Surveying Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Surveying Engineering is a technical discipline focused on the precise measurement, analysis, and representation of Earth's surface features—both natural and constructed. This program equips students with the scientific and mathematical foundation needed to accurately determine spatial relationships, elevations, and alignments for use in construction, land development, environmental planning, and infrastructure projects.
- Property Line Location: Techniques for identifying and marking legal boundaries of land parcels using legal descriptions, historical records, and field measurements.
- Surveying Fundamentals: Core methodologies for measuring distances, angles, and elevations across diverse terrains using traditional and modern instruments.
- Surface Measurement: Processes for quantifying topographic features, including contour mapping, volume calculations, and terrain modeling.
- Aerial and Terrestrial Photogrammetry: Methods for extracting accurate spatial data from photographs taken from aircraft or ground-based platforms.
- Remote Sensing: The science of acquiring information about the Earth’s surface through satellite or airborne sensors without direct contact.
- Satellite Imagery Analysis: Interpreting and processing high-resolution satellite data to support mapping, change detection, and environmental monitoring.
- Global Positioning Systems (GPS): Utilizing satellite-based navigation to determine precise geographic coordinates in real time.
- Computer Applications in Surveying: Use of specialized software for data collection, processing, visualization, and integration with geographic information systems (GIS).
- Photographic Data Processing: Techniques for enhancing, calibrating, and interpreting image data to produce accurate spatial representations.
Surveying Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Surveying Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Surveying 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 466,870 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 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists 17-1021 | $78,380 | $50,500 - $121,440 | 12,790 | $37.68 |
| Surveyors 17-1022 | $72,740 | $43,680 - $116,330 | 53,080 | $34.97 |
Surveying Engineering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $91,588 in Nebraska to $134,036 in California—a 46% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Mexico, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 466,870 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 Surveying Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 14 institutions offering Surveying 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 Surveying Engineering is found at Michigan Technological University (MTU) (15 graduates), Florida Atlantic University (FAU) (14 graduates), Texas A & M University (TAMU‑CC), Corpus Christi (10 graduates), University of Maine (UMaine) (9 graduates), and Rowan University (7 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 99 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
15 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
14 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Texas A & M University (TAMU‑CC) |
Master's
|
10 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | tamucc.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Fairmont State University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Fairmont, West Virginia | Public | fairmontstate.edu |
| Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) |
Other Award
|
6 | Annandale, Virginia | Public | nvcc.edu |
| Tidewater Community College (TCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | tcc.edu |
| Nicholls State University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Thibodaux, Louisiana | Public | nicholls.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| University of Akron |
Other Award
|
4 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Dallas, Pennsylvania | Public | wilkesbarre.psu.edu |
| Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Big Stone Gap, Virginia | Public | mecc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Surveying Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Surveying Engineering degree?
Salaries for Surveying 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 California average $134,036 compared to $91,588 in Nebraska. Approximately 466,870 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 Surveying Engineering programs?
Currently 14 accredited institutions offer Surveying Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Michigan Technological University (MTU) (15 graduates), Florida Atlantic University (FAU) (14 graduates), and Texas A & M University (TAMU‑CC), Corpus Christi (10 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 Surveying Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 94 in 2010 to 99 in 2023-24. This represents a 5% 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 Surveying 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 466,870 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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