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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Engineering Schools

112 Colleges in the United States
9,088 General Engineering Degrees Awarded
$56,328 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general engineering programs.

College Factual analyzed 544 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great General Engineering School

Best General Engineering Schools

Where you study general engineering matters for your future. That is why we built our Best General Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

General Engineering Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in General Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in General Engineering
Master's Degrees in General Engineering
Doctoral Degrees in General Engineering

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. 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.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for General Engineering in the United States

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 general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Engineering

1

Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for general engineering. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $57,819 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general engineering, ranking #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. About 194 general engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $135,373 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from University Of California Los Angeles

3

Students looking for a strong general engineering program will find one at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $52,123 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Indiana University Bloomington

4
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general engineering, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Wake Forest University earn around $67,369 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Get the full general engineering details for Wake Forest University

5
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Vanderbilt University

6

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #6 spot for general engineering this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 155 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $64,891 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Texas A And M University College Station

7
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University came in at #7 for general engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Villanova University awarded about 15 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Villanova University earn around $72,601 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184. More information about a degree in general engineering from Villanova University

8

Michigan Technological University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 13 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Michigan Technological University earn around $64,652 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,800. More information about a degree in general engineering from Michigan Technological University

9

University Of Georgia came in at #9 for general engineering this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Get the full general engineering details for University Of Georgia

10

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #10 spot for general engineering this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 general engineering degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $89,327 in the first couple years of their career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from Carnegie Mellon University

11

Colorado School Of Mines ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Golden. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 31 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $76,298 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Colorado School Of Mines

12
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #12 position for general engineering this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Brown University awarded about 197 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Brown University earn around $86,416 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,500. Read more about the general engineering program at Brown University

13

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among the best general engineering schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 46 general engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,461 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Get the full general engineering details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

14
Olin College crest
Olin College
Needham, MA

Olin College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Needham. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Olin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Olin College generally make around $109,455. Students borrow a median of $14,512 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Olin College

15

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #15 position for general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 390 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $107,207 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. Get the full general engineering details for University Of Maryland College Park

16

Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #16 spot for general engineering this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 10 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $54,116. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Point Loma Nazarene University

17
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College landed the #17 spot for general engineering this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 205 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Get the full general engineering details for Dartmouth College

18
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for general engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 111 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for Purdue University Main Campus

19
Trinity College crest
Trinity College
Hartford, CT

Trinity College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 27 general engineering degrees were awarded at Trinity College in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $52,927 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Trinity College

20

Elon University landed the #20 spot for general engineering this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Elon University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $50,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from Elon University

21

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #21 position for general engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $112,855. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813. More information about a degree in general engineering from University Of Wisconsin Madison

22

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #22 for general engineering this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 34 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $115,924 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at University Of Colorado Boulder

23
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #23 among the best general engineering schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 88 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Michigan State University earn around $75,058 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full general engineering details for Michigan State University

24

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #24 spot for general engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 12 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $58,084 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Get the full general engineering details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

25

Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #25 among the best general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 general engineering degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Rochester Institute Of Technology earn around $63,515 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Rochester Institute Of Technology

Rest of the Top 50 General Engineering Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general engineering this year:

26
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
27
28
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA
29
Harvey Mudd College crest
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
30
31
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
32
33
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD
34
35
36
37
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
38
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Additional General Engineering Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for general engineering:

Rank School Location
#51 University Of Nebraska Lincoln Lincoln, NE
#73 North Carolina State University At Raleigh Raleigh, NC

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for general engineering:

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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
Great Lakes

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General Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 544 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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