Doctor of Engineering or Doctor of Technology? Deciding which one is right for your career
More professionals are pursuing advanced degrees than ever before. This is especially true of engineering and other science-related fields.
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) found the number of doctorates awarded in the science and engineering category rose from 41,187 in 2021 to 46,394 in 2024.
For many, obtaining a doctorate is viewed as a necessary step in gaining additional technical knowledge, enhancing credibility within one’s chosen industry and addressing real-world problems. While the reasons for earning a doctorate may vary, one detail does not: a doctorate degree increases the odds of a higher salary and better career opportunities.
Investment in additional education is often a solid move. Of those doctorate recipients surveyed by NCSES in the “engineering” and “multidisciplinary/ interdisciplinary sciences” subcategories, 72 percent had definite job commitments.
According to Imed Bouchrika, Research.com’s co-founder and chief data scientist, wages are almost 50 higher for professionals with doctoral or professional degrees.
“Choosing the right doctoral program can mean the difference between a good salary and a six-figure career path,” he wrote (Research.com, 2024).
The right program, however, depends on a variety of factors, including job demand, job growth outlook and career path, Bouchrika said. For example, some degrees may lead to a high salary, but face “sluggish hiring trends” long term. Computer and information research scientists, on the other hand, not only earn high salaries but also enjoy a 23 percent projected growth rate.
“Tech-focused roles are especially strong… The balance of high earnings and strong outlook makes certain doctoral programs much safer bets,” Bouchrika said.
For any potential doctorate candidate, research is invaluable.
Hedging your bet with a proven performer
Long respected for its innovative approach to higher education, rigorous STEM programs and collaborative research opportunities, Purdue University offers two online doctoral programs in fields with robust projected job growth: Doctor of Engineering (DEng) and Doctor of Technology (DTech).
Purdue was ranked No. 1 by American Caldwell as the most recognized public university in the U.S. in 2025 and No. 1 public university for graduating Fortune 500 CEOs by Strategas in 2024. In 2025, Purdue was named one of the 10 public “New Ivies” by Forbes.
The DEng program is offered by the Purdue’s College of Engineering. Its online master’s in engineering portfolio was ranked No. 2 in the U.S. by the U.S. News and World Report in 2026. Five programs in this portfolio of engineering programs were ranked No. 1 (the U.S. News and World Report, 2026). The news agency also ranked Purdue’s College of Engineering No. 5 in the US in 2026.
The DTech degree is offered through the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. This cutting-edge multidisciplinary program is the first of its kind at a top-tier research university. Purdue was ranked No. 10 globally for Interdisciplinary Science by the Times Higher Education in 2026. Forbes Advisor named Purdue No. 1 for Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs in 2025, and the university was tied at No. 11 for Most Innovative Schools (U.S. News and World Report, 2023). In 2022, Purdue was ranked No. 3 as America’s Best Online Learning Schools by Newsweek.
Purdue provides academic excellence to its global community by featuring the same internationally recognized professors who teach at Purdue West Lafayette and offering its online students access to world-class research facilities and resources.
With fewer than a dozen U.S. universities offering an online DEng program and the only top-tier research institution providing the online DTech program, Purdue has positioned itself as a viable option for working professionals who need flexibility as they reimagine the future of their industries.
A Closer Look
At first glance, the DEng and DTech degrees look similar. Both:
- are professional doctorate degrees – a terminal degree in each field, allowing professionals the opportunity to tackle industry challenges, provide solutions immediately and create significant value for their employer or their own business.
- offer students a chance to accelerate promising engineering or technology-based career
- require practical experience before enrollment
- are 100 percent asynchronous, permitting students to work at their own pace
- both require coursework, a research project and a dissertation
- are completed on average between four and six years.
And, thanks to the 100 percent online modality, earning either degree from Purdue allows career professionals the flexibility to manage their personal life and career aspirations.
But that’s where the similarities end, and the possibilities begin. Let’s take a closer look at both:
Doctor of Engineering
According to Research.com, a Doctor of Engineering degree allows professionals “to enhance their technical skills while tackling practical, industry-related challenges…DEng focuses on applying engineering knowledge to solve real-world problems.”
