Updated at: 10-04-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Our collective destiny is shaped by the minds of engineers. They conceived of the structures in which we live, the vehicles we use, and the communication devices we rely on every day. As a result, you can probably guess that engineering calls for a lot of schooling and training, not to mention a solid grasp of math and physics.

And it’s common knowledge that these are some of the trickiest topics to master. Since mathematics and physics are integral parts of virtually every engineering program, it is understandable that many students experience anxiety when first investigating these fields.

However, picking the appropriate engineering degree is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, it can be quite easy if you just know where to look. Numerous sub-disciplines within engineering have given rise to a wide variety of degree programs.

Here, you’ll find information on the most accessible areas of engineering study. You will also gain insight into which abilities should be prioritized for optimal academic success in higher education.

Easiest Engineering Degrees To Get

Easiest engineering degrees to get

Environmental Engineering

The goal of environmental engineering is to improve environmental quality while also protecting people from harmful environmental effects like pollution.

A solid background in chemistry and biology is necessary for this degree. An undergraduate degree in environmental engineering can be earned in four years of full-time study. Two years is all it takes to earn a master’s degree in environmental engineering.

Engineers specializing in environmental issues are counted on to find better ways to manage pollution in the air, water, and public health.

General Engineering

General Engineering

When it comes to designing, constructing, maintaining, and employing engines, machines, and structures, General Engineering is the interdisciplinary field of choice.

Students who pursue a degree in general engineering are able to take courses in a variety of subfields, such as civil, electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering.

Students who can’t make up their minds which subfield of engineering they want to study can benefit from taking a general engineering course.

A bachelor’s degree in general engineering can be earned in three to four years.

Petroleum Engineering

Exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas from deposits beneath the Earth’s surface are the primary focuses of petroleum engineering.

A solid grounding in math, physics, and geography or geology is necessary for success in this field. A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering can be earned in four to five years.

Sustainability Design Engineering

To ensure that future generations will be able to meet their own needs, engineers must practice sustainable engineering when designing and running systems.

Engineers who specialize in sustainable design think about the environment alongside budgetary constraints, constantly tweaking their work to cut down on resource consumption without sacrificing quality.

A bachelor’s degree in sustainability design engineering can be earned in four years of study.

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering

For those looking for an easy route into engineering, this is it. The explanation is elementary. Civil engineering, in contrast to fields like nuclear or astrophysics, which deal with abstract concepts and things we don’t really have a chance to see in action every day, focuses on things we interact with on a daily basis.

A civil engineer is someone who designs and constructs things like buildings, bridges, and roads. They are not necessarily simpler than the rest, but the material is something that can be understood. You see examples of civil engineering everywhere you go, which humanizes the field.

Most civil engineering programs have a fairly standard curriculum that includes topics like calculus, physics, and statics.

In addition, civil engineers have a favorable employment outlook. The average annual salary for a civil engineer is $88,050, and the field is expected to grow by 8% over the next few years, as reported by the BLS.

Therefore, civil engineering is a good option if you want a degree in engineering that is both straightforward and marketable.

Industrial Engineering

The focus of industrial engineering is on maximizing productivity in commercial and manufacturing settings. Things like streamlining production, creating innovative management strategies, and improving office layouts fall under this category.

Although the amount of math required is smaller than in competing software, it is still present. This is because organizational theory and business method are central topics in industrial energy.

Classes in areas like physics, calculus, and statistics are common. Topics such as production planning and quality control will also be covered.

Industrial engineers have a lot of job opportunities. The BLS reports that industrial engineers earn a median annual salary of $95,300, and that the field is expected to grow by 14% over the next few years.

Software Engineering

Software Engineering

Today, software engineering is a highly sought-after profession. The demand for skilled software engineers is expected to rise as the world continues to become more digital.

The primary focuses of software engineers are the creation and upkeep of useful software programs. This can include anything from debugging existing code to creating entirely new features.

Although it may seem daunting, earning a software engineering degree is actually quite simple if you have a head for the logic of programming. Computer science, mathematics, and software development are just some of the topics covered.

The thing is, nowadays, becoming a software developer doesn’t necessitate a four-year degree. Sure, you’ll know more in theory than they do, but that just shows that anyone who puts in the effort can learn to code.

Software engineers have a lot of job opportunities. The median salary for a software engineer is $110,140 per year, and the field is expected to grow by an astounding 22%, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

General Engineering

Those who seek a broad understanding of engineering principles will find general engineering to be an ideal field of study. This type of engineer is typically involved in a project from inception to completion.

