Structural Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best structural engineering schools.
The school you choose for structural engineering can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Structural Engineering rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Structural Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
Best Schools for Structural Engineering in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the structural engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in structural engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 59 structural engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $88,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete this degree.
See the full structural engineering program report for University Of Southern California
University Of California San Diego is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in structural engineering, ranking #2. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 164 structural engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $77,511. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $16,400 in student loans.
More information about a degree in structural engineering from University Of California San Diego
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for structural engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 structural engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Structural Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $73,722 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full structural engineering details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the top schools for structural engineering. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 structural engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their structural engineering degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $81,332 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,374 in student loans.
See the full structural engineering program report for University Of Central Florida
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best structural engineering schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg graduates 26% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 structural engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in structural engineering from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
California State University Northridge came in at #6 for structural engineering this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. About 14 structural engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Structural Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,430 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,732.
More information about a degree in structural engineering from California State University Northridge
Lehigh University earned the #7 position for structural engineering this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. Lehigh University awarded about 15 structural engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their structural engineering degree from Lehigh University earn around $73,545 in the first couple years of their career. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full structural engineering details for Lehigh University
Michigan Technological University placed #8 among the best structural engineering schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Michigan Technological University awarded about 12 structural engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $74,872. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full structural engineering program report for Michigan Technological University
Structural Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 32 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).
