Choosing one of the best engineering schools is a pivotal step for students aiming to turn ambitious career plans into reality. US News released the Best Engineering Schools 2026 rankings, and the top engineering colleges in order are MIT, Stanford, Georgia Institute of Technology, UC Berkeley, and California Institute of Technology etc. These top schools for engineering bring together world-class faculty, cutting-edge research facilities, and an excellent academic atmosphere, providing an unparalleled platform for their students. Here’s a detailed look at some of the best engineering schools in the United States.
What is Engineering?
What is engineering? Encyclopedia Britannica describes engineering as “the application of science to the optimum conversion of the resources of nature to the uses of humankind”.
Engineering is now essential to every aspect of our life. Engineers are able to use knowledge of math, physics, and art to build, create, and repair the world we now live in. Therefore, engineering is the discipline of learning how to solve problems. Engineering can also be divided into many categories:
- Chemical engineers: who can apply knowledge of chemistry, biology, physics, etc., to design, develop, and optimize processes and products involving chemical reactions or transformations.
- Civil engineers: who specialize in the design, construction, and maintenance of various infrastructure projects and systems. They are responsible for planning, analyzing, and overseeing the development of structures such as buildings, bridges, roads, dams, airports, and water supply systems.
- Electrical engineers: who address a wide range of needs, from powering homes and businesses to designing advanced electronics and communication systems.
- Mechanical engineers: who apply principles of physics, mathematics, and material science to design, analyze, and manufacture mechanical systems and devices.
2025 the Latest US News Engineering Ranking
US News is an authoritative platform in the USA that provides various college rankings. Recently, US News released a list of the 2025 best engineering schools. Let’s have a look at the top 20.
| Ranking | Engineering Schools | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| 2 | Stanford University | Stanford, California |
| 3 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California |
| 4 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 5 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, California |
| 5 | Purdue University–Main Campus | West Lafayette, Indiana |
| 7 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 7 | University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (Grainger) | Urbana, Illinois |
| 7 | University of Texas–Austin (Cockrell) | Austin, Texas |
| 10 | University of California–San Diego (Jacobs) | La Jolla, California |
| 11 | University of Michigan–Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 12 | Cornell University | Ithaca, New York |
| 13 | Johns Hopkins University (Whiting) | Baltimore, Maryland |
| 13 | University of California–Los Angeles (Samueli) | Los Angeles, California |
| 15 | Texas A&M University–College Station | College Station, Texas |
| 16 | Northwestern University (McCormick) | Evanston, Illinois |
| 17 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 18 | Columbia University (Fu Foundation) | New York, New York City |
| 18 | University of Maryland–College Park (Clark) | College Park, Maryland |
| 20 | Duke University | Durham, North Carolina |
15 Top Engineering Schools in US
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Acceptance Rate: 4%
- Application Fee: $75 for US students; $75 for international students
- Tuition: $59,750 per year
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, is recognized as the top 1 private research university in the world. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, MIT’s comprehensive strength also ranked No.1 in the world. Since its founding in 1861, MIT has played a leading role in a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, computer science, physics, and economics. There is no doubt that MIT is the best engineering college. It is also the cradle of countless distinguished alumni, including 97 Nobel Prize winners, 8 Fields Medal winners, 26 Turing Award winners, 52 National Medal of Science winners, 45 Rhodes Scholars, and 38 MacArthur Fellows.
#2 Stanford University
- Location: Stanford, California
- Acceptance Rate: 3.9%
- Application Fee: $125 for US students; $125 for international students
- Tuition: $62,580 per year
Stanford University, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is a world-renowned private research university. The school is known for its various academic achievements, outstanding faculty, and rich scientific research resources. It has trained many Nobel Prize winners, Turing Award winners, and elites from all walks of life. Stanford University is a world leader in many disciplines, especially in electrical engineering, making it one of good engineering schools. Its unique geographical location and innovative and entrepreneurial spirit provide students with a wealth of internship and employment opportunities. Therefore, Stanford has become a dream university for many students.
