Ocean Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Ocean Engineering is a multidisciplinary field focused on the design, development, and evaluation of advanced systems and structures that operate in marine environments. It integrates principles from engineering, physics, and environmental science to solve complex challenges related to coastal and underwater infrastructure, resource extraction, and environmental monitoring.
- Hydrodynamics and Fluid Mechanics: Study of fluid behavior, particularly water movement, to understand forces acting on submerged and surface structures.
- Marine Structural Design: Application of materials and structural principles to create durable, safe, and efficient platforms and systems for underwater or coastal use.
- Offshore and Coastal Systems Engineering: Design and integration of large-scale systems such as underwater platforms, breakwaters, and flood defense mechanisms.
- Renewable Ocean Energy Systems: Development of technologies like tidal and wave energy converters to harness sustainable power from oceanic motion.
- Environmental and Geotechnical Analysis: Assessment of seabed conditions, sediment dynamics, and ecological impacts to ensure sustainable engineering solutions.
- Marine Operations and Control Systems: Implementation of automated and remote monitoring systems for real-time data collection and operational management in harsh marine conditions.
- Tidal and Wave Modeling: Use of computational and physical models to predict and analyze wave motion, tidal forces, and their effects on infrastructure and human activity.
Ocean Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Ocean Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Ocean Engineering 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 |
Ocean Engineering 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 Ocean Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Ocean 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 Ocean Engineering is found at Texas A & M University, College Station (63 graduates), University of Rhode Island (URI) (40 graduates), United States Naval Academy (USNA) (38 graduates), Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) (37 graduates), and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) (31 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 276 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
63 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
40 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| United States Naval Academy (USNA) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Annapolis, Maryland | Public | usna.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
37 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Traverse City, Michigan | Public | nmc.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Private | stevens.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| University of New Orleans (UNO) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | new.uno.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
|
1 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Ocean Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Ocean Engineering degree?
Salaries for Ocean Engineering 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 Ocean Engineering programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Ocean Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Texas A & M University, College Station (63 graduates), University of Rhode Island (URI) (40 graduates), and United States Naval Academy (USNA) (38 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 Ocean Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 298 in 2010 to a peak of 302 in 2020, before declining slightly to 276 in 2023-24. This represents a 7% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Ocean Engineering 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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