Best institutions to study Packaging Science
A program that focuses on the application of scientific, technological, design, and business principles to the development of packages and packaging materials, including raw material production, conversion of raw materials into usable forms, design, distribution, and post-use recycling and reuse.
10 U.S. institutions graduated 373 Packaging Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1503, a specialization of Engineering-Related Fields (CIP 15.15), and leads most directly to the Industrial Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 17-2112).
About Packaging Science programs
A program that focuses on the application of scientific, technological, design, and business principles to the development of packages and packaging materials, including raw material production, conversion of raw materials into usable forms, design, distribution, and post-use recycling and reuse. Includes instruction in principles of packaging, materials sciences, distribution and transportation, engineering and technology, graphic design, packaging regulations, and business and marketing.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Packaging Science program focuses on the application of scientific, technological, design, and business principles to develop packages and packaging materials. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection of engineering and design, preparing them for a dynamic field that encompasses raw material production, design, distribution, and recycling.
Students in this program will gain core skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and engineering technology. Coursework covers principles of packaging, materials sciences, graphic design, and business marketing, equipping graduates with the knowledge to tackle complex packaging challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Packaging Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree300 graduates / yr · 8 institutions80%
- Master's degree68 graduates / yr · 5 institutions18%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship5 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.3%
Graduates over time
Packaging Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 297 |
| 2013 | 346 |
| 2014 | 327 |
| 2015 | 413 |
| 2016 | 459 |
| 2017 | 467 |
| 2018 | 430 |
| 2019 | 440 |
| 2020 | 428 |
| 2021 | 418 |
| 2022 | 374 |
| 2023 | 386 |
| 2024 | 383 |
| 2025 | 373 |
Top 10 institutions for Packaging Science, 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 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 145 | 81% | — | $76,563 |
| 2 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 67 | 87% | — | $68,904 |
| 3 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 52 | 70% | $28,133 | $74,923 |
| 4 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 33 | 86% | — | $56,513 |
| 5 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 31 | 74% | $49,088 | — |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 25 | 55% | — | $71,117 |
| 7 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 69% | — | — |
| 8 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicBachelor's | 4 | 43% | — | — |
| 9 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicMaster's | 3 | 86% | — | — |
| 10 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 58% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Engineering-Related Fields field (CIP 15.15) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 8 states
Where Packaging Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Engineering-Related Fields programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 1 | 145 | Michigan State University145 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 83 | Rochester Institute of Technology52 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 67 | Clemson University67 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 33 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University33 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 25 | University of Wisconsin - Stout25 / yr |
| California | 2 | 15 | San Jose State University12 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 4 | Indiana State University4 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2112, Industrial Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Packaging Science program can pursue careers as Industrial Engineers and other related roles, with a much faster than average job growth of 11%. The median wage for these positions is approximately $101,140, with typical education at the bachelor's degree level. Annually, there are about 25,200 job openings in this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1503
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Industrial Engineersprimary SOC 17-2112 | $102,440 | +11.0% Much faster than average | ~25,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other SOC 25-1199 | $77,640 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~13,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians SOC 17-3026 | $66,120 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~6,300 | Associate's degree |
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Commercial and Industrial Designers SOC 27-1021 | $83,910 | +3.2% About as fast as average | ~2,500 | Bachelor's 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 Packaging Science 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Engineering-Related Fields specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Engineering-Related Fields (CIP 15.15).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Packaging Science?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Packaging Science.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, design, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Packaging Science?+
You can work as an Industrial Engineer, Architectural and Engineering Manager, or in various engineering technologist roles.
What is the job outlook for Packaging Science graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an estimated growth rate of 11% and around 25,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Packaging Science?+
Packaging Science is CIP 15.1503 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Engineering-Related Fields (CIP 15.15). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of scientific, technological, design, and business principles to the development of packages and packaging materials, including raw material production, conversion of raw materials into usable forms, design, distribution, and post-use recycling and reuse. Includes instruction in principles of packaging, materials sciences, distribution and transportation, engineering and technology, graphic design, packaging regulations, and business and marketing.
How many institutions offer Packaging Science programs?+
10 U.S. institutions reported Packaging Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 8 states, awarding 373 credentials in the year. That is 4.3% of all Engineering-Related Fields graduates.
How much do Packaging Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Industrial Engineers occupation, which Packaging Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $102,440 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Engineering-Related Fields field report median earnings of $71,117 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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