Engineering is unarguably one of the hardest degrees to earn. Easiest engineering degrees are an exception to this. These degrees require less coursework and study time than others.
To be frank, no engineering course is easy but some are more challenging than others. Engineering is frequently ranked among the hardest courses in the World, because it requires technical knowledge, a strong foundation in mathematics and science, and the curriculum is voluminous.
If you’re thinking of studying any branch of engineering, you have definitely made a good choice. Even though engineering courses are difficult, they worth it. Engineering is one of the most demanded fields. Without engineers, there can not be development.
In this article, we have listed the 15 easiest engineering degrees to get, and all you need to know about engineering.
Table of Contents
What is Engineering?
Engineering is a broad discipline, that involves the application of science and mathematics to design and build machines, structures, or manufacturing processes.
The four main branches of engineering are:
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and
- Mechanical Engineering.
Engineering majors rely heavily on mathematics and science subjects, such as: physics and chemistry, as well as biology, computer, and geography, depending on the program.
To become a good engineer, you must possess the following qualities:
- Natural Curiosity
- Logical thinking
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Pay attention to details
- Leadership Skills
- Mathematical and Analytical Skills
- Be a good team player
- Problem-solving skills.
How to Choose the Right Engineering Major
Engineering is a very broad discipline, so you are provided with a lot of majors. If you are undecided on the major to choose then consider the following steps:
1. Check if you possess the skills required for a particular major
Possessing some skills can help you succeed in engineering. Some of these skills have already been mentioned in this article. Research which type of engineering requires the skills you possess, then major in it. For example, someone who is good at abstract thinking will make a good electrical engineer.
2. Identify your Personal Interest
When picking a major don’t allow anybody to influence your decision. Choose a major that you genuinely enjoy. It will be bad if you spend the rest of your life doing what you don’t like. For example, if you have an interest in improving people’s health, then should choose either biomedical engineering or bioengineering.
3. Check if you meet the requirements
Even though engineering disciplines rely heavily on mathematics and science, each major has its requirements. Someone better in physics than chemistry should choose either mechanical engineering or quantum engineering.
4. Consider Salary Potential
Generally, engineering disciplines pay wl but some disciplines pay slightly higher than others. For example, aerospace engineering.
If you wish to earn a high salary, then you should go for a major that pays very well. To determine how lucrative an engineering major is, check the US bureau of labor statistics to see how fast a particular field is growing and review salary data.
5. Consider your Ideal Work Environment
Your work environment depends on the major you choose. Some engineers work in office settings and some spend most of their work hours around machinery or in a particular geographic location. If you wish to work in an office setting then choose either computer engineering or software engineering.
Top 15 Easiest Engineering Degrees
Below is a list of 15 easiest engineering degrees in no particular order:
- Environmental Engineering
- Architectural Engineering
- General Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Biochemical Engineering
- Agricultural Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Applied Engineering
- Sustainability Design Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Biological Engineering.
#1. Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is a branch of engineering concerned with protecting people from adverse environmental effects, such as pollution, and improving environmental quality.
This degree requires a strong foundation in chemistry and biology. It takes about 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering. A master’s degree in environmental engineering can be completed within 2 years.
Environmental engineers are expected to improve recycling, water disposal, public health, water, and air pollution control, as well as develop solutions to environmental problems.
A degree in environmental engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Water quality and resources engineer
- Environmental quality engineer
- Green energy and environmental remediation engineers.
Some of the best schools for environmental engineering programs:
- University of California – Berkeley, USA
- Queen’s University, Belfast, UK
- University of British Columbia, Canada
- McGill University, Canada
- University of Strathclyde, UK.
#2. Architectural Engineering
Architectural engineering is the application of technology and engineering skills to design, construct, maintain and operate buildings.
An architectural engineer is responsible for designing the mechanical, electrical, and structural systems of a building.
This degree requires a strong background and high performance in mathematics, calculus, and physics. It takes about three to four years to complete a bachelor’s degree in architectural design.
A degree in architectural engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Architectural Engineer
- Structural Design Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Lighting Designer
- Architectural Project Manager.
Some of the best schools for architectural engineering programs:
- The University of Sheffield, UK
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
- University College London, UK
- Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
- University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Toronto (U of T), Canada.
#3. General Engineering
General Engineering is an interdisciplinary field of engineering concerned with the design, building, maintenance, and use of engines, machines, and structures.
A degree in general engineering allows students to study a wide range of disciplines, including civil engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering.
General engineering is a good option for students who are indecisive on the type of engineering they’d like to specialize in.
It takes three to four years to compare a bachelor’s degree in general engineering.
A degree in general engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Professor
- Building Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Development Engineering
- Product Engineer.
Some of the best schools for general engineering programs:
- Harvard University, USA
- University of Oxford, UK
- Stanford University, US
- University of Cambridge, UK
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
- Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
- University of Toronto, Canada.
