What are the Best Engineering Colleges in the U.S.?

The average salary for engineers in the U.S. is $106,117, with strong growth projected in fields like AI, energy, and robotics. Your college decision directly impacts the research, mentorship, and job opportunities you’ll have access to.

Some programs specialize in aerospace or computer science. Others focus on sustainability, biotech, or manufacturing. The key is choosing an engineering school that fits your academic goals, learning style, and career vision.

We don’t just rank schools, we evaluate what makes each engineering program worth your time and investment.

10 Best Engineering Colleges in the U.S.

We evaluated over 190 accredited U.S. engineering schools using the latest data from U.S. News & World Report, the Department of Education, and official university sources. 

Selection was based on rankings across 10 specialties, average GPA and acceptance data, Ph.D. student-faculty ratios, research funding, and long-term career outcomes. 

Every school here delivers high academic rigor, cross-disciplinary options, and access to top research labs.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT ranks #1 in the nation for engineering and holds the #1 spot in mechanical, aerospace, materials, and chemical engineering.

Located in Cambridge, the School of Engineering enrolls 3,445 graduate students and maintains a 5.6:1 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio.

Students access world-class labs like CSAIL and the MIT Energy Initiative.

• Location: Cambridge, MA
• Tuition: $61,990/year
• Average GPA: 4.17 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 94%

MIT leads 6 engineering subfields and ties for #1 in electrical and computer engineering.

Research funding exceeds $750M annually, supporting undergrad involvement. The program emphasizes invention, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration.

2. Stanford University

Stanford ranks #2 nationally and places top 5 in 10 specialties, including electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering. 

Stanford School of Engineering enrolls 3,929 graduate students and has 287 full-time faculty. Located in Silicon Valley, it offers direct access to companies like NVIDIA, Tesla, and Google.

• Location: Stanford, CA
• Tuition: $65,082/year
• Average GPA: 4.18 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 96%

Stanford’s 6.8:1 Ph.D. ratio supports research in robotics, climate tech, and semiconductors. Its top-ranked electrical engineering program shares faculty with the Woods Institute for the Environment and the SLAC National Lab.

3. University of California, Berkeley

UC Berkeley ranks #3 in the U.S. and #1 in environmental, computer, and electrical engineering. The College of Engineering enrolls 2,739 graduate students and has 267 full-time faculty. The Ph.D. ratio is 5.5:1. Berkeley’s in-state tuition offers unmatched value for a top-tier research program.

• Location: Berkeley, CA
• Tuition: $12,762 (in-state), $27,864 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 4.15 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 93%

Students access labs like CITRIS and the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research group. Berkeley ranks top 3 in 7 engineering fields and leads innovation in sustainability, quantum computing, and structural safety.

4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Caltech is tied for #5 in engineering and ranks top 3 in aerospace, chemical, and mechanical engineering. With only 546 engineering graduate students, it offers a low 5.4:1 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio and high-impact mentoring. Its faculty includes Nobel Prize winners and JPL scientists.

• Location: Pasadena, CA
• Tuition: $60,864/year
• Average GPA: 4.21 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 95%

Caltech’s Division of Engineering and Applied Science supports hands-on undergraduate research in labs like GALCIT and LIGO. Students pursue space systems, nanoengineering, and fluid mechanics at the highest academic level.

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon ranks #7 in the U.S. and is a global leader in robotics, cybersecurity, and AI.

The College of Engineering enrolls 4,878 graduate students and maintains a 4.6:1 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio. CMU’s 337 faculty span engineering, computer science, and machine learning.

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Tuition: $57,436/year
• Average GPA: 4.07 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 91%

CMU ranks top 5 in computer, materials, and software engineering. The Robotics Institute and Software Engineering Institute provide funded research opportunities with the DoD, NASA, and leading autonomous vehicle firms.

Explore the engineering videos of CMU here.

6. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Michigan ranks #11 nationally but top 5 in mechanical, civil, and aerospace engineering. The College of Engineering has 4,109 grad students and 428 faculty, with a 4.6:1 Ph.D. ratio. It operates 11 academic departments and partners with the U.S. Department of Energy.