#3 University of California, Berkeley
- Location: Berkeley, California
- Acceptance Rate: 11.3%
- Application Fee: $135 for US students; $155 for international students
- Tuition: $12,264 per year (in-state); $27,366 per year (out-of-state)
The University of California–Berkeley is one of the best colleges for engineering. Founded in 1868, it is one of the oldest public universities in California. UC Berkeley has played a leading role in many disciplines, especially in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, and so on. Its campus environment is beautiful, and the academic atmosphere is strong, providing students with rich research and job opportunities. All of these features continue to attract students from all over the world to study here.
#4 Georgia Institute of Technology
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Application Fee: $95 for U.S. residents; $105 for international students
- Tuition: $14,064 per year (in-state); $29,140 per year (out-of-state)
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech or GIT), located in Atlanta, is a leading public research university. As for US News 2025 best engineering schools, GIT tied for fourth place. Since its founding in 1885, Georgia Tech has enjoyed a reputation in engineering technology, computer science, business management, and other fields, and has trained a large number of elites. Its unique “Co-op” internship program allows students to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience to lay a solid foundation for their career.
#5 California Institute of Technology
- Location: Pasadena, California
- Acceptance Rate: 17.1%
- Application Fee: $100 for US students; $100 for international students
- Tuition: $63,402 per year
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), located in Pasadena, California, is the USA’s top engineering college. Founded in 1891, Caltech has focused on research and education in science, engineering, mathematics, and physics, producing numerous Nobel Prize winners and leaders in STEM. It’s small but precise teaching model ensures that each student has access to top academic resources and personalized guidance. Caltech enjoys a high reputation in the global science and technology fields with its profound academic heritage, cutting-edge scientific research results, and excellent faculty.
#5 Purdue University--Main Campus
- Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Application Fee: $60 for US students; $75 for international students
- Tuition: $10,842 per year (in-state); $29,644 per year (out-of-state)
Purdue University is a leading public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school enjoys a high reputation in the fields of engineering, agriculture, business, and science and technology, especially the engineering school, whose aerospace, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and other majors are ranked in the world. Purdue University is committed to cultivating professionals with an innovative spirit and practical ability, and provides students with a broad space for growth through top teaching facilities and rich scientific research resources.
#7 Carnegie Mellon University
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Application Fee: $75 for US students; $75 for international students
- Tuition: $54,700 per year
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is one of the world’s best schools for engineering. The school owns a high reputation in the fields of technology, arts, business and management, computer science, robotics, business school, and art school. CMU focuses on interdisciplinary integration and innovation, encourages its students to seek for truth, and develops leadership and problem-solving skills. Its unique curriculum and excellent professors provide students with an amazing learning and growth environment.
#7 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Grainger)
- Location: Urbana, Illinois
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Application Fee: $70 for US students; $90 for international students
- Tuition: $19,774 per year (in-state); full-time: $37,524 per year (out-of-state)
Granger School of Engineering at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was established in 1868, and is counted as top engineering colleges. UIUC Engineering Hall is the main building of Granger, housing administrative offices and academic facilities. Built in 1894, it is the oldest surviving building in the School of Engineering of this campus. Bardeen Quad is home to the Grainger Engineering Library. As the largest engineering library in the world, it possesses over 260,000 physical volumes and a large electronic repository.
#7 University of Texas--Austin (Cockrell)
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Acceptance Rate: 27%
- Application Fee: $65 for US students; $90 for international students
- Tuition: $10,554 per year (in-state); full-time: $19,320 per year (out-of-state)
Cockrell School of Engineering at University of Texas–Austin is a leader in engineering education at the university and even all over the world. The school is known for its excellent teaching quality, cutting-edge scientific research achievements and extensive international cooperation, especially in the fields of petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, as well as electronic and computer engineering. Cockrell is committed to developing future engineers with innovative thinking, practical skills and a global vision.
