STEM Specialization

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology graduates pursue 8 occupations, with top roles paying $171,270/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.

About Nanotechnology

This page covers Nanotechnology as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Nanotechnology is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. You will not have trouble finding it: 38 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 105 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.


Colleges Offering
38
Graduates / Year
105
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,111

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 105 students who complete Nanotechnology programs each year, the majority (55%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Master's 55%
Doctorate 29%
Associate's 6%

What Can You Do With a Nanotechnology Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Nanotechnology graduates show up in 8 different occupations, and Architectural & Engineering Manager pays the most at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what an Architectural & Engineering Manager earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +10.2%
$135,980
$105K $172K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 95,300 openings/yr 1.7M employed nationally
↗ +9.1%
$114,990
$89K $152K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 49,700 openings/yr 380K employed nationally
↗ +1.1%
$110,240
$99K $124K 25th–75th pct.
Associate's degree 900 openings/yr 6K employed nationally
↗ +7.8%
$109,270
$82K $151K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 3,900 openings/yr 40K employed nationally
↗ +4.6%
$106,660
$82K $139K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 14,200 openings/yr 156K employed nationally
↗ +5.7%
$104,300
$80K $133K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 10,700 openings/yr 187K employed nationally

Top Colleges for Nanotechnology

Not sure where to study Nanotechnology? These 12 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at University of Washington-Seattle Campus, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public 24 39.2% $14,091 $78,466
2 Rice University Houston, TX · Nonprofit 23 8% $13,370 $89,718
3 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit 17 5.4% $28,699 $111,371
4 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public 8 40.1% $10,411 $58,308
5 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT · Public 5 86% $16,200 $67,170
6 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD · Public 4 79.9% $20,183 $72,257
7 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA · Public 3 92.6% $23,433 $58,128
8 Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell, PA · Public 3 Open $11,124 $46,108
9 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public 2 60.6% $32,875 $63,435
10 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit 2 79.4% $38,509 $84,648
11 The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX · Public 1 65.1% $18,267 $68,227
12 SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NY · Public 1 81.4% $14,164 $64,355

Ranked by Nanotechnology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 Nanotechnology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Nanotechnology Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Nanotechnology shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +10.2% over the next decade, with Software Developer among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 206,600 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Limited program availability Only 38 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

Nanotechnology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs can you get with a Nanotechnology degree?
Architectural & Engineering Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $171,270 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Nanotechnology program take?
Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many Nanotechnology students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.
How many colleges offer Nanotechnology?
38 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
What is the difference between Nanotechnology and Engineering Tech?
Nanotechnology is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Nanotechnology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Nanotechnology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Nanotechnology graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Nanotechnology graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Nanotechnology graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.8% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Software Developer is among the strongest-growth roles at +10.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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