Engineers use mathematical prowess and technological skill to solve the world’s problems. Though there are many engineering specialties, the engineering field fundamentally focuses on innovating problem-solving strategies to improve our future.
In 2023, the average cost of an associate degree in engineering was $3,885, and a bachelor’s degree program cost $30,884, including room and board. Most engineering careers require a postgraduate degree, which costs an average of $20,513 in the same year.
Graduates from engineering degree programs earned a median wage of $91,420. Specialized engineers can earn even more, including chemical engineers (who earn a median wage of $112,100) and aerospace engineers (who earn a median wage of $130,720).
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How we rank schools
Our list features the best Engineering degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
Best 50 Accredited Engineering Degree Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
MIT School of Engineering
Intelligent Score: 99.92In-state: $53,450
Out-of-state: $53,450
In-state: $53,450
Out-of-state: $53,450
SAT: 1510-1580
ACT: 34-36
$925
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
186-195
Georgia Tech
Intelligent Score: 99.54In-state: $10,258
Out-of-state: $31,370
In-state: $14,064
Out-of-state: $14,064
SAT: 1370-1530
ACT: 31-35
Resident: $508
Non-Resident: $1,551
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
128-131
Stanford University
Intelligent Score: 99.50In-state: $55,473
Out-of-state: $55,473
In-state: $54,315
Out-of-state: $54,315
SAT: 1420-1570
ACT: 31-35
$1,028- $1,714
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
180
Duke University
Intelligent Score: 99.35In-state: $55,880
Out-of-state: $55,880
In-state: $57,900
Out-of-state: $57,900
SAT: 1470-1570
ACT: 34-35
$2,115
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
136
University of Pennsylvania
Intelligent Score: 99.17In-state: $53,166
Out-of-state: $53,166
In-state: $37,678
Out-of-state: $37,678
SAT: 1460-1570
ACT: 33-35
$1,954
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
120
Berkeley Engineering
Intelligent Score: 99.11In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $41,196
In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $11,442
SAT: 1310-1530
ACT: 30-35
Resident: $550
Non-Resident: $835
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
120
University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign
Intelligent Score: 98.95In-state: $14,317
Out-of-state: $33,824
In-state: $15,016
Out-of-state: $15,016
SAT: 1200-1460
ACT: 27-33
Resident: $749
Non-Resident: $1,626
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
126-130
University of Michigan
Intelligent Score: 98.80In-state: $16,520
Out-of-state: $53,669
In-state: $24,344
Out-of-state: $24,344
SAT: 1340-1520
ACT: 31-34
Resident: $914
Non-Resident: $2,555
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
128
Princeton University
Intelligent Score: 96.47In-state: $48,502
Out-of-state: $48,502
In-state: $53,890
Out-of-state: $53,890
SAT: 1450-1570
ACT: 32-35
$2,080
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
120
Purdue Engineering
Intelligent Score: 96.14In-state: $9,208
Out-of-state: $28,010
In-state: $9,208
Out-of-state: $9,208
SAT: 1170-1420
ACT: 25-33
In-State: $607
Out-of-State: $1,782
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
128-129
Texas A&M University College of Engineering
Intelligent Score: 93.04In-state: $8,395
Out-of-state: $36,849
In-state: $6,775
Out-of-state: $6,775
SAT: 1160-1380
ACT: 26-32
Resident: $555
Non-Resident: 1,732
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
125-128
UCLA Samueli School of Engineering
Intelligent Score: 91.48In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $41,196
In-state: $11,442
Out-of-state: $11,442
SAT: 1310-1530
ACT: 30-35
Resident: $505
Non-Resident: $790
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
180-185
UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science
Intelligent Score: 91.08In-state: $15,772
Out-of-state: $49,819
In-state: $17,076
Out-of-state: $17,076
SAT: 1320-1510
ACT: 30-34
$488
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
127-128
Virginia Tech Engineering
Intelligent Score: 90.54In-state: $11,420
Out-of-state: $29,960
In-state: $13,701
Out-of-state: $13,701
SAT: 1170-1370
ACT: 25-31
Resident: $529
Non-Resident: $1,388
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
127-131
Carnegie Mellon University
Intelligent Score: 90.30In-state: $57,560
Out-of-state: $57,560
In-state: $46,441
Out-of-state: $46,441
SAT: 1460-1560
ACT: 33-35
$2,694
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
126-129
Colorado School of Mines
Intelligent Score: 89.78In-state: $16,650
Out-of-state: $37,350
In-state: $16,650
Out-of-state: $16,650
SAT: 1270-1440
ACT: 28-33
Resident: $729
Non-Resident: $1,386
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
128-135
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Intelligent Score: 89.22In-state: $9,273
Out-of-state: $37,161
In-state: $10,728
Out-of-state: $10,728
SAT: 1260-1460
ACT: 27-32
Resident: $585
Non-Resident: $1,810
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
120-134
The University of Texas at Austin
Intelligent Score: 88.84In-state: $11,448
Out-of-state: $40,032
In-state: $12,028
Out-of-state: $12,028
SAT: 1210-1470
ACT: 26-33
Resident: $540
Non-Resident: $1,922
On-Campus
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
127-132
How to Choose an Engineering Degree Program
Choose your area of study
Engineering is a multi-faceted and ever-changing field of science encompassing over 50 subspecialties, all of which fall into five main branches. Your degree depends on the type of engineering you’re interested in studying and the career you plan to pursue after graduation.
