by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 79 U.S. colleges awarded 1,408 degrees and certificates in General Engineering Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 40% of graduates. College Factual ranks 33 schools in its 2027 Best General 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.
A major in General Engineering Science explores Engineering Science. A Program With A General Focus On The General Application Of Various Combinations Of Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Analysis And Evaluation Of Engineering Problems, Including Applied Research In Human Behavior, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, The Earth And Planetary Sciences, Atmospherics And Meteorology, And Computer Applications.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general engineering science is a widely-pursued major, with 1,408 degrees awarded annually. 79 colleges award general 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 general 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 General 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 general engineering science schools within 13 states. In all, 79 colleges offer general engineering science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Engineering Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general engineering science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 563 of the 1,408 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a general 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 general 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 General 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 Refrigeration Engineering Teacher, Geological Engineering Teacher, Radio Engineering Teacher and Mechanical Engineering Lecturer.
The occupation related to general 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% |
General 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 general 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 |
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