2026 Best Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Engineering graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1312 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 analyzed 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 Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Harvard University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Engineering graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. About 98% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. The median Engineering program debt is $16,616. Get the full Harvard University report
Duke University came in at #2 on this year's Engineering ranking in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Duke University Engineering students take on a median of $14,216 in debt. Get the full Duke University report
Auburn University came in at #3 on this year's Engineering ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. Auburn University posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical Engineering student debt is $23,167. Read the full report on Auburn University
You'll be in good company at Stanford University, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University Engineering students take on a median of $7,500 in debt. See the full Stanford University profile
The strong Engineering programs at Texas A And M University College Station earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete their Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $19,688 in student loans. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,991 to complete their Engineering program here. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #9 among Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,572 to complete their Engineering program here. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #10 in this year's ranking. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $20,937 in student loans. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Michigan Technological University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Houghton, MI. Michigan Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Graduates carry a median of $26,258 in student loans. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school based in San Luis Obispo, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,400 in student loans. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
Lehigh University placed #13 among Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Lehigh University Engineering students take on a median of $25,607 in debt. Read the full report on Lehigh University
University Of Southern California came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. The median Engineering program debt is $11,783. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,654 to complete their Engineering program here. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #16 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Villanova, PA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,782 in student loans. See the full Villanova University profile
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #17 among Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,808 to complete their Engineering program here. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #18 among Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Louis University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Graduates carry a median of $26,405 in student loans. More on Saint Louis University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical Engineering student debt is $23,010. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $24,569 in student loans. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
San Jose State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. San Jose State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Read more about San Jose State University
University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #22 position. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $20,748 in student loans. See the full University Of Florida profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering student debt is $25,739. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Loyola Marymount University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Loyola Marymount University Engineering students take on a median of $26,838 in debt. More on Loyola Marymount University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #25 position. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Engineering students take on a median of $26,166 in debt. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Johns Hopkins University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Located 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. Typical Engineering student debt is $14,269. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Engineering program here. More on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Drexel University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Drexel University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Drexel University Engineering students take on a median of $30,230 in debt. Get the full Drexel University report
University Of Arizona landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering program debt is $20,031. Read more about University Of Arizona
Tufts University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical Engineering student debt is $16,000. Read the full report on Tufts University
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $20,445 in student loans. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
University Of Dayton came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,140. University Of Dayton Engineering students take on a median of $26,009 in debt. Get the full University Of Dayton report
Lawrence Technological University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Based in Southfield, MI, Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lawrence Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Typical Engineering student debt is $30,029. Get the full Lawrence Technological University report
Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. Typical Engineering student debt is $26,985. Read the full report on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #35 position. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. The median Engineering program debt is $22,250. Get the full George Washington University report
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #36 among Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public school based in Dearborn, MI. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete their Engineering program here. More on University Of Michigan Dearborn
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Iowa State University Engineering students take on a median of $24,874 in debt. Read the full report on Iowa State University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Engineering students take on a median of $12,692 in debt. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Clarkson University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Potsdam, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,398. Clarkson University Engineering students take on a median of $26,987 in debt. Read the full report on Clarkson University
Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hoboken, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $63,462. Graduates carry a median of $26,841 in student loans. See the full Stevens Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Iowa landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. University Of Iowa Engineering students take on a median of $25,171 in debt. Read more about University Of Iowa
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. The median Engineering program debt is $24,390. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. The median Engineering program debt is $24,233. Get the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology report
Old Dominion University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Located in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Old Dominion University Engineering students take on a median of $25,247 in debt. Read more about Old Dominion University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,066 to complete their Engineering program here. More on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #46 among Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering student debt is $25,024. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Students borrow a median of $22,180 to complete their Engineering program here. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,817 in student loans. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Engineering schools. Based in Rapid City, SD, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,500, compared with $14,900 for out-of-state students. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology Engineering students take on a median of $26,262 in debt. Get the full South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology report
Related Engineering Rankings
See rankings for 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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).
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