Under the active encouragement and direction of CARS chief Mao Yisheng, CARS started recruiting graduate students (though a small number) in the 1960s. CARS became one of the first entities to resume graduate recruiting and development in 1978, and by the end of 2011, had fostered over 1,160 academic-type doctoral and master-degree graduates. 181 academic-type doctoral and master-degree graduates and 99 engineering master-degree graduates are now studying at CARS. As of now, CARS, with two research centers for post-doctoral studies, and four corporate centers for post-doctoral studies, is the "first-grade doctoral degree granter" in traffic and transport engineering discipline. In addition, CARS is home to 3 first-grade discipline master degree programs, 6 second-grade doctoral degree programs, 14 second-grade discipline master degree programs, and 5 engineering master degree programs. One of the major characteristics of graduate student development at CARS is the ability of the students to conduct thesis research in combination with major, latest scientific subjects, which is favorable to help them develop strong practical and innovative capabilities.

6 majors open to academic-type doctoral candidates: Geotechnical engineering, bridge & tunnel engineering, road & railway engineering, transport information engineering and control, applied vehicle engineering, and traffic/transport planning and management

14 majors open to academic-type master degree candidates: Materialogy, material processing engineering, power system and automation, applied computer technology, geotechnical engineering, bridge & tunnel engineering, road & railway engineering, transport information engineering and control, applied rolling stocks engineering, traffic/transport planning and management, mechanical designs and theories, engineering consultancy, engineering supervision, and railway environment engineering.

5 major/disciplines open to professional-degree (engineering masters) master degree candidates: material engineering, electric engineering, computer technology, construction and civil engineering, and traffic/transportation engineering.