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI
• Tuition: $32,486 (in-state), $60,916 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.87 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 92%

Michigan ranks #1 in nuclear engineering and #2 in industrial systems. Students access top-tier co-ops, labs like the Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSensing, and robust partnerships with Ford and GM.

7. Princeton University

Princeton Engineering ranks #25 overall but places top 10 in chemical, environmental, and mechanical engineering. The school enrolls 873 graduate students with 186 full-time faculty and maintains a 4.4:1 Ph.D. ratio. The curriculum emphasizes independent research and cross-department collaboration.

• Location: Princeton, NJ
• Tuition: $62,400/year
• Average GPA: 3.9 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 97%

Princeton ranks #6 in chemical engineering and #9 in computer engineering. Research spans sustainable design, soft robotics, and water purification. Undergraduate students complete a senior thesis with faculty mentorship.

8. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Tech ranks #4 nationally and #1 in industrial engineering. The College of Engineering enrolls 6,861 graduate students and supports a 4.4:1 Ph.D. ratio with 635 full-time faculty. Located in Atlanta, it offers affordable tuition and strong public funding.

• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Tuition: $14,416 (in-state), $30,598 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.75 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 90%

Georgia Tech ranks top 5 in 10 subfields including aerospace, biomedical, and computer engineering. Students gain experience through the largest co-op program in the U.S. and research centers like GTRI.

9. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

UIUC’s Grainger College of Engineering ranks #7 nationally and enrolls 6,518 graduate students with 474 full-time faculty. It holds top 10 rankings in 9 specialties and maintains a 5.8:1 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio. The college awards over 1,800 engineering degrees annually.

• Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL
• Tuition: $20,170 (in-state), $38,276 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.83 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 89%

UIUC ranks #1 in civil engineering and #3 in environmental. It houses the Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Lab and Blue Waters supercomputer. Alumni lead in energy, semiconductor, and software sectors.

10. Harvard University

Harvard’s Paulson School of Engineering ranks #20 nationally and supports 789 engineering graduate students with 99 full-time faculty.

Harvard offers top-tier programs in bioengineering, materials science, and environmental tech. The Ph.D. ratio stands at 5.1:1.

• Location: Allston, MA
• Tuition: $63,624/year
• Average GPA: 4.18 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 97%

Harvard’s engineering research connects with the Wyss Institute, SEAS, and Harvard Medical School. Students pursue advanced work in biomaterials, data science, and soft robotics — often crossing into public health and biotech.

11. Purdue University

Purdue ranks #4 in the nation for engineering among public universities and enrolls one of the largest engineering student bodies in the country. The College of Engineering has over 4,600 graduate students and 430+ full-time faculty across 14 academic schools and departments. Purdue is particularly dominant in aerospace (#4 nationally), mechanical (#6), and industrial engineering (#5). The university’s West Lafayette campus is home to major research facilities including the Birck Nanotechnology Center and the Purdue Energetics Research Center.

Students benefit from Purdue’s deep industry partnerships with companies like Rolls-Royce, Lockheed Martin, and Cummins, as well as one of the largest co-op programs in the Midwest. Purdue’s engineering alumni network includes 24 astronauts — more than any other university — including Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan. In-state tuition makes Purdue one of the strongest engineering values in the country.

• Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
• Tuition: $9,992 (in-state), $28,794 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.82 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 91%

Purdue’s commitment to keeping tuition frozen since 2013 makes it one of the most affordable top-10 engineering programs nationally. The college awards over 2,000 engineering degrees annually and maintains strong placement rates across aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, and defense sectors.

12. University of Texas at Austin (Cockrell School of Engineering)

The Cockrell School of Engineering at UT Austin ranks #10 nationally and places top 10 in computer, civil, aerospace, and petroleum engineering. The school enrolls approximately 3,500 graduate students and maintains a strong 5.2:1 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio. Located in one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the country, UT Austin offers students direct access to companies like Dell, Tesla, Samsung, Apple, and Oracle — all of which have major operations in the Austin area.

UT Austin’s engineering research expenditures exceed $250 million annually, supporting work in energy systems, advanced computing, robotics, and water resources. The school operates major research centers including the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) and the Center for Electromechanics. In-state tuition provides exceptional value, and the Cockrell School’s career placement rates are among the highest in the South.

