Do you have a genuine interest in sound and vibration and a sizzling interest in math? Then, a career in acoustic engineering is right for you. And for that, we have prepared a list of the best schools to study acoustic engineering globally.
The acoustic engineering industry is a sub-section of engineering, a science of designing and building structures and machinery – but this area focuses explicitly on sound and noise vibration. Also, specialization in this field may lead to several different positions related to the transmission and recording of sound.
So, in this post, we have compiled a list of the top ranking schools to study acoustic engineering worldwide. Also, we help answer some of your questions surrounding getting a degree in acoustic engineering.
Table of contents
- What does Acoustic Mean?
- What is Acoustic Engineering?
- What Do Acoustic Engineers Do?
- Where Can An Acoustic Engineer Work?
- What Is The Difference Between Acoustic Engineering and Audio Engineering?
- How Much Does An Acoustic Engineer Earn? | Acoustic Engineer Salary and Job Outlook
- Is Acoustic Engineering Hard?
- How Long Does It Take To Become An Acoustic Engineer?
- Where Can I Study Acoustic Engineering?
- #13 Penn State University
- #12 University of Florida
- #11 University of Illinois
- #9 Columbia College- Chicago
- #8 Paris-Saclay University
- #8 Paris-Saclay University
- #8 Paris-Saclay University
- #5 Belmont University
- #4 University of Rochester
- #3 University of Hartford
- #2 Brigham Young University
- #1 Purdue University
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
- We also Recommend
What does Acoustic Mean?
Acoustics is the science that deals with sound’s production, control, transmission, reception, and effects (as defined by Merriam-Webster). This is not limited to just music and architecture.
Also, according to the Acoustical Society of America, the term ‘acoustics’ describes the science of sound and the behavior of sound waves in different environments. It further explains how sound energy can be transformed into electrical energy.
However, it also covers a vast range of topics, which include: noise control, sonar for submarine navigation, ultrasounds for medical imaging, thermoacoustic refrigeration, seismology, bioacoustics, and electroacoustic communication.
What is Acoustic Engineering?
According to Wikipedia, acoustic engineering is the branch of engineering dealing with sound and vibration. It is the application of acoustics, the science of sound and vibration, in technology.
As a result, acoustical Engineers can work with engineers in other areas and other construction professionals where sound improvement or noise reduction is a major priority.
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What Do Acoustic Engineers Do?
Acoustic Engineers generally design and construct buildings (structural and interiors) and machinery concerned with the science of sound. For example, a career in acoustic engineering can also work in constructing concrete halls, or event centers.
Acoustical Engineers may work with engineers in other areas like audio, sound, and music engineering. Also, they can work with other construction professionals where sound improvement or noise reduction is a major priority.
Where Can An Acoustic Engineer Work?
The field of acoustic engineering may lead to several different positions in an acoustic engineering company as well as firms related to the transmission and recording of sound. Acoustic engineers can specifically consult with construction engineers and architects on the design and sound quality of facilities and halls like performance spaces and recording studios.
They may also ensure that facilities and structures comply with local noise standards, or they may work to minimize the noise caused by highway and air traffic. Some acoustic engineers also can work in audio engineering, designing sound systems.
However, others could work in bioengineering to develop medical devices like hearing aids.
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What Is The Difference Between Acoustic Engineering and Audio Engineering?
Acoustic engineering is simply measuring and understanding how sound behaves in a room and how one can engineer it to suit whatever type of sound you are looking for. Of course, there is a lot of math and understanding of the absorption and reflective properties of all the surfaces and also much theoretical work.
However, the audio engineer also describes the person who sits behind the large audio mixer at a live event or recording studio, does the required input and output changes, sets the sound levels and troubleshoots the process of performing or recording music. And yes, sound and audio engineering can be used interchangeably.
How Much Does An Acoustic Engineer Earn? | Acoustic Engineer Salary and Job Outlook
You might be wondering what awaits after taking an acoustic engineering degree program. Working in an acoustic engineering company can be a promising career with good pay.
