Best institutions to study Engineering Technologies/Technicians
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in a wide variety of projects.
197 U.S. institutions graduated 3,595 Engineering Technologies/Technicians students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0000, a specialization of Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.00), and leads most directly to the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3023).
About Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in a wide variety of projects. Includes instruction in various engineering support functions for research, production, and operations, and applications to specific engineering specialties.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Engineering Technologies/Technicians program prepares students to apply fundamental engineering principles and technical skills in support of various engineering projects. This program is ideal for individuals interested in working alongside engineers in diverse fields, contributing to research, production, and operations. Students will gain practical experience and knowledge applicable to specific engineering specialties.
In this program, students develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework covers topics in computers and electronics, engineering technology, design, and mathematics, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in engineering support roles.
Credentials awarded
What Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,322 graduates / yr · 58 institutions37%
- Associate's degree1,013 graduates / yr · 117 institutions28%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year823 graduates / yr · 51 institutions23%
- Master's degree264 graduates / yr · 19 institutions7.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years149 graduates / yr · 25 institutions4.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks13 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
Graduates over time
Engineering Technologies/Technicians completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,473 |
| 2013 | 3,718 |
| 2014 | 4,021 |
| 2015 | 3,406 |
| 2016 | 4,000 |
| 2017 | 3,973 |
| 2018 | 4,025 |
| 2019 | 4,245 |
| 2020 | 4,060 |
| 2021 | 4,500 |
| 2022 | 3,684 |
| 2023 | 3,777 |
| 2024 | 3,770 |
| 2025 | 3,595 |
Top 50 institutions for 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 | Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 189 | 31% | — | $77,072 |
| 2 | Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 154 | 26% | — | $38,981 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 107 | 74% | — | — |
| 4 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 103 | 69% | — | — |
| 5 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 98 | 48% | — | — |
| 6 | Chabot College Hayward, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 86 | 47% | — | — |
| 7 | George C Wallace State Community College - Hanceville Hanceville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 69 | 51% | — | — |
| 8 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 63 | 52% | — | $64,728 |
| 9 | Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga, TNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 58 | 26% | — | $52,531 |
| 10 | Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, WAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 56 | 42% | — | — |
| 11 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 52 | 37% | — | — |
| 12 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TNPublicBachelor's | 52 | 58% | — | $59,622 |
| 13 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MOPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 54% | — | $61,424 |
| 14 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 49 | 60% | — | $59,813 |
| 15 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 48 | 45% | — | — |
| 16 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicBachelor's | 45 | 49% | — | $62,117 |
| 17 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 71% | — | $61,696 |
| 18 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KSPublicMaster's | 44 | 57% | — | — |
| 19 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 44 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 20 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College Kalamazoo, MIPublicAssociate's | 43 | 28% | — | $46,493 |
| 21 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicBachelor's | 42 | 54% | — | $60,808 |
| 22 | Morehead State University Morehead, KYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 41 | 52% | — | $51,021 |
| 23 | Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LAPublicBachelor's | 40 | 45% | — | $54,464 |
| 24 | Bemidji State University Bemidji, MNPublicBachelor's | 40 | 48% | — | $85,830 |
| 25 | Miami University - Hamilton Hamilton, OHPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 40 | 25% | — | $69,483 |
| 26 | University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, ARPublicAssociate's | 38 | 36% | — | — |
| 27 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TNPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 38 | 40% | — | $62,089 |
| 28 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 36 | 45% | — | $64,762 |
| 29 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 36 | 53% | — | $56,551 |
| 30 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 35 | 55% | — | $67,461 |
| 31 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 34 | 51% | — | $61,465 |
| 32 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 33% | — | — |
| 33 | Lake - Sumter State College Leesburg, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 32 | 48% | — | — |
| 34 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 32 | 55% | — | $60,250 |
| 35 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicBachelor's | 31 | 48% | — | — |
| 36 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicBachelor's | 31 | 73% | — | $64,831 |
| 37 | Jackson State Community College Jackson, TNPublicAssociate's | 31 | 26% | — | $61,123 |
| 38 | Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 41% | — | — |
| 39 | Central Virginia Community College Lynchburg, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 30 | 45% | — | — |
| 40 | Kent State University at Tuscarawas New Philadelphia, OHPublicBachelor's | 29 | 38% | — | $45,477 |
| 41 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor's | 29 | 55% | — | $52,958 |
| 42 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicBachelor's | 29 | 43% | — | $70,789 |
| 43 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 28 | 65% | — | $55,532 |
| 44 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 39% | — | — |
| 45 | College of Central Florida Ocala, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 26 | 44% | — | — |
| 46 | Pensacola State College Pensacola, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 26 | 36% | — | — |
| 47 | Western Nevada College Carson City, NVPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 41% | — | — |
| 48 | Columbia State Community College Columbia, TNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 30% | — | — |
| 49 | University of North Alabama Florence, ALPublicBachelor's | 25 | 55% | — | — |
| 50 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 25 | 31% | — | — |
* 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 42 states & territories
Where Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates come from. Each state links to all Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3023, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Engineering Technologies/Technicians program can pursue careers as Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, among other roles. The job outlook indicates little to no change in growth, with approximately 8,400 annual openings and a median wage of $77,180. An Associate's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0000
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3023 | $78,190 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~8,400 | Associate's degree |
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians SOC 17-3022 | $64,950 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,500 | 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 |
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians SOC 17-3021 | $82,890 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~900 | 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 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
- Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
- Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
- Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
- Assemble electrical systems or prototypes, using hand tools or measuring instruments.
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 degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist, among other engineering technician roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 8,400 annual openings and a median wage of $77,180.
What is the CIP code for Engineering Technologies/Technicians?+
Engineering Technologies/Technicians is CIP 15.0000 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 a wide variety of projects. Includes instruction in various engineering support functions for research, production, and operations, and applications to specific engineering specialties.
How many institutions offer Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs?+
197 U.S. institutions reported Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 42 states & territories, awarding 3,595 credentials in the year. That is 95.0% of all Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Engineering Technologies/Technicians most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,190 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Engineering Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $59,813 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates, so its figures match the Engineering Technologies/Technicians program page.
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