Engineering

Best Surveying Engineering institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 14 U.S. colleges offering Surveying Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 11 states.

Institutions
14
offering CIP 14.38
States offered
11
with a program page
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
97
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$72,931
1 year after graduation
US pay · Surveyors
$76,730
BLS OEWS 2024

About Surveying Engineering programs

The Surveying Engineering program focuses on the principles and practices of surveying, which is essential for establishing legal boundaries for properties. This program is ideal for students interested in combining mathematics, technology, and legal knowledge to create accurate representations of land and property. Graduates will play a critical role in the planning and development of infrastructure and land use.

Learn more about Surveying Engineering

What you'll learn

Students in the Surveying Engineering program will gain core skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and engineering technology. Coursework typically includes topics such as geography, design, and the use of computers and electronics to prepare and maintain maps, sketches, and legal descriptions.

Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI Public · Bachelor's degree
$72,931447%

Offered across 11 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Michiganlimited2$72,931Ferris State University
Floridalimited1
Louisianalimited1
Mainelimited1
New Jerseylimited1
North Carolinalimited1
Ohiolimited1
Pennsylvanialimited1
Texaslimited1
Virginia3
West Virginialimited1

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-1022, Surveyors, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Surveying Engineering program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an annual opening of approximately 3,900 positions. The median wage for surveying engineers is $72,740, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~3,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$72,740
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
53,080
Surveyors
US average pay
$76,730
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$72,740
annual

Top-paying metros

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$128,350avg
Yuba City, CA
$127,220avg
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
$120,180avg
Fresno, CA
$116,320avg
Redding, CA
$115,380avg

Related careers

Surveyors
$76,730 avg · 53,080 jobs
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
$82,860 avg · 12,790 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Surveying Engineering programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Mathematics
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Writing
Speaking
Active Listening
Active Learning
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

Mathematics
Engineering and Technology
Geography
Computers and Electronics
Design
Customer and Personal Service

What graduates do on the job

  • Direct or conduct surveys to establish legal boundaries for properties, based on legal deeds and titles.
  • Prepare and maintain sketches, maps, reports, and legal descriptions of surveys to describe, certify, and assume liability for work performed.
  • Write descriptions of property boundary surveys for use in deeds, leases, or other legal documents.
  • Verify the accuracy of survey data, including measurements and calculations conducted at survey sites.
  • Search legal records, survey records, and land titles to obtain information about property boundaries in areas to be surveyed.
  • Record the results of surveys, including the shape, contour, location, elevation, and dimensions of land or land features.

Tools & technology

Autodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DAutodesk AutoCAD Land DesktopBentley GeoPak BridgeBentley MicroStationBentley Systems InRoads SuiteCadcorp desktop GISCarlson SurvCADD

Concentrations within Surveying Engineering

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Surveying Engineering
    CIP 14.3801

    A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the determination of the location, elevations, and alignment of natural and manmade topographic features

Common questions

What is Surveying Engineering?+

Surveying Engineering involves the measurement and mapping of land to establish legal property boundaries.

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and engineering technology, along with knowledge in geography and design.

What is the job outlook for surveying engineers?+

The job outlook is about as fast as average, with approximately 3,900 annual openings.

What is the typical salary for a surveying engineer?+

The median wage for surveying engineers is $72,740.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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