2026 Best Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Engineering doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1312 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology tops our 2026 ranking of the best Engineering doctoral degree schools in the United States. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Typical Engineering student debt is $14,214. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Out of the 1312 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Harvard University Engineering students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. More on Harvard University
Rice University came in at #3 on this year's Engineering ranking in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Rice University Engineering students take on a median of $13,398 in debt. More on Rice University
Out of the 1312 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Duke University landed the #4 spot. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,216 to complete their Engineering program here. Get the full Duke University report
The strong Engineering programs at Princeton University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Princeton University Engineering students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Read more about Princeton University
Northwestern University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,567 to complete their Engineering program here. Read the full report on Northwestern University
University Of Notre Dame ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $20,258 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,573 to complete their Engineering program here. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
Brown University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based 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 average $71,312. Typical Engineering student debt is $14,500. Read the full report on Brown University
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Engineering students take on a median of $15,838 in debt. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $19,323 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Vanderbilt University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,167 in student loans. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,937 to complete their Engineering program here. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Washington University In St Louis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. The median Engineering program debt is $19,688. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,493 to complete their Engineering program here. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of California Berkeley placed #16 among Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering program debt is $14,930. More on University Of California Berkeley
Santa Clara University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Graduates carry a median of $24,197 in student loans. More on Santa Clara University
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. The median Engineering program debt is $13,684. More on Cornell University
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. The median Engineering program debt is $20,445. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #20 among Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $19,654 in student loans. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering student debt is $23,010. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Colorado School Of Mines placed #22 among Engineering schools in the United States. Colorado School Of Mines is a public school based in Golden, CO. Colorado School Of Mines posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Colorado School Of Mines Engineering students take on a median of $24,569 in debt. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Engineering students take on a median of $20,769 in debt. More on Texas A And M University College Station
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $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
Lehigh University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. The median Engineering program debt is $25,607. Read more about Lehigh University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Southern California came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,783 to complete their Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Southern California report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #27 in this year's ranking. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,628 in student loans. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Michigan Technological University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Based in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Michigan Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Michigan Technological University Engineering students take on a median of $26,258 in debt. Read more about Michigan Technological University
Marquette University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,170. The median Engineering program debt is $26,427. See the full Marquette University profile
Case Western Reserve University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. The median Engineering program debt is $24,598. Read the full report on Case Western Reserve University
Stanford University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Stanford University
Michigan State University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Michigan State University Engineering students take on a median of $25,294 in debt. Read more about Michigan State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #33 position. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Engineering students take on a median of $24,572 in debt. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Iowa State University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,874 to complete their Engineering program here. Read more about Iowa State University
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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
Tufts University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Tufts University Engineering students take on a median of $16,000 in debt. Read more about Tufts University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #37 among Engineering schools in the United States. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Engineering student debt is $21,991. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lawrence Technological University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit school based in Southfield, MI. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $44,760. Lawrence Technological University Engineering students take on a median of $30,029 in debt. See the full Lawrence Technological University profile
University Of Florida placed #40 among Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,748 to complete their Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Florida report
University Of Delaware placed #41 among Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete their Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Delaware report
Southern Methodist University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. The median Engineering program debt is $19,104. Read the full report on Southern Methodist University
Johns Hopkins University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $14,269 to complete their Engineering program here. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Engineering students take on a median of $15,426 in debt. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical Engineering student debt is $15,001. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Barbara
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,078. Students borrow a median of $25,796 to complete their Engineering program here. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report
University Of Arkansas placed #47 among Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fayetteville, AR. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering student debt is $25,158. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas
University Of Dayton ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Based in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. The median Engineering program debt is $26,009. More on University Of Dayton
George Washington University placed #49 among Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete their Engineering program here. See the full George Washington University profile
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. The median Engineering program debt is $24,390. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
Related Engineering Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- 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
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).