Pre-Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their pre-engineering programs.
College Factual analyzed 247 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best pre-engineering schools.
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Choosing a Great Pre-Engineering School
Where you study pre-engineering matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Pre-Engineering rankings. For our Best Overall Pre-Engineering 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.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Pre-Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best school in the country for a degree in pre-engineering. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. About 40% of students finish within six years. Utah Valley University awarded about 78 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Typical student debt for the program is $16,478.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Utah Valley University
A rank of #2 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the top schools for pre-engineering. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 27 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete this degree.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Salt Lake Community College
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. About 16 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Ana College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pre-engineering, ranking #4. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Santa Ana College awarded about 110 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $39,633 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,196.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Santa Ana College
A rank of #5 makes Moorpark College one of the top schools for pre-engineering. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 55 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $105,599 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete this degree.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Moorpark College
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #6 position for pre-engineering this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 48 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Chandler Gilbert Community College earn around $46,943 in the first couple years of their career. Chandler Gilbert Community College graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Chandler Gilbert Community College
Santa Barbara City College earned the #7 position for pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 29 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $68,184 in their early career. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Santa Barbara City College
San Diego Miramar College came in at #8 for pre-engineering this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 28 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,098.
See the full pre-engineering program report for San Diego Miramar College
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #9 position for pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. About 28% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Dixie State College Of Utah in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Dixie State College Of Utah earn around $42,266 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,666.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Dixie State College Of Utah
Normandale Community College earned the #10 position for pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. About 17 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Normandale Community College in the most recent year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Normandale Community College graduates carry a median of $20,162 in student loans.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Normandale Community College
Cuesta College placed #11 among the best pre-engineering schools. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. About 10 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Cuesta College in the most recent year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Cuesta College graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Cuesta College
Anoka Ramsey Community College earned the #12 position for pre-engineering this year. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. Anoka Ramsey Community College awarded about 21 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of $44,293 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,593.
More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Anoka Ramsey Community College
Mesa Community College placed #13 among the best pre-engineering schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Mesa Community College awarded about 35 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Mesa Community College
College Of San Mateo earned the #14 position for pre-engineering this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. About 11 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at College Of San Mateo
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #15 for pre-engineering this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 23 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Typical student debt for the program is $15,996.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Suffolk County Community College placed #16 among the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 23 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $35,667 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,246.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Suffolk County Community College
Mission College came in at #17 for pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. About 16 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Mission College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete this degree.
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University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #18 position for pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates 38% of students within six years. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith awarded about 39 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $39,204 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,333.
Get the full pre-engineering details for University Of Arkansas Fort Smith
Chabot College landed the #19 spot for pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. There were roughly 10 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Chabot College in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete this degree.
See the full pre-engineering program report for Chabot College
Santa Monica College landed the #20 spot for pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year.
See the full pre-engineering program report for Santa Monica College
Shasta College placed #21 among the best pre-engineering schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Redding. About 13 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Shasta College in the most recent year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Shasta College earn around $50,330 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete this degree.
Get the full pre-engineering details for Shasta College
Cerritos College came in at #22 for pre-engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 16 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306.
See the full pre-engineering program report for Cerritos College
Norco College came in at #23 for pre-engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. About 31 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Norco College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $8,203.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Norco College
Central New Mexico Community College placed #24 among the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 42 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $34,751 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,112.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Central New Mexico Community College
Fullerton College came in at #25 for pre-engineering this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 22 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Fullerton College in the most recent year.
Read more about the pre-engineering program at Fullerton College
Rest of the Top 50 Pre-Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong pre-engineering education:
The ranking above is published 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 · 247 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).
