BestOnlineCollege.org is an advertising-supported website. Many of the school and program listings that appear on this site are from partners who compensate us, and this compensation may affect how, where, and in what order listings appear (such as featured placements). This compensation does not influence our editorial content, evaluations, or rankings, which are determined independently using publicly available data. We do not review or feature every school or program available in the marketplace. Our goal is to provide accurate, unbiased information so you can make informed decisions. Read our full Advertiser Disclosure.
Is an Engineering Degree Worth It?
Yes, an engineering degree is worth it for most students. Engineering graduates earn a median $100,840 to $171,270 per year depending on specialization (BLS OEWS, 2025), well above the median for workers whose highest credential is a high school diploma. Because engineering salaries run far ahead of the cost most students borrow to earn the degree, the investment typically pays for itself early in a graduate’s career. Engineering also offers strong job security, with roughly 77,800 annual openings across the major engineering occupations and positive growth projections across most disciplines.
Engineering consistently ranks among the highest-ROI degree fields because it combines strong starting salaries, clear licensure pathways through ABET accreditation and PE certification, and demand across infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, energy, and defense sectors. However, the degree requires significant math and science preparation, and not every student will find the investment worthwhile depending on their career goals and academic strengths.
What do engineering graduates earn?
Key takeaway: Engineering salaries range from $100,840 for civil engineers to $171,270 for engineering managers, with most disciplines exceeding $100,000 in median pay (BLS, 2024).
| Career | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034) | Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 | 5.0% | 23,600 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 | 7.2% | 11,700 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 | 9.1% | 18,100 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,040 | 2.6% | 1,100 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 | 6.1% | 4,500 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $109,370 | 5.2% | 1,300 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 | 3.9% | 3,000 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $171,270 | 3.8% | 14,500 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Job growth projections from BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034.
Engineering salaries significantly outperform most other bachelor’s degree fields. Even the lowest-paying engineering discipline in the table above (civil engineering at $100,840) sits well above the typical median for bachelor’s degree holders overall.
How much does an engineering degree cost vs. what you earn?
Key takeaway: The salary premium over a high school diploma pays back the full cost of a 4-year engineering degree in as little as 4 months.
Engineering tuition varies widely by institution type: public in-state programs cost far less than out-of-state or private-nonprofit options, with for-profit pricing typically falling in between. Because net price depends heavily on residency, financial aid, and the specific school, a single tuition figure is misleading. A more reliable cost signal is the debt students actually take on and the earnings they go on to make.
Median student debt by credential (College Scorecard)
- Engineering bachelor’s degree: $23,177 median federal debt
- Associate degree: $10,928
- Certificate: $7,825
- Master’s degree: $27,988
- Doctoral degree: $48,858
Median earnings by credential (College Scorecard)
- Bachelor’s degree: ~$72,832 one year after completion, rising to ~$94,224 five years out
- Associate degree: ~$48,263 one year after completion, rising to ~$72,251 five years out
- Master’s degree: ~$93,343 one year after completion, rising to ~$112,814 five years out
- Certificate: ~$34,375 one year after completion
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings and debt for engineering programs.
Set against median engineering occupational wages of $100,840-$171,270 (BLS OEWS, 2025), these figures make engineering one of the higher-ROI degree fields: the typical bachelor’s-degree debt load is a small fraction of a single year’s engineering salary, so most graduates recoup their investment early in their careers.
What is the job growth outlook for engineering?
Key takeaway: Most engineering fields show positive growth through 2034, with mechanical engineering leading at 9.1%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 77,800 annual openings across all engineering occupations.
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Projected job growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | 9.1% |
| Electrical Engineer | 7.2% |
| Aerospace Engineer | 6.1% |
| Biomedical Engineer | 5.2% |
| Civil Engineer | 5.0% |
| Environmental Engineer | 3.9% |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | 3.8% |
| Chemical Engineer | 2.6% |
Engineering job growth is driven by infrastructure investment, energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and technology development. Key growth areas include:
- Mechanical Engineering: 9.1% growth – driven by automation, robotics, and electric vehicle manufacturing
- Electrical Engineering: 7.2% growth – fueled by semiconductor demand, renewable energy, and power grid modernization
- Aerospace Engineering: 6.1% growth – supported by defense spending and commercial space ventures
- Civil Engineering: 5.0% growth – driven by federal infrastructure investment and aging systems replacement
- Biomedical Engineering: 5.2% growth – expanding with medical device innovation and aging population needs
Engineering employment is less vulnerable to automation than many white-collar fields because it requires hands-on design judgment, physical site knowledge, and professional licensure.
