Applied Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best applied engineering schools.
Where you study applied engineering matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Applied Engineering Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Applied 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.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Applied Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
No school ranked higher than Michigan Technological University this year for applied engineering. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 22 applied engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied engineering degree from Michigan Technological University earn around $64,652 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete this degree.
Get the full applied engineering details for Michigan Technological University
University Of Colorado Boulder is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in applied engineering, ranking #2. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 171 applied engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $115,924. Typical student debt for the program is $20,373.
More information about a degree in applied engineering from University Of Colorado Boulder
Students looking for a strong applied engineering program will find one at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Massachusetts Maritime Academy awarded about 30 applied engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied engineering degree from Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn around $77,139 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,884.
Read more about the applied engineering program at Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates 58% of students within six years. About 54 applied engineering degrees were awarded at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied engineering degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,049. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete this degree.
See the full applied engineering program report for Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Students looking for a strong applied engineering program will find one at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 82 applied engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied engineering degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $103,961 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546.
See the full applied engineering program report for Ohio University Main Campus
Savannah College Of Art And Design ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best applied engineering schools. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 104 applied engineering students who graduated with this degree at Savannah College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Applied Engineering graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,346.
See the full applied engineering program report for Savannah College Of Art And Design
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide placed #7 among the best applied engineering schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide graduates 23% of students within six years. About 70 applied engineering degrees were awarded at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide in the most recent year. Applied Engineering graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $76,517 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,787.
See the full applied engineering program report for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
Henry Ford Community College placed #8 among the best applied engineering schools. This large public university is located in the city of Dearborn. There were roughly 16 applied engineering students who graduated with this degree at Henry Ford Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied engineering degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Typical student debt for the program is $11,813.
Get the full applied engineering details for Henry Ford Community College
Daytona State College landed the #9 spot for applied engineering this year. This large public university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. There were roughly 35 applied engineering students who graduated with this degree at Daytona State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied engineering program make about $43,320 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,227 to complete this degree.
See the full applied engineering program report for Daytona State College
Wichita State University earned the #10 position for applied engineering this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 applied engineering students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied engineering degree from Wichita State University earn around $49,278 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,262.
Get the full applied engineering details for Wichita State University
Meridian Technology Center ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best applied engineering schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public institution. Meridian Technology Center awarded about 20 applied engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied engineering program make about $61,765 in their early career.
See the full applied engineering program report for Meridian Technology Center
This list is compiled 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 · 11 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).
