Engineering is one of the most rigorous academic and professional fields—and for good reason. Engineers design and build the infrastructure, machines, and systems that drive modern civilization. But not all engineering degrees are created equal. Some are notoriously complex, requiring deep dives into abstract math and physics, while others are more application-based and easier to navigate in a shorter time.
If you’re considering a career in engineering but feel overwhelmed by the options, you’re not alone. Choosing the right specialization involves more than just passion; it also requires a realistic understanding of workload, graduation timelines, mathematical complexity, and long-term job prospects.
In this comprehensive guide, we rank engineering degrees from the least to the most difficult—based on measurable criteria such as GPA trends, graduation timelines, math intensity, and required credit hours. This isn’t about gatekeeping or pride—every engineering degree is tough—but about helping students make informed choices that align with their strengths and interests.
Understanding the Ranking Criteria
Before diving into the list, it’s important to understand how the rankings were determined. The difficulty of each engineering degree was evaluated based on the following factors:
- Average GPA: Lower averages often reflect more difficult coursework.
- Time to Graduate: Degrees that take longer than four years suggest more rigorous programs.
- Highest Math Level Required: Degrees requiring advanced mathematics such as partial differential equations tend to be more complex.
- Credit Hours: More credit hours often correlate with denser curricula.
- Job Market Demand and Salary: While not a direct measure of difficulty, these provide context for each degree’s return on investment.
Ranked List: From Least to Most Difficult Engineering Degrees
#16. Manufacturing Engineering
- Math Requirement: Calculus II
- Avg. Salary: $85,000
- Projected Job Growth: 14%
Difficulty Summary: Least math-intensive, fewer credit hours, and relatively straightforward subject matter focused on process improvement and tool design.
Though not as conceptually intense as others, manufacturing engineering offers strong job prospects and practical skills that apply across industries.
#15. Industrial Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $85,000
- Projected Growth: 12%
Industrial engineering is ideal for those interested in operations, logistics, and systems optimization. The coursework leans more analytical than technical, allowing many students to graduate within four years.
#14. Civil Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $89,000
- Projected Growth: 7%
Civil engineering remains foundational, offering job security in infrastructure projects. Despite moderate difficulty, over half of students graduate within four years—an impressive statistic in the engineering world.
#13. Environmental Engineering
- Math Requirement: Calculus III
- Avg. Salary: $90,000
- Projected Growth: 7%
Focused on environmental protection and sustainability, this discipline is easier to navigate academically but demands a strong interest in biology, chemistry, and environmental science.
#12. Software Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $123,000
- Projected Growth: 25%
While not mathematically extreme, software engineering is conceptually challenging in logic and algorithmic thinking. It ranks lower in difficulty but higher in job market opportunity and earning potential.
#11. Computer Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $131,000
- Projected Growth: 5%
With one of the highest salary ceilings, computer engineering combines electrical engineering fundamentals with software design. The degree is manageable, and students often graduate in four years.
#10. Petroleum Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $115,000
- Projected Growth: 8%
Despite being domain-specific, petroleum engineering offers high pay with moderate academic demands. Students benefit from specialization in oil extraction and energy systems.
#9. Biomedical Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $90,000
- Projected Growth: 10%
Combining biology, medicine, and engineering, this interdisciplinary degree can be tricky due to its diverse subject matter. Still, it’s a top choice for those passionate about health tech.
#8. Electrical Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $112,000
- Projected Growth: 7%
A classic discipline with solid pay and opportunities, electrical engineering is challenging due to its focus on circuits, electromagnetism, and signal processing.
#7. Mechanical Engineering
- Math Requirement: Partial Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $112,000
- Projected Growth: 10%
Highly versatile and widely studied, mechanical engineering is tough due to its breadth—students tackle thermodynamics, control systems, mechanics, and more. The math level is also among the highest.
#6. Mining Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $85,000
- Projected Growth: 0%
Though not as in-demand, mining engineering poses logistical challenges, including remote fieldwork and complex geotechnical coursework. Few students complete it in four years.
#5. Metallurgical Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $83,000
- Projected Growth: 6%
Specializing in metal behavior, this degree combines advanced chemistry, physics, and material science. Only 18% of students finish within four years, indicating its high difficulty.
#4. Materials Engineering
- Math Requirement: Partial Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $104,000
- Projected Growth: 5%
Diving deep into the structural, thermal, and electronic properties of materials, this program includes high-level math and physics. It’s academically dense, but rewarding for students with a scientific bent.
#3. Chemical Engineering
- Math Requirement: Ordinary Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $91,000
- Projected Growth: 14%
One of the most conceptually difficult programs, chemical engineering blends complex chemistry with fluid dynamics and heat transfer. Ambiguity in the subject matter makes it harder than many other engineering degrees.
#2. Aerospace Engineering
- Math Requirement: Partial Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $112,000
- Projected Growth: 7%
Students studying aerospace must master fluid mechanics, control systems, propulsion, and dynamics—all while maintaining high math fluency. With an average graduation time of 4.8 years, this degree is among the most rigorous.
#1. Nuclear Engineering
- Math Requirement: Partial Differential Equations
- Avg. Salary: $97,000
- Projected Growth: 0%
Topping the list as the most difficult engineering degree, nuclear engineering requires mastery over thermodynamics, quantum physics, mechanical design, and chemistry. The highest credit load and longest average graduation time (4.8 years) make it an academic behemoth—though highly respected for those who make it through.
Final Thoughts: All Engineering Is Challenging—But Worth It
Though this list offers a relative difficulty ranking, one thing remains true across the board: all engineering degrees are tough. Even those considered “easier” involve intense coursework, problem-solving, and time management skills.
That said, the best engineering degree for you isn’t necessarily the hardest or the highest-paying—it’s the one that aligns with your interests, career goals, and strengths. Whether you’re designing software, optimizing factory systems, or sending rockets into space, engineering offers intellectually fulfilling, financially rewarding careers that shape the future.
If you’re still deciding, consider your passion areas, job market trends, and your own learning style. The path won’t be easy, but with determination and curiosity, it will be worth it.
