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Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

204 Colleges
$69,005 Avg Salary
$24,728 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Engineering School for You

With 198,468 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, engineering is the #7 most popular major in the United States.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 204 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Engineering program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Engineering Colleges.

#1

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

Our analysis found Purdue University - Main Campus to be the most popular school for engineering students who want to pursue a degree in the Great Lakes Region . Purdue is a very large public school located in the small city of West Lafayette.

While working on their degree, engineering majors at Purdue accumulate an average of around $20,319 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $496.

Read full report on Engineering at Purdue University - Main Campus

Out of the 204 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the # 2 spot on the list. U-M is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.

While working on their degree, engineering majors at U-M accumulate an average of around $19,282 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $434, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

The excellent programs at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region . UIUC is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign.

On average, engineering graduates from UIUC take out $19,526 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $498.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Out of the 204 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the # 4 spot on the list. Ohio State is a very large public school located in the large city of Columbus.

The average amount in student loans that engineering majors at Ohio State take out is $24,428. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $285.

Read full report on Engineering at Ohio State University - Main Campus

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Wisconsin - Madison is a great place for engineering students. UW - Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison.

While working on their degree, engineering majors at UW - Madison accumulate an average of around $24,429 in student debt.

Full Engineering at University of Wisconsin - Madison Report

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Cincinnati, UC is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, engineering graduates from UC carry an average student debt load of $24,173. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $258, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Michigan Technological University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the remote town of Houghton, Michigan Tech is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, engineering graduates from Michigan Tech carry an average student debt load of $26,050. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $284.

Full Engineering at Michigan Technological University Report

#8

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for engineering students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Engineering majors at Michigan State take out an average of $25,002 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $385.

Read full report on Engineering at Michigan State University

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for engineering students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, engineering majors at UIC accumulate an average of around $21,050 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $217.

Read More…

#10

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for engineering students. It came in at #10 on the list. Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston.

After completing their degree, engineering graduates from Northwestern carry an average student debt load of $15,958.

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University of Michigan - Dearborn came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UM Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the medium-sized city of Dearborn.

Engineering majors at UM Dearborn take out an average of $23,985 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $290, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Engineering at University of Michigan - Dearborn Report

#12

University of Toledo

Toledo, OH

With a ranking of #12, University of Toledo did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for engineering students. University of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo.

The average amount in student loans that engineering majors at University of Toledo take out is $21,723. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $215, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Toledo

Case Western Reserve University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, engineering graduates from Case Western carry an average student debt load of $25,096. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $391.

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Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

After completing their degree, engineering graduates from Illinois Tech carry an average student debt load of $24,766.

Full Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology Report

#15

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH

With a ranking of #15, University of Dayton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for engineering students. UDayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton.

Engineering majors at UDayton take out an average of $24,537 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $487.

Full Engineering at University of Dayton Report

With a ranking of #16, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for engineering students. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Akron.

While working on their degree, engineering majors at University of Akron Main Campus accumulate an average of around $22,710 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $228.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

University of Wisconsin - Platteville came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW - Platteville is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Platteville.

On average, engineering graduates from UW - Platteville take out $24,801 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $180.

Read More…

#18

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for engineering students. It came in at #18 on the list. Oakland is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills.

While working on their degree, engineering majors at Oakland accumulate an average of around $26,065 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $203, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Engineering at Oakland University

#19

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, engineering graduates from Wayne State take out $27,085 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#20

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

University of Notre Dame landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular engineering programs. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Notre Dame.

After completing their degree, engineering graduates from Notre Dame carry an average student debt load of $19,915. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $571.

Full Engineering at University of Notre Dame Report

With a ranking of #21, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for engineering students. OHIO Athens is a very large public school located in the distant town of Athens.

While working on their degree, engineering majors at OHIO Athens accumulate an average of around $26,100 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $365, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

With a ranking of #22, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for engineering students. IUPUI is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis.

After completing their degree, engineering graduates from IUPUI carry an average student debt load of $25,278. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $175, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Engineering at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Report

Milwaukee School of Engineering did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for engineering students. It came in at #23 on the list. MSOE is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee.

On average, engineering graduates from MSOE take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $293.

Read More…

With a ranking of #24, Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for engineering students. Located in the large suburb of Wright-Patterson AFB, AFIT Graduate School of Engineering & Management is a public college with a small student population.

Full Engineering at Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management Report

#25

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public college with a large student population.

Engineering majors at Cleveland State University take out an average of $25,722 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#27

Kettering University

Flint, MI
#28

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Engineering students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Most Popular Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
31 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
32 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL
33 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
34 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
35 Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MI
36 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH
37 Bradley University Peoria, IL
38 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL
39 University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI
40 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI

Best Engineering Colleges by State

Explore the best engineering colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Indiana 5,383
Michigan 8,586
Ohio 8,648
Illinois 6,581
Wisconsin 3,396

Engineering Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Mechanical Engineering 46,178
Electrical Engineering 28,844
Civil Engineering 21,388
Computer Engineering 17,987
Chemical Engineering 12,917
Biomedical Engineering 12,811
General Engineering 11,796
Industrial Engineering 9,072
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering 8,001
Systems Engineering 3,904
Materials Engineering 3,415
Other Engineering 2,760
Environmental Engineering 2,759
Operations Research 1,698
Agricultural Engineering 1,472
Engineering Science 1,454
Electrical and Computer Engineering. 1,378
Petroleum Engineering 1,256
Robotics Engineering 1,243
Architectural Engineering 1,012
Engineering Physics 994
Manufacturing Engineering 947
Construction Engineering 878
Nuclear Engineering 864
Marine Engineering 445
Biological Engineering 410
Polymer & Plastics Engineering 360
Geoscience Engineering 325
Mining Engineering 314
Textile Engineering 310
Ocean Engineering 285
Engineering Mechanics 272
Metallurgical Engineering 179
Energy Systems Engineering 138
Biochemical Engineering 109
Ceramic Engineering 94
Surveying Engineering 73
Electromechanical Engineering 45
Forest Engineering 41
Paper Science & Engineering 27
Engineering Chemistry 13

Majors Similar to Engineering

Related Major Annual Graduates
Computer & Information Sciences 254,454
Biological & Biomedical Sciences 177,778
Engineering Technologies 85,188
Mathematics & Statistics 52,396
Physical Sciences 50,306

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Petty Officer 3rd Class Declan Barnes.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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