Structural Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Structural engineering is a specialized field focused on the design, analysis, and evaluation of load-bearing systems that form the backbone of modern infrastructure. This discipline applies advanced mathematical and scientific principles to ensure the safety, durability, and performance of critical built environments across diverse settings and conditions.
- Structural Analysis: The study of how forces and loads affect structural elements, enabling engineers to predict behavior under stress, deformation, and dynamic conditions.
- Materials Science in Construction: In-depth examination of the mechanical properties and performance of building materials such as steel, concrete, composites, and timber in structural applications.
- Design of Load-Bearing Systems: Development of structural frameworks for buildings, bridges, towers, and other large-scale constructions that safely transfer loads to the ground.
- Seismic and Environmental Resilience: Evaluation and integration of design strategies to withstand natural hazards including earthquakes, wind, and extreme weather events.
- Failure Analysis and Safety Evaluation: Investigation of structural incidents to identify root causes and implement preventive measures that enhance long-term reliability and public safety.
- Construction Fabrication and Implementation: Coordination of design with real-world construction processes to ensure accurate, efficient, and code-compliant assembly of structural components.
- Infrastructure Systems Integration: Application of engineering principles to complex projects such as dams, offshore platforms, rail lines, and underground conduits, ensuring structural integrity across varied environments.
Structural Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Structural Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Structural Engineering degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary and Civil Engineers. 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 605,660 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 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
| Civil Engineers 17-2051 | $99,590 | $65,920 - $160,990 | 355,410 | $47.88 |
Structural Engineering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $105,927 in Arkansas to $149,800 in California—a 41% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Mexico, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 605,660 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 Structural Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 21 institutions offering Structural 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 Structural Engineering is found at University of California (UCSD), San Diego (164 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (59 graduates), Lehigh University (15 graduates), California State University (CSUN), Northridge (14 graduates), and University of Central Florida (UCF) (13 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 338 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
164 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
59 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Master's
|
14 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
10 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Middletown, Pennsylvania | Public | harrisburg.psu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
|
7 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) |
Master's
|
6 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | iit.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Master's
|
5 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Public | hacc.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Other Award
|
3 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Villanova University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Villanova, Pennsylvania | Private | villanova.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Master's
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Structural Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Structural Engineering degree?
Salaries for Structural Engineering graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $106,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $149,800 compared to $105,927 in Arkansas. Approximately 605,660 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 Structural Engineering programs?
Currently 21 accredited institutions offer Structural Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCSD), San Diego (164 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (59 graduates), and Lehigh University (15 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 Structural Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 327 in 2010 to 338 in 2023-24. This represents a 3% 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 Structural Engineering degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, and Civil Engineers. Related occupations employ approximately 605,660 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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