According to Glassdoor, the annual average salary for acoustic engineering jobs is $84,611. Related careers like Audio engineers earn about $40,827 stipend annually.
Furthermore, the job growth projections for professionals with an acoustic engineering degree remain strong through 2023, when hiring is projected to grow by 10 percent. So, with local, national, and international standards on noise pollution, graduates can certainly find work in this area with relative ease. You could even work in environmental science assessing the impact of noise pollution on wildlife.
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Is Acoustic Engineering Hard?
The truth is, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. But, being an acoustic engineer requires not just a passion for sound; you must be good at maths.
Most of all, you must be mentally fit.
How Long Does It Take To Become An Acoustic Engineer?
It generally takes about 4 years to complete an acoustic engineering bachelor degree program.
Acoustic engineers can also be required to study at least a 4-year degree in electrical engineering or a similar field. However, some engineering programs allow students to focus on specific areas of acoustic engineerings, such as sound system engineering or vibrations.
Where Can I Study Acoustic Engineering?
Acoustical engineering traditionally involves majors in vibration studies, structure-borne noise management, and equipment noise reduction. So, students studying for acoustical engineering degrees must complete specific coursework designed by the colleges offering the degree.
Many colleges worldwide, especially colleges in the U.S that offer mechanical engineering degrees, also feature programs that lead toward an undergraduate or graduate degree in acoustical engineering.
#13 Penn State University
The Pennsylvania State University’s College of Engineering has been offering graduate-level coursework in acoustics since 1965. It’s a large public university in a small city.
Penn State College offers 2 Acoustics Degree programs. In 2015, 20 students graduated in the study area of Acoustics with students earning 16 Master’s degrees, and 4 Doctoral degrees.
- Acceptance Rate: 9.4%
- Graduation Rate: 86%
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#12 University of Florida
The University of Florida is one of the best acoustic engineering colleges in the world. They also offer masters and doctoral degree programs in acoustics engineering. So here, there are 2 master’s programs and 1 doctoral program.
Students from these three programs are jointly enrolled in advanced classes where they work together.
- Acceptance Rate: 45.9%
- Graduation Rate: 87.1%
#11 University of Illinois
The University of Illinois is one of the colleges in the world that offers courses related to acoustical engineering through her Faulty of Computer Engineering. It is a public research university in Illinois founded in 1867.
Their program gives you an understanding of acoustics and signal processing fundamentals as they apply to the audio field.
- Acceptance Rate: 60.1%
- Graduation Rate: 84.2%
#9 Columbia College- Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is a private college specializing in arts and media disciplines in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1890, it has 6,195 students pursuing degrees in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
It is also one of the best acoustic engineering colleges in the world. However, they offer 1 acoustic degree program and 2 degrees in Audio Arts and Music Technology.
- Acceptance Rate: 88.1%
- Graduation Rate: 42.8%
#8 Paris-Saclay University
Paris Saclay University is one of the best acoustic engineering schools in the world. They offer a Master’s Degree program in acoustical engineering.
Here, you would learn about the fundamentals of acoustics ad acoustical engineering, as well as other majors which include:
- structural acoustics and fluid-structure interaction,
- wave propagation in solids and non-destructive testing,
- signal processing and signal synthesis in acoustical situations,
- aeroacoustics and wave propagation in inhomogeneous moving media,
- experimental techniques and psychoacoustics.
- Acceptance Rate: 71.9%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
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#8 Paris-Saclay University
Paris Saclay University is one of the best acoustic engineering schools in the world. They offer a Master’s Degree program in acoustical engineering.
Here, you would learn about the fundamentals of acoustics ad acoustical engineering, as well as other majors which include:
- structural acoustics and fluid-structure interaction,
- wave propagation in solids and non-destructive testing,
- signal processing and signal synthesis in acoustical situations,
- aeroacoustics and wave propagation in inhomogeneous moving media,
- experimental techniques and psychoacoustics.
