Best colleges for Engineering Science
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Engineering Science by graduate earnings are Dartmouth College ($89,929), Vanderbilt University ($81,126) and Pennsylvania State University ($79,909), 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%.
- Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH): $89,929, 133 graduates a year
- Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN): $81,126, 35 graduates a year
- Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA): $79,909, 50 graduates a year
- Trinity University (San Antonio, TX): $74,063, 29 graduates a year
- Yale University (New Haven, CT): $73,378, 26 graduates a year
Compare 79 U.S. colleges offering Engineering Science by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 32 states.
Engineering Science programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $74,063 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 14.13 and the Engineers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC).
About Engineering Science programs
The Engineering Science program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of materials science, focusing on the relationships between material structures and their properties. This interdisciplinary field is essential for those interested in designing materials for specific applications, making it ideal for aspiring engineers and scientists who wish to innovate in various industries. Students in this program will explore the processing-structure-properties-performance paradigm, which is crucial for understanding how materials behave in different conditions. This program is suited for individuals who are analytical, innovative, and eager to apply scientific principles to real-world challenges in engineering and technology.
Core coursework in the Engineering Science program covers essential topics such as materials characterization, the mechanics of materials, and the principles of material processing. Students will gain knowledge about the internal structures of materials and how these structures influence their mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical behaviors.
Top 7 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 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $89,929 | 133 | 96% | $14,689 | $17,083 |
| 2 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,126 | 35 | 94% | $14,854 | $15,000 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,909 | 50 | 86% | — | $26,500 |
| 4 | Trinity University San Antonio, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,063 | 29 | 84% | $20,327 | $21,249 |
| 5 | Yale University New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,378 | 26 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 6 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,336 | 35 | 84% | — | $24,250 |
| 7 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $64,405 | 15 | 55% | — | — |
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 | Houston City College Houston, TX Public · Associate degree | $61,518 | 67 | 17% | — | $17,814 |
Specializations within Engineering Science
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.13 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 32 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshirelimited | 1 | $89,929 | Dartmouth College |
| Tennessee | 3 | $81,126 | Vanderbilt University |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | $79,909 | Pennsylvania State University |
| Texas | 4 | $74,063 | Trinity University |
| Connecticutlimited | 2 | $73,378 | Yale University |
| New Jersey | 10 | $69,336 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | $64,405 | University of New Mexico |
| California | 5 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 2 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Iowa | 3 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 5 | — | — |
| Michigan | 3 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 3 | — | — |
| Ohio | 4 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginia | 4 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| West Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2199, Engineers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Engineering Science program can pursue various careers in engineering and technology sectors. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 9,300 annual openings. With a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree, the median wage for professionals in this field is around $117,750.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Engineering Science
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.13.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.13 (Engineering Science) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2199 | Engineers, All Otherprimary |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Engineering Science program?+
The program focuses on understanding the relationships between material structures and their properties, essential for designing materials for specific applications.
What kind of jobs can I get with a degree in Engineering Science?+
Graduates can pursue various careers in engineering and technology sectors, with a strong job outlook.
What is the typical education required for this field?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in Engineering Science.
What is the median wage for professionals in this field?+
The median wage for professionals in Engineering Science is approximately $117,750.
How much do Engineering Science graduates earn?+
Engineering Science graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $74,063, College Scorecard (2019); the Engineers, All Other occupation pays about $125,330 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Engineering Science?+
Engineering Science maps to CIP 14.13 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card