• Location: Austin, Texas
• Tuition: $11,752 (in-state), $40,996 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.84 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 94%

UT Austin’s engineering program benefits from Texas’s booming tech, energy, and defense industries. The school’s petroleum engineering program consistently ranks #1 in the nation, and its computer science and engineering programs attract heavy recruiting from Silicon Valley and Austin-based firms alike.

13. University of Southern California (Viterbi School of Engineering)

USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering ranks in the top 15 nationally and is particularly strong in biomedical, electrical, and computer engineering. Named after Andrew Viterbi (co-founder of Qualcomm and inventor of the Viterbi algorithm), the school enrolls approximately 5,500 graduate students and maintains 190+ full-time faculty. Viterbi’s Los Angeles location provides access to the entertainment technology, aerospace, and biotech industries, and the school has strong ties to SpaceX, JPL, and the Southern California defense sector.

Viterbi’s Information Sciences Institute (ISI) is a world leader in artificial intelligence and internet research — ISI scientists were instrumental in the early development of the internet. The school offers a distinctive emphasis on entrepreneurship through the USC Viterbi Startup Garage and maintains one of the largest online engineering master’s programs in the country (DEN@Viterbi).

• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Tuition: $63,468/year
• Average GPA: 3.80 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 92%

USC’s Trojan alumni network is one of the most influential in engineering and technology, particularly in Southern California’s aerospace, entertainment technology, and defense industries. Viterbi graduates are heavily recruited by companies across the LA tech corridor and Silicon Beach.

14. University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Engineering ranks in the top 15 among public universities and is particularly strong in materials, industrial, and chemical engineering. The college enrolls approximately 3,800 graduate students and has 280+ full-time faculty across 10 departments. UW-Madison’s engineering research is supported by over $200 million in annual funding, with strengths in advanced manufacturing, energy systems, and biomedical engineering.

Students benefit from Wisconsin’s unique culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration — engineering students frequently work with faculty in the School of Medicine, the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The university’s Madison location offers a vibrant college-town environment with a growing tech startup scene and proximity to major employers like Epic Systems, Oshkosh Corporation, and Rockwell Automation.

• Location: Madison, Wisconsin
• Tuition: $10,796 (in-state), $39,427 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.78 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 89%

UW-Madison’s engineering co-op and internship programs are robust, and the college’s career center reports strong placement rates across manufacturing, energy, healthcare technology, and defense. In-state tuition makes it one of the top engineering values in the Big Ten.

15. Virginia Tech (College of Engineering)

Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering is the largest in the state and ranks in the top 15 among public universities nationally. The college enrolls approximately 3,000 graduate students across 14 departments and maintains strong programs in mechanical, civil, aerospace, and computer engineering. Virginia Tech’s military heritage through the Corps of Cadets provides a distinctive leadership development pathway for engineering students, and the university’s Blacksburg campus offers access to major research facilities including the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science.

Virginia Tech operates one of the largest undergraduate engineering programs in the country, with over 8,000 undergraduate engineering students. The school’s co-op program is one of the strongest in the Southeast, with major employers including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The college’s affordable in-state tuition and strong industry connections make it an outstanding value.

• Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
• Tuition: $13,620 (in-state), $33,857 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.74 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 90%

Virginia Tech’s engineering research expenditures have grown significantly in recent years, driven by investments in autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and sustainable infrastructure. The school’s Innovation Campus in Alexandria, VA (near the Pentagon) further strengthens its ties to defense and government engineering.

16. Texas A&M University (College of Engineering)

Texas A&M’s College of Engineering is one of the largest in the nation, enrolling over 20,000 students (undergraduate and graduate combined). The college ranks in the top 10 among public universities and places top 10 nationally in aerospace, petroleum, and nuclear engineering. Texas A&M’s engineering research portfolio exceeds $300 million annually, with major programs in energy, defense, agriculture technology, and advanced materials. The university’s Corps of Cadets and military traditions provide a unique pathway for students pursuing defense and government engineering careers.

Texas A&M operates the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), one of the largest engineering research organizations in the country. Students also benefit from the RELLIS Campus, a 2,000-acre research and testing facility for autonomous systems, infrastructure, and defense technologies. The school’s Aggie Network is one of the most active alumni organizations in the country, providing strong job placement support across Texas and beyond.

