by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 15 U.S. colleges awarded 263 degrees and certificates in General Ocean Engineering. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 63% of graduates. College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best General Ocean Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $70,358 one year after completing, rising to $87,737 after four years.
A degree in General Ocean Engineering involves the study of Ocean Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Systems To Monitor, Control, Manipulate And Operate Within Coastal Or Ocean Environments, Such As Underwater Platforms, Flood Control Systems, Dikes, Hydroelectric Power Systems, Tide And Current Control And Warning Systems, And Communications Equipment; The Planning And Design Of Total Systems For Working And Functioning In Water Or Underwater Environments; And The Analysis Of Related Engineering Problems Such As The Action Of Water Properties And Behavior On Physical Systems And People, Tidal Forces, Current Movements, And Wave Motion.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general ocean engineering is a popular field of study, with 263 degrees awarded annually. 15 colleges award general ocean engineering degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 60.
By level, the 263 awards include 1 associate degrees, 165 bachelor’s degrees, 77 master’s degrees and 20 doctorates.
Women earned 30% of general ocean engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (79 of 263). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (168) and Hispanic or Latino (27), and international students earned 36.
College Factual ranks 6 schools in its 2027 Best General Ocean Engineering Schools ranking, including 5 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks general ocean engineering schools within 3 states. In all, 15 colleges offer general ocean engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Ocean Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general ocean engineering credential is the bachelor’s degree: 165 of the 263 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general ocean engineering 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 ocean engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 165 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 77 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 20 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general ocean engineering, 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 Ocean Engineering, 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 Adjunct Engineering Instructor, Petroleum Engineering Professor, Ceramic Engineering Professor and Robotics Instructor.
The occupation related to general ocean engineering 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 Ocean Engineering graduates earn a median $70,358 one year after completing their program, $87,737 after four years and $91,796 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $70,358 |
| 4 years | $87,737 |
| 5 years | $91,796 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general ocean engineering 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
