by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, railroad and railway transportation was the 1,404 most popular major nationwide with 102 degrees awarded. This 69 less than the prior year, a decrease of 67.6%.
This year's Best Railroad & Railway Transportation Schools ranking compares 1 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of railroad and railway transportation programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Operations Management - Logistics & Transportation
Enhance your Bachelor of Science in Operations Management with a concentration in Logistics and Transportation at Southern New Hampshire University.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in railroad and railway transportation is giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly and monitoring assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most railroad and railway transportation degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific railroad and railway transportation careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Railroad and Railway Transportation degree levels vary. Railroad & Railway Transportation programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest railroad and railway transportation degree you can get. The type of railroad and railway transportation degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to railroad and railway transportation, with approximately 2.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for railroad and railway transportation workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 72.7% |
| Some College Courses | 11.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 10.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.6% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1.5% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in railroad and railway transportation have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which railroad and railway transportation career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your railroad and railway transportation degree? Railroad & Railway Transportation careers are expected to grow 3.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to railroad and railway transportation.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Supervisors | 217,700 | 6.6% |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | 41,000 | -1.9% |
| Locomotive Engineers | 37,700 | -2.8% |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators | 19,000 | -1.6% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | 13,400 | 4.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for railroad and railway transportation graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for railroad and railway transportation graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers railroad and railway transportation grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Locomotive Firers | $69,030 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $66,920 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $66,080 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operators | $62,970 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators | $58,890 |
With over 7 different railroad and railway transportation degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased railroad and railway transportation school rankings to help you with this.
Railroad & Railway Transportation is one of 4 different types of Ground Transportation programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Truck & Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator & Instructor | 16,544 |
| Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | 1,132 |
| Other Ground Transportation | 115 |
View All Railroad and Railway Transportation Related Majors >
