Best institutions to study Surveying Technology/Surveying
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the delineation, determination, planning and positioning of land tracts, land and water boundaries, land contours and features; and the preparation of related maps, charts and reports.
79 U.S. institutions graduated 1,117 Surveying Technology/Surveying students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1102, a specialization of Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.11), and leads most directly to the Surveying and Mapping Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3031).
About Surveying Technology/Surveying programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the delineation, determination, planning and positioning of land tracts, land and water boundaries, land contours and features; and the preparation of related maps, charts and reports. Includes instruction in applied geodesy, computer graphics, photointerpretation, plane and geodetic surveying, mensuration, traversing, survey equipment operation and maintenance, instrument calibration, and basic cartography.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Surveying Technology/Surveying program prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the delineation and positioning of land tracts, boundaries, and features. This program is ideal for those interested in working in engineering-related technologies and seeking a hands-on career in surveying and mapping. Students will gain practical skills essential for the surveying profession.
Core coursework includes applied geodesy, computer graphics, photointerpretation, and the operation and maintenance of survey equipment. Students will also learn about basic cartography and mensuration, equipping them with the knowledge needed to produce accurate maps and reports.
Credentials awarded
What Surveying Technology/Surveying graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year349 graduates / yr · 40 institutions31%
- Associate's degree333 graduates / yr · 40 institutions30%
- Bachelor's degree250 graduates / yr · 23 institutions22%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years164 graduates / yr · 14 institutions15%
- Award of less than 12 weeks12 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.1%
- Master's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Surveying Technology/Surveying completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 958 |
| 2013 | 760 |
| 2014 | 651 |
| 2015 | 612 |
| 2016 | 579 |
| 2017 | 684 |
| 2018 | 693 |
| 2019 | 722 |
| 2020 | 790 |
| 2021 | 812 |
| 2022 | 744 |
| 2023 | 934 |
| 2024 | 1,046 |
| 2025 | 1,117 |
Top 50 institutions for Surveying Technology/Surveying, 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 | Tyler Junior College Tyler, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 76 | 27% | — | — |
| 2 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 66 | 33% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 51 | 55% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton Morrilton, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 47 | 42% | — | — |
| 5 | Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City Oklahoma City, OKPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 43 | 15% | — | — |
| 6 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 43 | 20% | — | — |
| 7 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 38 | 21% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicAssociate'sBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 36 | 52% | — | — |
| 9 | Vincennes University Vincennes, INPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 39% | — | — |
| 10 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 35 | 45% | — | — |
| 11 | Clark College Vancouver, WAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 34 | 39% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor's | 23 | 91% | — | $59,013 |
| 13 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 23 | 39% | — | — |
| 14 | Asheville - Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 40% | — | — |
| 15 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TNPublicBachelor's | 21 | 53% | — | — |
| 16 | Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SDPublicAssociate's | 20 | 59% | — | — |
| 17 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 57% | — | $78,518 |
| 18 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 59% | — | — |
| 19 | South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 30% | — | — |
| 20 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MNPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 40% | — | — |
| 21 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 52% | — | — |
| 22 | Everglades University Boca Raton, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 61% | $29,513 | — |
| 23 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 15 | 45% | — | — |
| 24 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 15 | 55% | — | — |
| 25 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 41% | — | — |
| 26 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 28% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicBachelor's | 14 | 49% | — | — |
| 28 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NYPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 13 | 55% | — | — |
| 29 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 13 | 16% | — | — |
| 30 | Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TXPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 13 | 40% | — | — |
| 31 | Horry - Georgetown Technical College Conway, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 38% | — | — |
| 32 | Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 41% | — | — |
| 33 | Great Basin College Elko, NVPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 11 | 41% | — | — |
| 34 | Sandhills Community College Pinehurst, NCPublicAssociate's | 11 | 53% | — | — |
| 35 | Glenville State University Glenville, WVPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 11 | 34% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AKPublicBachelor's | 10 | 30% | — | — |
| 37 | Troy University Troy, ALPublicBachelor's | 9 | 50% | — | — |
| 38 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 37% | — | — |
| 39 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NYPublicAssociate's | 9 | 66% | — | — |
| 40 | Bismarck State College Bismarck, NDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 9 | 47% | — | — |
| 41 | Santiago Canyon College Orange, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 48% | — | — |
| 42 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 37% | — | — |
| 43 | Parkland College Champaign, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 32% | — | — |
| 44 | Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 64% | — | — |
| 45 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicBachelor's | 8 | 73% | — | — |
| 46 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 88% | — | — |
| 47 | Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, ORPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 54% | — | — |
| 48 | Renton Technical College Renton, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 8 | 46% | — | — |
| 49 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAssociate's | 8 | 27% | — | — |
| 50 | Hazard Community and Technical College Hazard, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 48% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.11) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 38 states & territories
Where Surveying Technology/Surveying graduates come from. Each state links to all Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3031, Surveying and Mapping Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Surveying Technology/Surveying program can pursue careers as Surveying and Mapping Technicians, with an average annual wage of $51,940. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 4.5% and approximately 7,600 annual openings in the field, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1102
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Surveying and Mapping Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3031 | $54,240 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~7,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Surveyors SOC 17-1022 | $75,440 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~3,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3019 | $63,520 | -6.9% Decline | ~1,300 | Associate's degree |
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists SOC 17-1021 | $81,390 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~1,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Surveying Technology/Surveying 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
- Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
- Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
- Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.
- Monitor mapping work or the updating of maps to ensure accuracy, inclusion of new or changed information, or compliance with rules and regulations.
- Produce or update overlay maps to show information boundaries, water locations, or topographic features on various base maps or at different scales.
- Determine scales, line sizes, or colors to be used for hard copies of computerized maps, using plotters.
Tools and technology used
Other Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.11).
Common questions
What types of degrees are available in this program?+
Degrees include awards of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, Associate's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, and awards of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, mathematics, and active listening, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
Graduates can work as Surveying and Mapping Technicians, Surveyors, Drafters, and Cartographers.
What is the job outlook for surveying professionals?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.5% and 7,600 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Surveying Technology/Surveying?+
Surveying Technology/Surveying is CIP 15.1102 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.11). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the delineation, determination, planning and positioning of land tracts, land and water boundaries, land contours and features; and the preparation of related maps, charts and reports. Includes instruction in applied geodesy, computer graphics, photointerpretation, plane and geodetic surveying, mensuration, traversing, survey equipment operation and maintenance, instrument calibration, and basic cartography.
How many institutions offer Surveying Technology/Surveying programs?+
79 U.S. institutions reported Surveying Technology/Surveying graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 38 states & territories, awarding 1,117 credentials in the year. That is 84.9% of all Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Surveying Technology/Surveying graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Surveying and Mapping Technicians occupation, which Surveying Technology/Surveying most directly leads to, pays a median of $54,240 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $59,013 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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