Best institutions to study Structural Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials and systems used in building load-bearing structures for various purposes and in different environments, including buildings, roads, rail lines, bridges, dams, conduits, offshore platforms and work stations, and other structural shells; and the analysis of structural problems such as, failure, fabrication, safety, and natural hazards.
24 U.S. institutions graduated 385 Structural Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.0803, a specialization of Civil Engineering (CIP 14.08), and leads most directly to the Civil Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 17-2051).
About Structural Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials and systems used in building load-bearing structures for various purposes and in different environments, including buildings, roads, rail lines, bridges, dams, conduits, offshore platforms and work stations, and other structural shells; and the analysis of structural problems such as, failure, fabrication, safety, and natural hazards.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Structural Engineering program, a specialization within Civil Engineering, equips students with the skills to design and evaluate load-bearing structures. This program is ideal for individuals interested in applying mathematical and scientific principles to create safe and efficient buildings, bridges, and other infrastructures in various environments. Students in this program will delve into the complexities of structural design, addressing issues such as safety, fabrication, and the impact of natural hazards. With a focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical application, graduates are prepared to tackle real-world engineering challenges.
Core coursework in the Structural Engineering program covers essential skills such as design principles, mathematics, physics, and engineering technology. Students will also develop competencies in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication, preparing them for the demands of the engineering field.
Credentials awarded
What Structural Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree196 graduates / yr · 5 institutions51%
- Master's degree145 graduates / yr · 10 institutions38%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate32 graduates / yr · 8 institutions8.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship7 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.8%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Structural Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 412 |
| 2013 | 430 |
| 2014 | 402 |
| 2015 | 410 |
| 2016 | 457 |
| 2017 | 496 |
| 2018 | 417 |
| 2019 | 363 |
| 2020 | 336 |
| 2021 | 332 |
| 2022 | 328 |
| 2023 | 298 |
| 2024 | 338 |
| 2025 | 385 |
Top 24 institutions for Structural Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 216 | 86% | — | $65,478 |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 50 | 92% | $26,873 | $85,262 |
| 3 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicMaster's | 23 | 57% | — | $62,768 |
| 4 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 21 | 68% | — | $70,928 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Harrisburg Middletown, PAPublicBachelor's | 17 | 26% | — | — |
| 6 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 75% | $19,899 | $71,760 |
| 7 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 8 | 78% | — | $69,321 |
| 8 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 88% | $26,912 | $73,545 |
| 9 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster's | 6 | 88% | — | $68,031 |
| 10 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 4 | 93% | — | $67,764 |
| 11 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 4 | 58% | — | $69,706 |
| 12 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 63% | — | $64,671 |
| 13 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 61% | — | $66,064 |
| 14 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 75% | — | $64,604 |
| 15 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 85% | — | $70,346 |
| 16 | Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 21% | — | — |
| 17 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SCPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 75% | — | $61,163 |
| 18 | Seattle University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 76% | $31,900 | $69,151 |
| 19 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster's | 1 | 93% | — | $75,510 |
| 20 | Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 78% | $36,775 | $73,821 |
| 21 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 64% | — | $70,664 |
| 22 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 73% | — | $68,288 |
| 23 | Villanova University Villanova, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 92% | $33,774 | $71,525 |
| 24 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 42% | — | $66,429 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Civil Engineering field (CIP 14.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 15 states
Where Structural Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Civil Engineering programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4 | 290 | University of California - San Diego216 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 29 | Michigan Technological University21 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | 27 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Harrisburg17 / yr |
| Florida | 2 | 10 | University of Central Florida8 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 9 | Illinois Institute of Technology9 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 6 | Ohio State University - Main Campus6 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 2 | University of Louisville2 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 2 | University at Buffalo2 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh2 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 2 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina2 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 2 | Seattle University2 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology1 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | Missouri University of Science and Technology1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | New Jersey Institute of Technology1 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2051, Civil Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Structural Engineering program can pursue careers as Civil Engineers, with a promising job outlook of 5% growth and approximately 23,600 annual openings. The median wage for this profession is $99,590, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.0803
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Civil Engineersprimary SOC 17-2051 | $100,840 | +5.0% Faster than average | ~23,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Structural Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
- Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
- Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
- Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
- Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
- Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
Tools and technology used
Other Civil Engineering specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Civil Engineering (CIP 14.08).
- Civil EngineeringCIP 14.080119,047 graduates / yr307 institutions
- Civil EngineeringCIP 14.0899207 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Transportation and Highway EngineeringCIP 14.0804122 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Water Resources EngineeringCIP 14.080540 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental EngineeringCIP 14.0802partial data19 graduates / yr7 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Structural Engineering?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in design, mathematics, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Civil Engineer, Architectural and Engineering Manager, or Engineering Teacher.
What is the job outlook for Structural Engineers?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with 5% growth expected in the field.
What is the CIP code for Structural Engineering?+
Structural Engineering is CIP 14.0803 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Civil Engineering (CIP 14.08). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials and systems used in building load-bearing structures for various purposes and in different environments, including buildings, roads, rail lines, bridges, dams, conduits, offshore platforms and work stations, and other structural shells; and the analysis of structural problems such as, failure, fabrication, safety, and natural hazards.
How many institutions offer Structural Engineering programs?+
24 U.S. institutions reported Structural Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 385 credentials in the year. That is 1.9% of all Civil Engineering graduates.
How much do Structural Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Civil Engineers occupation, which Structural Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $100,840 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Civil Engineering field report median earnings of $69,321 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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