Where To Study Surveying
The need for surveyors is intended to grow 11% by the year 2026. As that date will arrive faster than we expect, we foresee the need for more and more students and young professionals to delve into the surveying field. This projection is a faster growth projection than any of your average occupations. It is likely that the future of the surveying industry will potentially grow into other areas such as data mapping, but until then, surveyors are and will continue to be needed to certify boundary lines, provide and review sites and assist with almost everything that is constructed. In essence, surveyors are the marines of the construction world; We are the first ones on a site and the last to leave when a project is finished.
With the growing need for surveyors, and lack of common information about what surveyors do and how to get into surveying, we want to help educate anyone who may have an interest in pursuing a rewarding career in land surveying. Requirements to become a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) differ for each state. If your state requires a bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying, Geomatics, or a related field, you will find a list below of colleges along the East Coast of the United States that offer an applicable degree.
FAQs
- What is required to be a PLS?
It depends on your state. Some states do not require a bachelor’s degree, such as North Carolina. But this is ever changing. Regardless of education requirements, you need to have built up a resume of experience in the field. Atlas Surveying offers the opportunity to study under an experienced PLS and staff to build a solid foundation for your career. - What colleges provide a surveying degree?
Below you will see a chart of all the colleges in which you can study land surveying. The colleges listed below are all current colleges along the East Coast that offer a type of Surveying or Geomatics degree (AA or BS). Certificate Courses are not degrees. - Do you have to study surveying to be a surveyor/ PLS?
No. Other fields that are similar and will help in the surveying industry are: Civil Engineering, Math, Environment Engineering and Forestry. If you hold a degree in another field not related to these, you can contact a college to see if you could take a few courses to get a degree in one of the above fields. You still need experience in the surveying field even if you do hold a degree in another subject outside of surveying. - If I have a degree in something else can I still go into surveying?
Absolutely. Like we mentioned before, some states do not require a degree. If you want to get into the surveying field, find a company near you and start getting experience. If you are looking at the Savannah/Hilton Head, Charleston, Charlotte, or Greenville/Spartanburg markets, give us a call or visit the Careers page on our website.
State |
College |
Degree |
Alabama |
Troy University |
Multiple Relevant Degrees |
Delaware |
Delaware Tech CC |
Surveying and Geomatics Engineering Technology |
Florida | University of Florida |
Geomatics |
Florida |
Florida Atlantic University | Geomatics Engineering |
Georgia |
Kennesaw State University |
Geospatial Technology Land Surveying |
Kentucky |
East Kentucky University |
Multiple Relevant Degrees |
Kentucky |
Murray State University |
Multiple Relevant Degrees |
Kentucky |
Big Sandy Community & Tech College |
Multiple Relevant Degrees |
Kentucky |
West Kentucky University | Multiple Relevant Degrees |
Louisiana |
Nicholls State University |
Geomatics |
Louisiana |
South Louisiana Community College |
Civil, Survey and Mapping |
Maryland |
Towson |
Geography & Land Surveying |
Michigan |
Ferris State University |
Multiple Relevant Degrees |
Maine |
University of Maine |
Surveying Engineering Technology |
Minnesota | Saint Cloud State University |
Multiple Relevant Degrees |
New Hampshire |
University of New Hampshire |
Multiple Relevant Degrees |
New York |
Alfred State College |
Multiple Relevant Degrees |
New York |
Mohawk Valley Community College |
Surveying Technology |
New York |
Paul Smith’s College |
Surveying Technology |
New York |
SUNY College of Environmental Science& Forestry |
Land Surveying Technology |
North Carolina |
North Carolina A & T University |
Geomatics |
North Carolina |
Fayetteville Technical Community College |
Geomatics Technology (Surveying) |
North Carolina |
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College |
Geomatics Technology |
North Carolina |
Western Piedmont CC |
Geomatics Technology |
Ohio | Ohio State University |
Land Surveying & Mapping Minor |
Ohio | University of Akron |
Land Surveying |
Pennsylvania |
Pennsylvania State University |
Surveying Engineering Technology |
South Carolina |
Low Country Tech College |
Multiple Relevant Degrees |
Tennessee | East Tennessee State University |
Surveying and Mapping |
West Virginia |
Glenville State College |
Land Surveying/Geographic Information Systems |
