Thinking about a career in either Engineering or Medicine?
In this article, we will explore the topic relating to either Engineering or Medicine.
Should I study Engineering or Medicine?
In short, you should consider studying Engineering if you enjoy problem-solving and abstract thinking through the use of mathematics, physics and other sciences. You should consider studying Medicine if you enjoy dealing with people and helping solve and treat people’s health and wellbeing.
Both Engineering and Medicine are well-respected careers. Offering interesting, well-paying career paths for those who enjoy problem-solving and critical thinking.
Medicine pays more than Engineering, with Medicine offering the opportunity to earn higher wages.
Working as an Engineer you will use your knowledge from college every day, thinking and working out everyday problems.
It can be very tiring and at times frustrating yet very rewarding.
Engineering is a broad area, where there are many branches or career paths that can be chosen.
For instance, Computer Engineer, Civil or Chemical Engineering just to name a few.
Study workload is very heavy and intense so you must be willing to shelve your family and put on hold your social life for several years.
It’s not all doom and gloom.
The good news is Medicine offers a vast range of career paths and specialities, that are interesting and well paying.
Careers such as Family and General Practitioner, Emergency Doctor, obstetrician and gynaecologist, paediatrician, palliative medicine just to name a few.
Is Engineering harder than Medicine to study? (Explained)
Medicine is much harder than Engineering.Not only is it much harder to get into Medical School, but the volume of study at Medical School is also a lot greater than in Engineering.
To obtain pass marks in either Medicine or Engineering you cannot afford to be a slacker.
You will need to commit to studying the coursework and attend lectures and classes.
To study Engineering you will need to be comfortable with advanced mathematics and statistics. And also science-based subjects depending on the branch.
Although Engineering is easier than Medicine it is still rigorous.
Those students who enjoy solving problems through the use of mathematics and science, and with an eye for details do well with Engineering.
To enter medical school a candidate requires A-Grade college scores in mathematics and science subjects, with competition being great.
It is often said that it is difficult to get admission to a Medical College and easier to get a job after graduation.
But it is easier to get into an Engineering College but difficult to get a job after the degree.
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Engineering Degree Cost more than Medical School?
Medical School is more expensive than Engineering Degree.
In the USA, for a four-year course, a medical student can expect to pay anywhere from $150,444 (in-state, public school) to $247,664 (out-of-state, public school) plus
Compared to Engineering Degree you can expect to pay anywhere from$15,000 (in-state, public medical schools) to $60,000 (out-of-state, public school).
The figures above do not include board and living expenses.
Both Medicine and Engineering undergraduates require 4 years of studying.
Medical students are then faced with three to seven years in a residency program to learn the specialty they chose to pursue.
Which all costs money!!
At so end of the day, regardless of your study Engineering or Medicine, you will find yourself having debt at the end of your study unless you’re able to pay it off as you go.
Unfortunately for most students this is not the case and ends up with a significant amount of study debt.
Do Engineers earn more than Doctors? (Explained)
Doctors earn more than Engineers. Doctors medium wage is $208,000 per compared to an Engineers minimum wage of around $90,000 per annum
However, like Medicine, the median wage will differ depending on the Engineering branch.
A sample of Engineering wages according to the Labor Bureau and Statistics is a list below
| Job Role | Median Wage / Per Annum |
| Petroleum Engineer | $137,330 |
| Civil Engineer | $87,060 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $88,430 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $116,500 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $91,410 |
According to Labor Bureau and Statistics wages for physicians and surgeons are among the highest of all occupations, with a median wage equal to or greater than $208,000 per year.
Median wages showing the differences in pay between types of physicians and surgeons are not available, but mean (average) annual wages for physicians and surgeons in May 2020 were as follows:
| Anesthesiologists | $271,440 |
| Surgeons | 251,650 |
| Obstetricians and gynecologists | 239,120 |
| Physicians and surgeons, all other | 218,850 |
| Psychiatrists | 217,100 |
| Family and general practitioners | 214,370 |
| Internists, general | 210,960 |
| Pediatricians, general | 184,570 |
Source:https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/mobile/physicians-and-surgeons.htm thanks
Wages will vary depending on location, size of the organization, public or private, and finally the industry.
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Final Thoughts
Medicine is seen to better since it is more prestigious, offers higher wages and earning potential. That being said studying both Medicine and Engineering lead to interesting and well pay career paths.
Both are difficult to study, requiring effort and concentration.
Studying Medicine is harder and will take longer than studying Engineering.
Medicine does cost more to study than Engineering, however, Medicine does pay more than Engineering.
Engineering is suited for the type of person who enjoys problem-solving through the use of Mathematics and Sciences.
Medicine suits someone who enjoys helping solve people’s health problems and well-being.