by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 47 U.S. colleges awarded 1,292 degrees and certificates in Automotive Engineering Technology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 29% of graduates. College Factual ranks 34 schools in its 2027 Best Automotive Engineering Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $57,919 one year after completing, rising to $73,481 after four years.
A major in Automotive Engineering Technology involves the study of Automotive Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In Developing, Manufacturing And Testing Self-Propelled Ground Vehicles And Their Systems. Includes Instruction In Vehicular Systems Technology, Design And Development Testing, Prototype And Operational Testing, Inspection And Maintenance Procedures, Instrument Calibration, Test Equipment Operation And Maintenance, And Report Preparation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, automotive engineering technology is a popular field of study, with 1,292 degrees awarded annually. 47 colleges award automotive engineering technology degrees, an average of 27 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 123.
By level, the 1,292 awards include 184 certificates, 329 associate degrees, 339 bachelor’s degrees and 374 master’s degrees.
Women earned 10% of automotive engineering technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (124 of 1,292). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (717) and Hispanic or Latino (272), and international students earned 58.
College Factual ranks 34 schools in its 2027 Best Automotive Engineering Technology Schools ranking, including 16 for associate degrees and 9 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks automotive engineering technology schools within 13 states. In all, 47 colleges offer automotive engineering technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Automotive Engineering Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common automotive engineering technology credential is the master’s degree: 374 of the 1,292 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to automotive engineering technology call most for Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Mechanical, Engineering and Technology and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Deductive Reasoning and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an automotive engineering technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 184 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 329 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 339 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 374 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to automotive engineering technology, at 28.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 28.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 25.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 23.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 12.4% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Master’s degree | 3.0% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Automotive Engineering Technology, with an average median salary of $79,472; the strongest outlook belongs to Mechanical Drafters, at 12.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Mechanical Designer, Engineering Data Analyst, Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) and Tooling Engineering Technician.
The occupation related to automotive engineering technology with the most projected jobs is Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians, at 361,883.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 361,883 | -1.1% |
| Automotive Engineering Technicians | 193,201 | 0.6% |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 168,346 | 6.9% |
| Mechanical Drafters | 127,074 | 12.6% |
Automotive Engineering Technology graduates earn a median $57,919 one year after completing their program, $73,481 after four years and $76,013 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,919 |
| 4 years | $73,481 |
| 5 years | $76,013 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to automotive engineering technology, with a median salary of $108,923.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $108,923 |
| Automotive Engineering Technicians | $89,794 |
| Mechanical Drafters | $78,252 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $40,917 |
Automotive Engineering Technology has 5 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 4,713 degrees a year; the largest are Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician (3,360), Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician (810) and Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (476). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
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