International study programs: Engineering
Engineering is a popular international study program worth considering for students seeking an undergraduate education in the United States. Since it’s a STEM field, you would qualify for the 24-month Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM (STEM OPT) after finishing your program.
Additionally, a bachelor’s degree in engineering can lead students to multiple in-demand and well-paying career prospects. If you’re considering enrolling in an engineering program, here’s what to expect from the curriculum and what you can do with this practical program.
About engineering programs
Engineering students leverage other core subjects, such as mathematics, science and technology to identify shortcomings and solutions for existing processes, products and systems. Through your coursework, you’ll learn how to analyze issues critically and creatively problem-solve through experimentation.
Schools have varying core curriculums for their engineering students. Some courses you might encounter as an engineering major include project and design, engineering computation and systems modeling. In addition to general education requirements, you’ll need to complete your core engineering courses for the major. This might include a capstone course or project to apply what you’ve learned toward a real-world problem and demonstrate how you’d approach it.
Engineering is a broad discipline, but, depending on your interests, can offer various concentrations. Nuclear engineering, computer engineering, biomedical engineering and aerospace engineering are just a few options to narrow your focus.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, electrical engineering is the most popular concentration, followed by mechanical engineering.
After earning your bachelor’s degree in engineering, you can apply your education toward real-world problems across different industries, such as health care, agriculture, computing and manufacturing.
Demand for engineering degrees
A majority of international students (55%) selected a STEM-related field of study in 2022-23, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE). Within this field, engineering was a leading discipline choice. In the IIE’s 2023 Open Doors Report, engineering ranked second on the list of most selected majors by international students.
In the 2023-23 school year, 202,801 international students (19.2%) chose engineering, a 7.8% increase over the prior school year.
5 jobs you can get with an engineering degree
Although the type of jobs you might qualify for depends on your concentration and hands-on experience, an engineering program offers pathways toward many exciting careers. Here are a handful of jobs you can get as an engineering degree holder.
1. Petroleum engineer
With an engineering-related bachelor’s degree, you can become a petroleum engineer. The median annual pay for this job is $131,800, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Between 2022 to 2032, petroleum engineering job growth is projected to be 2%.
As a petroleum engineer, you’ll be tasked with developing optimal ways to extract petroleum-based resources, like oil and gas, from the ground and wells.
Petroleum engineers design specialized equipment that extract these resources in a safe and efficient way. They also monitor and maintain this equipment and analyze existing methods for areas of improvement. The job generally involves travel, often internationally, to drill and well sites, and company offices.
Generally, finding work as an entry-level petroleum engineer is possible, but advancement within the job requires additional licenses. In many states, you’ll need to complete ongoing education to maintain this license to ensure you’re up to date with the latest innovations and protocols.
2. Nuclear engineer
Nuclear engineering is another available entry-level career option. The BLS reports the median pay for this job is US$122,480 annually. It’s projected to have negligible or no change in employment growth by 2032.
As a nuclear engineer, you’re responsible for investigating, and addressing challenges regarding nuclear energy and waste. Depending on your specific duties, you might also design, test and manage nuclear equipment and systems. Additionally, you’re responsible for communicating operating instructions for the equipment and systems.
Nuclear engineers are commonly employed in industries like military defense, utility power, medicine and government.
3. Aerospace engineer
If you’re fascinated by the stars and beyond, a career in aerospace engineering might be for you. Aerospace engineers develop air- and space-based technology and equipment, including satellites, aircrafts, propulsion systems and spacecrafts, as well as their components.
Jobs in this field can be found through the public and private sector. You might find aerospace engineer jobs through a federal government agency, aerospace manufacturing corporation or other engineering service. Like other engineering specialties, a license isn’t required for an entry-level role; however, it’s expected for career advancement.
The BLS estimates the median wage for aerospace engineers is $126,880 with a 6% growth projection from 2022 to 2032.
4. Chemical engineer
Chemical engineers often work in laboratories with a variety of chemicals and substances, including food and electronics. Their role is to leverage their deep knowledge of chemistry and physics to design products for manufacturing and test the efficacy of those developments.
They’re also responsible for troubleshooting issues related to the existing manufacturing process, products and materials. Some jobs also require chemical engineers to determine whether the current processes adhere to regulatory compliance.
Industries in which a chemical engineer might be needed include beauty and health, biotechnology and manufacturing. The median annual pay for a chemical engineer is $106,260, according to the BLS, and the field has a faster-than-average projected job growth of 8%.
5. Electrical engineer
Electrical engineers stand to earn a median wage of $104,610 per year. In this career, you’ll plan, develop, test and evaluate electrical equipment, like power generators, electrical parts of electric vehicles, telecommunications hardware and robotic systems.
You’ll also ensure that the manufacturing of these products, and their usage, meets regulatory requirements. If recurring complaints arise from the equipment, you’ll investigate the issue and design solutions to address it.
Electrical engineer jobs can be found across many industries, from government agencies to aviation, technology and transportation. This profession is expected to grow at a faster rate than average pace of 5% from 2022 to 2032.
Getting an engineering degree
Engineering is a competitive and challenging major to pursue. However, it’s also a degree field that yields a higher median wage than other areas of study. How worthwhile an engineering degree is for you also depends on whether you opt for a specialized concentration.
Engineering offers the potential for high pay in the future, but before you get there, you’ll need to pay for college costs today. If you’ve exhausted grant and scholarship aid and need additional funding, consider an MPOWER Financing international student loan.
