by our College Data Analytics TeamIt's not often that an entirely new career track is created out of thin air. In just the last decade, nanotechnology has gone from being science fiction to reality. While nanotech in the news has focused on the medical aspects, this technology can be applied to other areas of life such as food safety, computing, and electronics.
Because of the new nature of this field, finding a college to take nanotechnology courses can be difficult. Only a small number of colleges and universities offer related courses, and as you explore institutions offering nanotech programs, you'll see they fall under a wide variety of degrees including associates, bachelors, doctorate and master's degrees.
While some colleges offer nanotechnology as a ??specialization" or minor to a larger program such as physics, materials science or electrical engineering, some colleges offer full-blown degrees in nanotechnology. College Factual is a good place to start when seeking your undergraduate degree in nanotechnology. Be sure to check the ??Most Popular" rankings to see Nanotechnology programs ranked by the number of graduates.
Nanotechnology careers are centered on using technology at an extremely small scale - at the nanoscale to be precise. The applications of this technology are vast, and it is now used to build faster processors and semiconductors, in the medical field to deliver medicine to targeted cells, in waste disposal, robotics, and more.
Nanotechnology was the 340th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 104 degrees in this year alone. This year's Best Nanotechnology Schools ranking compares 4 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of nanotech programs later in this article.
Because of the interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology, you may be exposed to classes in science, biology, mathematics, physical and computer sciences. You must have an inquisitive nature and be able to work in a fast-paced environment - frequently research is driven by profits so the first to the finish line wins.
nanotechnology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional nanotech certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different nanotech degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in nanotechnology to something that takes less time like a . The type of nanotech 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 |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to nanotech, with approximately 35.8% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for nanotech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 35.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 25.7% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 17.3% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 7.7% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.8% |
71.7% of nanotech workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in nanotechnology have received.
The education level required is different depending on the nanotech career you are seeking.
Careers are varied and can exist in any number of industry verticals. Food science, medicine, technology, cosmetics - all are practical nanotechnology applications. Because the field is so new, it is difficult to put numbers on average salaries and the number of positions available. Because the demand is strong and the stakes are high, you will likely need higher levels of education to make it in the nanotechnology field.
Want a job when you graduate with your nanotech degree? Nanotechnology careers are expected to grow 6.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to nanotechnology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers | 141,000 | 6.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for nanotech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for nanotechnology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers nanotech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers | $99,410 |
With over 48 different nanotech 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 nanotech school rankings to help you with this.
Nanotechnology is one of 18 different types of Engineering Technologies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nanotechnology | 104 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technology | 11,288 |
| Electromechanical Engineering Technology | 10,780 |
| Environmental Control Technology | 9,376 |
| Drafting & Design Engineering Technology | 8,822 |
| Electronics Engineering Technology | 8,347 |
Image Credit: By Health Sciences and Nutrition, CSIRO under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
