by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 8 U.S. colleges awarded 52 degrees and certificates in Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 87% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing, rising to $75,072 after four years.
A degree in Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering involves the study of Assistive/augmentative Technology And Rehabilitation Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply The Principles Of Psychology, Engineering, And Occupational Therapy To The Design And Implementation Of Technological Interventions And Systems To Promote Patient Rehabilitation And Function. Includes Instruction In Ergonomics, Seating And Mobility Design, Universal And Near Environment Systems Design, Rehabilitation Research, Rehabilitation Biomechanics, Access And Communications Design, Microprocessor-Based Technologies, Neurological Trauma, Standards And Testing, And Service Delivery Management.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering draws strong interest, with 52 degrees awarded annually. 8 colleges award assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering degrees, an average of 6 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 27.
By level, the 52 awards include 45 master’s degrees and 6 doctorates.
Women earned 88% of assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (46 of 52). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (39) and Asian (5), and international students earned 1.
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering Schools ranking, including 1 for doctorates. It also ranks assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering schools within 1 state. In all, 8 colleges offer assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering credential is the master’s degree: 45 of the 52 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering call most for Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Design and Engineering and Technology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Deductive Reasoning, Oral Comprehension and Inductive Reasoning.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 45 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering, at 59.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 59.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 5.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.8% |
| Some college courses | 1.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
12 occupations are related to Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering, with an average median salary of $83,065; the strongest outlook belongs to Solar Energy Systems Engineers, at 14.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Orthotic Fitter, Board Orthotist, Orthotic Clinician and LPO (Licensed Prosthetist Orthotist).
The occupation related to assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation engineering with the most projected jobs is Orthotists and Prosthetists, at 3,021,997.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | 3,021,997 | 2.9% |
| Medical Appliance Technicians | 384,787 | 8.4% |
| 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% |
| Robotics Engineers | 141,385 | 8.6% |
Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing their program, $75,072 after four years and $74,465 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $66,380 |
| 4 years | $75,072 |
| 5 years | $74,465 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to assistive/augmentative technology and rehabilitation 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 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | $86,860 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
| Robotics Engineers | $72,925 |
Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering has 15 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 28,854 degrees a year; the largest are Physical Therapy/Therapist (13,798), Occupational Therapy/Therapist (9,835) and Rehabilitation Science (1,028). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,798 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 9,835 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,028 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor | 939 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 686 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 640 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 639 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 582 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 302 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy | 115 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
