2026 Best Engineering Schools
Looking for the best Engineering programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 1312 institutions 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 Engineering Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Olin College, our #1 Engineering school in the United States. Located in Needham, MA, Olin College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,742. Olin College Engineering students take on a median of $14,512 in debt. See the full Olin College profile
Out of the 1312 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Dartmouth College landed the #2 spot. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $17,083 in student loans. Read the full report on Dartmouth College
A rank of #3 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the top choices in the United States. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,396. Graduates carry a median of $14,214 in student loans. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
A rank of #4 makes Harvard University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical Engineering student debt is $16,616. See the full Harvard University profile
Duke University came in at #5 on this year's Engineering ranking in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. The median Engineering program debt is $14,216. Read the full report on Duke University
Rice University did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Students borrow a median of $13,398 to complete their Engineering program here. Get the full Rice University report
Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Typical Engineering student debt is $16,567. See the full Northwestern University profile
Princeton University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Based in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Princeton University Engineering students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. More on Princeton University
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology placed #9 among Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Terre Haute, IN, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Students from in state pay about $56,046 in tuition and fees. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology Engineering students take on a median of $24,775 in debt. More on Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
Stanford University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete their Engineering program here. Read the full report on Stanford University
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #11 position. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical Engineering student debt is $20,258. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report
Brown University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete their Engineering program here. See the full Brown University profile
Massachusetts Maritime Academy placed #13 among Engineering schools in the United States. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public school based in Buzzards Bay, MA. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,420, while out-of-state students pay about $23,722. Typical Engineering student debt is $26,833. Read the full report on Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #14 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Engineering students take on a median of $22,573 in debt. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Vanderbilt University placed #15 among Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Vanderbilt University Engineering students take on a median of $16,167 in debt. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #16 among Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $15,838 in student loans. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Kettering University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Based in Flint, MI, Kettering University is a private not-for-profit institution. Kettering University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,425. Kettering University Engineering students take on a median of $29,762 in debt. See the full Kettering University profile
University Of California Berkeley placed #18 among Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,930 to complete their Engineering program here. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Bucknell University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lewisburg, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,837 to complete their Engineering program here. See the full Bucknell University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering student debt is $20,937. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set 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 average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical Engineering student debt is $21,400. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Pennsylvania placed #22 among Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $19,323 in student loans. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
National University placed #23 among Engineering schools in the United States. Set in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete their Engineering program here. See the full National University profile
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #24 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. The median Engineering program debt is $24,493. Get the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus report
Lafayette College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Located in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. The median Engineering program debt is $16,272. Read the full report on Lafayette College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Engineering Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Washington University In St Louis landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Engineering students take on a median of $19,688 in debt. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
Santa Clara University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Graduates carry a median of $24,197 in student loans. See the full Santa Clara University profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Engineering program debt is $19,654. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Cornell University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $13,684 in student loans. See the full Cornell University profile
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,445 to complete their Engineering program here. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Lehigh University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. Lehigh University Engineering students take on a median of $25,607 in debt. More on Lehigh University
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering student debt is $23,010. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
University Of Southern California landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Engineering program debt is $11,783. More on University Of Southern California
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Engineering students take on a median of $25,739 in debt. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #35 position. This public school is set in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical Engineering student debt is $20,769. More on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Menomonie, WI. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering student debt is $24,877. More on University Of Wisconsin Stout
Villanova University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,782 in student loans. More on Villanova University
University Of California Los Angeles placed #38 among Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,938 to complete their Engineering program here. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering program debt is $20,628. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Marquette University placed #40 among Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Marquette University Engineering students take on a median of $26,427 in debt. Get the full Marquette University report
Michigan Technological University placed #41 among Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Michigan Technological University Engineering students take on a median of $26,258 in debt. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
The College Of New Jersey came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. The College Of New Jersey Engineering students take on a median of $26,198 in debt. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,569 to complete their Engineering program here. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Dunwoody College Of Technology graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $27,477. The median Engineering program debt is $34,996. Read more about Dunwoody College Of Technology
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Engineering students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Johns Hopkins University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $14,269 to complete their Engineering program here. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #47 position. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,294 in student loans. See the full Michigan State University profile
Austin Community College District did well this year, earning the #48 position. Based in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Read more about Austin Community College District
Case Western Reserve University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Based in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. The median Engineering program debt is $24,598. More on Case Western Reserve University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #50 among Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,426 in student loans. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Best Engineering Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 1312 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.