2026 Best General Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General Engineering bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 790 schools 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Olin College this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Needham, MA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $63,742 in tuition and fees. The median General Engineering program debt is $14,512. More on Olin College
The strong General Engineering programs at Harvey Mudd College earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,613. Students borrow a median of $22,240 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read more about Harvey Mudd College
Out of the 790 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Massachusetts Maritime Academy landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Buzzards Bay, MA. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,420, with out-of-state students paying around $23,722. Students borrow a median of $25,884 to complete their General Engineering program here. Get the full Massachusetts Maritime Academy report
You'll be in good company at Northwestern University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Northwestern University General Engineering students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #5 on this year's General Engineering ranking in the United States. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University General Engineering students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Brown University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Typical General Engineering student debt is $14,500. See the full Brown University profile
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based 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. See the full Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology profile
University Of California Davis placed #8 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. The median General Engineering program debt is $15,000. Get the full University Of California Davis report
Lafayette College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Easton, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,648. Graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans. Read more about Lafayette College
Swarthmore College placed #10 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit school based in Swarthmore, PA. Swarthmore College graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical General Engineering student debt is $19,500. Read the full report on Swarthmore College
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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
Santa Clara University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clara, CA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Read more about Santa Clara University
Michigan State University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read more about Michigan State University
Colorado School Of Mines did well this year, earning the #14 position. Colorado School Of Mines is a public school based in Golden, CO. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #15 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical General Engineering student debt is $22,910. More on George Washington University
Case Western Reserve University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, OH. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete their General Engineering program here. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report
Grand Valley State University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Grand Valley State University General Engineering students take on a median of $26,378 in debt. Read more about Grand Valley State University
Hope College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Based in Holland, MI, Hope College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Hope College General Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Hope College report
Tufts University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Read the full report on Tufts University
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. The median General Engineering program debt is $20,373. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
Cornell University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Cornell University General Engineering students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. See the full Cornell University profile
Loyola University Baltimore ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Loyola University Baltimore posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,150. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Loyola University Baltimore
James Madison University did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Harrisonburg, VA. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical General Engineering student debt is $25,000. Get the full James Madison University report
Michigan Technological University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Set in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University
Calvin College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, Calvin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Calvin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Calvin College General Engineering students take on a median of $23,000 in debt. Read the full report on Calvin College
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Rochester landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Located in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete their General Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Rochester report
Trinity College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Trinity College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hartford, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $70,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete their General Engineering program here. Get the full Trinity College report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. North Carolina State University At Raleigh General Engineering students take on a median of $30,518 in debt. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Gonzaga University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. Gonzaga University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read the full report on Gonzaga University
Texas Christian University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Graduates carry a median of $22,944 in student loans. See the full Texas Christian University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. University Of Virginia Main Campus General Engineering students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Elizabethtown College placed #32 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit school based in Elizabethtown, PA. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $37,950. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read more about Elizabethtown College
Arizona State University placed #33 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Arizona State University General Engineering students take on a median of $26,113 in debt. See the full Arizona State University profile
Milwaukee School Of Engineering landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee School Of Engineering graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. The median General Engineering program debt is $27,667. Read more about Milwaukee School Of Engineering
University Of San Diego ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Set in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. The median General Engineering program debt is $23,795. More on University Of San Diego
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #36 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete their General Engineering program here. Get the full Ohio University Main Campus report
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Typical General Engineering student debt is $24,755. Read the full report on New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Baylor University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waco, TX. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical General Engineering student debt is $23,928. Get the full Baylor University report
San Jose State University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Get the full San Jose State University report
Old Dominion University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Old Dominion University is a public school based in Norfolk, VA. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. More on Old Dominion University
Drexel University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Read the full report on Drexel University
Miami University Oxford came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Oxford, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. The median General Engineering program debt is $24,177. Read more about Miami University Oxford
Smith College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Smith College is a private not-for-profit school based in Northampton, MA. Smith College graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their General Engineering program here. More on Smith College
John Brown University did well this year, earning the #45 position. John Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Siloam Springs, AR. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,756. Students borrow a median of $25,488 to complete their General Engineering program here. See the full John Brown University profile
Messiah College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Set in Mechanicsburg, PA, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,798 in student loans. Read more about Messiah College
Tennessee Technological University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Tennessee Technological University is a public school based in Cookeville, TN. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Tennessee Technological University General Engineering students take on a median of $17,580 in debt. Read more about Tennessee Technological University
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in University, MS. University Of Mississippi Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical General Engineering student debt is $22,444. More on University Of Mississippi Main Campus
Mercer University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Mercer University is a private not-for-profit school based in Macon, GA. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Mercer University General Engineering students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read more about Mercer University
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #50 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public school based in Mankato, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Minnesota State University Mankato General Engineering students take on a median of $27,627 in debt. Read more about Minnesota State University Mankato
Related General Engineering Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best General Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best General Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Associate’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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