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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

18 Colleges in the United States
1,677 General Engineering Degrees Awarded
$57,610 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general engineering programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 129 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general engineering students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Engineering in the Great Lakes Region

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

No school ranked higher than Indiana University Bloomington this year for general engineering. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 79 general engineering degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent 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. See the full general engineering program report for Indiana University Bloomington

2

Michigan Technological University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 36 general engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent 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. See the full general engineering program report for Michigan Technological University

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 46 general engineering degrees in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general engineering, ranking #4. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 111 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from Purdue University Main Campus

5

Students looking for a strong general engineering program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 66 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $112,855. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

6
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 88 general engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $75,058 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Michigan State University

7

Lawrence Technological University landed the #7 spot for general engineering this year. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 18 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Lawrence Technological University earn around $74,924 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,799. More information about a degree in general engineering from Lawrence Technological University

8
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University earned the #8 position for general engineering this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Viterbo University awarded about 10 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $60,309 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,107 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from Viterbo University

9

University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #9 spot for general engineering this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 248 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at University Of Detroit Mercy

10

Grand Valley State University landed the #10 spot for general engineering this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. About 67% of students finish within six years. Grand Valley State University awarded about 20 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $50,179 in their early career. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at Grand Valley State University

11

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #11 position for general engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 104 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $103,961. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Ohio University Main Campus

12

Baldwin Wallace College landed the #12 spot for general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 10 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Baldwin Wallace College in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $46,668 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,307. Read more about the general engineering program at Baldwin Wallace College

13
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College earned the #13 position for general engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. Harper College awarded about 52 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $44,523 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963. More information about a degree in general engineering from Harper College

14
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #14 for general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. There were roughly 20 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. More information about a degree in general engineering from College Of Dupage

15
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College came in at #15 for general engineering this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Calvin College graduates 74% of students within six years. Calvin College awarded about 62 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $68,852 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Get the full general engineering details for Calvin College

16

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #16 for general engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 10 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from University Of Illinois At Chicago

17

College Of Lake County placed #17 among the best general engineering schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 31 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $50,314 in their early career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Get the full general engineering details for College Of Lake County

18
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University landed the #18 spot for general engineering this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Andrews University graduates 72% of students within six years. Andrews University awarded about 18 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Andrews University earn around $62,634 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314. Get the full general engineering details for Andrews University

19
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College came in at #19 for general engineering this year. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 general engineering degrees were awarded at Hope College in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Hope College earn a median of $67,410 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from Hope College

20
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College came in at #20 for general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. About 12 general engineering degrees were awarded at Illinois Central College in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,222. Get the full general engineering details for Illinois Central College

21
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College placed #21 among the best general engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Mchenry County College awarded about 17 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,440. See the full general engineering program report for Mchenry County College

22
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College placed #22 among the best general engineering schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Rock Valley College awarded about 28 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $41,080 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,236. Read more about the general engineering program at Rock Valley College

23

Olivet Nazarene University placed #23 among the best general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 35 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $66,394 in their early career. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from Olivet Nazarene University

24

Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #24 position for general engineering this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. There were roughly 11 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $41,313 in their early career. Lewis And Clark Community College graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for Lewis And Clark Community College

25

Sinclair Community College placed #25 among the best general engineering schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 68 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Students borrow a median of $9,192 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Sinclair Community College

Rest of the Top 36 General Engineering Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
35
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH
36

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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 · 129 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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