- Chemical engineering uses the foundations of chemistry in manufacturing processes like plastics, pharmaceuticals, and equipment.
- Civil engineering focuses on designing, building, and operating city and community infrastructure, including streets, traffic flow, bridges, and water supply systems.
- Electrical engineering applies an understanding of electrical power to systems we use every day, such as electric motors, communication, and renewable energy.
- Industrial engineering solves common problems in different workplace settings by understanding statistical analysis and workflow patterns.
- Mechanical engineering integrates physics into the design and operation of machines and machine systems, including all types of engines and mechanical processes within buildings.
One of these branches includes your specific area of study. For example, a degree in environmental science involves the study of civil engineering, while computer engineering falls under an electrical engineering focus. Once you decide where your engineering interests lie, choose an Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science, or Master of Science in that specific engineering field.
Research schools and programs
The engineering program and school you choose should be accredited by both a programmatic and institutional agency. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and similar agencies regularly assess schools for academic rigor and accessibility. Engineering programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) assure future employers that your degree meets professional standards and make it easy for you to transfer credits to another accredited program.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of schools, take some in-person and virtual tours as you make your decision. Analyze other aspects of the school besides the engineering program. Does the campus seem like a place you’d like to spend the next few years? If you need housing while you complete your degree, do the housing options fit your needs? These considerations will guide your choice.
Prepare for tests and applications
The SAT and ACT are standard entrance tests for engineering programs. For an associate or bachelor’s degree, postgraduate engineering programs typically require applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for industrial engineering programs, or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for biomedical engineering programs.
Additional application materials include:
- A personal statement or letter of intent
- Letters of recommendation from past professors or employers
- Sealed transcripts that show a minimum GPA
- Math and science prerequisite courses
Select your program
The right program for you depends on the field of engineering you’re studying. Students seeking a specific area of study, such as biomechanical engineering or management science and engineering, should look into programs that offer that exact degree or coursework. Schools with general engineering programs and faculty members can guide you toward a specialty if you have yet to decide what type of engineering is right for you.
Note that undergraduate degrees, including associate and bachelor’s degrees, are an excellent opportunity to explore elements of engineering that you may not have considered majoring in before. After exploring the type of science you’re interested in, spend postgraduate years on focused, specialized work in a specific area of engineering.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Before deciding on your school and engineering program, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA considers your financial needs to determine how much assistance you can receive. Your school’s financial aid office can also help you find funds for your education, including grants and scholarships for engineers.
What Can You Expect From an Engineering Degree Program?
No matter what degree level you’re earning, an engineering program involves a rigorous curriculum built on the foundations of math and science. It includes lab work, cohort discussions, research projects, data analysis, and large class lectures. Postgraduate engineering degrees take students through industry internships and a final thesis project to present what they have learned — and how they’ll implement it in their careers.
Specialized engineering programs focus on the skills and knowledge needed in those fields. However, every engineering program will likely require students to take fundamental courses.
Potential courses you’ll take in an engineering degree program
- Physics. Students learn about the principles of physics, including Newton’s Laws, vectors, units of measurement, types of work and energy, kinematics, and motion. They apply their mastery of these concepts to engineering projects and problem sets.
- Statistics. Data analysis, probability, inference, and regression models are just a few skills students take on in a statistics class when pursuing an engineering degree. They conduct experiments using the scientific method and analyze the results based on their expectations and hypotheses.
- Calculus. Since they use calculus in nearly every type of engineering, students need to master the basic concepts before moving on to more complex math courses. Topics in a calculus course include limits and continuity, approximations, differentiation of functions, mean-value theorems, and curve sketching.
- Engineering analysis. An engineering analysis course applies mathematical problem-solving skills to engineering queries and builds on the concepts covered in linear algebra. They use modeling, simulation, experimentation, and research projects to solve these problems with a math-focused mindset.
Engineering Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an engineering degree program?
Visit your engineering program’s admissions website for all application details and instructions. It should include deadlines and needed materials, including entrance test scores, a minimum GPA, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. For additional application questions, contact your school’s admissions office or a program representative.
How much does an engineering degree cost?
In 2023, an engineering associate degree cost an average of $3,885, a bachelor’s degree in engineering cost $17,709 ($30,884 including room and board), and a master’s degree in engineering cost an average of $20,513. These costs may vary based on your location, choice of school, housing needs, and educational materials.
How long does it take to earn an engineering degree?
The average timeline for an undergraduate degree in engineering is two to four years, depending on your degree. A two-year associate degree typically requires 60 credit hours, while a four-year bachelor’s degree takes around 120 credit hours to complete. Postgraduate engineering degrees can range from one to three additional years, depending on the program’s internship and credit hour requirements.