Engineering is a broad job category, but it’s one of the most versatile and stable careers available. Fundamentally, engineering is about applying math and science to solve problems in the real world—this means engineers work with devices, systems, and infrastructure that help communities, or even scientific discoveries in medicine.
Picking a type of engineering to pursue is challenging because the variety of majors is huge. This guide will break down the types of engineering degrees and programs, explain the professional path to becoming an engineer, and show you the engineering career paths available today.
In This Guide:
Types of Engineering Majors
Engineering Degree Levels
Career Timeline and Progression
Which Majors Lead to Which Roles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an engineering major?
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program is the most common entry-level degree requirement for any engineering area. It typically takes 4-5 years to complete. Within a bachelor’s degree, different colleges and universities offer a variety of engineering majors. A major is a set of required courses that provides the student with specialized knowledge in a specific engineering subfield.
Typically, to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, you must complete the requirements for your chosen major, as well as general education requirements, and often a hands-on component, such as an internship or co-operative work experience (co-op).
Types of Engineering Programs
Here’s a quick overview of engineering programs you can study in college. Any of these engineering subfields would be a good match for someone with an interest and previous coursework in calculus, physics, and chemistry.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering programs focus on designing and overseeing the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, like roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, and water treatment systems. Civil engineering majors learn the mathematical and scientific skills to design large infrastructure projects, considering environmental, historical, safety, sustainability, and structural factors.
Job outlook and salary: Employment for civil engineers is projected to grow 5% from 2024-2034 with a median annual wage of $99,590 per year. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering programs at the bachelor’s level and above teach students how to develop and test mechanical and thermal devices and systems, making it a broad engineering field that leads to careers designing mechanical products ranging from robotics to spacecraft and industrial systems.
Job outlook and salary: Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow 9% from 2024-2034 with a median annual wage of $102,320 per year. (BLS)
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering programs focus on electrical equipment, from tiny microelectronics to vast power generation systems. The coursework involves applying math and science to systems affected by electricity and electromagnetism, along with practical, hands-on projects to build electrical devices or systems.
Job outlook and salary: Employment of electrical engineers is projected to grow 7% from 2024-2034 with a median annual wage of $118,780 per year. (BLS)
Computer Engineering
Computer engineering major programs focus on the intersection of electrical engineering and computer systems. Students learn to design and build computer hardware and understand how software and hardware work together. This is a good choice if you are interested in using computer architecture or electrical engineering principles to create new devices and systems that analyze data, process images, and more.
Job outlook and salary: Employment of computer hardware engineers is projected to grow 7% from 2024-2034 with a median annual wage of $155,020 per year. (BLS)
Chemical Engineering
If you study chemical engineering, you will learn how to apply principles from chemistry, physics, and biology to solve problems related to using or making chemicals, fuels, drugs, or food. Chemical engineering teaches the skills to ensure chemical processes, such as water treatment or growing food, are safe, efficient, and environmentally sound.
Job outlook and salary: Employment of chemical engineers is projected to grow 3% from 2024-2034 with a median annual wage of $121,860 per year. (BLS)
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical or bioengineering programs apply engineering principles to health and medicine. Students learn, through specialized courses in areas like biomechanics, biomaterials, and medical imaging, how to engineer medical devices, like implants or prosthetics, and develop new drug delivery systems.
Job outlook and salary: Employment of bioengineers and biomedical engineers is projected to grow 5% from 2024-2034 with a median annual wage of $106,950 per year. (BLS)
Industrial Engineering
Industrial engineers are essential to industries ranging from defense and commercial manufacturing to transportation and computer machinery production, as they focus on the heart of industrial processes. They observe and improve existing production processes, while also designing and developing new equipment, systems, and best practices.
Job outlook and salary: Employment of industrial engineers is projected to grow 11% from 2024-2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with a median annual wage of $101,140/year. (BLS)
Engineering Degree Levels
Engineers can start after graduating from an undergraduate program, but advancement to higher roles may require more than a bachelor's degree. Career growth can involve pursuing higher education levels, including master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering. Here’s a breakdown of all available engineering degree programs:
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in an engineering discipline is the standard starting point for any professional engineering career.