• Location: College Station, Texas
• Tuition: $13,012 (in-state), $40,896 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.82 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 89%

Texas A&M’s affordable in-state tuition, massive scale, and deep industry ties in energy, defense, and agriculture make it one of the strongest public engineering programs in the South. The school’s petroleum engineering program consistently ranks top 3 nationally.

17. University of California, San Diego (Jacobs School of Engineering)

UCSD’s Jacobs School of Engineering ranks in the top 10 among public universities and is a national leader in bioengineering, chemical engineering, and electrical engineering. The school enrolls approximately 3,200 graduate students and has 230+ full-time faculty. UCSD’s location in La Jolla — adjacent to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Salk Institute, and San Diego’s massive biotech corridor — provides students with unmatched access to research and industry partnerships in biomedical engineering and life sciences.

The Jacobs School’s research expenditures exceed $200 million annually, with particular strength in materials science, nanoengineering (UCSD was one of the first to offer a nanoengineering major), wireless communications, and autonomous systems. The school’s Design and Innovation Building and the Qualcomm Institute support hands-on, interdisciplinary research from the undergraduate level.

• Location: San Diego, California
• Tuition: $14,733 (in-state), $44,487 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.85 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 90%

UCSD’s engineering graduates are heavily recruited by San Diego’s biotech, telecom, and defense sectors, as well as by Silicon Valley firms. The school’s proximity to Qualcomm’s headquarters and the region’s growing autonomous vehicle and clean energy industries provide strong career pipelines.

18. University of Washington (College of Engineering)

The University of Washington’s College of Engineering ranks in the top 15 nationally and is particularly strong in environmental, software, and electrical engineering. The college enrolls approximately 2,800 graduate students and has 260+ full-time faculty. UW’s Seattle location places students at the doorstep of Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and a thriving tech startup ecosystem. The school’s computer science and engineering program (jointly administered with the Allen School) is among the most competitive in the country.

UW Engineering’s research strengths include clean energy, human-computer interaction, global health technology, and advanced manufacturing. The school operates major centers including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory partnership and the Clean Energy Institute. Students benefit from strong co-op and internship pipelines to Pacific Northwest employers, and UW’s engineering career placement rates are among the highest on the West Coast.

• Location: Seattle, Washington
• Tuition: $12,076 (in-state), $39,906 (out-of-state)
• Average GPA: 3.84 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 91%

UW’s location in Seattle — one of the top tech cities in the world — provides engineering students with industry access that rivals schools in the Bay Area, at a significantly lower cost of living. The school’s Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering is one of the most selective programs on the West Coast.

19. Northwestern University (McCormick School of Engineering)

Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering combines rigorous technical training with the interdisciplinary breadth of a top-10 research university. The school enrolls approximately 2,000 graduate students and has 200+ full-time faculty across 11 departments. McCormick is particularly strong in robotics, biomedical engineering, materials science, and environmental engineering. Its Evanston campus (just north of Chicago) and Chicago campus provide access to both suburban research facilities and urban industry connections.

McCormick’s distinctive feature is its emphasis on interdisciplinary engineering — students frequently combine engineering with business (through the Kellogg School), design (through the Segal Design Institute), journalism (through Medill), or medicine (through the Feinberg School). This makes Northwestern uniquely attractive to students who want to apply engineering skills across multiple domains. The school also offers a robust co-op program and industry-sponsored capstone projects.

• Location: Evanston, Illinois
• Tuition: $63,468/year
• Average GPA: 3.83 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 93%

Northwestern’s engineering graduates are recruited across technology, consulting, finance, and healthcare — reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the program. The McCormick School’s emphasis on design thinking and entrepreneurship produces engineers who can lead across industries, not just within them.

20. Cornell University (College of Engineering)

Cornell’s College of Engineering ranks in the top 10 nationally and offers exceptional breadth, with 14 engineering fields represented across the college’s schools and departments. The school enrolls approximately 2,500 graduate students and has 250+ full-time faculty. Cornell is particularly strong in electrical, biomedical, aerospace, and operations research engineering. As an Ivy League institution with a land-grant mission, Cornell uniquely combines elite academics with a practical, hands-on engineering culture.

