by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 17 U.S. colleges awarded 92 degrees and certificates in Surveying Engineering. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 62% of graduates. College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Surveying Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $72,931 one year after completing, rising to $79,626 after four years.
Surveying Engineering graduates know everything about the world - well the surface of it that is! Surveying Engineers map areas, measure property lines, and record survey results in all types of landscapes to ensure buildings are constructed on the proper plot, travel distances are accurate, and land deeds are up to date.
In order to become a survey engineer, students take classes in satellite imaging, geographic information systems, geography, site planning, astronomy, and various forms of measurement. These skills will teach students everything they need to know about surveying and open up job possibilities in a variety of industries.
Studying Surveying Engineering involves the study of Surveying Engineering.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, surveying engineering is a popular field of study, with 92 degrees awarded annually. 17 colleges award surveying engineering degrees, an average of 5 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 18.
By level, the 92 awards include 5 certificates, 57 bachelor’s degrees and 30 master’s degrees.
Women earned 21% of surveying engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (19 of 92). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (68) and Hispanic or Latino (11), and international students earned 4.
College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Surveying Engineering Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks surveying engineering schools within 1 state. In all, 17 colleges offer surveying engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Surveying Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common surveying engineering credential is the bachelor’s degree: 57 of the 92 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to surveying 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 Deductive Reasoning.
Surveying Engineering professionals work to determine boundary lines, measure travel distances, and create maps. Attention to detail is extremely important in taking accurate measurements. Professionals must also have strong interpersonal and communication skills so they can exchange information between customers, builders, and government authorities. Time management and leadership skills will allow professionals to lead teams and finish multiple projects at once.
Surveying engineers work full time, but don't always work typical hours. They often work longer hours during the summer when daylight hours are longer. Professionals also split their time between surveying in the field and laying out information and data in the office.
Although they are not mandatory, internships and summer jobs provide students with excellent experience within this field.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a surveying engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 57 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 30 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to surveying engineering, at 32.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 26.9% |
| Master’s degree | 10.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
15 occupations are related to Surveying Engineering, with an average median salary of $94,877; the strongest outlook belongs to Surveyors, at 15.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Petroleum Engineering Teacher, Mechanical Drawing Teacher, College Faculty Member and Marine Engineering Professor.
Surveying Engineering graduates work at a variety locations. They can be found in urban planning companies, architecture firms, land development firms, government agencies, and construction companies. Any industry that requires the measurement of land plots, boundary lines, or areas of the earth's surface will be looking to employ graduates.
The occupation related to surveying 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% |
| Surveyors | 397,409 | 15.0% |
| 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% |
Surveying Engineering graduates earn a median $72,931 one year after completing their program, $79,626 after four years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $72,931 |
| 4 years | $79,626 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to surveying engineering is Engineers, All Other, with a median salary of $136,628.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Surveyors | $131,353 |
| Geodetic Surveyors | $125,113 |
| 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 |
Surveying Engineering includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Surveying Engineering (92). It has 40 similar majors in the Engineering field, which together award 202,943 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 |
|---|---|
| Surveying Engineering | 92 |
| 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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