#10 University of California--San Diego (Jacobs)
- Location: La Jolla, California
- Acceptance Rate: 28.4%
- Application Fee: $135 for US students; $155 for international students
- Tuition: $12,264 per year (in-state); $27,366 per year (out-of-state)
Founded in 1960, the University of California–San Diego is the southernmost of the ten campuses of the University of California. It enrolls many students each year and has the second-largest student accommodation capacity in the US. Its School of Engineering, the Jacobs School of Engineering, is the youngest of the nation’s top 10 engineering schools, the largest engineering school in the University of California system by enrollment, and also the largest engineering school on the West Coast. More than 30 faculty members have been appointed to the National Academy of Sciences.
#11 University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
- Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Acceptance Rate: 37.3%
- Application Fee: $75 for US students; $90 for international students
- Tuition: $31,788 per year (in-state); $58,984 per year (out-of-state)
University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state, one of the earliest research universities in the United States, and a founding member of the Association of American Universities. Its College of Engineering was founded in 1854. Since its inception, the College of Engineering has established some of the earliest programs in various fields, such as data science, computer science, electrical engineering, and nuclear engineering. It now owns one of the top engineering programs in the United States.
#12 Cornell University
- Location: Ithaca, New York
- Acceptance Rate: 6.9%
- Application Fee: $105 for US students; $105 for international students
- Tuition: $29,500 per year
As one of the Ivy League universities, Cornell University has always been one of the dream schools for students. The College of Engineering was founded in 1870, initially as the Sibley School of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Arts. The College of Engineering offers 14 undergraduate majors, 20 undergraduate minors, 16 MS/PhD fields, and 15 Master of Engineering fields. The college is a leader in nanotechnology as well. In a survey conducted by the Journal of Nanotechnology, Cornell University was named the best university for nanotechnology commercialization, the second best for nanotechnology facilities, the fourth best for nanotechnology research, and the tenth best for nanotechnology industrial promotion.
#13 Johns Hopkins University (Whiting)
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Application Fee: $0
- Tuition: $62,840 per year
Johns Hopkins University is named after its first benefactor, American entrepreneur and Quaker philanthropist Johns Hopkins. Hopkins’ gift of $7 million ($162 million in 2023 dollars) to establish the university was the largest charitable gift in US history at the time. Engineering at Johns Hopkins was originally created in 1913 as an educational program. In 1979, the engineering program was organized into a separate academic department named G.W.C. Whiting School of Engineering. The Johns Hopkins Department of Biomedical Engineering is recognized as the No.1 program in the nation. The Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering has been consistently ranked as one of the top five programs in recent years by US News.
#13 University of California--Los Angeles (Samueli)
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Acceptance Rate: 8.6%
- Application Fee: $135 for US students; $155 for international students
- Tuition: $13,939 per year (in-state); $29,041 per year (out-of-state)
University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, informally known as the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering or UCLA Engineering, is the school of engineering at the University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA). The school is considered the birthplace of the Internet, reflecting its status as the best schools for engineering. On October 29, 1969, Professor Leonard Kleinrock of UCLA and his research team sent the first message to a computer at Stanford University.
#15 Texas A&M University--College Station
- Location: College Station, Texas
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Application Fee: $123 for US students and $148 for international students
- Tuition: $287 per credit (in-state); $828 per credit (out-of-state)
Founded in 1876, Texas A&M University (TAMU) is the first public university in Texas, and the sixth largest public university in the United States. As a strong school of traditional science and engineering, TAMU earns a high reputation in the engineering field. There are 34 members of the National Academy of Engineering and 15 members of the National Academy of Sciences who worked here. TAMU is also known for its top scientific cloning technology. The first cloned cat and cloned dog in human history are the research results.
Methodology for engineering school rankings
An engineering degree has always been a popular major because of its wide range of job choices, high salaries, and practicality. There are many strong engineering colleges in the United States. Some schools even specialize in engineering. Therefore, if you want to achieve greater achievements in the field of engineering, studying in the United States is the best choice for you. So, how do you choose the best one from these best colleges for engineering? US News compiled the rankings. And how did this ranking come about? Below are the indicators the rankings are based on and their weights.
Research activity sums to 40%.
- Total research expenditures (25%, previously 30%)
- Average research expenditures per faculty member (15%, previously 20%)
Faculty research (including 4 new factors) sums to 10%.
