Best institutions to study Telecommunications Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and maintenance of telecommunications technology, networks, and systems.
14 U.S. institutions graduated 165 Telecommunications Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.1004, a specialization of Electrical (CIP 14.10), and leads most directly to the Electronics Engineers, Except Computer occupation (BLS SOC 17-2072).
About Telecommunications Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and maintenance of telecommunications technology, networks, and systems. Includes instruction in telecommunications, computer networking, communications networks and systems, signals, circuits, fiber optics, and wireless systems and technology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Telecommunications Engineering program, a branch of Electrical Engineering, prepares individuals to design, develop, and maintain telecommunications technology and systems. This program is ideal for students interested in applying mathematical and scientific principles to solve complex problems in the telecommunications field. With a focus on both theoretical and practical aspects, graduates are equipped to work in various technology-driven environments.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and engineering design. Coursework typically covers telecommunications, computer networking, signals, circuits, fiber optics, and wireless systems, providing a comprehensive foundation for a career in telecommunications engineering.
Credentials awarded
What Telecommunications Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree81 graduates / yr · 8 institutions49%
- Award of less than 12 weeks75 graduates / yr · 3 institutions46%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Telecommunications Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 322 |
| 2013 | 375 |
| 2014 | 330 |
| 2015 | 387 |
| 2016 | 362 |
| 2017 | 389 |
| 2018 | 323 |
| 2019 | 232 |
| 2020 | 178 |
| 2021 | 133 |
| 2022 | 63 |
| 2023 | 155 |
| 2024 | 194 |
| 2025 | 165 |
Top 14 institutions for Telecommunications 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 | Arizona Western College Yuma, AZPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 55 | 20% | — | — |
| 2 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 32 | 84% | $33,246 | — |
| 3 | Tri - County Adult Career Center Nelsonville, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 19 | 85% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicMaster's | 15 | 89% | — | $85,500 |
| 5 | Ana G. Mendez University Orlando, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | — | — | — |
| 6 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicMaster's | 11 | 74% | — | $88,957 |
| 7 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster's | 5 | 74% | — | $71,447 |
| 8 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 76% | — | $79,571 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 76% | — | $77,928 |
| 10 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 68% | — | $82,175 |
| 11 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 83% | — | $84,300 |
| 12 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 13 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 91% | $18,925 | $92,222 |
| 14 | Mineral Area College Park Hills, MOPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 1 | 49% | — | — |
* 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 12 states
Where Telecommunications Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Electrical programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 1 | 55 | Arizona Western College55 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 36 | Southern Methodist University32 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 19 | Tri - County Adult Career Center19 / yr |
| Florida | 2 | 18 | Ana G. Mendez University13 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 15 | University of Maryland - College Park15 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 11 | University of Colorado Boulder11 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 4 | Stony Brook University4 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 2 | George Mason University2 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 2 | Purdue University - Main Campus2 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 1 | George Washington University1 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | Northeastern University1 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | Mineral Area College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2072, Electronics Engineers, Except Computer, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Electronics Engineers, Architectural and Engineering Managers, and Engineering Teachers, among others. The job outlook for this field is promising, with a growth rate of 6.2% and approximately 5,700 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $127,590, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.1004
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electronics Engineers, Except Computerprimary SOC 17-2072 | $130,220 | +6.2% Faster than average | ~5,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineers, All Other SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | 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 Telecommunications 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
- Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.
- Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks.
- Evaluate project work to ensure effectiveness, technical adequacy, or compatibility in the resolution of complex electronics engineering problems.
- Direct or coordinate activities concerned with manufacture, construction, installation, maintenance, operation, or modification of electronic equipment, products, or systems.
- Confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential electronics engineering projects or products.
- Provide technical support or instruction to staff or customers regarding electronics equipment standards.
Tools and technology used
Other Electrical specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Electrical (CIP 14.10).
Common questions
What types of degrees are offered in Telecommunications Engineering?+
Degrees include Master's degrees, awards of less than 12 weeks, postbaccalaureate certificates, and Doctor's degrees.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, active listening, and engineering design.
What is the job outlook for Telecommunications Engineering graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 6.2% and 5,700 annual openings.
What are common career paths for graduates?+
Common careers include Electronics Engineers, Architectural and Engineering Managers, and Engineering Teachers.
What is the CIP code for Telecommunications Engineering?+
Telecommunications Engineering is CIP 14.1004 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 maintenance of telecommunications technology, networks, and systems. Includes instruction in telecommunications, computer networking, communications networks and systems, signals, circuits, fiber optics, and wireless systems and technology.
How many institutions offer Telecommunications Engineering programs?+
14 U.S. institutions reported Telecommunications Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states, awarding 165 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Electrical graduates.
How much do Telecommunications Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Electronics Engineers, Except Computer occupation, which Telecommunications Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $130,220 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Electrical field report median earnings of $84,300 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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