2026 Best General Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 790 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Dartmouth College, our #1 General Engineering school in the United States. Located in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete their General Engineering program here. More on Dartmouth College
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on this year's General Engineering ranking in the United States. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Out of the 790 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #3 spot. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical General Engineering student debt is $21,813. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #4 makes Brown University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete their General Engineering program here. See the full Brown University profile
You'll be in good company at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #5 this year. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More on Vanderbilt University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #6 among General Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical General Engineering student debt is $22,386. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #7 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Platteville, WI, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Carnegie Mellon University placed #8 among General Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
Purdue University Main Campus placed #9 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical General Engineering student debt is $19,844. More on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. The median General Engineering program debt is $20,373. Get the full University Of Colorado Boulder report
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Case Western Reserve University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 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
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #13 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Grand Valley State University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Grand Valley State University is a public school based in Allendale, MI. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The median General Engineering program debt is $26,378. Read the full report on Grand Valley State University
San Jose State University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Read more about San Jose State University
Auburn University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. The median General Engineering program debt is $22,803. More on Auburn University
University Of Arkansas placed #17 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. University Of Arkansas General Engineering students take on a median of $24,019 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas
Northeastern University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Boston, MA, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. See the full Northeastern University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. This public school is set 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station General Engineering students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. More on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Georgia came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete their General Engineering program here. More on University Of Georgia
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Based in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. The median General Engineering program debt is $23,250. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Colorado School Of Mines placed #23 among General Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Golden, CO. Colorado School Of Mines posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Lamar University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Lamar University is a public school based in Beaumont, TX. Lamar University posts a six-year graduation rate of 37%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. More on Lamar University
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #26 among General Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical General Engineering student debt is $22,053. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Portland landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Portland, OR, University Of Portland is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Portland posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical General Engineering student debt is $23,169. Read more about University Of Portland
Michigan Technological University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Houghton, MI. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. See the full Michigan Technological University profile
Milwaukee School Of Engineering ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a private not-for-profit institution. Milwaukee School Of Engineering graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,480. Typical General Engineering student debt is $27,667. Read the full report on Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Southern Methodist University did well this year, earning the #30 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dallas, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Read the full report on Southern Methodist University
Colorado State University Fort Collins did well this year, earning the #31 position. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. Colorado State University Fort Collins posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. The median General Engineering program debt is $22,843. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
South Dakota State University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Based in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. The median General Engineering program debt is $24,989. Read the full report on South Dakota State University
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #33 among General Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public school based in Birmingham, AL. About 64% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete their General Engineering program here. See the full University Of Alabama At Birmingham profile
Louisiana Tech University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Ruston, LA, Louisiana Tech University is a public institution. Louisiana Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Read the full report on Louisiana Tech University
University Of Minnesota Duluth did well this year, earning the #35 position. This public school is set in Duluth, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical General Engineering student debt is $24,624. See the full University Of Minnesota Duluth profile
University Of Connecticut came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. University Of Connecticut posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
Baylor University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waco, TX. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read the full report on Baylor University
University Of The Pacific ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Based in Stockton, CA, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of The Pacific posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. Typical General Engineering student debt is $23,514. See the full University Of The Pacific profile
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Set in Colorado Springs, CO, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. The median General Engineering program debt is $23,559. More on University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Central Michigan University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Mount Pleasant, MI, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Central Michigan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read the full report on Central Michigan University
University Of Arizona ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Arizona
Rowan University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Glassboro, NJ. Rowan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. The median General Engineering program debt is $24,488. More on Rowan University
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Arizona State University Skysong General Engineering students take on a median of $23,742 in debt. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
University Of California Irvine ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best General Engineering schools. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. University Of California Irvine posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical General Engineering student debt is $16,539. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Huntsville, AL, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. The median General Engineering program debt is $24,797. Read more about University Of Alabama At Huntsville
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach graduates 66% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,074. Students borrow a median of $22,845 to complete their General Engineering program here. More on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #47 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Pomona, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. California State Polytechnic University Pomona General Engineering students take on a median of $17,226 in debt. Get the full California State Polytechnic University Pomona report
West Texas A And M University placed #48 among General Engineering schools in the United States. West Texas A And M University is a public school based in Canyon, TX. West Texas A And M University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. The median General Engineering program debt is $22,333. Read more about West Texas A And M University
Mississippi State University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Mississippi State University is a public school based in Mississippi State, MS. Mississippi State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. See the full Mississippi State University profile
Oregon Institute Of Technology landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Located in Klamath Falls, OR, Oregon Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Students from in state pay about $13,260 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,196. Students borrow a median of $27,551 to complete their General Engineering program here. Read more about Oregon Institute Of Technology
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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).