How does an engineering degree compare to alternatives?
| Path | Time | Median Engineering Salary | Licensure Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Bachelor’s (ABET) | 4 years | $100,840-$171,270 (BLS OEWS, 2025) | Yes (PE) |
| Engineering Technology Associate | 2 years | Lower than bachelor’s; varies by role | Limited |
| Engineering Certificate | 6-12 months | Lower than degree paths; varies by role | No |
| Skilled Trades (electrician, HVAC) | 2-4 years | Varies by trade and region | Yes (trade license) |
| Self-taught / Bootcamp | Variable | Not applicable | No |
An ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree is effectively required for most engineering careers because Professional Engineer (PE) licensure requires it in most states. This makes engineering one of the few fields where a formal degree is not just preferred but functionally necessary for career advancement.
Who should NOT get an engineering degree?
An engineering degree may not be the right investment if:
- You dislike math and physics. Engineering programs require calculus through differential equations, linear algebra, statistics, and multiple physics courses. Students who struggle with or avoid math-intensive coursework will face significant challenges.
- You want a quick credential. A bachelor’s degree takes 4 years (120-136 credits), and PE licensure requires additional years of supervised experience. Certificate or trade programs offer faster entry into technical work.
- You prefer people-focused work over technical analysis. Engineering careers center on design, analysis, and problem solving. If you prefer counseling, teaching, or direct client interaction, consider fields like education or psychology.
- You cannot commit to ABET-accredited program requirements. Non-ABET programs may be cheaper or more flexible, but they limit your ability to pursue PE licensure and may reduce employer recognition.
- Your target salary is achievable through shorter paths. If you prefer hands-on work and a mid-range salary, skilled trades like HVAC or electrical work can offer solid earnings with less academic investment.
How to maximize the value of an engineering degree
- Choose an ABET-accredited program. This is non-negotiable for PE licensure and maximizes employer recognition. Verify at abet.org.
- Complete internships or co-ops. Engineering employers heavily weight practical experience. Many programs integrate co-op semesters that provide paid work and academic credit.
- Pass the FE exam before graduating. The Fundamentals of Engineering exam is the first step toward PE licensure and is easier to pass while coursework is fresh.
- Target high-growth specializations. Mechanical (9.1% growth), electrical (7.2%), and aerospace (6.1%) engineering offer the strongest job market projections.
- Minimize debt with in-state public universities. In-state public tuition is dramatically lower than private or out-of-state pricing, so the same degree delivers a far faster payback and stronger ROI when you keep borrowing low.
- Build a technical portfolio. Document capstone projects, design work, and simulation results to demonstrate applied competence to employers.
- Consider employer tuition benefits. Many engineering employers offer tuition reimbursement for master’s degrees, which can push earnings to $171,270+ without additional out-of-pocket cost.
Frequently asked questions
Is an online engineering degree respected by employers?
Yes. Employers evaluate accreditation status, not delivery format. ABET-accredited online programs meet the same standards as on-campus programs, and transcripts do not distinguish between delivery methods.
Can you get PE licensure with an online engineering degree?
Yes, if the program is ABET-accredited. PE licensure requirements vary by state but generally require an ABET-accredited degree, passing the FE and PE exams, and 4 years of supervised engineering experience.
What is the starting salary for engineering graduates?
Entry-level wages run well below the medians shown above. As a rough early-career benchmark, BLS reports 10th-percentile annual wages of about $68,240 for civil engineers, $73,990 for mechanical engineers, and $76,550 for electrical engineers (BLS OEWS, 2025). These figures grow significantly with experience and PE licensure.
Is engineering harder than computer science?
Both are rigorous STEM fields. Engineering programs typically require more physics and laboratory work, while computer science emphasizes programming and algorithms. The difficulty depends on your strengths and interests rather than an objective ranking.
How long does it take to become a Professional Engineer?
Typically 8-10 years total: 4 years for a bachelor’s degree, plus 4 years of supervised experience, plus passing the FE and PE exams. Some states allow alternative pathways with additional experience.
If you are comparing pacing and cost, see: Affordable Engineering Programs. To explore the full program, visit our Online Engineering Degree Guide.
Data verified: June 7, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.