- Duration: This program typically takes four to five years to complete.
- Focus: It teaches you the core principles of your chosen field (like circuits, structures, or thermodynamics) and prepares you for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, the first step toward professional licensure.
- Career: A B.S. degree is the most common requirement for entry-level engineering roles (such as Junior Engineer or Associate Engineer).
A Master's degree (Master of Science, or M.S.) is a highly valuable option if you want to become a technical specialist, earn a higher salary, or move into project management quickly.
- Duration: It usually requires one to two years of full-time study after you complete your B.S..
- Focus: The program allows for deep specialization in a niche area (e.g., Robotics within Mechanical Engineering, or Structural Analysis in Civil Engineering).
- Career: A Master's degree often leads to advanced technical roles, increases your job mobility, and provides higher earning potential right out of school.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest academic degree available and is designed for those who want to push the boundaries of their field through original research.
- Duration: This program is the longest, typically requiring four to six or more years after the bachelor's and/or master's level.
- Focus: The entire program centers on conducting high-level, original research and contributing new knowledge to your discipline.
- Career: A Ph.D. primarily prepares you for careers in academia (teaching at universities) or highly specialized, high-level research and development (R&D) roles in private industry.
Which Engineering Majors Lead to Careers in Which Industries?
When choosing an engineering major, consider both your personal interest in the area of study and your understanding of the career paths each degree offers.
Engineering degrees are highly valued across many industries, and the field is often interdisciplinary; for example, mechanical and electrical engineers can often collaborate within the same sectors. This table outlines just a few of the industries that different engineering majors land in.
Program: | Work in… | With job titles like… |
|---|---|---|
Civil Engineering
| Architectural & Engineering Services, Transportation, Government (Public Works), Power Generation | Civil Design Engineer, Water Resources Engineer, Environmental Engineer |
Mechanical Engineering | Manufacturing (Machinery, Auto, Aerospace), Scientific Research, Energy Systems | Mechanical Design Engineer, HVAC Engineer, Auto Research Engineer |
Electrical Engineering | Telecommunications, Semiconductors, Defense/Aerospace, Computing, Energy Systems | Electronics Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Controls Engineer |
Chemical Engineering | Manufacturing (Chemicals, Petroleum, Food Processing), Pharmaceuticals, Scientific R&D | Process Engineer, Refinery Engineer, Materials Engineer |
Computer Engineering | Tech (Hardware/Software), Automotive, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Defense | Computer Hardware Engineer, Systems Administrator, Systems Analyst |
Biomedical Engineering | Healthcare (Hospitals/Clinics), Scientific R&D, Biotech Startups | Biomedical Engineer, Quality Engineer, Research Engineer |
Industrial Engineering | Manufacturing, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Construction Engineering | Industrial Engineer, Quality Engineer, Manufacturing Supervisor |
Non-Technical Engineering Careers
An engineering background—with its analytical and problem-solving skills—provides a strong foundation for other roles in related areas or non-technical roles in engineering firms. With experience and further education, engineers can also transition into advanced positions like developing internal training or working in UX design.
- Management and consulting: Trained engineers often become project managers or engineering consultants because they have the technical knowledge required to lead complex initiatives.
- Technical sales: Engineers excel at sales engineer roles because they explain complex ideas simply to help clients find specific technical solutions.
- Process improvement: Industrial engineers and quality engineers work in every industry, from finance to healthcare, to reduce waste or teach others to do so.
Career Timeline: How to Become an Engineer
The path to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE)--the highest level of certification—is standardized across most types of engineering in most states. After entering the workforce, engineers may progress from junior engineer to senior engineer, and often into engineering manager or director of engineering roles.
Stage 1: Engineer In Training (EIT)
After completing your chosen engineering major program, your goal is to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Upon passing, you earn the EIT (or Engineering Intern) designation. This validates your core engineering skills and is a desired credential for entry-level roles.
