Engineering Degrees

Engineers build the future through invention, discovery and exploration. The College of Engineering and Technology at GCU can prepare engineers who understand the value of working with diverse professionals to push the envelope of what’s possible.

Let Your Passion for Innovation Fuel Your Future

As of Fall 2022, GCU's 162,653 square foot engineering building offers a variety of hands-on experiences to its students via 21 labs that are paired with their scheduled classes and an additional nine labs that can be used by students outside of class time.

$99,510

Median annual wage for mechanical engineers in May 20231

$165,370

Median annual wage for architectural and engineering managers in May 20232

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Engineering is the most common undergraduate degree of Fortune 500 CEOs.3

At GCU, engineering students can begin using professional-grade lab machines on day one.

Explore Degrees in Engineering for Various Industries

If you’re interested in pursuing a different project within your field and expanding your expertise in other engineering disciplines, it’s time to use your passion for engineering to help fuel your career.

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11,600 new jobs are estimated to open for architecture and engineering occupations from 2023 to 2033.4 GCU’s degrees for engineering can help prepare you to work in many disciplines like computer, electrical, mechanical or industrial engineering.

The BS in Biomedical Engineering is a broad, interdisciplinary field that merges the studies of biology, medicine and engineering. It’s a career path that is well-suited for curious students who want to advance human health and improve the lives of others through practical developments.

Offered at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, our software engineering degree programs can offer opportunities to help you grow your professional skills in the field of technology. At GCU, we believe software developers are the creative and technical brains behind the applications and programs we cannot live without.

If solving problems and designing and building machines, structures, tools, products and devices spark your interest, our engineering technology degrees may be just what you’re looking for. Whether you’re searching for a more generalized mechanical engineering technology degree or a mechanical engineering technology degree focused on mechatronics, GCU’s hands-on approach to lab equipment begins your freshman year.

The mechanical engineering emphases for robotics and aerospace engineering teach students the principles that can help prepare graduates for a career in many engineering industries. You will be taught practical applications of thermodynamics, the properties and structures of materials, technical planning and more. Be a part of the ever-changing advancements in robotics and aerospace as you solve practical business and industrial matters using high-tech modeling and simulation tools offered in our BS in Mechanical Engineering degree. As aviation and aerospace industries span the globe, so do the potential career opportunities with an engineering degree.

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Male engineering degree student working in lab during GCU's aerospace club

Accredited and Respected Engineering Degrees From GCU

Female administration employee smiling at desk in her office at GCU

GCU has achieved full and continuous accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1968. The high criteria and standards set by the HLC offer GCU graduates receive a quality education.

Programs accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ABET) at GCU can help prepare graduates to meet global specifications while using their technical education to help others. Graduates have the opportunity to emerge as engineers who lead in innovation and become servant leaders across all technical fields.

Degrees in Engineering To Fit Your Lifestyle

The various engineering programs are designed to meet the needs of working professionals. Most GCU engineering majors are offered on campus, while our MS in Software Engineering is offered online. Conveniently scheduled online coursework allows you to work toward earning your degree while maintaining a busy schedule.

GCU’s Commitment to Affordable Education

Online master's counseling degree student working online from remote location

As a private Christian university, GCU is committed to keeping our engineering programs affordable to all students. Investing in your future is a big financial decision, which is why we offer several tools to help you estimate the cost of financing your bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering.

Nearly $140 million

In scholarships for online students in 2023

Over $176 million

In scholarships received by campus students in 2024

Types of Engineering Degrees at GCU

We offer a variety of specializations and emphases to provide you with career-specific knowledge, such as electrical, biomedical, mechanical and robotics. In Fall 2023, 19,705 (78%) GCU campus students were enrolled in STEM or business-related programs.5

Employers often place emphasis on industry-specific and technical skills taught within engineering degree programs that can help solve complex real-life challenges.6 If building the future through invention, discovery and exploration excites you, a career in engineering may be right for you.