Cornell Engineering operates major research centers including the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility (CNF), the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), and the Atkinson Center for Sustainability. The school’s location in Ithaca, New York, provides a focused academic environment, while Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island in Manhattan offers graduate students direct access to New York City’s tech ecosystem.

• Location: Ithaca, New York
• Tuition: $63,200/year
• Average GPA: 3.89 (weighted)
• Passing Rate: 96%

Cornell’s engineering program benefits from its dual identity as both an Ivy League research powerhouse and a land-grant institution with deep practical roots. The college’s project team culture — with student-led racing, autonomous systems, and rocketry teams — ensures that students get hands-on experience well before graduation.

Other Top 90 Engineering Universities in the U.S.

Rank	University	Location	Tuition	Average GPA	Passing Rate	Specializations
11	Purdue University	West Lafayette, Indiana	$9,992 (in-state), $28,794 (out-of-state)	3.82	91%	Mechanical, Civil, Electrical
12	University of Texas at Austin	Austin, Texas	$11,752 (in-state), $40,996 (out-of-state)	3.84	94%	Computer, Civil, Aerospace
13	University of Southern California	Los Angeles, California	$63,468	3.8	92%	Biomedical, Electrical, Environmental
14	University of Wisconsin-Madison	Madison, Wisconsin	$10,796 (in-state), $39,427 (out-of-state)	3.78	89%	Materials, Industrial, Chemical
15	Virginia Tech	Blacksburg, Virginia	$13,620 (in-state), $33,857 (out-of-state)	3.74	90%	Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace
16	Texas A&M University	College Station, Texas	$13,012 (in-state), $40,896 (out-of-state)	3.82	89%	Aerospace, Computer, Biomedical
17	University of California, San Diego (UCSD)	San Diego, California	$14,733 (in-state), $44,487 (out-of-state)	3.85	90%	Bioengineering, Chemical, Electrical
18	University of Washington	Seattle, Washington	$12,076 (in-state), $39,906 (out-of-state)	3.84	91%	Environmental, Software, Electrical
19	Northwestern University	Evanston, Illinois	$63,468	3.83	93%	Robotics, Software, Environmental
20	Cornell University	Ithaca, New York	$63,200	3.89	96%	Electrical, Biomedical, Aerospace

21	Pennsylvania State University	University Park, Pennsylvania	$18,898 (in-state), $36,476 (out-of-state)	3.7	87%	Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical
22	University of Florida	Gainesville, Florida	$6,381 (in-state), $28,659 (out-of-state)	3.85	92%	Biomedical, Chemical, Civil
23	Ohio State University	Columbus, Ohio	$12,485 (in-state), $36,722 (out-of-state)	3.8	91%	Software, Civil, Electrical
24	University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	Los Angeles, California	$13,804 (in-state), $46,602 (out-of-state)	3.89	94%	Electrical, Bioengineering, Materials
25	University of Maryland, College Park	College Park, Maryland	$10,955 (in-state), $36,891 (out-of-state)	3.78	88%	Aerospace, Electrical, Civil
26	University of Colorado Boulder	Boulder, Colorado	$12,496 (in-state), $38,314 (out-of-state)	3.76	89%	Computer, Bioengineering, Environmental
27	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)	Troy, New York	$58,120	3.84	92%	Robotics, Aerospace, Civil
28	Duke University	Durham, North Carolina	$63,450	3.85	93%	Biomedical, Chemical, Civil
29	University of Minnesota, Twin Cities	Minneapolis, Minnesota	$15,859 (in-state), $35,099 (out-of-state)	3.82	90%	Aerospace, Civil, Software
30	University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC)	Chicago, Illinois	$15,068 (in-state), $29,464 (out-of-state)	3.75	86%	Environmental, Chemical, Electrical

