by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 79 U.S. colleges awarded 1,408 degrees and certificates in Engineering Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 40% of graduates. College Factual ranks 33 schools in its 2027 Best Engineering Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $80,132 one year after completing, rising to $86,652 after four years.
Engineering Science is a major you can develop around your interests while building a base of advanced mathematics and scientific principles. You will analyze and evaluate engineering problems while using applied research in human behavior, statistics, biology, chemistry, meteorology, computer applications, and various other topics. As you can tell, this major is flexible and interdisciplinary. That means you have the power to study what interests you. However, the courses you select with your advisor must follow a specific path of your choosing so that they can be grouped in a meaningful way that will allow you to achieve career-driven goals.
Even though every program will be unique, these are some courses that you can expect to take in any Engineering program: applied mathematics and physics, engineering design, cell and molecular biology for engineers, quantum electronics, Nano engineering, thermodynamics, and writing in engineering science.
A degree in Engineering Science covers Engineering Science.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., engineering science draws strong interest, with 1,408 degrees awarded annually. 79 colleges award engineering science degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 189.
By level, the 1,408 awards include 358 associate degrees, 563 bachelor’s degrees, 345 master’s degrees and 142 doctorates.
Women earned 32% of engineering science degrees and certificates in the latest year (458 of 1,408). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (547) and Hispanic or Latino (189), and international students earned 321.
College Factual ranks 33 schools in its 2027 Best Engineering Science Schools ranking, including 11 for associate degrees, 14 for bachelor’s degrees, 11 for master’s degrees and 5 for doctorates. It also ranks engineering science schools within 13 states. In all, 79 colleges offer engineering science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Engineering Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common engineering science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 563 of the 1,408 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to engineering science call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Speaking, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and Design, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
This major appeals to diverse and flexible thinkers. You will be asked to make connections between different fields as you take courses in a variety of subjects. You will then have the chance to use what you've learned in class and apply it to projects. This will bridge the gap between memorizing and utilizing the information you come across.
Engineering is a great field for creative and curious minds who want to learn how to build and design projects. Engineers have a hand in designing everything from mine detectors, Nano robots, muffin makers and voice activated electronics. Communication skills are important as you will be doing a lot of group work and writing reports on your projects.
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How long an engineering science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 358 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 563 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 345 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 142 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to engineering science, at 30.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 30.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
12 occupations are related to Engineering Science, with an average median salary of $92,493; the strongest outlook belongs to Solar Energy Systems Engineers, at 14.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Engineering Fundamentals Instructor, Engineering Faculty Member, Adjunct Instructor and Ship Construction Teacher.
This major will allow you to choose a career path that really interests you. These careers will vary widely depending on what discipline you focus on in school. You may decide to get a career in engineering, marketing or sales with engineering, or even build a professional career through the use of analytical and problem solving skills you learned while at school. There is a wide array of careers you can have and your college will help guide you to that career path.
The occupation related to engineering science with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
Engineering Science graduates earn a median $80,132 one year after completing their program, $86,652 after four years and $75,930 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $80,132 |
| 4 years | $86,652 |
| 5 years | $75,930 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to engineering science is Engineers, All Other, with a median salary of $136,628.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
Engineering Science includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Engineering Science (1,408). It has 40 similar majors in the Engineering field, which together award 201,627 degrees a year; the largest are Mechanical Engineering (43,874), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (27,513) and Computer Engineering (21,335). Browse all Engineering majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering Science | 1,408 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 43,874 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 27,513 |
| Computer Engineering | 21,335 |
| Civil Engineering | 19,856 |
| Engineering, General | 14,789 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 14,592 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,559 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 10,170 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,023 |
| Systems Engineering | 4,489 |
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