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For those interested in STEM degrees, engineering can often be a great fit. However, if you still have questions about this field and what it takes to make a career out of majoring in engineering, this article has got you covered!
First, engineering is an interdisciplinary study that heavily utilizes math and science, and involves some business principles as well. It is a very broad subject, so most engineering majors will be more specific. For example, a student interested in majoring in engineering could narrow down their concentration to electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil construction engineering, and so on. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but if you’re curious about which engineering majors YSU offers, you can check out the Rayen School of Engineering course catalog.
YSU’s engineering program is one of a kind. In 2007, Youngstown State created the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This STEM college was the first of its kind in Ohio. Following its inception, the Rayen School of Engineering and Technology was established as a unit of this new school. All of the undergraduate programs in the Rayen School are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Students enrolled in a major within this school have access to academic experts of their field, and resources such as STEM Professional Services (its sole purpose is to place YSU students in pre-professional internships, which is hard to come by at other colleges!)
While not every single person currently working as an engineer has a degree, this career path is becoming increasingly competitive. Therefore, most employers in this field will require at least a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, although (depending on the job) an associates degree can meet these qualifications as well.
If you choose to get a bachelor’s degree in engineering, expect to take anywhere from 3 to 5 years to graduate. If you recognize your passion for this major during high school you can take advantage by enrolling in college or AP level courses relevant to this field of study. Many schools will accept these classes as valid college credits as long as you achieved a certain grade in the course. That way, you have a head start by not having to take all the foundation courses required for your degree. However, engineering is a rigorous discipline, and it’s common for students to take a full 5 years to complete their degree. If you find yourself on this timeline, just know you’re not alone!
Engineers are typically in charge of designing field-relevant technology, while engineer technicians are more involved with the actual application of this relevant technology. The majority of your coursework for either degree will include a lot of overlap, but engineers will find themselves studying more theories and advanced concepts, while engineer technicians will see their coursework emphasize more hands-on and real-world applications.
Definitely! Engineering is a great choice for many international students who have a strong interest in math and science. Youngstown’s engineering program is ABET accredited and was ranked in the top 100 programs in the USA by the US News and World Report in 2022. Graduates will find themselves equipped with a variety of transferable skills and a wide range of potential job opportunities. Engineering jobs in the US typically only require a bachelor’s degree for entry level positions. There are also many specializations that you can choose from, each of which carries different skill requirements and salary expectations. YSU boasts strong programs and benefits for international students seeking to earn their degree in the US, and more information on these resources can be found on YSU’s International Programs catalog.
Unlike many other fields of study, graduates of an engineering program can make a very good salary with only a bachelor’s degree. For example, in 2021 the typical entry level education for a mechanical engineer was a bachelor’s degree, and the median pay for this field that same year was upwards of $95,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Engineers also boast some of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Civil engineers boast an unemployment rate of only 1.9 percent, and the rate for mechanical engineers currently hovers around 1.4 percent.
While there are plenty of job openings for bachelor of engineering graduates, there are several reasons you may want to consider continuing your education. First, there is an increase in salary earning potential. In 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that workers of several different engineering occupations with a masters degree earned between 9 to 13 percent more compared to workers of the same profession who had only acquired a bachelor’s degree.
A masters degree can also be a great opportunity for someone interested in a career change. Let’s say you graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and began working in that industry, but after a few years you realized you were more passionate about mechanical engineering. Many of the technical skills you learn as an undergraduate in STEM programs are transferable within the engineering industry, so pursuing a masters in a different engineering field is definitely possible, and sometimes your experience in another field can even help diversify your resume.
Getting a degree in any engineering major is a great start to a competitive and fast-paced career. Engineering is unique because of the variety of job paths it provides after graduation. For example, an electrical engineer may find themselves working developing or testing electrical equipment, working in telecommunications, or even for the federal government. Similarly, a graduate of civil engineering could wind up working as an urban planner, construction management or sustainability consultant. There really are limitless options. Also, there is a ton of overlap between engineering fields. So if you graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, by no means would this bar you from a career path in a different engineering field. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there has been an increase in engineering jobs, with the expectation of 140,000 jobs to emerge in this field between 2016 and 2026. The median salary for all engineering occupations sits at over $93,000 as of 2018.
If you have already done your research into this discipline, you may have heard of the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (or FE for short). This exam is required for those who wish to pursue a Professional Engineering License (or PE). In short, you do not need a PE to get a job, but it adds weight to your resume and indicates that you’re very serious about your career in engineering. Furthermore, if you intend to pursue an engineering career with the government, a PE may be required. To be a Professional Engineer is an ongoing commitment- depending on which state you are licensed in, PE’s must fulfill continuous educational requirements.
To sum it up, a degree in any engineering discipline is a solid investment. You will graduate with valuable and transferable skills into a field that offers many jobs with great salaries. There are almost limitless opportunities for movement and growth throughout your career, in a discipline that is always making important advancements. If this type of future excites you, check out YSU’s admission site!
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Tuition and fees may vary by major, college, area of study or based on your location. The university reserves the right to assess fees for special services and programs applicable to students. First-time International undergraduate students’ tuition rate is established based on first enrollment and remains unchanged for four consecutive years. Graduate students should plan for a yearly tuition increase of approximately 5%.
For a complete list of additional fees and detailed tuition information please visit the University Bursar website here.
Cost of the most popular room and meal plan combination; Your cost will depend on the plans you select. Costs in the box cover the most popular room and meal plan combination (on-campus); If you choose to live off-campus, the estimated cost of room and meals will be around $12,000 based on 12 months.
Based on average books & supply costs
Health insurance is required for international students.
Applicants must have graduated from high school or have successfully completed the General Education Development (GED) test to be considered for admission. Freshman applicants applying for admission to Youngstown State University must submit a high school transcript or GED transcript. Submission of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores is optional. Please note: some majors require test scores to be admitted into the program.
Applicants must have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher, a core unweighted grade point average* of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher and have an ACT composite score of 17 or higher or a SAT composite score of 920 or higher (evidence-based writing and reading and math) to be admitted unconditionally. (*Core gpa is calculated based on grades earned in the following courses – English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language, if applicable, from 9th through 12th grade).
Fall 2024
application deadline is
August 1, 2024