41	University of Utah	Salt Lake City, Utah	$13,244 (in-state), $31,664 (out-of-state)	3.72	88%	Materials, Software, Electrical
42	Colorado School of Mines	Golden, Colorado	$20,400	3.77	87%	Civil, Biomedical, Electrical
43	University of Tennessee, Knoxville	Knoxville, Tennessee	$13,244 (in-state), $31,664 (out-of-state)	3.84	90%	Mechanical, Bioengineering, Electrical
44	North Carolina State University	Raleigh, North Carolina	$14,088 (in-state), $38,186 (out-of-state)	3.82	89%	Chemical, Civil, Aerospace
45	Boston University	Boston, Massachusetts	$62,000	3.74	86%	Environmental, Chemical, Software
46	University of Arkansas	Fayetteville, Arkansas	$9,574 (in-state), $25,408 (out-of-state)	3.79	89%	Bioengineering, Materials, Civil
47	University of Kentucky	Lexington, Kentucky	$12,610 (in-state), $30,310 (out-of-state)	3.8	90%	Robotics, Mechanical, Civil
48	Lehigh University	Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	$58,970	3.83	91%	Environmental, Software, Electrical
49	University of Connecticut	Storrs, Connecticut	$17,834 (in-state), $40,220 (out-of-state)	3.78	89%	Chemical, Materials, Civil
50	University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa, Alabama	$11,316 (in-state), $31,640 (out-of-state)	3.75	88%	Aerospace, Environmental, Electrical
51	University of Central Florida (UCF)	Orlando, Florida	$10,133 (in-state), $25,751 (out-of-state)	3.76	89%	Materials, Biomedical, Electrical
52	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	Lincoln, Nebraska	$13,760 (in-state), $38,556 (out-of-state)	3.84	92%	Bioengineering, Civil, Chemical
53	Case Western Reserve University	Cleveland, Ohio	$65,664	3.78	89%	Civil, Aerospace, Electrical
54	Iowa State University	Ames, Iowa	$10,732 (in-state), $28,128 (out-of-state)	3.8	91%	Biomedical, Materials, Software
55	University of Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$15,601 (in-state), $35,799 (out-of-state)	3.77	88%	Mechanical, Software, Civil
56	Washington University in St. Louis	St. Louis, Missouri	$60,590	3.81	89%	Robotics, Biomedical, Electrical
57	University of Kansas	Lawrence, Kansas	$10,732 (in-state), $28,128 (out-of-state)	3.85	93%	Aerospace, Bioengineering, Materials
58	Vanderbilt University	Nashville, Tennessee	$58,624	3.84	92%	Environmental, Materials, Civil
59	University of Oklahoma	Norman, Oklahoma	$11,763 (in-state), $28,873 (out-of-state)	3.83	91%	Civil, Mechanical, Electrical
60	Stevens Institute of Technology	Hoboken, New Jersey	$58,624	3.83	91%	Biomedical, Chemical, Aerospace

