by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 18 U.S. colleges awarded 191 degrees and certificates in Applied Engineering Technologies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 38% of graduates. College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Applied Engineering Technologies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $60,327 one year after completing, rising to $80,495 after four years.
A degree in Applied Engineering Technologies covers A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers Engaged In The Management And Design Of Systems, Execution Of New Product Designs, Improvement Of Manufacturing Processes, And The Management And Direction Of The Physical Or Technical Functions Of An Organization. Includes Instruction In Basic Engineering Principles, Project Management, Industrial Processes, Production And Operations Management, Systems Integration And Control, Quality Control, And Statistics. Examples: [Applied Engineering].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, applied engineering technologies draws strong interest, with 191 degrees awarded annually. 18 colleges award applied engineering technologies degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 45.
By level, the 191 awards include 22 certificates, 38 associate degrees, 72 bachelor’s degrees and 59 master’s degrees.
Women earned 19% of applied engineering technologies degrees and certificates in the latest year (37 of 191). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (122) and Hispanic or Latino (17), and international students earned 7.
College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Applied Engineering Technologies Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks applied engineering technologies schools within 1 state. In all, 18 colleges offer applied engineering technologies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Applied Engineering Technologies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common applied engineering technologies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 72 of the 191 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to applied engineering technologies call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics and Mechanical, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Near Vision and Deductive Reasoning.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an applied engineering technologies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 22 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 38 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 72 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 59 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to applied engineering technologies, at 25.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 24.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 12.9% |
| Some college courses | 11.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 5.0% |
| Master’s degree | 3.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.0% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Applied Engineering Technologies, with an average median salary of $98,692; the strongest outlook belongs to Robotics Technicians, at 12.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Test Technician (Test Tech), Field Service Technician, Remotely Piloted Vehicle Controller (RPV Controller) and Tester.
The occupation related to applied engineering technologies with the most projected jobs is Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians, at 376,668.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | 376,668 | -2.8% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 266,539 | 2.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 138,570 | -0.5% |
| Robotics Technicians | 45,207 | 12.2% |
Applied Engineering Technologies graduates earn a median $60,327 one year after completing their program, $80,495 after four years and $68,665 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,327 |
| 4 years | $80,495 |
| 5 years | $68,665 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to applied engineering technologies, with a median salary of $134,632.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $134,632 |
| Robotics Technicians | $131,252 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,036 |
Applied Engineering Technologies has 1 similar major in the Engineering Technologies field; the largest is Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (3,599). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | 3,599 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
