
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA · Public
Acceptance
14.1%
Net price/yr
$12,116
Earnings 10yr
$102,772
Grad rate
80%
3
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
Acceptance
57.4%
Net price/yr
$21,315
Earnings 10yr
$72,097
Grad rate
80%
4
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Acceptance
15.6%
Net price/yr
$13,138
Earnings 10yr
$83,648
Grad rate
90%
5
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
5.2%
Net price/yr
$30,915
Earnings 10yr
$92,538
Grad rate
69%
6
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ · Public
Acceptance
89.9%
Net price/yr
$14,967
Earnings 10yr
$62,668
Grad rate
59%
7
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
Acceptance
42.4%
Net price/yr
$14,355
Earnings 10yr
$81,054
Grad rate
82%
8
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
Acceptance
41.7%
Net price/yr
$17,303
Earnings 10yr
$68,758
Grad rate
79%
9
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public
Acceptance
54.8%
Net price/yr
$24,953
Earnings 10yr
$81,698
Grad rate
81%
10
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance
11%
Net price/yr
$13,481
Earnings 10yr
$92,446
Grad rate
74%
11
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
Acceptance
24.2%
Net price/yr
$6,541
Earnings 10yr
$71,588
Grad rate
83%
12
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, OH · Public
Acceptance
60.6%
Net price/yr
$17,339
Earnings 10yr
$60,409
Grad rate
66%
13
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
University Park, PA · Public
Acceptance
60.6%
Net price/yr
$32,875
Earnings 10yr
$63,435
Grad rate
61%
14
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
Acceptance
26.6%
Net price/yr
$19,857
Earnings 10yr
$75,121
Grad rate
81%
15
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
Acceptance
26.7%
Net price/yr
$12,470
Earnings 10yr
$84,943
Grad rate
86%
16
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
4%
Net price/yr
$21,590
Earnings 10yr
$102,491
Grad rate
79%
17
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.8%
Net price/yr
$32,740
Earnings 10yr
$92,498
Grad rate
88%
18
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
11.7%
Net price/yr
$31,944
Earnings 10yr
$114,862
Grad rate
84%
19
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · Public
Acceptance
40.1%
Net price/yr
$10,411
Earnings 10yr
$58,308
Grad rate
55%
20
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA · Public
Acceptance
84.6%
Net price/yr
$13,760
Earnings 10yr
$78,988
Grad rate
36%
Ranked by number of Engineering graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Engineering Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
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 a Engineering degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Engineering degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Engineering Degree: Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and positive career growth put Engineering above most majors on the key financial metrics. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS, not editorial scoring.
PROS
- Strong median salary Graduates earn a national median of $86,517 four years after graduation, above most major categories.
- Growing field Top career paths show up to +15.8% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Software Developer.
- Wide availability Offered at 1,297 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- High-earning specializations available Top specializations report median earnings of $122,531, creating strong upside for students who choose a high-demand track.
CONS
- Highly competitive job market Approximately 198,720 students graduate in this field each year, one of the highest volumes among all majors.
Engineering Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Engineering graduates earn?
Engineering graduates earn a national median of $86,517 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Engineering degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Engineering degree holders is $72,052 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Engineering degree?
Engineering degree holders work in a range of careers. Physicist is one of the top roles by median wage ($172,250/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Engineering?
1,297 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Engineering, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Engineering degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $86,517 and an average net price of roughly $18,834/yr across institutions offering this major, a Engineering degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Engineering degree?
A bachelor's degree in Engineering typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Engineering graduates?
Employers hiring Engineering graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, data interpretation, and problem-solving. Strong foundational skills in math, science, or programming are expected, and employers often prioritize candidates with internship or research experience.
Is graduate school worth it for Engineering graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles and often adds $15,000–$40,000 to long-term earning potential, depending on specialization. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Engineering graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Engineering graduates is moderate, with an average of +6.3% projected growth across related occupations. Software Developer is among the strongest-growth roles at +15.8%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
Related Findings
-
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
- Engineering tech
- Engineering
- Program earnings
- Applied degree
- Technician careers
-
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
- STEM earnings
- Engineering pay
- Computer science
- Program earnings
- Major choice
-
The Highest-Paying Degrees in America, by Program
At the program level, federal data ranks specific fields of study by pay. Law leads at $142,745, more than double the typical program, and engineering takes 7 of the top 15 spots.
- Program earnings
- Highest-paying degrees
- Engineering pay
- Law school earnings
- CIP programs
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Careers
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