by our College Data Analytics TeamThe assembly line was a huge manufacturing advancement when it was implemented by the Ford Motor Company. Since that time manufacturing has grown by leaps and bounds, now using complex computer systems and robotics to do the jobs of what people used to do. Behind these advanced systems are Manufacturing Engineers.
Manufacturing Engineering students take classes in statistics, physics, product systems, nanotechnology, bio-optics, and computer science to acquire the skills to develop systems and customize machines to improve the manufacturing process. Upon graduation, students will be able to analyze processes to improve efficiency and ensure materials and energy are not wasted during manufacturing.
Manufacturing Engineering was the 243rd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 947 degrees in this year alone. This 19 less than the prior year, a decrease of 2.0%.
Our 2023 Best Manufacturing Engineering Schools ranking analyzes 46 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for manufacturing engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of manufacturing engineering programs later in this article.
Students who are successful in Manufacturing Engineering often have a strong background in math and science. Since this career requires professionals to develop solutions to manufacturing issues or create unique systems, strong analytical and critical thinking skills are necessary. Students must also be creative and have teamwork skills that allow them to collaborate with others from different professions.
Most Manufacturing Engineering graduates work full time. Although the majority of work is done in an office setting, professionals must also travel to observe manufacturing problems and assess what solution may work best.
Internships, or participation in cooperative engineering programs that give students the ability to work and gain school credit at the same time, are extremely beneficial. Employers value relevant experience, plus these opportunities give students the chance to work hands-on in their desired fields.
While a bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering will allow students to find good jobs, those who pursue their master's degree will have the option to become professors, conduct research and development, and possibly pursue higher paying jobs.
manufacturing engineering degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific manufacturing engineering careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Manufacturing Engineering degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in manufacturing engineering to the highest manufacturing engineering degree, a . Manufacturing Engineering 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 manufacturing engineering, with approximately 55.8% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for manufacturing engineering workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 57.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 5.3% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.3% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.4% |
Most workers in manufacturing engineering have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in manufacturing engineering have received.
This of course varies depending on which manufacturing engineering career you choose.
Graduates in Manufacturing Engineering pursue careers at different occupations that use manufacturing. These include automobile, aeronautic, medical, and other companies and businesses. Since this degree is not specialized in one field, graduates have multiple career choices.
Want a job when you graduate with your manufacturing engineering degree? Manufacturing Engineering careers are expected to grow 8.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to manufacturing engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineers | 283,000 | 9.7% |
| Cost Estimators | 240,800 | 10.5% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineers | 141,000 | 6.4% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
Recently graduated manufacturing engineering students earned an average of $70,583 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $53,432 to as high as $102,981. As you might expect, salaries for manufacturing engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for manufacturing engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers manufacturing engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Engineers | $99,410 |
| Industrial Engineers | $91,630 |
| Cost Estimators | $69,710 |
With over 117 different manufacturing engineering 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 manufacturing engineering school rankings to help you with this.
One of 40 majors within the Engineering area of study, Manufacturing Engineering has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 46,178 |
| Electrical Engineering | 28,844 |
| Civil Engineering | 21,388 |
| Computer Engineering | 17,987 |
| Chemical Engineering | 12,917 |
