Pre-Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 96 schools to find the best for pre-engineering students.
Where you study pre-engineering matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Pre-Engineering Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Pre-Engineering School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Pre-Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Salt Lake Community College tops our 2027 ranking of the best pre-engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 38 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Salt Lake Community College earn around $42,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete this degree.
See the full pre-engineering program report for Salt Lake Community College
Utah Valley University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pre-engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 187 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $51,242 in their early career. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Utah Valley University
Santa Ana College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pre-engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 163 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Santa Ana College graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Santa Ana College
Students looking for a strong pre-engineering program will find one at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 25 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Santa Rosa Junior College
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. About 25 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Hudson Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Hudson Valley Community College earn around $43,989 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,000.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Hudson Valley Community College
Moorpark College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 43 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $105,599 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Moorpark College
Diablo Valley College earned the #7 position for pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. There were roughly 17 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $27,813 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Diablo Valley College
Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #8 spot for pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. About 28% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Dixie State College Of Utah in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Dixie State College Of Utah earn around $42,266 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,666.
See the full pre-engineering program report for Dixie State College Of Utah
San Diego Miramar College earned the #9 position for pre-engineering this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 44 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Pre-Engineering graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,098.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at San Diego Miramar College
Santa Barbara City College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. About 27 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Santa Barbara City College
Wake Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Wake Technical Community College awarded about 118 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Wake Technical Community College earn around $38,673 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Wake Technical Community College
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #12 for pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 32 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Chandler Gilbert Community College earn around $46,943 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Chandler Gilbert Community College
Cuesta College came in at #13 for pre-engineering this year. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. About 12 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Cuesta College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree.
See the full pre-engineering program report for Cuesta College
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #14 spot for pre-engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glendale. About 27 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Chabot College landed the #15 spot for pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. About 25 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Chabot College in the most recent year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,122.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Chabot College
Mesa Community College placed #16 among the best pre-engineering schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 47 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Mesa Community College
Central Piedmont Community College placed #17 among the best pre-engineering schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. About 47 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $40,629 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,861.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Central Piedmont Community College
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #18 position for pre-engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Valhalla. About 23 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Suny Westchester Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $57,520 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,764.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Suny Westchester Community College
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #19 for pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 54 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $34,751 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,112.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Central New Mexico Community College
Santa Monica College earned the #20 position for pre-engineering this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Santa Monica College awarded about 68 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full pre-engineering program report for Santa Monica College
College Of San Mateo earned the #21 position for pre-engineering this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. College Of San Mateo awarded about 15 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from College Of San Mateo
Cabrillo College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best pre-engineering schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aptos. Cabrillo College awarded about 37 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $47,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,425.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Cabrillo College
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #23 spot for pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates 38% of students within six years. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith awarded about 32 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $39,204 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith
Henry Ford Community College came in at #24 for pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Henry Ford Community College awarded about 26 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,813.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Henry Ford Community College
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 33 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma City Community College in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Oklahoma City Community College graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Oklahoma City Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Pre-Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s pre-engineering ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 96 schools evaluated.
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 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).
