Structural Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best structural engineering schools.
The structural engineering program you select can have a big impact on your future. 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. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for structural engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 50 structural engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the structural engineering program make about $88,144 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete this degree.
Get the full structural engineering details for University Of Southern California
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the top schools for structural engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 216 structural engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the structural engineering program make about $77,511 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $16,400 in student loans.
Read more about the structural engineering program at University Of California San Diego
California State University Northridge is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in structural engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 23 structural engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Structural Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $74,430 early in their careers. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $18,732 in student loans.
See the full structural engineering program report for California State University Northridge
Michigan Technological University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in structural engineering, ranking #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 structural engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Structural Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $74,872 early in their careers. Michigan Technological University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full structural engineering details for Michigan Technological University
A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg one of the top schools for structural engineering. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public university. About 26% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 structural engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg in the most recent data year. Structural Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of $67,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,838 to complete this degree.
See the full structural engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
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), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 5 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).
