Pre-Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed to lay a robust academic foundation for students pursuing advanced engineering studies, this program offers a comprehensive curriculum tailored to meet the rigorous prerequisites of bachelor’s degree programs across all engineering disciplines. It equips learners with the analytical, mathematical, and scientific competencies essential for success in competitive engineering fields.
- Calculus and Advanced Mathematics: Develops proficiency in differential and integral calculus, multivariable functions, and mathematical modeling to solve complex engineering problems.
- Physics for Engineers: Explores fundamental principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism with applications relevant to engineering design and analysis.
- General Chemistry: Covers atomic structure, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and thermodynamics to support understanding of materials and processes in engineering systems.
- Engineering Graphics and Design: Introduces technical drawing, computer-aided design (CAD), and visualization techniques used in planning and communicating engineering solutions.
- Introduction to Engineering Principles: Provides an overview of core engineering concepts, including systems thinking, problem-solving methodologies, and the engineering design process.
- Technical Communication: Builds skills in writing technical reports, presenting engineering findings, and collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
Pre-Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pre-Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pre-Engineering degrees, including . 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.
Career salary data is not available for this program.
Top Universities for Pre-Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Pre-Engineering 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 Pre-Engineering is found at Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) (118 graduates), Santa Ana College (SAC) (110 graduates), Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) (98 graduates), Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) (86 graduates), and Utah Valley University (UVU) (78 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,424 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Associate's
|
118 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| Santa Ana College (SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
110 | Santa Ana, California | Public | sac.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Associate's
|
98 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
86 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | mntc.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Associate's
|
78 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Clovis Community College (CCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
70 | Fresno, California | Public | cloviscollege.edu |
| Northeast Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
63 | Pryor, Oklahoma | Public | netech.edu |
| Ventura College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
59 | Ventura, California | Public | venturacollege.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
57 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Moorpark College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
55 | Moorpark, California | Public | moorparkcollege.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Associate's
|
55 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Associate's
|
48 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Tulsa Community College (TCC) |
Associate's
|
45 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsacc.edu |
| Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) |
Associate's
|
44 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | occc.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Associate's
|
42 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAFS) |
Associate's
|
39 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Public | uafs.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
35 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
35 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Associate's
|
35 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| Utah Tech University (UT) |
Associate's
|
33 | Saint George, Utah | Public | utahtech.edu |
| Hartnell College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
31 | Salinas, California | Public | hartnell.edu |
| Norco College |
Associate's
|
31 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| Minnesota North College |
Associate's
|
30 | Hibbing, Minnesota | Public | minnesotanorth.edu |
| Bakersfield College (BC) |
Associate's
|
29 | Bakersfield, California | Public | bakersfieldcollege.edu |
| Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) |
Associate's
|
29 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | sbcc.edu |
| Antelope Valley Community College District (AVCCD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Lancaster, California | Public | avc.edu |
| San Diego Miramar College |
Associate's
|
28 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmiramar.edu |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) |
Associate's
|
28 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | kvcc.edu |
| Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) |
Associate's
|
28 | Jamestown, North Carolina | Public | gtcc.edu |
| Johnston Community College (JCC) |
Associate's
|
27 | Smithfield, North Carolina | Public | johnstoncc.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
27 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Associate's
|
24 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) |
Associate's
|
24 | Woodland Hills, California | Public | lapc.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
23 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Suffolk County Community College (SUNY) |
Associate's
|
23 | Selden, New York | Public | sunysuffolk.edu |
| El Camino Community College District (ECC) |
Associate's
|
22 | Torrance, California | Public | elcamino.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Associate's
|
22 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| Butler Community College |
Associate's
|
21 | El Dorado, Kansas | Public | butlercc.edu |
| Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) |
Associate's
|
21 | Coon Rapids, Minnesota | Public | anokaramsey.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Associate's
|
19 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| Reedley College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Reedley, California | Public | reedleycollege.edu |
| Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | qcc.edu |
| Normandale Community College |
Associate's
|
19 | Bloomington, Minnesota | Public | normandale.edu |
| Allan Hancock College |
Associate's
|
17 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Avondale, Arizona | Public | estrellamountain.edu |
| Cerritos College |
Associate's
|
16 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| Mission College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
16 | Santa Clara, California | Public | missioncollege.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Associate's
|
16 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| Red River Technology Center (RRTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15 | Duncan, Oklahoma | Public | rrtc.edu |
| Cuyamaca College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
| San Diego Mesa College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmesa.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Associate's
|
13 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| Irvine Valley College (IVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Irvine, California | Public | ivc.edu |
| Shasta College |
Associate's
|
13 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| Century College |
Associate's
|
13 | White Bear Lake, Minnesota | Public | century.edu |
| Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Sanford, North Carolina | Public | cccc.edu |
| Midlands Technical College (MTC) |
Associate's
|
13 | West Columbia, South Carolina | Public | midlandstech.edu |
| Chattanooga State Community College |
Associate's
|
13 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | chattanoogastate.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Sacramento City College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Sacramento, California | Public | scc.losrios.edu |
| Sierra College |
Associate's
|
12 | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| College of San Mateo (CSM) |
Associate's
|
11 | San Mateo, California | Public | collegeofsanmateo.edu |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) |
Associate's
|
11 | Fergus Falls, Minnesota | Public | minnesota.edu |
| Gaston College |
Associate's
|
11 | Dallas, North Carolina | Public | gaston.edu |
| Chabot College (CC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Hayward, California | Public | chabotcollege.edu |
| Cuesta College |
Associate's
|
10 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | cuesta.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Glendale, California | Public | glendale.edu |
| Massasoit Community College |
Associate's
|
10 | Brockton, Massachusetts | Public | massasoit.edu |
| Atlantic Cape Community College |
Associate's
|
10 | Mays Landing, New Jersey | Public | atlanticcape.edu |
| Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | cfcc.edu |
| Forsyth Technical Community College (Forsyth Tech) |
Associate's
|
10 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Public | forsythtech.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| Folsom Lake College (FLC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Folsom, California | Public | flc.losrios.edu |
| Chaffey College |
Associate's
|
9 | Rancho Cucamonga, California | Public | chaffey.edu |
| Citrus College |
Associate's
|
9 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Monterey, California | Public | mpc.edu |
| Oxnard College |
Associate's
|
9 | Oxnard, California | Public | oxnardcollege.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Associate's
|
9 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) |
Associate's
|
9 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | durhamtech.edu |
| Sandhills Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Pinehurst, North Carolina | Public | sandhills.edu |
| Mt Hood Community College (MHCC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Gresham, Oregon | Public | mhcc.edu |
| Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | paradisevalley.edu |
| Contra Costa College (CCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | San Pablo, California | Public | contracosta.edu |
| Cosumnes River College (CRC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Sacramento, California | Public | crc.losrios.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| Foothill College |
Associate's
|
8 | Los Altos Hills, California | Public | foothill.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Associate's
|
8 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| College of the Albemarle (COA) |
Associate's
|
8 | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | Public | albemarle.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Flat Rock, North Carolina | Public | blueridge.edu |
| McDowell Technical Community College (MTCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Marion, North Carolina | Public | mcdowelltech.edu |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Salisbury, North Carolina | Public | rccc.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | faytechcc.edu |
| Central Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Drumright, Oklahoma | Public | centraltech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pre-Engineering programs
Which universities have the largest Pre-Engineering programs?
Currently 192 accredited institutions offer Pre-Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) (118 graduates), Santa Ana College (SAC) (110 graduates), and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) (98 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 Pre-Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 402 in 2010 to 2,722 in 2023-24. This represents a 577% 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.
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