Engineering Design: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Engineering Design is a rigorous academic discipline focused on the systematic development of innovative, functional solutions to complex technical challenges. It emphasizes the integration of diverse systems and technologies to achieve unified performance goals, with an emphasis on efficiency, adaptability, and real-world application.
- Systems Integration: The process of combining distinct components—mechanical, electrical, software, or structural—into a cohesive, interoperable whole that performs a unified function.
- Design Optimization: Applying analytical and computational methods to refine system configurations for peak performance, resource efficiency, and operational flexibility.
- Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration: Coordinating efforts across engineering subfields to align technical approaches, manage trade-offs, and ensure compatibility across design domains.
- Requirement Analysis and Conflict Resolution: Identifying, prioritizing, and reconciling competing project constraints such as cost, safety, functionality, and regulatory standards.
- Prototyping and Testing Methodologies: Developing and executing structured evaluation procedures to validate design concepts, assess reliability, and ensure compliance with performance benchmarks.
- Project Planning and Management: Organizing design workflows, allocating resources, and sequencing tasks to meet deadlines while maintaining technical integrity and innovation.
Engineering Design Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Engineering Design Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Engineering Design degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineers, All Other and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 401,000 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Engineers, All Other 17-2199 | $117,750 | $62,840 - $183,510 | 150,750 | $56.61 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
Engineering Design Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $103,617 in Arkansas to $153,590 in New Mexico—a 48% difference. The highest-paying states include New Mexico, California, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 401,000 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Engineering Design by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 9 institutions offering Engineering Design programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Engineering Design is found at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (146 graduates), University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (52 graduates), Harvard University (33 graduates), Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (10 graduates), and Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) (9 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 267 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
146 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Harvard University |
Master's
|
33 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
|
10 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
7 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Other Award
|
7 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Master's
|
2 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Engineering Design programs
How much can I earn with a Engineering Design degree?
Salaries for Engineering Design graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Engineers, All Other earn around $117,750. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Mexico average $153,590 compared to $103,617 in Arkansas. Approximately 401,000 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Engineering Design programs?
Currently 9 accredited institutions offer Engineering Design degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (146 graduates), University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (52 graduates), and Harvard University (33 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Engineering Design growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3 in 2010 to 267 in 2023-24. This represents a 8,800% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Engineering Design degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineers, All Other, and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 401,000 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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