Systems Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Types of Degrees Systems Engineering Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many systems engineering graduations there were in 2018-2019 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 2,020 |
| Graduate Certificate | 505 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 114 |
What Systems Engineering Majors Need to Know
O*NET surveyed people in occupations related to systems engineering and asked them what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most important.
Knowledge Areas for Systems Engineering Majors
Systems Engineering majors often go into careers in which the following knowledge areas are important:
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Skills for Systems Engineering Majors
The following list of skills has been highlighted as some of the most essential for careers related to systems engineering:
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Abilities for Systems Engineering Majors
A major in systems engineering will prepare for your careers in which the following abilities are important:
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
What Can You Do With a Systems Engineering Major?
Below is a list of occupations associated with systems engineering:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 5.5% | $140,760 |
| Energy Engineers | 6.4% | $96,980 |
| Engineering Professors | 14.7% | $101,720 |
| Manufacturing Engineers | 6.4% | $96,980 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | 6.4% | $96,980 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 6.4% | $96,980 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 6.4% | $96,980 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of systems engineering majors is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 150 |
| Black or African American | 91 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 158 |
| White | 892 |
| International Students | 504 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 225 |
Geographic Diversity
Systems Engineering appeals to people across the globe. About 25.0% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- India
- China
- Saudi Arabia
- Iran
- Mexico
How Much Do Systems Engineering Majors Make?
Master’s Degree Starting Salary
The median starting salary of students who graduated in 2015-2017 with a master’s degree in systems engineering was $94,700 per year. These stats come from the U.S. Department of Education. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $91,300 (25th percentile) and $97,100 (75th percentile).
One thing to note here is that not all of these people may be working in careers related to systems engineering.
Salaries According to BLS
Systems Engineering majors often go into careers where salaries can range from $99,410 to $148,970 (25th to 75th percentile). This range includes all degree levels, so the salary for a person with just a bachelor’s degree may be a little less and the one for a person with an advanced degree may be a little more.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Systems Engineering
Some degrees associated with systems engineering may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.
Find out what the typical degree level is for systems engineering careers below.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 0.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) | 1.9% |
| Some College Courses | 2.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3.7% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 62.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 5.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 11.9% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 1.5% |
| First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. | 1.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.3% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 1.5% |
Online Systems Engineering Programs
In the 2018-2019 academic year, 109 schools offered some type of systems engineering program. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 5 | 1 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 1 | 0 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 1 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 0 | 0 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 35 | 17 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 5 | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 78 | 31 |
| Post-Master’s | 8 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 31 | 3 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Systems Engineering Worth It?
The median salary for a systems engineering grad is $113,680 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 185% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $1,475,600 after 20 years!
Explore Major by State
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Majors Related to Systems Engineering
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to systems engineering.
References
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
- Image Credit: By luis gomes under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.