Bachelor’s Degrees

Bachelor's students are offered an opportunity to delve into a variety of engineering disciplines, allowing students to uncover the vast array of opportunities available in this innovative field of study.

GCU engineering degree students showing final product in engineering lab

Master’s Degrees

Explore advanced engineering studies and innovation with our master’s in software engineering program, designed to elevate your skills across diverse specializations.

Female master's in engineering degree student demonstrating capstone at GCU

Certificate Programs

Our specialized certificate programs offer focused study paths to help you enhance your engineering expertise and prepare you for professional challenges in the field.

Male engineering certificate program student completing lab assignment from home

Engineering Career Paths To Consider After Graduation

Explore various career avenues in engineering, each offering opportunities for professional growth and development. From aerospace engineering to renewable energy, the field encompasses diverse sectors where your skills can be applied. Consider your interests and strengths to pave the way for your career journey in engineering.

Close-up image of graduation cap at 2024 GCU engineering college commencement

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re trying to decide which engineering degree to pursue, we’ve gathered a few frequently asked questions to help you determine your education and career path.

All engineers will be taught how to solve problems, work independently and as part of a team and design and carry out experiments that can help improve the world we live in. GCU also offers many types of engineering programs with a focus in science and technology. The specialization you choose will determine the types of classes you take and which jobs you’re most qualified for.

If an online program is what you prefer or need, our MS in Software Engineering degree may be right for you. Due to the detailed hands-on approach of GCU’s engineering degrees, most are held on campus in classrooms that combine lectures and labs all in one place. Whether you study online or on campus, the faculty at GCU are experienced in their line of work and have committed their lives to educating the next generation of engineers. Learn about more STEM degrees online that GCU offers.

Choosing the best engineering degree will largely depend on your personal interests and career goals. For example, if you enjoy designing and developing advanced medical devices with the goal of advancing human health and improving the lives of others, you may want to consider a BS in Biomedical Engineering. If designing innovative and economical solutions to fix common problems that affect society, mechanical engineering may be right for you. No matter which engineering degree you choose, having a strong understanding of advanced math and science may benefit you in the engineering program of your choice.

Electrical engineers design, develop and test large and small electrical systems, including communication, radar and navigation. As an electrical engineer, you may work on many types of systems from household appliances to power generators and aircrafts. Mechanical engineering focuses on the design and testing of systems that convert or transform energy. As a mechanical engineer, you may work in many different specialties, such as construction, automotive, electronics, robotics, medical or military.

To help you decide what’s right for you, electrical engineering degree programs teach innovative ways to use power, while mechanical engineering programs guide students in developing systems or machines that turn ideas into reality.

While navigating degree programs in engineering and engineering technology, you may encounter various challenges, but these programs also present opportunities for growth. If you are drawn to theory, analytical design and advanced concepts of science and math, an engineering degree may be right for you. Conversely, if you enjoy computer, electrical, mechanical or industrial sciences, an engineering technology degree may be a more natural fit.

1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Mechanical Engineers as of May 2023, retrieved on Oct. 17, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as mechanical engineers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Architectural and Engineering Managers as of May 2023, retrieved on Oct. 17, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as architectural and engineering managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.

3 Macosko, J. and Ewert, W. (2024, Sept. 17). Which Colleges and Universities Have the Most Alumni Who Are CEO’s of Fortune 500 Companies? Academic Influence. Retrieved April 1, 2024.

4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective Aug. 29, 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Architecture and Engineering Occupations, retrieved April 1, 2024.

5 Includes all traditional students who have a last date of attendance at least three weeks into the Fall 2023 semester or participated in a campus evening class in September or October of 2023.

6 Indeed. (2024, Feb. 12). 12 Engineering Skills That Companies Look For. Retrieved April 1, 2024.

Grand Canyon University’s engineering degrees offer the flexibility you need, alongside a quality education aimed at supporting your academic and professional growth.