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2023 Railroad & Railway Transportation Degree Guide

Railroad & Railway Transportation Degrees Decreasing

#1,404 Most Popular Major
102 Degrees Awarded
-67.6% Increase in Graduates

In 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.

2023 Best Colleges for Railroad & Railway Transportation
2023 Overall Best Railroad & Railway Transportation Colleges >

Best Railroad & Railway Transportation Schools by Degree

Associate Degrees in Railroad & Railway Transportation

Requirements for Getting a Degree in Railroad & Railway Transportation

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.

Getting Accepted Into a Railroad & Railway Transportation Program

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.

Types of Railroad & Railway Transportation Degrees

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.

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This of course varies depending on which railroad and railway transportation career you choose.

Career Opportunities for Railroad and Railway Transportation Majors

Average Number of Jobs
62.4k Avg. Related Jobs Salary
4% Growth Job Outlook 2016-26

Growth Projected for Railroad and Railway Transportation Careers

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%

How Much Money Do Railroad and Railway Transportation Grads Make?

As you might expect, salaries for railroad and railway transportation graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

High Paying Careers for Railroad and Railway Transportation Majors

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

Getting Your Railroad & Railway Transportation Degree

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 >

References

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