2026 Best General Engineering Schools
Looking for the best General Engineering programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 790 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 General Engineering Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Olin College, our #1 General Engineering school in the United States. Based in Needham, MA, Olin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Olin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $63,742 in tuition and fees. Typical General Engineering student debt is $14,512. Get the full Olin College report
You'll be in good company at Harvey Mudd College, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Claremont, CA, Harvey Mudd College is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvey Mudd College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $68,613 in tuition and fees. Harvey Mudd College General Engineering students take on a median of $22,240 in debt. Get the full Harvey Mudd College report
Out of the 790 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Dartmouth College landed the #3 spot. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Get the full Dartmouth College report
You'll be in good company at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Buzzards Bay, MA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public institution. Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,420, with out-of-state students paying around $23,722. The median General Engineering program debt is $25,884. Read more about Massachusetts Maritime Academy
You'll be in good company at Duke University, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. See the full Duke University profile
Northwestern University placed #6 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read more about Northwestern University
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical General Engineering student debt is $16,097. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison General Engineering students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Brown University placed #9 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Typical General Engineering student debt is $14,500. Read the full report on Brown University
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University General Engineering students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their General Engineering program here. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Vanderbilt University General Engineering students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Wake Technical Community College placed #13 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read the full report on Wake Technical Community College
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Terre Haute, IN, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,046. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology General Engineering students take on a median of $25,148 in debt. Read more about Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. University Of Nebraska Lincoln posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their General Engineering program here. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical General Engineering student debt is $14,238. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Villanova University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Villanova University General Engineering students take on a median of $26,184 in debt. See the full Villanova University profile
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical General Engineering student debt is $20,031. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #19 position. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. University Of California Davis General Engineering students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Read more about University Of California Davis
University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Platteville, WI, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. The median General Engineering program debt is $23,677. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Lafayette College placed #21 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit school based in Easton, PA. Lafayette College graduates 88% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans. See the full Lafayette College profile
Michigan Technological University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Houghton, MI. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete their General Engineering program here. More on Michigan Technological University
Austin Community College District placed #23 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Austin Community College District is a public school based in Austin, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Austin Community College District General Engineering students take on a median of $15,375 in debt. Get the full Austin Community College District report
Swarthmore College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Set in Swarthmore, PA, Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their General Engineering program here. More on Swarthmore College
Colorado School Of Mines placed #25 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Colorado School Of Mines posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Engineering Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. The median General Engineering program debt is $20,836. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus General Engineering students take on a median of $19,844 in debt. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Santa Clara University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. Graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Read more about Santa Clara University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their General Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
Case Western Reserve University placed #30 among General Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. Case Western Reserve University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. More on Case Western Reserve University
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. University Of Colorado Boulder General Engineering students take on a median of $20,373 in debt. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
Grand Valley State University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Based in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Grand Valley State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Grand Valley State University General Engineering students take on a median of $26,378 in debt. Read more about Grand Valley State University
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. The median General Engineering program debt is $22,500. See the full Michigan State University profile
Auburn University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Read the full report on Auburn University
San Jose State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. More on San Jose State University
University Of Arkansas landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. University Of Arkansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical General Engineering student debt is $24,019. Get the full University Of Arkansas report
George Washington University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. George Washington University General Engineering students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. Get the full George Washington University report
Monroe Community College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Rochester, NY, Monroe Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. The median General Engineering program debt is $9,185. Read the full report on Monroe Community College
Hope College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Located in Holland, MI, Hope College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Hope College General Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Hope College
Tufts University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. The median General Engineering program debt is $17,074. Read more about Tufts University
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #41 position. This public school is set in Athens, GA. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Read more about University Of Georgia
Johns Hopkins University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Typical General Engineering student debt is $13,426. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
Cornell University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. The median General Engineering program debt is $15,005. See the full Cornell University profile
Northeastern University placed #44 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete their General Engineering program here. Get the full Northeastern University report
Loyola University Baltimore did well this year, earning the #45 position. Based in Baltimore, MD, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,150. The median General Engineering program debt is $27,000. See the full Loyola University Baltimore profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #46 in this year's ranking. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
James Madison University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. This public school is set in Harrisonburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. James Madison University General Engineering students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full James Madison University report
University Of Iowa came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete their General Engineering program here. See the full University Of Iowa profile
Calvin College did well this year, earning the #49 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Grand Rapids, MI. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read the full report on Calvin College
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri Columbia General Engineering students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Best General Engineering Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best General Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 790 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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