Transportation Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Transportation Engineering is a rigorous academic discipline focused on the systematic design, optimization, and evaluation of infrastructure and systems that enable the efficient, safe, and sustainable movement of people, goods, and information. This field integrates advanced mathematics, engineering science, and data-driven analysis to solve complex challenges in mobility, urban planning, and logistics.
- Network Design and Planning: Developing strategic frameworks for transportation systems, including roadways, rail, and multimodal corridors, to support long-term regional growth and connectivity.
- Facilities Planning: Designing and siting transportation infrastructure such as terminals, interchanges, depots, and maintenance centers to meet operational demands and user needs.
- Site Evaluation: Assessing geographic, environmental, and socio-economic factors to determine optimal locations for transportation facilities and infrastructure projects.
- Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Implementing real-time monitoring, control, and coordination technologies to enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve system responsiveness.
- Needs Projections and Analysis: Using predictive modeling and demographic trends to forecast future transportation demands across different modes and regions.
- Cost Analysis: Conducting comprehensive economic evaluations of transportation projects, including lifecycle costing, funding strategies, and return-on-investment assessments.
Transportation Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Transportation Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Transportation 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 |
Transportation 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 Transportation Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Transportation 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 Transportation Engineering is found at University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (39 graduates), University of California (UCD), Davis (14 graduates), New York University (NYU) (14 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (9 graduates), and New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) (9 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 127 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 Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
39 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
9 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Altoona, Pennsylvania | Public | altoona.psu.edu |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | web.mit.edu |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) |
Master's
|
7 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | iit.edu |
| Morgan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | morgan.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
3 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Troy, New York | Private | rpi.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Transportation Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Transportation Engineering degree?
Salaries for Transportation 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 Transportation Engineering programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Transportation Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (39 graduates), University of California (UCD), Davis (14 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (14 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 Transportation Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 85 in 2010 to 127 in 2023-24. This represents a 49% 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 Transportation 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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