Fastest Growing Engineering Fields

The College of Engineering is the largest of the four colleges on our Prescott, Arizona, Campus. Home to 39% of the student population, our accredited undergraduate programs within the college boast state-of-the-art labs and knowledgeable faculty who put students first.

Our engineering degrees set students up for success in their disciplines. Explore Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering or Software Engineering with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and enter these fast-growing fields.

What is Aerospace Engineering?

Aerospace engineers are involved in the design of aircraft, spacecraft, jet engines, satellites and beyond. They use their knowledge of engineering principles, materials science, and aerodynamics to create safe, efficient, and innovative aircraft. After developing a background in physics, thermodynamics and more, students can choose the aeronautical or astronautical path and apply their studies to aircraft or spacecraft.

Our B.S. in Aerospace Engineering program is the most popular on campus, and for good reason. The acclaimed program attracts many students to Embry-Riddle. U.S. News and World Report ranked the Arizona Campus program as the second best in the country (for schools without a doctoral program).

According to the U.S. BLS, median wages for aerospace engineers are over $120,000 annually. The industry sees a 6% growth in job openings, but job options in this field are vast. Our graduates enter the workforce with organizations like The Boeing Company, the U.S. Space Force and NASA.

The Aerospace Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

What jobs can I do with an Aerospace Engineering degree?

• aerospace technician
• aircraft mechanic
• flight test engineer
• inspection manager

What is Computer Engineering?

Computer engineers design, test, analyze and modify computer hardware to work effectively with software. They create innovative technologies that enable people to use computers and other digital devices more effectively. Median pay in 2021 for computer hardware engineers was $128,000 a year, with a 5% growth in the field over the next decade.

B.S. in Computer Engineering students learn valuable skills in computing, from digital and linear circuits to computer architecture and operating systems. Our thorough courses ensure students have understanding of programming languages, digital computer design, telecommunication systems and more.

In the field, graduates can apply their knowledge to embedded systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, robotics, Internet of Things, national defense, cybersecurity and gaming. Student internships can even lead to full-time jobs as graduates.

The Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

What jobs can I do with a Computer Engineering degree?

• hardware engineer
• computer programmer
• computer systems analyst
• system administrator

What is Software Engineering?

Software engineers are responsible for designing, developing and testing software programs and applications. Students in the B.S. in Software Engineering program learn about algorithms, programming languages, operating systems and more. Students in this program also work in multidisciplinary teams of engineers for their capstone projects.

Embry-Riddle alumna Jessica Heil (’21) chose Software Engineering out of sheer enjoyment of coding. She says the professors are “always willing to help” and “very dedicated to their students.” She had a job offer within a month of graduation. We currently have a 100% effective placement rate amongst Software Engineering graduates.

Software engineering is a fast-growing field, as the usage of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the Internet of Things continues to grow. The U.S. BLS projects a growth of 25%—far above average for all jobs—and over a million new openings in the next 10 years. Software developers make a median annual wage of $120,000.

The Software Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Software Engineering Program Criteria. 

What jobs can I do with a Software Engineering degree?

• product development intern
• quality assurance analyst
• software developer
• web developer