“In recent years, the demand for qualified engineering talent has soared, driven by rapid growth in automation, robotics, and renewable energy sectors,” reported Acara, a global recruiting firm, in their Engineering Salary Guide. “New roles in engineering are emerging almost daily, reflecting the evolving technological landscape.”
The need for solution-minded tech leaders has never been greater, according to Dr. Jack Feng, the academic director for Purdue’s online Doctor of Engineering program and a professor of practice in Purdue’s Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering.
“Advanced, research-intensive technology roles in today’s job market increasingly require significant technical expertise and doctoral-level preparation,” noted Tamara Kinzer-Ursem, associate dean for graduate and professional education in Purdue’s College of Engineering.
“Purdue University is responding proactively by creating clear, industry-aligned pathways for students to earn these advanced credentials through the DEng program.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, nearly 187,000 engineering jobs are expected to be created annually between 2024 and 2034 with a median annual wage of $97,310. That jumps to $101,752 if the candidate has a DEng degree, or a 5% increase, according to ZipRecruiter.
Possible careers for those with a DEng degree include:
- chief data/product engineer
- chief scientist officer
- chief operations officer
- government engineering consultant
- chief information/technology officer
Learn more about Purdue’s 100% online Doctor of Engineering
Purdue’s DEng program is designed for professionals with an engineering degree. It requires a minimum of five years of industry experience. And its final research project requires an industry partner.
All DEng courses are taught by the same full-time, on-campus instructors, who have expertise in their various disciplines. New courses are added in response to industry trends to prepare students for emerging conditions and fields.
“The Doctor of Engineering program reflects Purdue’s commitment to preparing engineers who can lead at the highest levels of technical innovation while addressing complex, real-world challenges,” Kinzer-Ursem said.
Doctor of Technology program
Unlike the well-defined, straightforward path of engineering, the world of technology is broad, fluid and customizable, easily transformed to fit the demands and visions of its individual architects.
In a 2026 Research.com article, Bouchrika noted that careers in the tech industry ranged from jobs working with AI and virtual reality to designing software to IT support. Bouchrika calls tech careers “future-proof.”
“Having a technical career means you can be part of a growing industry,” Bouchrika said. “Globally, the technology industry outlook is also bright.”
The BLS predicts faster than average growth in computer and information technology sector from 2024 to 2034, forecasting about 317,700 openings annually in the sector.
The median annual wage is equally robust. The BLS reported $105,990 in May 2024, more than double the median annual wage for all occupations of $49,500.
Possible careers available for those with a DTech degree include:
- director of cybersecurity
- chief technology officer
- chief data officer
- entrepreneur/founder of a tech start-up
Learn more about Purdue’s 100% online Doctor of Technology
Just as the tech field encourages customization and exploration, so does Purdue’s DTech program. Offered through Purdue Polytechnic, which houses six academic departments, the program allows students to select electives across several disciplines after completing core tech courses. It is perfect for the practitioner who is ready to become a thought leader.
“One of the primary benefits of earning a Doctor of Technology (DTech) degree is its strong alignment with applied practice and industry leadership,” said Jung Han, visiting assistant professor in the Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation at Purdue Polytechnic.
“Unlike traditional research-focused doctoral programs, the DTech is designed for experienced professionals who want to address complex, real-world challenges while continuing to work in industry. The emphasis is on implementation, systems-level thinking, and translating advanced technical knowledge into measurable organizational impact.”
Han said another benefit is the real-time integration of research and practice.
“Students often focus on problems that emerge directly from their professional environments, allowing their doctoral work to create immediate and tangible value for their organizations,” she said. “This applied orientation makes the degree especially attractive for technology leaders who aim to influence innovation strategy, operational efficiency, and digital transformation at higher levels of responsibility.”
The courses are taught by both on-campus instructors and limited-term lecturers who are actively working in their industries. DTech recommends a minimum of two years of industry experience.
Chart your course
Only you can determine the best path for your career. But if you want to explore your options, visit the Doctor of Engineering and Doctor of Technology websites to learn more.