Problem-solving through the application of engineering principles is at the heart of general engineering. New system design, construction management, and product creation are all examples.

One of the more accessible branches of engineering is general engineering, which is good news if you’re considering a career in this field. Math, physics, and mechanics are just some of the subjects taught. Everything you would expect to learn in any engineering program.

For general engineers, statistics on the job market are scarce. They are an all-around engineer, so they don’t have a profile on the bls. However, the median salary for engineering managers is $152,350 per year, and there is a 4% increase in demand for this position.

Architectural Engineering

Learning how to design, construct, and maintain functional and aesthetically pleasing buildings is the focus of architectural engineering, which is a fascinating field of study. Architectural engineers play a significant role in building and maintaining other structures, but they also have a significant role in the design process. In fact, some schools now mandate business classes for students majoring in architectural engineering. This major is easier to complete because it requires fewer technical courses.

A career as an architectural engineer will involve you heavily in building projects. Work with architectural firms and oversee the construction of various buildings is to be expected.

Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Because of its breadth, mechanical engineering is often mistaken for being less complex than other branches of engineering.

Science, mathematics, design, theory, and other disciplines are just some of the many that make up mechanical engineering. Mechanical motion, including that of the human body, is its main focus.

The fact that many schools that do teach mechanical engineering focus more on the transferable skills students acquire than on the technical aspects contributes to the field’s simplistic reputation. Therefore, analysis, design, developing abilities, abilities to process information, and Problem-solving are all soft skills that can help a mechanical engineering student succeed after they graduate and enter the workforce.

Software engineering

Unlike the other fields on this list, software engineering has stronger ties to IT. There is no construction or mechanical design work done by software engineers. Their work leans more toward a digital aesthetic.

Software engineers develop programs for companies and other organizations. They create tools that can aid in reducing complexity, maximizing productivity, and standardizing processes. Students should plan on taking a heavy course load in areas such as computer science, mathematics, programming, and related fields.

A software engineering degree is typically sufficient for entry-level employment in the field. Some highly specialized fields, such as information security and management, call for an advanced degree. In today’s competitive job market, software engineers are in particularly high demand. Both consumers and businesses are always on the lookout for novel solutions to common problems. Therefore, professionals with expertise in this area are in high demand.

Despite being one of the simplest engineering majors, petroleum engineers can expect to earn high salaries and work long hours in the field. It is speculated that while completing the course itself may be easy, the real difficulties will arise once the students enter the workforce.

Petroleum engineers typically find work in the energy industry. They look for and fix problems with our energy, petroleum, oil, and gas supplies. And with that out of the way, it’s easy to see why they’re in such demand. It’s also among the highest-paying engineering jobs out there.

Petroleum engineering graduates, however, do not immediately find success in the field. They have to put in a lot of time and effort and deal with a lot of stress before they can be considered experts. Many of the tasks in this industry are complex and require the expertise of petroleum engineers. If you’re thinking about earning a degree in petroleum engineering, you should know that you’ll get a broad education in the field.

FAQs

Is Engineering Easy?

Getting a degree in engineering is a challenging endeavor. But if you put in the time and effort to master advanced math and science, engineering will come easily.

What is the Easiest Engineering Degree?

You have control over which engineering degree is the simplest. A simple path will present itself if you truly care about a particular goal. However, many people believe that civil engineering is the most basic form of engineering.

How much do different types of engineers typically make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that petroleum engineers have the highest median annual earnings in the engineering profession. The typical annual salary range is between $78,620 and $208,000.

The salaries of computer hardware engineers usually rank second highest. In this field, the average annual salary ranges from $70,100 to $192,110.

Aerospace engineers earn above-average salaries, typically between $72,770 and $171,220 per year. Instrument makers pay their aerospace engineers a median salary of $125,710.

Typically, a nuclear engineer can expect to earn a salary of $74,800 – $185,550. According to the BLS, nuclear engineers can expect to earn a median salary of $139,580 per year if they work in the research and development industry.

Conclusion

Picking an engineering major isn’t something that needs to be overthought. Simply select the institution that most appeals to you and double-check that it is legitimate and offers a solid curriculum. That’s a surefire way to success.

Just because something is simple for the majority does not mean it is simple for you. If you thrived in high school physics and mathematics classes, you can easily earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering.

You can still be successful in engineering even if you have trouble with math and science. It just means that you might have to put in a little extra effort and select a course that doesn’t put too much emphasis on these topics. And that’s fine; all sorts of engineers are necessary to advance human civilization.

Having fun is the most crucial factor in any endeavor. If so, earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering won’t be too difficult for you.