#4. Civil Engineering
This branch of engineering deals with the design and construction of infrastructures, such as roads, bridges, fans, canals, buildings, airports, power plants, and water and sewage systems.
Civil engineers apply scientific knowledge to improve infrastructures. A strong mathematical and scientific background is important for civil engineers.
An undergraduate civil engineering degree can be completed within three to four years.
A degree in civil engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Civil Engineer
- Water resources engineer
- Surveyor
- Building Engineer
- Urban Planner
- Transport planner
- Construction Manager
- Environmental Engineer
- Structural Engineer.
Some of the best schools for civil engineering programs:
- University of California – Berkeley, USA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
- Stanford University, USA
- University of Leeds, UK
- Queen’s University Belfast, UK
- University of Cambridge, UK
- Imperial College London, UK
- University of Toronto, Canada
- McGill University, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Canada.
#5. Software Engineering
Software engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the design, development, and maintenance of software.
This discipline requires a strong background in mathematics, computer science, and physics. Knowledge of programming is also useful.
Software engineering students may study the following courses: Programming, Ethical hacking, Application, and Web Development, Cloud computing, Networking, and operating systems.
An undergraduate degree in software engineering can be completed between three years to four years.
A degree in software engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Application Developer
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Game Developer
- IT Consultant
- Multimedia Programmer
- Web developer
- Software engineer.
Some of the best software engineering schools include:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
- University of Oxford, UK
- Stanford University, USA
- University of Cambridge, UK
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Carnegie Mellon University, USA
- Harvard University, USA
- University of Toronto, Canada
- Simon Fraser University, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Canada.
#6. Industrial Engineering
This branch of engineering focuses on how to improve processes or design things that are more efficient and waste less money, time, raw materials, manpower, and energy.
Industrial engineers develop efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.
It takes about four years to complete a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.
Industrial engineers can work in every sector. So, you have a lot of job opportunities.
A degree in industrial engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Manufacturing production supervisor
- Quality assurance inspector
- Industrial engineer
- Cost estimator
- Supply chain analyst
- Quality engineer.
Some of the best schools for industrial engineering:
- Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
- Purdue University, USA
- University of Michigan, USA
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
- University of Toronto, Canada
- Dalhousie University, Canada
- University of Nottingham, UK
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
- IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany
- University of Greenwich, UK.
#7. Biochemical Engineering
Biochemical engineering deals with the design and construction of unit processes that involve biological organisms or organic molecules.
It takes four years to five years to complete biochemical engineering programs. This discipline requires a strong background in biology, chemistry, and mathematics.
A degree in biochemical engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Chemical Engineer
- Biochemical Engineer
- Biotechnician
- Laboratory Researcher.
Some of the best schools for biochemical engineering programs:
- University College London, UK
- Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
- Imperial College London, UK
- University of Cambridge, UK
- Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
- RWTH Aachen University, Germany
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Toronto, Canada.
#8. Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the design of farm machinery and the processing of farm products.
This discipline requires a strong background in mathematics, physics, and agricultural science. It takes four to five years to complete a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering.
A degree in Agricultural engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Soil scientists
- Agricultural engineer
- Food Production Manager
- Plant physiologist
- Food supervisor
- Agricultural crop engineer.
Some of the best schools of agricultural engineering programs:
- China Agricultural University, China
- Iowa State University, USA
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln, USA
- Tennessee Tech University, USA
- University of California – Darvis, USA
- Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Sweden
- University of Guelph, Canada.
#9. Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the exploration and extraction of crude oil and natural gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface.
This discipline requires a strong background in mathematics, physics, and geography/geology. It takes about four to five years to complete a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering.
A degree in petroleum engineering will prepare you for the following careers:
- Geoscientist
- Energy engineer
- Geochemist
- Drilling engineer
- Petroleum engineer
- Mining engineer.
Some of the best schools for petroleum engineering programs:
- University of Aberdeen, UK
- Stanford University, US
- National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
- Imperial College London, UK
- University of Strathclyde, UK
- Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
- The University of Adelaide, Australia
- University of Texas – College Station.
#10. Applied Engineering
Applied engineering is concerned with providing quality consulting engineering services to the real estate community, agencies, insurance companies, industrial corporations, property owners, and legal professionals.
It takes three to four years to complete a bachelor’s degree in applied engineering.
A degree in applied engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Supply chain planners
- Logistics Engineer
- Direct Sales Engineer
- Process Supervisor.
Some of the best schools for Applied engineering programs:
- Daytona State College, US
- Bemidji State University
- Michigan State University.
#11. Sustainability Design Engineering
Sustainable engineering is the process of designing or operating systems without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainability design engineers incorporate environmental considerations into their designs, just as they factor in financial considerations; they continually refine their designs to minimize the use of materials, energy, and labor.
It takes four years to complete a bachelor’s degree in sustainability design engineering.
A degree in sustainability design engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Sustainable Design Engineer
- Energy and Sustainability Engineer
- Sustainability Projects Technologist.
