Top 10 Easiest Engineering Courses in 2023 [With Salary Data] (2023)

If you are campaigning for an engineering degree, finding the easiest engineering degree might be one of your top priorities.

However, which engineering majors are the least complicated and which are the most difficult may vary from person to person.

As you explore the different types of engineering fields, it is strategic to consider your own strengths, interests, and goals. This can help you hone the areas of engineering that will come easier to you in college and for years to come.

Easier engineering courses

Here is the list of the easiest engineering degrees (from easiest to hardest) based on highest average grade point average, length of study, hours of homework required, and average retention rates.

This list was compiled using data from theNational Student Engagement Surveyas well as the average retention rates and GPA ofOhio UniversityIt is inUniversity of Colorado at Boulder.

With these factors in mind, let's take a look at the following engineering courses listed from easiest to most difficult. It can be helpful to consider your personal strengths and skills when exploring the different options:

• industrial engineering
  
• General Engineering
  
• Technical computer Science
  
• environmental engineering
  
• civil engineering
  
• mechanical engineering
  
• biomedical engineering
  
• Electrical engineering
  
• petroleum engineering
  
• Aerospace Engineering

Regardless of the specialization you choose, you will still receive a solid foundation in engineering and related majors.

industrial engineering

Industrial engineering focuses on applying engineering principles to design efficient systems of all kinds. This is very valuable in the manufacturing world, but it also applies to organizing groups of people or optimizing business processes.

The curriculum for an industrial engineering degree may include courses in materials, automation, quality control, and manufacturing. Chemistry, analytical geometry, calculus, and physics may be among the required STEM courses, and lab sessions may offer opportunities to work with robotics.

Industrial engineers often work for manufacturing companies. They may be in transportation, computing, electronics, or engineering.

General Engineering

For a degree that covers multiple engineering disciplines, consider studying general engineering. Students in this branch receive an overview of the disciplines of mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering and other engineering sciences.

As a general engineering student, you will likely take several calculus courses. You can also study statics, fluids, thermodynamics, and electrical circuits.

General engineering graduates can find employment in small companies. By hiring general engineers, these organizations can save on labor costs by not having to hire a separate person for each branch of the field.

For general engineers who wish to specialize further, earn aOnline-Master of Engineeringor teaching in a specific area can be beneficial.

Technical computer Science

Professionals who apply engineering principles to the structure and function of computers are computer engineers. This field includes hardware engineers and software engineers.

Computer science students study calculus, physics, probability and linear algebra. There are usually courses on object-oriented programming, operating systems, database architecture, and artificial intelligence. Technical computer science is closely related to electrical engineering, which is why students also get to know circuits and signals.

Many computer hardware engineers work in the computer systems design industry. Others may be employed by semiconductor manufacturers, research companies, or the federal government. Software developers often work for companies that design computer systems.

environmental engineering

The protection of nature is one of the main concerns of environmental engineers. They use their technical skills to find viable solutions to today's major environmental problems.

Chemistry is an essential field of study for environmental engineering students. Biology also plays an important role, other subjects include mechanics and thermodynamics. They also spend time on environmental issues like sustainability and air quality.

Environmental engineers monitor natural conditions or plan resource conservation projects. They typically work as consultants, and there are also many government agencies for environmental engineers at the local, state, and federal levels.

civil engineering

One of the most well-known types of engineers is the civil engineer. Civil Engineers are involved in the construction of much of the infrastructure and architecture that you see around you every day. These can be buildings, roads, bridges and pipelines.

Statics, dynamics and mechanics are common topics in civil engineering courses. You will also take calculus, differential equations and various physics courses. Electives may cover subjects such as geology and civil engineering.

There are a variety of types of engineers in this field. Examples include civil, transportation, and civil engineers. They may work as consultants for engineering services organizations or hold government positions.

mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineers design machines, things with moving parts. Since machines, from small to huge, are found everywhere in the modern world, mechanical engineers play an important role in today's society.