Stage 2: Gaining Experience
When you start your career, you will work under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). After you gain about four years of relevant, verifiable work experience, you can pursue additional credentials to grow your career and increase your salary potential.
Stage 3: Professional Engineer (PE)
Next, you must pursue and pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. This exam tests for competency in your specific engineering discipline. Earning this license allows you to legally sign off on projects and take responsibility for the work, which is necessary for advancing to management, public-facing, or consulting roles, such as civil engineering consulting.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering is the typical entry-level degree and generally requires four years of full-time study. Because of the rigorous curriculum, some students may take a fifth year, especially if they enter without strong prerequisites.
Admission processes vary. Some universities allow students to apply for undergraduate admission and declare an engineering major after completing initial courses. However, admission to other engineering programs, particularly at highly-ranked institutions, is often very competitive, with top programs’ acceptance rates sitting below 10%.
Strong performance in calculus, chemistry, and physics is a key step toward admission to an engineering program. Admissions committees also seek candidates who demonstrate strong skills in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.
It depends on the specific university and degree level. Many undergraduate programs follow standard deadlines (Early Action, Regular Decision), but many graduate or part-time engineering programs use rolling admissions, which allow you to submit materials year-round before the application is complete and you receive a decision. This is common for master’s programs and specialized certificates.
Yes, significant financial aid is available for engineering students from various sources:
- Federal Aid: Standard aid programs like the Federal Pell Grant and FSEOG are available based on financial need.
- Discipline-Specific Scholarships: Many corporations and professional organizations offer grants and scholarships to encourage students in specific fields, such as the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).Graduate Support: Ph.D. students and many Master's students are often offered financial support through teaching assistantships (TA), graduate student research assistantships (GSR), or specialized fellowships.
For information on more types of financial aid, read our blog about student aid in Pennsylvania.
Some schools may limit you to apply to just one major, but most universities allow you to indicate interest in multiple engineering majors on your application or admit you into a general "School of Engineering" that requires you to choose a specialization later. It is highly recommended to speak with an admissions counselor to understand the specific policy on declaring or changing majors at your target institution.
Because of the computer programs you’ll use for engineering coursework, almost all engineering programs have guidelines for student laptops to ensure software compatibility.
- Operating system: Many engineering programs recommend or require a native Windows PC, as many software packages do not run well or at all on macOS.
- Specifications: Students often need a certain amount of computer power, GPU, or memory for running intensive applications.
Salaries are competitive across all engineering disciplines, with the highest median wages typically found in specialties such as advanced computing and energy. According to the BLS, computer hardware engineers earn the highest salaries among recorded engineering careers.
High salaries are also common for engineers working in the life sciences and in electronic component or semiconductor manufacturing. As an engineer, your salary doesn’t depend on your major as much as it depends on your experience and expertise.
Civil, electrical, mechanical, and biomedical engineers are projected to all have strong demand over the next decade, as their creativity and human expertise is needed for engineering projects. The "best" majors are those that demonstrate high projected growth and involve technological integration.
- Computer Science/Engineering: Computer engineers and software-focused roles are essential for driving technological advancements across all industries.
- Mechanical Engineering: Projected employment growth is 9% through 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
In simple terms, a mechanical engineer designs a physical product, while an industrial engineer designs the most efficient method to produce, deliver, and manage that product.
- Mechanical Engineering focuses on physical systems, machines, and devices like engines, robotics, and tools.
- Industrial Engineering optimizes complex systems involving people, resources, and information to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
Explore Engineering Programs at York College of Pennsylvania
Choosing a type of engineering to major in is a personal decision. To narrow your focus with confidence, concentrate on the underlying systems that interest you, such as motion, circuits, structures, or processes.
Start by researching the practical components of each discipline. Accredited engineering programs at colleges and universities often provide hands-on work experience in technology, manufacturing, and other fields.
York College of Pennsylvania offers various engineering majors with built-in co-op experience. Explore our programs and contact a counselor today for help comparing programs or to ask other questions.
