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CIP 15.1102 Engineering Technologies

Surveying Technology/Surveying

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

591

2025 · 57 schools

International share

1.5%

9 international students

Bachelor's degrees

250

0.4% international

Master's degrees

6

66.7% international

Overview

Surveying Technology, often referred to simply as Surveying, is a specialized field that focuses on the measurement and mapping of the Earth's surface. This discipline combines elements of mathematics, physics, and engineering to determine distances, angles, and elevations, which are crucial for various construction, engineering, and environmental projects.

Surveyors play a vital role in the planning and development of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. They use advanced technology such as GPS, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and laser scanning to collect and analyze spatial data. This data is essential for creating accurate maps and ensuring that construction projects adhere to legal boundaries and zoning regulations.

In addition to traditional land surveying, the field encompasses various sub-disciplines such as hydrographic surveying, which involves measuring and mapping bodies of water, and geodetic surveying, focusing on the Earth's geometric shape and gravitational field. The curriculum for Surveying Technology typically includes courses in surveying principles, land law, construction methods, and data analysis, along with practical fieldwork experience.

Graduates of Surveying Technology programs can pursue careers as licensed surveyors, project managers, or GIS specialists in various sectors, including construction, real estate, and environmental consulting. As the demand for precise data in urban planning and infrastructure projects continues to grow, professionals in this field will find ample opportunities for career advancement and specialization. Overall, Surveying Technology is a dynamic and essential profession that contributes significantly to societal development and land use planning.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates grew 36% and the international share went from 4.2% to 1.5%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
75.8%
Asian
1.0%
Hispanic
14.9%
Black
0.7%
Other
6.1%
Intl.
1.5%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 57 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
#34 University of Florida Florida 23 0
#44 Ohio State University-Main Campus Ohio 8 6
#85 New Jersey Institute of Technology New Jersey 8 0
#208 California State University--Fresno California 19 0
#250 New Mexico State University-Main Campus New Mexico 15 0
#262 University of Maine Maine 24 0
#317 Ferris State University Michigan 5 0
#328 East Tennessee State University Tennessee 21 1
#342 University of Akron Ohio 25 0
#353 Arkansas State University Arkansas 4 0
#365 Troy University Alabama 9 0
#382 Idaho State University Idaho 11 0
#382 Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi Texas 12 0
LAC #184 Glenville State University West Virginia 11 0
— Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City Oklahoma 29 0
— Utah Valley University Utah 24 0
— Vincennes University Indiana 20 0
— Southeast Technical College South Dakota 20 0
— Tyler Junior College Texas 18 0
— Lone Star College System Texas 17 1
— Wake Technical Community College North Carolina 16 0
— Everglades University Florida 16 0
— University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Puerto Rico 14 0
— Saint Cloud State University Minnesota 13 0
— SUNY College of Technology at Alfred New York 13 0
— Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Ohio 13 0
— Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College North Carolina 12 1
— Clark College Washington 12 0
— University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton Arkansas 11 0
— Great Basin College Nevada 11 0
— Sandhills Community College North Carolina 11 0
— Austin Community College District Texas 11 0
— University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska 10 0
— Colorado Mesa University Colorado 9 0
— SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry New York 9 0
— South Texas College Texas 8 0
— College of the Canyons California 7 0
— Northwestern Michigan College Michigan 7 0
— Oregon Institute of Technology Oregon 7 0
— Santa Rosa Junior College California 6 0
— Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania 6 0
— University of Arkansas at Monticello Arkansas 5 0
— Cuyamaca College California 5 0
— Santiago Canyon College California 5 0

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

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Surveying and Mapping Technicians 58,010 $27.89 $58,000
Surveyors 50,830 $38.73 $80,570
Drafters, All Other 14,470 $32.81 $68,250
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists 14,260 $41.68 $86,690

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.