Virtual Modeling & Simulation

Types of Degrees Virtual Modeling & Simulation Majors Are Getting

The following table lists how many modeling, virtual environments and simulation graduations there were in 2020-2021 for each degree level.

Education Level	Number of Grads
Bachelor’s Degree	499
Master’s Degree	229
Graduate Certificate	74
Undergraduate Certificate	26
Associate Degree	21
Basic Certificate	4
Doctor’s Degree	1

What Virtual Modeling & Simulation Majors Need to Know

O*NET surveyed people in occupations related to modeling, virtual environments and simulation and asked them what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most important.

Knowledge Areas for Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Majors

Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation majors often go into careers in which the following knowledge areas are important:

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills for Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Majors

modeling, virtual environments and simulation majors are found most commonly in careers in which the following skills are important:

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities for Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation Majors

Some of the most crucial abilities to master while a modeling, virtual environments and simulation student include the following:

• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

What Can You Do With a Virtual Modeling & Simulation Major?

People with a modeling, virtual environments and simulation degree often go into the following careers:

Job Title	Job Growth Rate	Median Salary
Computer and Information Research Scientists	19.0%	$118,370
Multimedia Artists and Animators	8.4%	$72,520
Software Developers, Applications	30.7%	$103,620

Who Is Getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Virtual Modeling & Simulation?

This major attracts more men than women. About 83% of the graduates in this field are male.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of modeling, virtual environments and simulation majors is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity	Number of Grads
Asian	64
Black or African American	16
Hispanic or Latino	49
White	253
International Students	61
Other Races/Ethnicities	56

Geographic Diversity

Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation appeals to people across the globe. About 12.2% of those with this major are international students.

How Much Do Virtual Modeling & Simulation Majors Make?

Salaries According to BLS

Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation majors often go into careers where salaries can range from $78,230 to $108,080 (25th to 75th percentile). This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.

To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.

Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Virtual Modeling & Simulation

Some careers associated with modeling, virtual environments and simulation require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.

How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to modeling, virtual environments and simulation have obtained the following education levels.

Education Level	Percentage of Workers
Less than a High School Diploma	0.0%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)	1.1%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)	0.5%
Some College Courses	10.6%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)	3.8%
Bachelor’s Degree	68.1%
Master’s Degree	9.3%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.	0.5%
Doctoral Degree	5.4%
Post-Doctoral Training	0.8%

Online Virtual Modeling & Simulation Programs

In 2020-2021, 47 schools offered a modeling, virtual environments and simulation program of some type. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.

Degree Level	Colleges Offering Programs	Colleges Offering Online Classes
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year)	0	0
Certificate (1-2 years)	6	1
Certificate (2-4 Years)	2	0
Associate’s Degree	6	3
Bachelor’s Degree	7	2
Post-Baccalaureate	0	0
Master’s Degree	10	1
Post-Master’s	1	0
Doctor’s Degree (Research)	2	0
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice)	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Other)	0	0

Is a Degree in Virtual Modeling & Simulation Worth It?

The median salary for a modeling, virtual environments and simulation grad is $89,580 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.

This is 125% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $993,600 after 20 years!

Majors Related to Virtual Modeling & Simulation

You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to modeling, virtual environments and simulation.

Major	Number of Grads
Web & Multimedia Design	5,300
Data Modeling/Warehousing & Database Administration	3,756
Computer Graphics	2,988
Other Computer Software & Media Applications	1,438

References

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• College Scorecard
• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
• Image Credit: By Negative Space under License

More about our data sources and methodologies.