Some of the best schools for sustainability design engineering programs:
- University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Imperial College London, UK
- University of Strathfield, UK
- TU Delft, Netherlands
- University of Greenwich, UK.
#12. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest engineering disciplines. It deals with the design and manufacturing of moving parts.
Mechanical engineering is concerned with the study of machinery, and how to manufacture and maintain it at all levels.
Some of the courses you may study are; Thermodynamics, Fluid mechanics, Materials Science, Systems modeling, and Calculus.
Mechanical engineering programs typically last for four to five years. It requires a strong background in physics and mathematics.
A degree in mechanical engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Mechanical Engineer
- Automotive Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Aerospace Engineer.
Some of the best schools for mechanical engineering programs:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
- Stanford University, USA
- University of Oxford, UK
- Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Netherlands
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
- Imperial College London, UK
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany
- University of Cambridge, UK.
#13. Structural Engineering
Structural engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the structural integrity and strength of a building, bridges, airplanes, vehicles, or other structures.
The main job of a structural engineer is to ensure that materials used for construction can support the design of the structure.
Structural engineering programs can be completed within three to four years. It requires a strong background in mathematics and physics.
A degree in structural engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Structural engineer
- Architecture
- Civil Engineer
- Site Engineer
- Building Engineer.
Some of the best schools for structural engineering programs:
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
- The University of California, San Diego, USA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
- Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
#14. Engineering Management
Engineering Management is a specialized field of management concerned with the engineering sector.
During an engineering management course, students will develop industrial engineering skills, knowledge, and expertise, alongside knowledge of business and management techniques, strategies, and concerns.
Most engineering management programs are offered at the post-graduate level. However, some institutions offer engineering management at the undergraduate level, along with industrial engineering.
A degree in engineering management can prepare you for the following careers:
- Operations Manager
- Production Manager
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Production Team Leader.
- Engineering Project Manager
- Construction Management Engineer.
Some of the best schools for engineering management programs:
- Istanbul Technical University, Turkey
- University of Windsor, Canada
- McMaster University, Canada
- University of Greenwich, UK
- Stanford University, USA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
#15. Biological Engineering
Biological engineering or Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary area concerned with the application of engineering principles to analyze biological systems – plant, animal, or microbial systems.
Bioengineering programs can be completed within four years to five years. This discipline requires a strong background in biology and mathematics, as well as chemistry.
A degree in biological engineering can prepare you for the following careers:
- Biomedical scientists
- Biomaterials developer
- Cellular, tissue, and genetic engineering
- Computational biology programmer
- Laboratory technician
- Physician
- Rehabilitation Engineer.
Some of the best schools for biological engineering programs:
- Iowa State University of Science and Technology, USA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA
- The University of California, San Diego, USA
- Boston University, USA
- University of Sheffield, UK
- Loughborough University, UK
- Dalhousie University, Canada
- University of Guelph, Canada.
Accreditation for Engineering Degrees
Check for the following accreditations before you enroll in any engineering major:
United States of America:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM).
Canada:
- Engineers Canada (EC) – Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).
United Kingdom:
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
- Royal Aeronautical Society (RAS).
Australia:
- Engineers Australia – Australia Engineering Accreditation Centre (AEAC).
China:
- China Engineering Education Accreditation Association.
Others:
- IMechE: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- ICE: Institution of Civil Engineers
- IPEM: Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
- IChemE: Institution of Chemical Engineering
- CIHT: The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
- The Institution of Structural Engineers.
You can search for accredited engineering programs on any of the accreditation agencies’ websites, depending on your engineering major and place of study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Engineering Easy?
Earning an engineering degree is no easy task. However, engineering will be easy if you have a strong foundation in mathematics and science, and spend a lot of your time studying.
What is the Easiest Engineering Degree?
The easiest engineering degree depends on you. If you have a passion for something, you will find an easy way to achieve it. However, civil engineering is widely considered the easiest engineering degree.
What is the highest-paying Engineering Job?
According to indeed.com, Petroleum engineer is the highest-paying engineering job. Petroleum engineers earn an average salary of $94,271 per year, followed by Electrical engineers, with an average salary of $88,420 per year.
Can I get Engineering Degrees Online?
Yes, there are some engineering degrees that you can earn fully online. For example, software engineering, computer engineering, automotive engineering, and electrical engineering.
How many years does it take to earn an engineering degree?
A bachelor's degree program in any engineering discipline requires a minimum of four years of full-time study, a master's degree can last for two to four years and a Ph.D. degree can last for three to seven years.
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Conclusion
The difficulty of a course depends on your strengths, interests, and skills. You will definitely find engineering courses easy if you have a strong background in mathematics and science.
So, before you choose engineering as a major, do well to answer these questions – Are you good in mathematics and science? Do you possess critical thinking skills? and Are you ready to spend most of your time studying?
We have now come to the end of this article, which of these engineering degrees do you wish to pursue? Let us know your thoughts in the Comment Section.
