Best colleges for Engineering-Related Fields
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Engineering-Related Fields by graduate earnings are Stanford University ($100,788), Stevens Institute of Technology ($79,755) and Michigan State University ($76,563), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Stanford University (Stanford, CA): $100,788, 185 graduates a year
- Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ): $79,755, 156 graduates a year
- Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI): $76,563, 145 graduates a year
- Arizona State University Campus Immersion (Tempe, AZ): $76,149, 140 graduates a year
- University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ): $75,109, 50 graduates a year
Compare 203 U.S. colleges offering Engineering-Related Fields by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 41 states.
Engineering-Related Fields programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $68,919 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 15.15 and the Industrial Engineers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Engineering-Related Fields programs
The Engineering-Related Fields program encompasses a variety of disciplines that apply scientific and mathematical principles to develop technological solutions. This program is ideal for students interested in pursuing careers in engineering and engineering-related technologies, focusing on practical applications in various industries.
Students in this program will gain critical skills in areas such as critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers engineering design, production processes, and quality assurance, equipping students with the knowledge necessary for success in the field.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $100,788 | 185 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 2 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,755 | 156 | 87% | $34,827 | $26,975 |
| 3 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,563 | 145 | 81% | — | $23,756 |
| 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,149 | 140 | 68% | — | $31,000 |
| 5 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,109 | 50 | 68% | — | $24,777 |
| 6 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,923 | 52 | 70% | $28,133 | $27,750 |
| 7 | Clarkson University Potsdam, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,407 | 79 | 75% | $27,281 | $27,000 |
| 8 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,234 | 102 | 92% | $26,873 | $19,250 |
| 9 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,708 | 239 | 64% | — | $28,000 |
| 10 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,252 | 77 | 83% | — | $16,625 |
| 11 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,164 | 83 | 75% | $19,899 | — |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,117 | 25 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 13 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,919 | 45 | 68% | — | $27,875 |
| 14 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,904 | 74 | 87% | — | $25,000 |
| 15 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,992 | 29 | 58% | — | $27,000 |
| 16 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,431 | 31 | 54% | — | $19,576 |
| 17 | Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,860 | 62 | 79% | $48,578 | $37,250 |
| 18 | Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,798 | 90 | 43% | — | — |
| 19 | Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,996 | 82 | 64% | — | $26,404 |
| 20 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,458 | 20 | 75% | — | — |
| 21 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,416 | 77 | 75% | — | $25,236 |
| 22 | Morehead State University Morehead, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,330 | 21 | 52% | — | $22,580 |
| 23 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,240 | 313 | 88% | $29,023 | $20,500 |
| 24 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,284 | 78 | 50% | — | $25,500 |
| 25 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,513 | 33 | 86% | — | $23,750 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Public · Certificate | $68,551 | 21 | 54% | — | $17,625 |
Specializations within Engineering-Related Fields
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 15.15 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Engineering/CIP 15.1501
Industrial Management 7,899 graduates / yr188 institutions41 states - Packaging ScienceCIP 15.1503373 graduates / yr10 institutions8 states
- Engineering DesignCIP 15.1502253 graduates / yr10 institutions8 states
- Engineering-Related FieldsCIP 15.1599partial data210 graduates / yr8 institutions7 states
Offered across 41 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2112, Industrial Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Engineering-Related Fields program can expect a promising job outlook, with an estimated growth rate of 11% and around 25,200 annual job openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is approximately $101,140, and a bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Engineering-Related Fields
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 15.15.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 15.15 (Engineering-Related Fields) maps to 10 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-3013 | Facilities Managers |
| 11-3051 | Industrial Production Managers |
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2112 | Industrial Engineersprimary |
| 17-2199 | Engineers, All Other |
| 17-3026 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
| 17-3029 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| 27-1021 | Commercial and Industrial Designers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Engineering-Related Fields programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
- Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
- Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
- Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status.
- Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.
- Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available?+
Specializations include Engineering/Industrial Management, Engineering Design, Packaging Science, and Engineering-Related Fields, Other.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an 11% growth rate and 25,200 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in Engineering-Related Fields.
How much do Engineering-Related Fields graduates earn?+
Engineering-Related Fields graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $68,919, College Scorecard (2019); the Industrial Engineers occupation pays about $109,900 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Engineering-Related Fields?+
Engineering-Related Fields maps to CIP 15.15 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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