- Citations per Publication (3%)
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact (3%)
- Publications cited in top 5% of journals (2.5%)
- Publications cited in top 25% of journals (1.5%)
Quality assessment sums to 25%.
- Peer assessment score (12.5%)
- Recruiter assessment score (12.5%)
Faculty resources sum to 20%.
- Doctoral degrees awarded (9%)
- Doctorate-to-faculty ratio (6%, previously 4%)
- Percentage of faculty in the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) (5%)
Student selectivity sums to 5%.
- Acceptance rate (5%)
2026 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs Rankings (Doctorate)
| Ranking | Engineering Schools | Location | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, Massachusetts | 4% |
| 2 | Stanford University | Stanford, California | 3.90% |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, Georgia | 17.10% |
| 3 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California | 11.30% |
| 5 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, California | 2.00% |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Grainger) | Urbana, Illinois | 45% |
| 5 | University of Michigan–Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, Michigan | 16% |
| 8 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 11% |
| 8 | Purdue University–Main Campus | West Lafayette, Indiana | 50% |
| 10 | Cornell University | Ithaca, New York | 6.90% |
| 11 | Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey | 5.70% |
| 11 | University of Texas–Austin (Cockrell) | Austin, Texas | 27% |
| 13 | Johns Hopkins University (Whiting) | Baltimore, Maryland | 6% |
| 14 | University of California–Los Angeles (Samueli) | Los Angeles, California | 8.60% |
| 14 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | Madison, Wisconsin | 45% |
| 14 | Virginia Tech | Blacksburg, Virginia | 55% |
| 17 | Duke University | Durham, North Carolina | 6.17% |
| 17 | Northwestern University | Evanston, Illinois | 7% |
| 17 | Texas A&M University–College Station | College Station, Texas | 60% |
| 17 | University of California–San Diego (Jacobs) | La Jolla, California | 28.40% |
Best Engineering Schools: Conclusion
The US News engineering ranking is listed above. You can choose the best engineering schools based on the above information you have researched by yourself. Engineering has always been popular. Many students choose this major in the hope of wider career prospects and higher salaries. The engineering of the United States is first-class in the world, especially the engineering at MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and other schools. All these schools enjoy a high reputation in the world.
If you have decided to attend the best engineering schools in the US, go ahead and apply. Don’t worry about accommodation, just leave everything to uhomes.com. We have sufficient housing in the US, a professional team, and mature advice. Thus, we can make a complete arrangement for you.
FAQs about Best Engineering Schools
The 20 best engineering colleges in the US are as follows, based on the US News engineering ranking 2025:
| Ranking | Engineering Schools | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| 2 | Stanford University | Stanford, California |
| 3 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California |
| 4 | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 5 | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, California |
| 5 | Purdue University–Main Campus | West Lafayette, Indiana |
| 7 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 7 | University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (Grainger) | Urbana, Illinois |
| 7 | University of Texas–Austin (Cockrell) | Austin, Texas |
| 10 | University of California–San Diego (Jacobs) | La Jolla, California |
| 11 | University of Michigan–Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 12 | Cornell University | Ithaca, New York |
| 13 | Johns Hopkins University (Whiting) | Baltimore, Maryland |
| 13 | University of California–Los Angeles (Samueli) | Los Angeles, California |
| 15 | Texas A&M University–College Station | College Station, Texas |
| 16 | Northwestern University (McCormick) | Evanston, Illinois |
| 17 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 18 | Columbia University (Fu Foundation) | New York, New York City |
| 18 | University of Maryland–College Park (Clark) | College Park, Maryland |
| 20 | Duke University | Durham, North Carolina |
The No.1 college for engineering is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) according to US News ranking.
Cornell University is recognized as the best Ivy League school for engineering. In the US News engineering ranking 2025, Cornell ranked 12th.
It is recognized that University of Texas–Austin has the best college for engineering in Texas, that is, Cockrell School of Engineering.
The best engineering school in California is Stanford University. There are also many top engineering colleges in California, such as UC Berkeley, CIT, UC San Diego, etc.
