College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best General Engineering Schools

172 Colleges in the United States
11,796 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$68,873 Avg Early-Career Salary
General Engineering is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #79 most popular degree program in the country. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual reviewed 172 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of general engineering. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 11,796 degrees in general engineering during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Engineering School

Best General Engineering Schools The engineering program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Engineering rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for general engineering schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your General Engineering Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in Engineering
Master's Degrees in Engineering
Doctor's Degrees in Engineering

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best General Engineering Schools list to help you make the college decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for General Engineering in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Engineering

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
64 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$110,338 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in general engineering has to take a look at University of Wisconsin - Madison. Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were about 64 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. Those general engineering students who get their degree from University of Wisconsin - Madison make $41,465 more than the typical engineering student.

More information about a degree in general engineering from University of Wisconsin - Madison

2
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
142 Engineering Degrees Awarded
4.2% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in general engineering needs to check out Brown University. Located in the medium-sized city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Brown is a great university overall.

There were approximately 142 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients usually earn about $70,583 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Brown University

3
Dartmouth crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
153 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$58,277 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat Dartmouth College if you wish to pursue a degree in general engineering. Dartmouth is a medium-sized private not-for-profit college located in the remote town of Hanover. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Dartmouth is a great college overall.

There were roughly 153 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the engineering program state that they receive average early career earnings of $58,277.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Dartmouth College

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In PA
35 Engineering Degrees Awarded

Every student pursuing a degree in general engineering has to check out Carnegie Mellon University. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.

There were approximately 35 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Carnegie Mellon University

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
57th Most Popular In CA

UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 5 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general engineering from University of California - Berkeley

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
381 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$86,533 Median Starting Salary

UMCP is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of College Park. This university ranks 2nd out of 36 colleges for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were about 381 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent data year. General Engineering degree recipients from University of Maryland - College Park get an earnings boost of about $17,660 above the average income of general engineering majors.

More information about a degree in general engineering from University of Maryland - College Park

7
Olin College crest
Olin College
Needham, MA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
33 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$91,352 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Needham, Olin College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were roughly 33 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Olin College in the most recent data year. Those general engineering students who get their degree from Olin College receive $22,479 more than the average engineering grad.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Olin College

8
Harvey Mudd College crest
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
58 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$81,948 Median Starting Salary

Harvey Mudd College is a fairly small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Claremont. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Harvey Mudd College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 58 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Harvey Mudd College in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general engineering degree program at Harvey Mudd College earn $13,075 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Harvey Mudd College

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
58 Engineering Degrees Awarded
24.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were about 58 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. General Engineering degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles earn a boost of approximately $47,409 over the average earnings of general engineering majors.

More information about a degree in general engineering from University of California - Los Angeles

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IN
96 Engineering Degrees Awarded

Purdue is a fairly large public university located in the city of West Lafayette. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were about 96 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Purdue University - Main Campus

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In TX
70 Engineering Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 70 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Texas A&M University - College Station

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Engineering Degrees Awarded
12.5% Growth in Graduates

UNL is a very large public university located in the large city of Lincoln. This university ranks 2nd out of 19 schools for overall quality in the state of Nebraska.

There were about 48 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at UNL in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general engineering degree program at University of Nebraska - Lincoln make $28,697 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general engineering from University of Nebraska - Lincoln

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MA
320 Engineering Degrees Awarded

Northeastern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. This university ranks 7th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 320 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Northeastern University

14
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In TN

Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were roughly 10 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Vanderbilt University

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
49 Engineering Degrees Awarded
46.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 schools for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were roughly 49 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent data year. General Engineering degree recipients from University of Connecticut get an earnings boost of approximately $23,683 above the average income of general engineering majors.

More information about a degree in general engineering from University of Connecticut

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In OH

Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Cleveland. This university ranks 1st out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 13 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Case Western in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Case Western Reserve University

17
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
20th Most Popular In IL
16.7% Growth in Graduates

Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were roughly 6 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Northwestern University

18
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
57th Most Popular In CA
40.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Santa Clara, SCU is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 12th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 5 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Santa Clara University

19
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In PA
11.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 18 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Villanova in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Villanova University

20
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
106 Engineering Degrees Awarded
10.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 34 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arkansas.

There were approximately 106 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general engineering program at University of Arkansas make $24,393 above the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general engineering from University of Arkansas

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
96 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$105,752 Median Starting Salary

CU - Boulder is a fairly large public university located in the city of Boulder. This university ranks 2nd out of 33 schools for overall quality in the state of Colorado.

There were roughly 96 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at CU - Boulder in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general engineering major at University of Colorado Boulder make $36,879 more than the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general engineering from University of Colorado Boulder

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In IL

Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 14 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

23
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In CO
62.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Golden, Mines is a public school with a medium-sized student population. This school ranks 1st out of 33 colleges for overall quality in the state of Colorado.

There were about 8 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Mines in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Colorado School of Mines

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
15th Most Popular In MD
66.7% Growth in Graduates

Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were approximately 6 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Johns Hopkins University

25
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
152 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$94,330 Median Starting Salary

OHIO Athens is a very large public university located in the distant town of Athens. This university ranks 9th out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 152 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent year we have data available. General Engineering degree recipients from Ohio University - Athens Campus earn a boost of around $25,457 above the typical earnings of general engineering majors.

More information about a degree in general engineering from Ohio University - Athens Campus

Rest of the Top Best General Engineering Schools

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for General Engineering students that almost earned our Best General Engineering Schools award.

Rank College Location
26 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
27 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
28 Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI
29 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
30 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
31 Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA
32 Trinity College Hartford, CT
33 Hope College Holland, MI
34 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ

General Engineering by Region

View the Best General Engineering Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

General Engineering is one of 41 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.

Engineering Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Engineering 9,018
Pre-Engineering 2,437
Applied Engineering 341

View All Engineering Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Engineering

Related Major Annual Graduates
Mechanical Engineering 46,178
Electrical Engineering 28,844
Civil Engineering 21,388
Computer Engineering 17,987
Chemical Engineering 12,917
Biomedical Engineering 12,811
Industrial Engineering 9,072
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering 8,001
Systems Engineering 3,904
Materials Engineering 3,415

View All Engineering Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options