2027 Best Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for engineering students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Engineering in Pennsylvania
If you are not 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.
Top Schools in Engineering
Leading the list is Carnegie Mellon University, our #1 school for engineering. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 1,843 engineering degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $147,056. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $22,573 in student loans.
Read more about the engineering program at Carnegie Mellon University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 898 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $83,901 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $19,323 in student loans.
See the full engineering program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Thomas Jefferson University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in engineering, ranking #3. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 69% of students finish within six years. Thomas Jefferson University awarded about 33 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete this degree.
Get the full engineering details for Thomas Jefferson University
Villanova University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 415 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $85,336 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,782 to complete this degree.
Read more about the engineering program at Villanova University
Students looking for a strong engineering program will find one at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans.
More information about a degree in engineering from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Bucknell University came in at #6 for engineering this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 172 engineering degrees were awarded at Bucknell University in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $83,797 early in their careers. Bucknell University graduates carry a median of $26,837 in student loans.
Get the full engineering details for Bucknell University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 2,257 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $74,978 early in their careers. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans.
See the full engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Lafayette College placed #8 among the best engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Easton. Lafayette College graduates 88% of students within six years. About 157 engineering degrees were awarded at Lafayette College in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Lafayette College earn around $71,954 in the first couple years of their career. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $16,272 in student loans.
Get the full engineering details for Lafayette College
Lehigh University placed #9 among the best engineering schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 488 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Lehigh University earn around $77,387 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,607.
More information about a degree in engineering from Lehigh University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #10 spot for engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 995 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $74,609. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete this degree.
Get the full engineering details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earned the #11 position for engineering this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology awarded about 62 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in engineering from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology
Elizabethtown College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 39 engineering degrees were awarded at Elizabethtown College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $73,003. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in engineering from Elizabethtown College
Swarthmore College earned the #13 position for engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 34 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Swarthmore College in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Get the full engineering details for Swarthmore College
Pennsylvania Western University placed #14 among the best engineering schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 18 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Pennsylvania Western University earn around $45,448 in the first couple years of their career. Pennsylvania Western University graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans.
See the full engineering program report for Pennsylvania Western University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best engineering schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 15 engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
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Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Slippery Rock. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans.
Get the full engineering details for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Drexel University came in at #17 for engineering this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Drexel University awarded about 802 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $89,650 in their early career. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $30,230 in student loans.
More information about a degree in engineering from Drexel University
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #18 position for engineering this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. About 26 engineering degrees were awarded at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,867.
See the full engineering program report for Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
York College Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. York College Pennsylvania awarded about 125 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $74,445. York College Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full engineering details for York College Pennsylvania
Temple University earned the #20 position for engineering this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 195 engineering degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of Temple University earn a median of $69,159 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete this degree.
See the full engineering program report for Temple University
Montgomery County Community College landed the #21 spot for engineering this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. There were roughly 27 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Montgomery County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $39,025 in their early career. Montgomery County Community College graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans.
Read more about the engineering program at Montgomery County Community College
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley landed the #22 spot for engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Malvern, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley is a small public university. About 17 engineering degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley earn a median of $118,192 early in their careers.
Read more about the engineering program at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley
Delaware County Community College landed the #23 spot for engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. About 13 engineering degrees were awarded at Delaware County Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. Typical student debt for the program is $14,866.
Read more about the engineering program at Delaware County Community College
Grove City College came in at #24 for engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grove City. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 61 engineering degrees were awarded at Grove City College in the most recent year.
Get the full engineering details for Grove City College
Gannon University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best engineering schools. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 93 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Gannon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $65,796 in their early career. Gannon University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full engineering program report for Gannon University
Rest of the Top 44 Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering ranking:
More Engineering Rankings
View All Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 44 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.