Structural Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials and systems used in building load-bearing structures for various purposes and in different environments, including buildings, roads, rail lines, bridges, dams, conduits, offshore platforms and work stations, and other structural shells; and the analysis of structural problems such as, failure, fabrication, safety, and natural hazards.
- Schools offering
- 9
- Annual completions
- 152
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $86k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials and systems used in building load-bearing structures for various purposes and in different environments, including buildings, roads, rail lines, bridges, dams, conduits, offshore platforms and work stations, and other structural shells; and the analysis of structural problems such as, failure, fabrication, safety, and natural hazards.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil engineers | $100k | +5.0% | Bachelor's degree |
| Architectural and engineering managers | $168k | +3.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Engineering teachers, postsecondary | $106k | +8.1% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$86k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$71k
Bachelor's
$86k
Top colleges for Structural Engineering
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | 0 | 96 | 96 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 0 | 26 | 26 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | Middletown, PA | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg, PA | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bristol Community College | Fall River, MA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related majors to explore
Mechanical Engineering
33,431 completions/yr
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
14,891 completions/yr
Civil Engineering, General
13,488 completions/yr
Computer Engineering, General
9,312 completions/yr
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
8,569 completions/yr
Chemical Engineering
7,914 completions/yr
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
6,386 completions/yr
Engineering, General
5,416 completions/yr
Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Structural Engineering field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Structural Engineering worth it? Read verdict