Best institutions to study Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in the management and design of systems, execution of new product designs, improvement of manufacturing processes, and the management and direction of the physical or technical functions of an organization.
18 U.S. institutions graduated 189 Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0001, a specialization of Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.00), and leads most directly to the Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3026).
About Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in the management and design of systems, execution of new product designs, improvement of manufacturing processes, and the management and direction of the physical or technical functions of an organization. Includes instruction in basic engineering principles, project management, industrial processes, production and operations management, systems integration and control, quality control, and statistics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians program prepares individuals to support engineers in the management and design of systems, new product designs, and manufacturing processes. This program is ideal for students interested in applying engineering principles and technical skills in various industrial settings.
Students in this program gain knowledge in basic engineering principles, project management, quality control, and systems integration. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, mathematics, and active learning, equipping graduates with essential skills for the engineering field.
Credentials awarded
What Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree70 graduates / yr · 7 institutions37%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year59 graduates / yr · 7 institutions31%
- Associate's degree38 graduates / yr · 10 institutions20%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years22 graduates / yr · 3 institutions12%
Graduates over time
Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 139 |
| 2021 | 176 |
| 2022 | 156 |
| 2023 | 221 |
| 2024 | 113 |
| 2025 | 189 |
CIP 15.0001 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 18 institutions for Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians, 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 | Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 45 | 55% | — | — |
| 2 | Johnston Community College Smithfield, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 42 | 37% | — | — |
| 3 | Rogers State University Claremore, OKPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 29% | — | — |
| 4 | Southern Utah University Cedar City, UTPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 61% | — | $43,320 |
| 5 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 11 | 55% | — | — |
| 6 | Wilson Community College Wilson, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 27% | — | — |
| 7 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Martinsburg, WVPublicAssociate's | 5 | 32% | — | — |
| 8 | Gaston College Dallas, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 63% | — | — |
| 9 | Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 24% | — | — |
| 10 | Wayne State College Wayne, NEPublicBachelor's | 3 | 52% | — | — |
| 11 | Mayland Community College Spruce Pine, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 46% | — | — |
| 12 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 35% | — | — |
| 13 | Texas Southern University Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 3 | 22% | — | — |
| 14 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 15 | Hagerstown Community College Hagerstown, MDPublicAssociate's | 1 | 39% | — | — |
| 16 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicBachelor's | 1 | 73% | — | $64,831 |
| 17 | McDowell Technical Community College Marion, NCPublicAssociate's | 1 | 48% | — | — |
| 18 | Linn - Benton Community College Albany, ORPublicAssociate's | 1 | 29% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Engineering Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.00) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 11 states
Where Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates come from. Each state links to all Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 6 | 100 | Wilkes Community College45 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 37 | Rogers State University37 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 18 | Southern Utah University18 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 14 | Sam Houston State University11 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 6 | Community College of Philadelphia4 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 5 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College5 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 3 | Wayne State College3 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 3 | Owens Community College3 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | Hagerstown Community College1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | New Jersey Institute of Technology1 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 1 | Linn - Benton Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3026, Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians program can pursue careers as Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians, among other roles. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,300 positions and a median wage of $64,790, typically requiring an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0001
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 Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary 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 |
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians SOC 17-3024 | $73,900 | +1.1% Little or no change | ~1,300 | Associate'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 Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians 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
- Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
- Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
- Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
- Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
- Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.
- Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.
Tools and technology used
Other Engineering Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 1 other 6-digit CIP codes under Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.00).
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or various awards based on your study duration.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, and active learning.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change with about 6,300 annual openings.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can work as an Industrial Engineering Technologist, among other engineering-related positions.
What is the CIP code for Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians?+
Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians is CIP 15.0001 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.00). NCES defines it as: A program that generally prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in the management and design of systems, execution of new product designs, improvement of manufacturing processes, and the management and direction of the physical or technical functions of an organization. Includes instruction in basic engineering principles, project management, industrial processes, production and operations management, systems integration and control, quality control, and statistics.
How many institutions offer Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs?+
18 U.S. institutions reported Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states, awarding 189 credentials in the year. That is 5.0% of all Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians most directly leads to, pays a median of $66,120 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Engineering Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $64,831 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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