Engineering & Applied Physics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 142 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best engineering & applied physics schools.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Choosing a Great Engineering & Applied Physics School
The school you choose for engineering & applied physics can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Engineering & Applied Physics School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Engineering & Applied Physics Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Engineering & Applied Physics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in engineering & applied physics. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 12 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $70,847 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238.
Read more about the engineering & applied physics program at University Of California Berkeley
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in engineering & applied physics, ranking #2. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 15 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Typical student debt for the program is $19,137.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
A rank of #3 makes Harvard University one of the top schools for engineering & applied physics. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Get the full engineering & applied physics details for Harvard University
Students looking for a strong engineering & applied physics program will find one at Cornell University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 50 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005.
Get the full engineering & applied physics details for Cornell University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best engineering & applied physics schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 87 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $64,304 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,136 to complete this degree.
Read more about the engineering & applied physics program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Rice University came in at #6 for engineering & applied physics this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
Read more about the engineering & applied physics program at Rice University
Yale University placed #7 among the best engineering & applied physics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $74,578 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in engineering & applied physics from Yale University
Fordham University landed the #8 spot for engineering & applied physics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fordham University awarded about 16 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Typical student debt for the program is $25,643.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for Fordham University
California Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best engineering & applied physics schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 41 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $173,344 in their early career.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for California Institute Of Technology
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #10 position for engineering & applied physics this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 46 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Read more about the engineering & applied physics program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Siena College placed #11 among the best engineering & applied physics schools. Set in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 15 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at Siena College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Siena College generally make around $44,535. Typical student debt for the program is $26,656.
Get the full engineering & applied physics details for Siena College
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best engineering & applied physics schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $55,861 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete this degree.
Read more about the engineering & applied physics program at University Of Colorado Boulder
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #13 spot for engineering & applied physics this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Golden. About 82% of students finish within six years. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 83 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from Colorado School Of Mines earn around $72,858 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for Colorado School Of Mines
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #14 spot for engineering & applied physics this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077.
More information about a degree in engineering & applied physics from Tulane University Of Louisiana
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best engineering & applied physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 18 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $58,088 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans.
More information about a degree in engineering & applied physics from Ohio State University Main Campus
Biola University landed the #16 spot for engineering & applied physics this year. Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Mirada. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Biola University earn a median of $45,003 early in their careers. Biola University graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for Biola University
Murray State University earned the #17 position for engineering & applied physics this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Murray State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at Murray State University in the most recent data year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $58,025 early in their careers. Murray State University graduates carry a median of $19,521 in student loans.
More information about a degree in engineering & applied physics from Murray State University
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #18 position for engineering & applied physics this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Platteville. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $68,379 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the engineering & applied physics program at University Of Wisconsin Platteville
University Of Oregon placed #19 among the best engineering & applied physics schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $98,640 early in their careers. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans.
Get the full engineering & applied physics details for University Of Oregon
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earned the #20 position for engineering & applied physics this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach awarded about 31 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach generally make around $56,889. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete this degree.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Florida Polytechnic University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best engineering & applied physics schools. Set in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Florida Polytechnic University awarded about 11 engineering & applied physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from Florida Polytechnic University earn around $64,823 in the first couple years of their career. Florida Polytechnic University graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans.
Get the full engineering & applied physics details for Florida Polytechnic University
Augustana College Illinois ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best engineering & applied physics schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rock Island. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering & applied physics program make about $54,165 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full engineering & applied physics program report for Augustana College Illinois
Lansing Community College placed #23 among the best engineering & applied physics schools. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. There were roughly 14 engineering & applied physics students who graduated with this degree at Lansing Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering & applied physics degree from Lansing Community College earn around $46,103 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in engineering & applied physics from Lansing Community College
Delaware State University earned the #24 position for engineering & applied physics this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 engineering & applied physics degrees were awarded at Delaware State University in the most recent year. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates of Delaware State University earn a median of $54,210 early in their careers. Delaware State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in engineering & applied physics from Delaware State University
Engineering & Applied Physics Related Rankings by Major
Engineering & Applied Physics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
ADBLOCK #115
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 142 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).
