by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1 U.S. colleges awarded 19 degrees and certificates in Combat Systems Engineering. Graduates earn a median $89,751 one year after completing, rising to $106,353 after four years.
A major in Combat Systems Engineering involves the study of Combat Systems Engineering. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Systems Engineering And System Architecture To The Design And Construction Of Modern Combat Systems And Their Integration With Each Other, With Host Platforms And With Other Forces Into Network-Centric Warfighting Systems. Includes Instruction In Systems Engineering, Computer Programming, Chemical Systems, Biological Systems, Material Systems, Human Factors, Combat Environments, Sensor Systems, Threat And System Risk Assessment, Conventional And Unconventional Weapons, Combat Simulation, Reliability And Maintenance, Testing, Engineering Project Management, Strategic Planning And Applications To Aerospace, Ground, And Naval Combat Systems.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, combat systems engineering is a popular field of study, with 19 degrees awarded annually. 1 colleges award combat systems engineering degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 19.
All 19 of the awards are master’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 10% of combat systems engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (2 of 19). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (15) and Hispanic or Latino (3), and international students earned 1.
How long a combat systems engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 19 |
1 occupations are related to Combat Systems Engineering, with an average median salary of $60,551; the strongest outlook belongs to Military Officer Special and Tactical Operations Leaders, All Other, at 0.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Photographic Intelligence Officer, Gunnery/Ordnance Officer, Staff Readiness Officer (Electronic Warfare) and Staff Mine Warfare Officer.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to combat systems engineering, at 41,278.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Military Officer Special and Tactical Operations Leaders, All Other | 41,278 | 0.6% |
Combat Systems Engineering graduates earn a median $89,751 one year after completing their program, $106,353 after four years and $58,787 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $89,751 |
| 4 years | $106,353 |
| 5 years | $58,787 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to combat systems engineering, with a median salary of $60,551.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Military Officer Special and Tactical Operations Leaders, All Other | $60,551 |
Combat Systems Engineering has 5 similar majors in the Military Technologies & Sciences field, which together award 334 degrees a year; the largest are Space Systems Operations (193), Military Applied Sciences, Other (97) and Undersea Warfare (32). Browse all Military Technologies & Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Space Systems Operations | 193 |
| Military Applied Sciences, Other | 97 |
| Undersea Warfare | 32 |
| Engineering Acoustics | 6 |
| Operational Oceanography | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.