61	University of Arizona	Tucson, Arizona	$12,700 (in-state), $37,200 (out-of-state)	3.74	88%	Aerospace, Civil, Electrical
62	Clemson University	Clemson, South Carolina	$15,558 (in-state), $38,550 (out-of-state)	3.82	91%	Mechanical, Bioengineering, Materials
63	Oregon State University	Corvallis, Oregon	$12,188 (in-state), $31,663 (out-of-state)	3.76	87%	Environmental, Software, Civil
64	University of Rochester	Rochester, New York	$60,550	3.84	92%	Biomedical, Chemical, Electrical
65	University of Missouri	Columbia, Missouri	$11,960 (in-state), $30,300 (out-of-state)	3.78	89%	Civil, Mechanical, Aerospace
66	Florida State University	Tallahassee, Florida	$6,516 (in-state), $21,683 (out-of-state)	3.77	90%	Bioengineering, Electrical, Software
67	University of New Hampshire	Durham, New Hampshire	$18,938 (in-state), $36,278 (out-of-state)	3.75	88%	Chemical, Environmental, Materials
68	University of South Carolina	Columbia, South Carolina	$12,688 (in-state), $33,928 (out-of-state)	3.73	87%	Biomedical, Electrical, Civil
69	University of Nevada, Reno	Reno, Nevada	$8,291 (in-state), $24,752 (out-of-state)	3.71	85%	Environmental, Materials, Electrical
70	Mississippi State University	Starkville, Mississippi	$9,110 (in-state), $23,950 (out-of-state)	3.69	86%	Mechanical, Civil, Electrical
71	Auburn University	Auburn, Alabama	$11,826 (in-state), $31,956 (out-of-state)	3.72	89%	Aerospace, Bioengineering, Mechanical
72	University of Vermont	Burlington, Vermont	$18,890 (in-state), $43,890 (out-of-state)	3.74	88%	Chemical, Civil, Electrical
73	San Diego State University	San Diego, California	$8,136 (in-state), $20,016 (out-of-state)	3.73	87%	Environmental, Software, Civil
74	Drexel University	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$58,965	3.79	90%	Biomedical, Electrical, Materials
75	University of Houston	Houston, Texas	$11,870 (in-state), $26,940 (out-of-state)	3.76	88%	Civil, Electrical, Mechanical
76	Rutgers University	New Brunswick, New Jersey	$15,804 (in-state), $33,005 (out-of-state)	3.78	91%	Materials, Civil, Bioengineering
77	University of Wyoming	Laramie, Wyoming	$5,790 (in-state), $19,161 (out-of-state)	3.72	85%	Mechanical, Electrical, Software
78	Montana State University	Bozeman, Montana	$7,492 (in-state), $27,396 (out-of-state)	3.71	84%	Civil, Materials, Environmental
79	Wichita State University	Wichita, Kansas	$8,270 (in-state), $17,480 (out-of-state)	3.7	85%	Aerospace, Electrical, Software
80	University of Idaho	Moscow, Idaho	$8,340 (in-state), $27,576 (out-of-state)	3.69	84%	Mechanical, Materials, Civil
81	George Mason University	Fairfax, Virginia	$13,119 (in-state), $36,579 (out-of-state)	3.72	86%	Software, Electrical, Civil
82	Boise State University	Boise, Idaho	$8,068 (in-state), $24,988 (out-of-state)	3.71	85%	Environmental, Civil, Electrical
83	University of Montana	Missoula, Montana	$7,492 (in-state), $28,352 (out-of-state)	3.68	83%	Bioengineering, Environmental, Electrical
84	Utah State University	Logan, Utah	$8,138 (in-state), $23,036 (out-of-state)	3.7	85%	Civil, Materials, Electrical
85	University of Hawaii at Manoa	Honolulu, Hawaii	$11,304 (in-state), $33,336 (out-of-state)	3.74	87%	Environmental, Mechanical, Bioengineering
86	California Polytechnic State University	San Luis Obispo, California	$9,000 (in-state), $21,000 (out-of-state)	3.85	90%	Civil, Materials, Software
87	New Mexico State University	Las Cruces, New Mexico	$7,492 (in-state), $23,376 (out-of-state)	3.72	84%	Mechanical, Electrical, Environmental
88	Texas Tech University	Lubbock, Texas	$11,600 (in-state), $23,870 (out-of-state)	3.73	86%	Aerospace, Civil, Mechanical
89	Louisiana State University	Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$11,962 (in-state), $28,639 (out-of-state)	3.75	87%	Chemical, Bioengineering, Electrical
90	Oklahoma State University	Stillwater, Oklahoma	$11,240 (in-state), $26,090 (out-of-state)	3.72	85%	Software, Materials, Electrical
91	University of Alaska Fairbanks	Fairbanks, Alaska	$8,580 (in-state), $26,850 (out-of-state)	3.69	83%	Environmental, Mechanical, Civil
92	Northern Arizona University	Flagstaff, Arizona	$11,564 (in-state), $25,828 (out-of-state)	3.71	85%	Civil, Bioengineering, Electrical
93	Portland State University	Portland, Oregon	$10,020 (in-state), $29,706 (out-of-state)	3.7	85%	Software, Environmental, Civil
94	San Jose State University	San Jose, California	$7,852 (in-state), $19,732 (out-of-state)	3.72	86%	Civil, Electrical, Software
95	California State University, Long Beach	Long Beach, California	$6,834 (in-state), $18,714 (out-of-state)	3.71	84%	Mechanical, Civil, Electrical
96	University of Texas at Arlington	Arlington, Texas	$10,250 (in-state), $26,778 (out-of-state)	3.72	85%	Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical
97	University of North Dakota	Grand Forks, North Dakota	$10,097 (in-state), $18,737 (out-of-state)	3.7	85%	Mechanical, Electrical, Civil
98	University of Texas at El Paso	El Paso, Texas	$9,450 (in-state), $25,000 (out-of-state)	3.7	85%	Bioengineering, Software, Environmental
99	California State University, Sacramento	Sacramento, California	$7,394 (in-state), $19,274 (out-of-state)	3.72	85%	Mechanical, Civil, Electrical
100	University of South Florida	Tampa, Florida	$6,410 (in-state), $17,324 (out-of-state)	3.73	87%	Biomedical, Electrical, Civil

How To Choose the Right Engineering Program

Not every engineering school is built the same, and not every student needs the same kind of program. Your decision should balance academic rigor with the right environment, location, and post-graduate opportunities.

