Pre-Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 247 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for pre-engineering students pursuing a degree.
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 school for pre-engineering. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. 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. Utah Valley University graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans.
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Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. About 27 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $42,031 in their early career. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans.
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Santa Rosa Junior College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pre-engineering, ranking #3. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 16 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree.
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Moorpark College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pre-engineering, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. About 24 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Moorpark College in the most recent 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.
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Chandler Gilbert Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pre-engineering, landing the #5 spot 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. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $46,943 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,447.
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Santa Ana College earned the #6 position for pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 15 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree.
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Santa Barbara City College came in at #7 for pre-engineering this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 29 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Santa Barbara City College earn around $68,184 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans.
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San Diego Miramar College placed #8 among the best pre-engineering schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. There were roughly 28 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent data 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. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans.
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Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #9 spot for pre-engineering this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. About 33 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Dixie State College Of Utah in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $42,266. Dixie State College Of Utah graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans.
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Normandale Community College earned the #10 position for pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. About 17 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Normandale Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Students borrow a median of $20,162 to complete this degree.
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Cuesta College landed the #11 spot for pre-engineering this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Cuesta College awarded about 10 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Cuesta College earn around $64,492 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree.
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Anoka Ramsey Community College came in at #12 for pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. About 21 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Anoka Ramsey Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Anoka Ramsey Community College earn around $44,293 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,593 to complete this degree.
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Mesa Community College placed #13 among the best pre-engineering schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Mesa Community College awarded about 35 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
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College Of San Mateo placed #14 among the best pre-engineering schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. 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.
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Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #15 for pre-engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 23 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $51,483 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,996.
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Suffolk County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 23 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $35,667 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete this degree.
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Mission College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Mission College awarded about 15 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete this degree.
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University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #18 spot for pre-engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Fort Smith. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates 38% of students within six years. About 39 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas Fort Smith in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $39,204. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans.
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Chabot College came in at #19 for pre-engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. 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. Chabot College graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans.
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Shasta College earned the #20 position for pre-engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Redding. Shasta College awarded about 13 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Shasta College earn around $50,330 in the first couple years of their career. Shasta College graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans.
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Cerritos College came in at #21 for pre-engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 16 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Cerritos College earn around $29,495 in the first couple years of their career. Cerritos College graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans.
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Norco College earned the #22 position for pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. There were roughly 31 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Norco College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $8,203.
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Central New Mexico Community College came in at #23 for pre-engineering this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. There were roughly 42 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $34,751 in the first couple years of their career. Central New Mexico Community College graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans.
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Fullerton College came in at #24 for pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. There were roughly 22 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Fullerton College in the most recent data year.
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Rio Hondo College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. About 12 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Rio Hondo College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Typical student debt for the program is $15,510.
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Rest of the Top 50 Pre-Engineering Schools
These schools also placed among the best for pre-engineering this year:
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 · 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).