As a mechanical engineering student, you will take courses in statics and dynamics, and the math and science curriculum includes several courses in calculus and physics.

You can also study materials, robotics and electrical systems to prepare for work in manufacturing or related industries. Energy-related courses such as solar or nuclear energy may also be offered. Many mechanical engineers are employed in the manufacturing sector. Common employers are machine and transport manufacturers.

biomedical engineering

Biomedical engineering is when engineering ideas are put into practice in medicine and healthcare. Through biomedical engineering, professionals design and develop solutions to various health problems.

In a biomedical engineering program, you will typically take courses that cover technical subjects such as mechanics and materials. You can also study many advanced biological processes related to cells, tissues and the human body.

Sub-disciplines in this field include biomechanics and biomaterials, and you may have the opportunity to specialize in one of these areas. The medical supply industry is a common workplace for biomedical engineers. Research institutions also need people with this qualification.

Electrical engineering

Machines and electronic devices are powered by electricity. Electrical engineers know how this works and can design or improve electrical systems.

Topics in an electrical engineering program include circuits, signals, magnetism, and energy. You can also learn computer programming languages. Laboratory courses offer opportunities to design and build electrical systems, and there are also math and science courses such as calculus and physics.

Electrical engineers are needed in many different industries. Manufacturing is an important issue. This can include the manufacture of electronic instruments, semiconductors, aircraft and medical equipment. Electrical engineers often also work in the field of power generation.

petroleum engineering

The oil and gas industry relies heavily on petroleum engineers. Their work plays a key role in generating energy to support the daily activities of modern life.

Petroleum engineering students need to know a lot about geology, geomechanics, and drilling. Fluids and thermodynamics are other important topics in this course. Probability, geometry, physics and chemistry are also fundamental to the study of petroleum engineering.

Engineers in this field create plans and processes to extract natural resources from the ground. They typically work for oil and gas companies, oil producers, or mining companies. Some petroleum engineers work abroad.

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering for aerospace applications involves designing aircraft for flight. The term "aviation" is used for flights within Earth's atmosphere, and the term "astronautics" can be used for flights in outer space. Aerospace encompasses both disciplines.

For these programs, you will take courses related to analytic geometry and differential calculus. As you delve into issues like mechanics and materials, consider how flight conditions affect performance. Other important concepts for these engineers are propulsion, electrical circuits and aerodynamics.

The government hires many aerospace engineers. Aircraft construction and instrumentation are other fields of work for people with an aerospace engineering degree.

Curriculum Requirements for Engineering Degrees.

Engineering schools can obtain programmatic accreditation fromAccreditation Body for Engineering and Technology (ABET). To qualify, your engineering program curriculum must be consistent with the accreditor's standards.

Generally, accredited engineering programs must include 30 credit hours of math and science instruction. ABET also requires 45 credit hours of engineering courses directly related to the specific area of ​​focus of the degree. All programs must include a major engineering project to complete students' studies before graduation.

ABET also specifies learning objectives for various subjects. Some engineering branches have very strict learning requirements. In other sectors, ABET gives schools a little more freedom. In general, this means that a high-level engineering course is likely to be of a similar level of difficulty at any accredited school.

If math and science aren't your strengths, you won't be able to find a school that requires fewer of these engineering courses. Any accredited engineering program will place a heavy emphasis on these disciplines.

This principle also applies to individual branches. All petroleum engineering students must study thermodynamics. There is no escaping the physics lessons based on infinitesimal calculus for the study of civil engineering. Reviewing ABET program requirements can help you identify the area of ​​engineering that best fits your strengths.

Engineering Jobs and Salaries.

Engineers work in many different industries. Manufacturing companies hire many engineers. For example, aerospace engineers may work for aircraft manufacturers. Electronics engineers may be involved in semiconductor manufacturing, and materials engineers may play a role in shipping or the manufacture of computers.

Government agencies also employ many engineers. Computer hardware and civil engineers are particularly common in government posts. In accordance withDepartment of Labor Statistics, engineering and architecture jobs pay an average annual salary of $83,160.

