by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 92 U.S. colleges awarded 2,090 degrees and certificates in Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 53% of graduates. College Factual ranks 41 schools in its 2027 Best Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $75,263 one year after completing, rising to $108,707 after four years.
A degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering involves the study of Mechatronics, Robotics, And Automation Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Computer Controlled Electro-Mechanical Systems And Products With Embedded Electronics, Sensors, And Actuators; And Which Includes, But Is Not Limited To, Automata, Robots And Automation Systems. Includes Instruction In Mechanical Engineering, Electronic And Electrical Engineering, Computer And Software Engineering, And Control Engineering.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering draws strong interest, with 2,090 degrees awarded annually. 92 colleges award mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering degrees, an average of 23 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 228.
By level, the 2,090 awards include 57 certificates, 126 associate degrees, 641 bachelor’s degrees, 1,116 master’s degrees and 98 doctorates.
Women earned 16% of mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (343 of 2,090). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (799) and Asian (182), and international students earned 754.
College Factual ranks 41 schools in its 2027 Best Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees, 14 for bachelor’s degrees, 23 for master’s degrees and 4 for doctorates. It also ranks mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering schools within 13 states. In all, 92 colleges offer mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering credential is the master’s degree: 1,116 of the 2,090 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to mechatronics, robotics, & automation 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 mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 57 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 126 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 641 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,116 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 98 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to mechatronics, robotics, & automation 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 Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation 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 Engineering Instructor, Applied Mechanics Teacher, Adjunct Engineering Instructor and Engineering Faculty Member.
The occupation related to mechatronics, robotics, & automation 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% |
Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering graduates earn a median $75,263 one year after completing their program, $108,707 after four years and $97,576 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $75,263 |
| 4 years | $108,707 |
| 5 years | $97,576 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to mechatronics, robotics, & automation 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.
