Civil Engineering Schools in Oregon
Oregon has much to offer to those interested in civil engineering. In addition to its beautiful scenery, this state has many highly respected schools and various opportunities for employment. Those that have ever entertained living in Oregon won’t regret further investigating its prospects.
Oregon houses 10 colleges accredited in civil engineering including Oregon State University and Oregon Institute of Technology. During your search for a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE), the first two years of study will typically concentrate on pre-engineering knowledge such as:
- basic sciences
- social sciences
- humanities
- communicative skills
The two final years focus on professional engineering studies. Civil engineering students must complete a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission of ABET. . For those not interested in completing a Bachelor’s degree, Portland Community College offers an Associate degree in Civil Engineering Technology. Civil engineering technicians assist engineers in research and designing their projects.
A professional license can be obtained through the state. According to the Professional Engineers of Oregon, a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering by an accredited school and a reference confirming the applicant’s good character are needed to apply. Two standardized tests assessing the applicant’s knowledge of engineering principles and their ability to solve problems must be passed before a license can be granted.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has many statistics involving employment. A civil engineer with a Bachelor’s degree can expect to an average salary of $78,790 within the boundaries of Oregon. A civil engineer technician can earn an average of $58,230. Although the employment opportunities aren’t burgeoning like a few years ago, the growth rate for 2012-2013 at 19 percent, slightly above the national employment growth rate of 14 percent. Currently there are approximately 3990 civil engineers and 1040 civil engineer technicians employed in Oregon. The majority work in architectural engineering and related services followed by state and local governments. The highest paid engineers reside in pipeline transportation making $91,960. Others find various other jobs such as developing non-residential buildings. Federal work is also available.