Surveying Engineering graduates earn $78,638 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.1%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Engineering Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Surveying Engineering is a focused area of study within Engineering. Graduates typically earn around $78,638 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 27 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 123 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$72,931
Median Earnings · 4yr
$78,638
Colleges Offering
27
Graduates / Year
123
Avg Net Price / yr
$15,110
How Much Do Surveying Engineering Graduates Earn?
Surveying Engineering graduates earn $78,638 four years out, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,014 and $89,670.
$72,931
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$78,638
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$77,094
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Surveying Engineering graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$63,01425th pct.
$78,638Median
$89,67075th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $78,638 against an estimated $60,440 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 11 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 123 students who complete Surveying Engineering programs each year, the majority (64%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
64%
Bachelor's64%
Master's19%
Post-Bacc Cert.14%
What Can You Do With a Surveying Engineering Degree?
Surveying Engineering connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Architectural & Engineering Manager leads at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.
Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.
Make exact measurements and determine property boundaries. Provide data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth's surface for engineering, mapmaking, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes.
Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
Top Colleges for Surveying Engineering
The 15 colleges below are ranked by how many Surveying Engineering students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Surveying Engineering program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Surveying Engineering a solid option. The 3 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $78,638 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.1% over the next decade, with Engineering Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 23,500 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Limited program availabilityOnly 27 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Surveying Engineering graduates earn a national median of $78,638 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,014 and $89,670. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Surveying Engineering degree?
One year after graduation, Surveying Engineering degree holders earn a median of $72,931. That climbs to $78,638 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Surveying Engineering degree?
Surveying Engineering degree holders pursue careers including Architectural & Engineering Manager, which pays a median of $171,270/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Surveying Engineering program take?
A Surveying Engineering bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Surveying Engineering?
27 colleges and universities in the United States offer Surveying Engineering programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Surveying Engineering degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $78,638 and an average net price of roughly $15,110/yr, a Surveying Engineering degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Surveying Engineering and Engineering?
Surveying Engineering is a focused concentration within the broader Engineering field. The Engineering major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Surveying Engineering-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Surveying Engineering graduates?
Employers hiring Surveying Engineering graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Surveying Engineering graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree 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. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Surveying Engineering graduates?
The job outlook for Surveying Engineering graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +5.7% job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +8.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Engineering Programs
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