by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, packaging science was the 627th most popular major nationwide with 420 degrees awarded. This represents a 2.1% reduction in packaging science degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 429.
This year's Best Packaging Science Schools ranking compares 7 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of packaging science programs later in this article.
A major in packaging science prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most packaging science degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific packaging science careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different packaging science degree levels. Packaging Science programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest packaging science degree you can get. Packaging Science programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to packaging science, with approximately 33.3% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for packaging science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 36.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 10.5% |
| Some College Courses | 8.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 5.9% |
About 66.8% of workers in careers related to packaging science obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in packaging science have received.
This of course varies depending on which packaging science career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your packaging science degree? Packaging Science careers are expected to grow 7.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to packaging science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineers | 283,000 | 9.7% |
| Professors | 258,700 | 9.4% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineering Technicians | 80,800 | 5.2% |
| Industrial Engineering Technicians | 64,300 | 0.6% |
As you might expect, salaries for packaging science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for packaging science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers packaging science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Industrial Engineers | $91,630 |
| Professors | $76,990 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $71,430 |
With over 19 different packaging science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased packaging science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Engineering-Related Fields area of study, Packaging Science has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Industrial & Management Engineering | 6,063 |
| Other Engineering-Related Fields | 138 |
| Engineering Design | 115 |
