by our College Data Analytics TeamEngineering Science is a major you can develop around your interests while building a base of advanced mathematics and scientific principles. You will analyze and evaluate engineering problems while using applied research in human behavior, statistics, biology, chemistry, meteorology, computer applications, and various other topics. As you can tell, this major is flexible and interdisciplinary. That means you have the power to study what interests you. However, the courses you select with your advisor must follow a specific path of your choosing so that they can be grouped in a meaningful way that will allow you to achieve career-driven goals.
Even though every program will be unique, these are some courses that you can expect to take in any Engineering program: applied mathematics and physics, engineering design, cell and molecular biology for engineers, quantum electronics, Nano engineering, thermodynamics, and writing in engineering science.
Engineering Science was the 205th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,422 degrees in this year alone. Our 2025 Best Engineering Science Schools ranking analyzes 19 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for engineering science students. Explore this or one of our many other custom engineering science rankings further below.
This major appeals to diverse and flexible thinkers. You will be asked to make connections between different fields as you take courses in a variety of subjects. You will then have the chance to use what you've learned in class and apply it to projects. This will bridge the gap between memorizing and utilizing the information you come across.
Engineering is a great field for creative and curious minds who want to learn how to build and design projects. Engineers have a hand in designing everything from mine detectors, Nano robots, muffin makers and voice activated electronics. Communication skills are important as you will be doing a lot of group work and writing reports on your projects.
engineering science 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. In addition to these basic engineering science program qualifications, to serve in some engineering science careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of engineering science degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in engineering science to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a engineering science degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to engineering science, with approximately 57.6% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for engineering science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 60.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.3% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.7% |
Most workers in engineering science have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in engineering science have received.
The education level required is different depending on the engineering science career you are seeking.
This major will allow you to choose a career path that really interests you. These careers will vary widely depending on what discipline you focus on in school. You may decide to get a career in engineering, marketing or sales with engineering, or even build a professional career through the use of analytical and problem solving skills you learned while at school. There is a wide array of careers you can have and your college will help guide you to that career path.
Want a job when you graduate with your engineering science degree? Engineering Science careers are expected to grow 7.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to engineering science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineers | 141,000 | 6.4% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
Engineering Science graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $79,822 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $61,518 to as high as $94,870. As you might expect, salaries for engineering science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for engineering science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers engineering science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Engineers | $99,410 |
With over 137 different engineering science 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 engineering science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 41 majors within the Engineering area of study, Engineering Science has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Engineering Science | 1,422 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 44,794 |
| Electrical Engineering | 26,528 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,655 |
| Computer Engineering | 16,954 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 13,222 |
Image Credit: By Nicolás Pérez under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
