Engineering
Quick Facts: Engineering Training
Where it's offered
Engineering programs are offered at 6 schools across 5 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $43,281/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
There are no Department of Labor registered apprenticeship pathways currently mapped to Engineering, but related trades may have programs — check apprenticeship.gov directly.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 6 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 41/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Engineering Graduates Do
With a general engineering foundation, you'll step into a world of practical problem-solving. Initially, you might work as a junior engineer, using CAD software to refine product designs or running quality control tests on a bustling manufacturing floor. As you gain expertise, you can advance into management. An engineering manager’s day is less about drafting and more about leadership: coordinating teams, overseeing budgets, and acting as the crucial link between clients and your technical staff. This leadership path offers top-tier earning potential.
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The demand for engineers is steady, with particularly strong growth for those who choose to mentor the next generation as postsecondary teachers. Your starting salary will be solid, but it grows significantly as you specialize or take on management responsibilities. While AI tools will increasingly handle routine calculations or initial design drafts, they can’t replace your critical thinking. The core of your work—managing complex projects, solving unexpected on-site issues, and leading a team—remains a fundamentally human skill.
Closely-related paths include Engineering Science, Mechatronics & Robotics, and Engineering Studies, which share overlapping job markets and training components.
Find Engineering Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Engineering is offered at 6 schools across 5 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Engineering Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Engineering programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
6 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VA |
65 60–67 |
| 2 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX |
65 57–68 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA |
58 54–60 |
| 4 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY |
47 39–50 |
| 5 | UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ Cranford, NJ |
44 35–47 |
| 6 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA |
32 24–35 |
Highest Earning Engineering Programs
Schools where Engineering graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | $72,825/yr | 58 |
| Tidewater Community College | $68,555/yr | 65 |
| Austin Community College District | $43,183/yr | 65 |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | $30,518/yr | 47 |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ | $27,813/yr | 44 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | $16,790/yr | 32 |
Best ROI for Engineering
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Engineering.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Community College District | 147.6x | $43,183/yr | 65 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | 71.9x | $16,790/yr | 32 |
| Tidewater Community College | 68.8x | $68,555/yr | 65 |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | 60.8x | $30,518/yr | 47 |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ | 59.8x | $27,813/yr | 44 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 32.8x | $72,825/yr | 58 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Engineering degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.