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Structures engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a structures engineer. Structures engineers usually study civil engineering, mechanical engineering, or engineering. 71% of structures engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 6,913 real structures engineer resumes to see exactly what structures engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for structures engineers are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online structures engineer courses to help get the education required to be a structures engineer.
There are certain structures engineer certifications that you should consider. These structures engineer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Structural Engineer (SE).
What education do you need to become a structures engineer?
What degree do you need to be a structures engineer?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Master's, 21%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a structures engineer?
- Civil Engineering, 68%
- Engineering, 5%
- Other Majors, 11%
Most common colleges for structures engineers
| Structures engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 9.49% |
| Texas A&M University | 7.91% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 7.44% |
| University of Houston | 6.49% |
| Purdue University | 6.33% |
Best majors for structures engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civil Engineering | 67.6% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 12.3% |
| 3 | Engineering | 4.8% |
| 4 | Aerospace Engineering | 3.7% |
| 5 | Architectural Engineering | 2.2% |
Best colleges for structures engineers
The best colleges for structures engineers are Johns Hopkins University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A structures engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for structures engineers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become structures engineers.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
2. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
3. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
8. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,620
Enrollment
27,730
9. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
20 best online courses for structures engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Engineering of Structures: Tension
This course deals with tension. Tension is one of the easiest forces to understand. It is a pulling force. When we tend to pull an object, it is in tension. Different elements that resist tension in buildings are ropes, cables, and funicular forms. You will study different structures and identify what role tension plays in their designs. The first module explores tension and its importance in building structures. The second module explores funicular forms, angles, and bridges. You will...
2. The Engineering of Structures Around Us
In this Specialization, you will learn some engineering principles that can be applied to structural systems everywhere: in nature, in furniture, in mechanical and aerospace systems, and in any solid object that resists a load.\n\nTogether we’ll explore how structures work, why they were designed the way they were designed, how they support loads, and where forces flow through them.\n\nMore specifically you will:\n\nLearn about funicular forms and how ropes and cables resist tension. Discuss...
3. CSi SAP2000: Structural Analysis Program for Engineers
Analyze Structural Elements Using SAP2000 For Engineers & Architects...
4. STAAD Pro. - Structural Design of Steel Building (PEB)
Structural Analysis and Structural Design of Pre Engineered Building in Staad Pro with Real World Project...
5. Robot Structural Analysis Professional course
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis : From Beginning to Pro...
6. Fundamentals of Structural Analysis
Get to grips with civil engineering structural analysis once and for all...
7. Structural Engineering Abaqus Tutorials
The most comprehensive course with 13.5 hours of real life structural examples under various loading conditions...
8. ETABS: For Structural Design of Buildings
Structural Analysis and Structural Design of Residential Building in ETABS with Real World Project...
9. Robot structural Analysis (RC building)
Full building Design with seismic Analysis using Robot Structural Analysis...
10. STAAD Pro Professional Course (Fresher to Experienced)
The most comprehensive course with 14.5 Hours of Course Content with Practical Case studies of RCC and Steel Structure...
11. Ansys Workbench - Analysis Engineering Training Program
If you want to be an Analysis Engineer with Ansys Workbench join this Course !...
12. Autodesk Revit & Robot Structural Analysis + Sheets + BOQ
Autodesk Revit & Robot building structural design +draw structural sheets + BOQ + advanced lectures in Revit & Robot...
13. Learning Autodesk Revit Structure 2016
Building Information Modelling Design and Analysis for Structural Engineering...
14. Revit Structure 2021 from Zero to Hero
Covering essentials, intermediate, and advanced features of Revit Structure 2021-2022-2023...
15. Revit Structure Beginners to Advanced (Contractor Services)
The course is suitable for Revit 2020 and later versions up to Revit 2023...
16. ANSYS Training: An Easy Introduction with Applications
Essential training on solving Engineering Problems from start by using Ansys workbench with examples...
17. The Comprehensive ETABS Professional Course (RCC and Steel)
21 Hours of Course Content with Practical Case studies...
18. Diploma in Basics of Civil Engineering for Construction
Practical Course to Gain Quick Knowledge in Civil Engineering & Get Entry Level Jobs in Construction as Freshers...
19. Python 3: Project-based Python, Algorithms, Data Structures
Learn programming with Python 3; visualize Algorithms and Data Structures and implement them in projects with Python...
20. Understanding Engineering Drawings
How Technical Information is Conveyed from Engineers and Designers to Manufacturing and Supply Chain Professionals...
Top 10 most affordable universities for structures engineers
The most affordable schools for structures engineers are University of Florida, florida state university, and florida atlantic university.
If the best universities for structures engineers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for structures engineers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
3. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
4. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,310
Cost of attendance
19,807
8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for structures engineers
The hardest universities for structures engineers to get into are Johns Hopkins University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for structures engineers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for structures engineers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
6. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,545
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for structures engineers
The easiest schools for structures engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, saint martin's university, and washington state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a structures engineer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for structures engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
3. Washington State University
Pullman, WA • Private
Admissions rate
77%
SAT average
1,123
4. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
5. Portland State University
Portland, OR • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,111
6. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
7. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
8. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
9. Lamar University
Beaumont, TX • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,043
10. North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,170
Average structures engineer salary by education level
| Structures engineer education level | Structures engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $79,429 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $72,465 |
| Doctorate Degree | $78,925 |
Structures engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025