Best institutions to study Laser and Optical Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of optical systems, lasers and related electronic devices.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 115 Laser and Optical Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.1003, a specialization of Electrical (CIP 14.10), and leads most directly to the Engineers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 17-2199).
About Laser and Optical Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of optical systems, lasers and related electronic devices. Includes instruction in wave theory and mechanics, electromagnetic applications, linear and non-linear optics, photon detecting, laser beam properties, directed energy, harmonic generation, optical systems, shielding and the design and implementation of related systems and equipment.
See also: 40.0807 - Optics/Optical Sciences.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Laser and Optical Engineering program focuses on the application of mathematical and scientific principles to design, develop, and evaluate optical systems and lasers. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the intersection of engineering and advanced optical technologies, preparing them for innovative roles in various industries.
Students will gain knowledge in wave theory, electromagnetic applications, linear and non-linear optics, and the properties of laser beams. Coursework also includes the design and implementation of optical systems and related equipment, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Credentials awarded
What Laser and Optical Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree71 graduates / yr · 4 institutions62%
- Master's degree20 graduates / yr · 2 institutions17%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions11%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year8 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
Graduates over time
Laser and Optical Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2013 | 60 |
| 2014 | 67 |
| 2015 | 82 |
| 2016 | 96 |
| 2017 | 76 |
| 2018 | 120 |
| 2019 | 110 |
| 2020 | 130 |
| 2021 | 121 |
| 2022 | 136 |
| 2023 | 115 |
| 2024 | 155 |
| 2025 | 115 |
Top 5 institutions for Laser and Optical 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 Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 57 | 78% | — | $75,498 |
| 2 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 26 | 85% | $25,874 | $83,705 |
| 3 | Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 78% | $36,775 | $80,062 |
| 4 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 80% | $28,560 | $79,409 |
| 5 | Stonehill College Easton, MAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 9 | 76% | $24,000 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Electrical field (CIP 14.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 5 states
Where Laser and Optical Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Electrical programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 1 | 57 | University of Central Florida57 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 26 | University of Rochester26 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 12 | Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology12 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 11 | University of Dayton11 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 9 | Stonehill College9 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2199, Engineers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Laser and Optical Engineering program can pursue careers as engineers in various capacities, including roles as Architectural and Engineering Managers or Engineering Teachers. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated 9,300 annual openings and a median wage of $117,750 for those with a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.1003
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engineers, All Otherprimary SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | 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 |
Related careers
Other Electrical specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Electrical (CIP 14.10).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a short-term award.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Graduates can work as engineers, managers, or educators in engineering.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are currently 5 colleges offering the Laser and Optical Engineering program.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 9,300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Laser and Optical Engineering?+
Laser and Optical Engineering is CIP 14.1003 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Electrical (CIP 14.10). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of optical systems, lasers and related electronic devices. Includes instruction in wave theory and mechanics, electromagnetic applications, linear and non-linear optics, photon detecting, laser beam properties, directed energy, harmonic generation, optical systems, shielding and the design and implementation of related systems and equipment.
How many institutions offer Laser and Optical Engineering programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Laser and Optical Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 115 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Electrical graduates.
How much do Laser and Optical Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Engineers, All Other occupation, which Laser and Optical Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $122,930 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Electrical field report median earnings of $80,062 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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