by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 217 U.S. colleges awarded 3,489 degrees and certificates in Pre-Engineering. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 81% of graduates. College Factual ranks 96 schools in its 2027 Best Pre-Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $79,134 one year after completing, rising to $94,387 after four years.
A degree in Pre-Engineering covers Pre-Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals For Admission Or Transfer To A Baccalaureate-Level Program In Any Of The Fields Of Engineering. Examples: [Pre-Engineering Transfer Program].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., pre-engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 3,489 degrees awarded annually. 217 colleges award pre-engineering degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 187.
By level, the 3,489 awards include 257 certificates, 2,809 associate degrees, 20 bachelor’s degrees and 403 master’s degrees.
Women earned 20% of pre-engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (704 of 3,489). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,538) and Hispanic or Latino (1,029), and international students earned 91.
College Factual ranks 96 schools in its 2027 Best Pre-Engineering Schools ranking, including 89 for associate degrees. It also ranks pre-engineering schools within 9 states. In all, 217 colleges offer pre-engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Pre-Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
How long a pre-engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 257 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,809 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 20 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 403 |
Pre-Engineering has 2 similar majors in the Engineering field, which together award 11,300 degrees a year; the largest are Engineering, General (10,652) and Applied Engineering (648). Browse all Engineering majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering, General | 10,652 |
| Applied Engineering | 648 |
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