by our College Data Analytics TeamAutomotive Engineering Technology was the 513th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 926 degrees in this year alone. This 244 less than the prior year, a decrease of 26.3%.
Our 2023 Best Automotive Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes 16 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for automotive engineering technology/technician students. Explore this or one of our many other custom automotive engineering tech rankings further below.
When studying Automotive Engineering Tech, you’ll learn that repairing machines or systems using the needed tools will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed and watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most automotive engineering tech degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional automotive engineering tech certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of automotive engineering tech degrees. Automotive Engineering Technology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest automotive engineering tech degree you can get. The type of automotive engineering tech 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 automotive engineering tech, with approximately 1.5% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for automotive engineering tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 54.2% |
| High School Diploma | 42.5% |
| Some College Courses | 5.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.5% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in automotive engineering technology/technician have received.
The education level required is different depending on the automotive engineering tech career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your automotive engineering tech degree? Automotive Engineering Technology careers are expected to grow 6.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to automotive engineering technology/technician.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 795,800 | 6.1% |
As you might expect, salaries for automotive engineering tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for automotive engineering technology/technician graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers automotive engineering tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $43,730 |
With over 91 different automotive engineering tech 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 automotive engineering tech school rankings to help you with this.
Automotive Engineering Technology is one of 4 different types of Mechanical Engineering Technology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology | 3,682 |
| Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology | 983 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies, Other | 395 |
| Marine Engineering Technology | 27 |