A top-ranked school won’t help if it doesn’t support your learning style, interests, or long-term goals. That’s why understanding the variables behind a program matters just as much as rankings.

Standard College Factors

Before you look at labs and rankings, start with the basics. Every college decision should include:

• Location: Do you want to study near industry hubs or closer to home?
• Size: Will you succeed in a large research university or a smaller, faculty-focused program?
• Cost: Will in-state tuition make a strong public school a better financial fit?
• Culture: Does the program emphasize collaboration, competition, or independent study?

You’ll be spending four years there, maybe more, so don’t overlook housing, support services, and campus life. Engineering programs are demanding. Being in the right environment helps you succeed.

Engineering Specialties Are Not Interchangeable

Engineering is not one single path. What you study, and how you learn it, will vary significantly across programs.

For example, aerospace and agricultural engineering require very different facilities, partnerships, and expertise. Some programs offer dedicated research incubators or co-op tracks. Others focus more on theoretical work or global policy applications.

Before you apply, ask:

• Does this program offer your intended specialty?
• Will you get hands-on research opportunities before senior year?
• Are there faculty actively working in the field you want to pursue?

You’re not just choosing a college, you’re choosing a network, a training ground, and an academic focus that could define your career.

Location Can Shape Your Career Access

Where you study can impact where you work after graduation.

Engineering schools with strong ties to nearby employers often offer internships, co-ops, or capstone projects that directly lead to jobs.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Interested in software or machine learning? Schools near Silicon Valley, like Stanford or UC Berkeley, offer direct access to Google, Apple, and NVIDIA.
• Thinking about energy, agriculture, or oil? Texas A&M, Purdue, and Colorado School of Mines sit near key industry centers.
• Want to work in government policy or infrastructure? Schools in Washington, D.C., or state capitals can connect you to those opportunities.

Proximity matters. So do alumni networks and employer pipelines.

6 Major Brunches and Hundreds of Subcategories of Engineering

Engineering is broad, and it keeps expanding. Most students don’t realize how many career paths fall under the engineering umbrella until they’re already enrolled.

Here are just a few active disciplines:

• Mechanical
• Civil
• Electrical
• Computer
• Aerospace
• Environmental
• Robotics
• Biochemical
• Structural
• Systems
• Nuclear
• Agricultural
• Petroleum
• Mining
• Industrial
• Software
• Transportation

Some programs let you specialize in year one. Others start with a general curriculum and narrow in later. Know the structure before you commit.

Salary Expectations and ROI Are High

Engineering jobs offer some of the strongest salaries right out of college. Median starting pay for many engineering fields exceeds $70,000, with computer, petroleum, and aerospace roles climbing past $100,000 after just a few years.

Payscale and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics both track salary data by discipline. You can also use tools like ROI calculators to compare total tuition versus average graduate earnings.

That said, not all ROI tools account for things like grant aid or regional costs of living. Use them for context, not final decisions.

Still, engineering remains one of the most financially stable majors across nearly every field.

Engineering is a Global Industry

Unlike fields that require U.S. licensure or regional language expertise, engineering is internationally transferable. The skills you gain, from systems modeling to CAD design, apply across borders.

That means two important things:

1. You may work abroad. Engineering firms often have global offices or contracts.
2. Your classmates will be international. U.S. engineering programs attract students from around the world, increasing competition and collaboration.

A good program will prepare you to lead in multinational environments.

Use Expert Guidance to Build Your College List

Empowerly’s expert college counselors help students identify engineering schools that match their strengths, goals, and budget. 

With personalized guidance, our students increase their chances of admission to top 25 programs by 11x.

If you’re aiming to join a top engineering program, we’ll help you build a smart, tailored application strategy.