Engineers such as biomedical and chemical engineers can also work for research and development companies. They carry out experiments and pursue new ideas in laboratories. Some engineers work in the construction industry. Civil engineers are a good example of this industry.

In addition, many engineers work in various fields for engineering service companies. You may act as a consultant on projects such as new product development. Other branches of this field include agriculture, health and safety, geology and mining, and nuclear engineering.

Should I study engineering?

The engineering field offers a wide range of career opportunities. This industry also has high salaries. Therefore, you may be drawn to a career in the engineering industry.

Despite the benefits of engineering, this field is not for everyone. Before deciding on an engineering program, you should consider whether the following characteristics describe you:

• great intelligence. Engineers spend their days thinking about problems and finding solutions to them. To be successful in this field, one must know how to think critically and creatively.
• school engagement. Engineering programs are notoriously challenging. This major is not for the faint of heart. If you want to earn an engineering degree, you must make an effort and commit to studying seriously for years to come.
• STEM skills. The curriculum of an engineering program includes many advanced math and science courses. You may need to take multiple courses related to physics, chemistry, calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and more.

If you have additional questions about your suitability for an engineering degree, it may be helpful to speak to an admissions counselor, a current engineering student, or a professional engineer.

Which engineering career should I choose?

Engineering is a broad field, so you often need to choose a specific engineering branch as your major. To help you decide, you can ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I good at?Deciding which specialization to pursue should start with considering your strengths. Different branches of engineering emphasize different skills. Chemical engineering might be a good fit for someone with a chemical brain, and mechanical engineering might be a good fit for someone who's a creative thinker.
• What do I want to do with my life?The engineering discipline you choose can become a lifelong commitment. It is beneficial to choose a course that you will enjoy for years. For example, if you have always been interested in buildings and construction, civil engineering might be a good plan.
• The Salary can I expect?Aerospace, petroleum, computer and nuclear engineering are some of the highest paying engineering fields. If a high salary is important to you, you should take a look at the earnings data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, when considering payment options, it is important to consider the cost of earning your degree.
• What kind of work-life balance do I want?Full-time work is common for engineers, but not all locations have reliable office hours. Agricultural Engineers can work longer hours in some seasons than others. Petroleum Engineers can travel frequently. Aerospace engineers can work overtime to meet tight deadlines.

Weighing the pros and cons of different branches can help you determine your best option.

What kind of engineer makes the most money?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, petroleum engineers typically earn the highest engineer salaries. Most earn between $78,620 and $208,000 per year.

Computer hardware engineers typically have the second highest salary. Annual salaries in this discipline typically range from $70,100 to $192,110.

Aerospace engineers also earn above average, with typical salaries ranging from $72,770 to $171,220. Aerospace engineers working for instrument manufacturers earn a median income of $125,710.

Nuclear engineers typically have salaries ranging from $74,800 to $185,550. Research and development is a particularly lucrative industry for nuclear engineers, who pay an average of $139,580 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What is the most difficult engineering course?

Different students have different opinions about the most difficult engineering course. Your strengths and skills affect how challenging you find a particular program.

Electrical engineering is quite difficult for some students due to the abstract thinking. Likewise, one of the greatest challenges of aerospace engineering is that students must apply their knowledge to design boats for an environment that is completely unfamiliar to them.

Complicated math and science concepts are another reason why students find engineering majors difficult. Chemical engineering is an excellent example of a discipline that uses complex mathematics and science. Computer technology is also largely based on mathematical ideas.

Earn your engineering degree online

Engineering encompasses many different branches. Advanced math and science courses are an essential part of each. Still, different programs have different requirements, so some engineering disciplines may be less rigorous than others.

convenient and flexibleIngenieurstudium onlineare available for many engineering programs. A number of universities also offerMasters in Computer Engineering onlineSoftware.

Accreditation, both regional and programmatic, is available for online programs to enable you to earn a degree that meets industry standards.

You can start exploring programs today to see the difference accredited online engineering degrees can make for you.