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CIP 14.0803 Engineering

Structural Engineering

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

350

2025 · 14 schools

International share

18.3%

64 international students

Bachelor's degrees

196

3.1% international

Master's degrees

145

37.2% international

Overview

Structural Engineering is a specialized field of civil engineering that focuses on the design, analysis, and construction of structures that support or resist loads. This discipline plays a crucial role in ensuring that buildings, bridges, towers, and other infrastructure can withstand various forces such as gravity, wind, earthquakes, and human use.

Students pursuing a degree in Structural Engineering typically study a range of subjects, including mechanics, materials science, fluid dynamics, and structural analysis. They learn how to apply mathematical and physical principles to create safe and efficient structures. This includes understanding the behavior of different materials like steel, concrete, and timber, as well as how structures interact with their environment.

In addition to technical skills, structural engineers must also consider factors such as sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with building codes and regulations. Advanced software tools for modeling and simulation are commonly used in the profession, enabling engineers to predict how structures will perform under various conditions.

Career opportunities for structural engineers are diverse and can be found in both the public and private sectors. They may work for consulting firms, construction companies, government agencies, or as independent contractors. The demand for skilled structural engineers remains strong, particularly in regions experiencing growth or natural disasters where rebuilding and infrastructure improvement are needed.

Overall, Structural Engineering is a vital field that combines creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills to create safe and durable structures that enhance our built environment.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates grew 695% and the international share went from 9.1% to 18.3%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
26.9%
Asian
22.6%
Hispanic
24.3%
Black
2.6%
Other
5.4%
Intl.
18.3%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 14 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#20 University of California-Los Angeles California 1 0
#25 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Michigan 4 0
#27 University of Southern California California 50 21
#29 University of California-San Diego California 216 24
#44 Ohio State University-Main Campus Ohio 6 1
#44 Lehigh University Pennsylvania 7 0
#121 University of Central Florida Florida 8 0
#121 Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois 9 6
#179 Seattle University Washington 2 2
#276 Western Michigan University Michigan 4 1
— California State University-Northridge California 23 8
— Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg Pennsylvania 17 1
— Harrisburg Area Community College Pennsylvania 2 0
— Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Indiana 1 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Civil Engineers 367,840 $52.24 $108,670
Architectural and Engineering Managers 220,260 $87.28 $181,540
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 40,270 — $124,520

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.