MATLAB Degree: Academic Paths, Career Opportunities, and Course Value

Key takeaways

• While institutions have yet to offer a MATLAB degree directly, you can learn more about MATLAB in many engineering, math, statistics, science, and finance programs.

• Beyond earning a MATLAB degree in a related field, you can also learn about MATLAB through online courses, books, and hands-on practice.

• With a MATLAB-focused degree, you can prepare for a career as a loads engineer, spacecraft systems engineer, or aerodynamics engineer.

MATLAB is in demand, with automotive, biotech, pharmaceutical, electronics, and financial services industries using it. Explore how to learn MATLAB through degree programs, projects, and other course options, and discover possible career options that utilize MATLAB.

What is MATLAB?

MATLAB, short for Matrix Laboratory, is a numeric computing and programming platform using a high-performance language that expresses problems and solutions in mathematical notation. MATLAB is used for mathematical, engineering, scientific, statistical, and finance tasks. It includes interactive apps, a programming language, and libraries and tools to help speed development and reduce errors by automatically generating embedded code.

MATLAB has numerous practical applications, making it a valuable option for study. You can use a MATLAB degree in various industries when working in research and development.

Can I earn a MATLAB degree?

While degrees specifically in MATLAB don’t currently exist, some universities offer them as part of bachelor’s degree programs, an additional program, or a complementary tutorial. More than 6,500 universities globally teach MATLAB to engineering, finance, economics, and science learners [1].

Degree options for learning MATLAB

If you want to learn MATLAB as part of your degree, consider its use in the context of the field you’d like to work in. While you may not be able to choose MATLAB as a major, you can find it in a variety of core courses and electives for majors, including:

• Engineering

• Math

• Statistics

• Science

• Finance

Key coursework and projects involving MATLAB

Examples of coursework and projects that can be part of a MATLAB-focused degree include:

• MATLAB Basics program

• MATLAB for Scientists

• Linear algebra for statistics with MATLAB

• Introduction to Computational Mathematics, including MATLAB

As part of your degree, you might also have access to MATLAB tutorials and resources such as books and help articles if you need support.

Do real engineers use MATLAB?

Yes, many engineers use MATLAB for developing algorithms and models that help them devise practical solutions to real-world problems. Engineers across industries may also use it for data analysis and visualization, as well as numeric computation.

Alternative ways to learn MATLAB

If MATLAB isn’t part of your degree course or you want to expand on what you learn in your degree program, you can find various ways to learn about and gain experience with MATLAB. Options include online courses, books and resources, and networking to find people who can help you.

Online courses

MathWorks offers its own training courses on MATLAB, which you can enroll in and study online. Starting with MATLAB Fundamentals, you can choose from various MATLAB courses covering various specialties. Specialties include:

• Artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and statistics

• Programming and application development

• Image processing and computer vision

• Signal processing and communications

• Modeling and simulation

• Algorithm design

• Physical modeling

• HDL code generation

• C code generation

You can find several MATLAB courses for each specialty, each lasting several days.

Books

You can find a range of books to help you learn MATLAB. Examples include:

• Numerical Computing with MATLAB by Cleve B. Moler

• MATLAB: An Introduction with Applications by Amos Gilat

• An Introduction to Programming and Numerical Methods in MATLAB by S.R. Otto and J.P. Denier

Practice and resources

Practice using MATLAB by actively using it to solve problems. You can use resources like tutorials to help you understand the basics and beyond, with a range of supportive resources on the MathsWork website as a starting point.

Network

You can find online MATLAB communities and support forums where you can engage with other professionals. Use online networking platforms to find peers and MATLAB-focused professionals you can engage with and potentially even connect with to find a mentor.

Is MATLAB in high demand?

MATLAB is in demand, with many industries using it, including engineering, math, and science. Industries looking for candidates with skills in MATLAB include:

• Aerospace

• Energy

• Automotive

• Biotech

• Pharmaceutical

• Ocean sciences

• Earth sciences

• Industrial automation

• Communications

• Electronics

• Financial services

Are MATLAB courses worth it?

MATLAB is essential for many engineering and science jobs at large companies and start-ups. Knowledge of and experience with MATLAB could benefit your career.

Career paths with a MATLAB-focused degree

A MATLAB-focused degree can lead to many career opportunities in the science, math, and engineering fields. Some career paths for those with MATLAB skills include load engineer, spacecraft systems engineer, aerodynamics engineer, optical design engineer, and evaluation engineer [2].

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of July 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Loads engineer

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $108,000 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 9 percent [4]

Requirements: A minimum bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering

As a loads engineer, you can use your engineering skills to design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles, and suggest upgrades for existing systems. You can research appropriate materials and create load schedules and cases.

Spacecraft systems engineer

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $157,000 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 6 percent [6]

Requirements: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering. Some positions may require a master's degree.

As a spacecraft systems engineer, you can use MATLAB and other tools to design and build spacecraft. You can play a role in space exploration and might find a role with a government agency such as NASA.

Read more: NASA Jobs: What They Are and How to Get One

Aerodynamics engineer

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $146,000 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 6 percent [6]

Requirements: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or aeronautical engineering

As an aerodynamics engineer, you can research vehicles such as spacecraft, satellites, and land vehicles to ensure designs are feasible and safe. You can research whether a given vehicle's shapes and weight have been appropriately designed.

Optical design engineer

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $141,000 [8]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 7 percent [9]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate in optics or physics. Some states require you to get a license before you can practice professionally.

As an optical design engineer, you can design and build technology and solutions to optical problems, such as laser technology, optical lenses, telescopes, and fiber optics. You can also work to test, improve, and fix optical designs.

Evaluation engineer

Median total pay (Glassdoor): $123,000 [10]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 11 percent [11]

Requirements: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, science, or a related field

As an evaluation engineer, you can work for manufacturing companies to test, evaluate, and improve processes and products, and make recommendations for repair or improvement. You can check that outcomes meet appropriate customer and industry standards and regulations.

How to highlight MATLAB skills on your resume

When writing your resume for a career opportunity that requires MATLAB, you must highlight your MATLAB skills clearly and give evidence of your achievements. Include MATLAB in your skills section and in the body of the experience section on your resume to highlight specific MATLAB-related achievements.

Explore free career resources

Join us on Career Chat on LinkedIn, where you can gain access to helpful career tips and learn more about emerging industry trends. You can also check out these free resources as you consider a career using MATLAB:

• Explore career paths: AI Career Progression: Job Levels & Skills to Advance

• Watch on YouTube: Find the Best Resume Format for Your Career

• Read an insider story: Meet the Engineer Strengthening His Leadership Skills

Consider flexible online programs available through Coursera’s esteemed college and university partners.