- Acceptance Rate: 71.9%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
#8 Paris-Saclay University
Paris Saclay University is one of the best acoustic engineering schools in the world. They offer a Master’s Degree program in acoustical engineering.
Here, you would learn about the fundamentals of acoustics ad acoustical engineering, as well as other majors which include:
- structural acoustics and fluid-structure interaction,
- wave propagation in solids and non-destructive testing,
- signal processing and signal synthesis in acoustical situations,
- aeroacoustics and wave propagation in inhomogeneous moving media,
- experimental techniques and psychoacoustics.
- Acceptance Rate: 71.9%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
#5 Belmont University
Belmont University is one of the best acoustic engineering schools in the world. It’s a private university that offers bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in the knowledge of audio as well as acoustic engineering.
Here, you’d explore the science, systems, and technology of audio engineering through applied practice and research in signal processing, systems development. Of course, the programs also involve music-oriented computing, recording, and production.
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 69.7%
#4 University of Rochester
The University of Rochester (UR) has made a mark as one of the leading colleges to study audio and music engineering related to acoustic engineering. Founded in 1850, UR is a private research university in New York.
This school offers Bachelor’s, Masters as well as Doctoral degrees. So, UR enrolls approximately 5,600 undergraduates and 4,600 graduate students. Hence, they offer a concentration in acoustics in our MS and PhD electrical engineering programs.
- Acceptance Rate: 35.5%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
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#3 University of Hartford
The University of Hartford is one of the best acoustic engineering colleges in the world. The University of Hartford, also known as UHart or U of H, is in central Connecticut, midway between Boston and New York City. The degree offered here is only Bachelor’s degree.
However, the Acoustical Engineering program at the University of Hartford offers two unique ways to incorporate acoustics into an undergraduate degree. So, they offer 2 acoustic engineering degree programs.
- Acceptance Rate: 71.9%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
#2 Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University, one of the best acoustic engineering colleges in the world, was founded in 1875.
According to Wiki, Brigham Young University (BYU) is a private research university in Provo. So, BYU is classified among “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” with more selective, lower transfer-in admissions. Also, the university’s primary emphasis is on undergraduate education in 179 majors, but it also has 62 master’s and 26 doctoral degree programs.
Furthermore, the acoustics program at BYU is rooted in the physics department with strong ties to mechanical and electrical engineering. Due to its broad interdisciplinary nature, students deal with several current research problems in, but not limited to, energy-based acoustics, active noise control, architectural and audio acoustics, nonlinear acoustics as well as vibration analysis.
- Acceptance Rate: 51.2%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
#1 Purdue University
Purdue University is one of the top acoustic engineering institutions that one can study at. It is a public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system.
The university was founded in 1869. And since then, it now offers more than 200 majors for undergraduates, over 69 masters and doctoral programs, and professional degrees in various disciplines.
However, Purdue offers 2 programs related to acoustic engineering.
So, here, students focus on both computational modeling and real-world experimentation. With an array of data-gathering tools and numerous facilities to conduct experiments, Purdue faculty and students also evaluate the acoustic properties of:
- Cars and trucks
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Homes & offices
- Industrial machines
- Computer equipment
- Appliances
- Medical equipment
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
Frequently Asked Questions
Acoustical engineers are professionals who deal with the design, analysis and control of sound.
Acoustic is the science that deals with the production, control, transmission, reception, and sound effects (as defined by Merriam-Webster). Many people often think that acoustics is strictly musical or architectural.
According to Glassdoor, the annual average salary for acoustic engineering jobs is $84,611.
For you to get a job as an acoustic engineer, you need at least a bachelor degree.
Acoustical engineers work with architects and engineers to ensure a building has good acoustics like in concert halls.
References
- Wikipedia
- Glassdoor
- Bureau of Labor Logistics
- Study.com – Acoustic Engineering Schools and Courses: How to choose
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