2027 Best Pre-Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
Pre-Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their pre-engineering programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 89 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for pre-engineering students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Pre-Engineering in the United States
See the highest-ranked pre-engineering schools offering a associate’s degree below.
Top Schools in Pre-Engineering
Salt Lake Community College tops our 2027 ranking of the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 38 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #2 makes Utah Valley University one of the top schools for pre-engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Orem. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 187 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Typical student debt for the program is $16,478.
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Santa Rosa Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pre-engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 25 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree.
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Santa Ana College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pre-engineering, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Ana. Santa Ana College awarded about 20 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree.
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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. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete this degree.
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Diablo Valley College landed the #6 spot for pre-engineering this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. 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. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans.
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Dixie State College Of Utah placed #7 among the best pre-engineering schools. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. There were roughly 77 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Dixie State College Of Utah in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $42,266 in their early career. Dixie State College Of Utah graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans.
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San Diego Miramar College placed #8 among the best pre-engineering schools. 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. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans.
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Santa Barbara City College placed #9 among the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 27 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Santa Barbara City College earn around $68,184 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090.
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Wake Technical Community College placed #10 among the best pre-engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Raleigh. There were roughly 118 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $38,673 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Wake Technical Community College
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #11 among the best pre-engineering schools. 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. Pre-Engineering graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete this degree.
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Cuesta College placed #12 among the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. There were roughly 12 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Cuesta College earn around $64,492 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree.
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Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #13 spot for pre-engineering this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. There were roughly 27 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $51,483 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree.
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Chabot College earned the #14 position for pre-engineering this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. There were roughly 25 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Chabot College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $85,175 in their early career. Chabot College graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans.
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Mesa Community College placed #15 among the best pre-engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. Mesa Community College awarded about 47 pre-engineering degrees 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.
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Central Piedmont Community College landed the #16 spot for pre-engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. There were roughly 47 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree.
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Henry Ford Community College placed #17 among the best pre-engineering schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Henry Ford Community College awarded about 26 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Henry Ford Community College earn around $36,247 in the first couple years of their career. Henry Ford Community College graduates carry a median of $11,813 in student loans.
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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. Suny Westchester Community College graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans.
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Central New Mexico Community College earned the #19 position for pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 54 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $34,751 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree.
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College Of San Mateo placed #20 among the best pre-engineering schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. There were roughly 15 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831.
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Cabrillo College placed #21 among the best pre-engineering schools. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. About 37 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Cabrillo College in the most recent year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $47,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,425.
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University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #22 position for pre-engineering this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. About 38% of students finish within six years. About 32 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas Fort Smith in the most recent year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $39,204 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete this degree.
See the full pre-engineering program report for University Of Arkansas Fort Smith
Santa Monica College came in at #23 for pre-engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Monica. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year.
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Oklahoma City Community College earned the #24 position for pre-engineering this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. There were roughly 33 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma City Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $39,848 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,750.
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Clovis Community College Fresno ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. About 61 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Clovis Community College Fresno in the most recent year.
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Rest of the Top 50 Pre-Engineering Schools
These schools also placed among the best for pre-engineering this year:
Other Pre-Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best pre-engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All Pre-Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 89 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
