ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

32 Colleges in the United States
2,510 General Engineering Degrees Awarded
$50,775 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 160 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general engineering students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 2
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 14.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

Best Schools for General Engineering in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general engineering education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in General Engineering

1
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general engineering schools. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 89% of students finish within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 36 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from Wake Forest University

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $77,997 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general engineering from Vanderbilt University

3

University Of Georgia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 general engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for University Of Georgia

4

A rank of #4 makes Elon University one of the top schools for general engineering. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 21 general engineering degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree. Get the full general engineering details for Elon University

5
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

A rank of #5 makes Auburn University one of the top schools for general engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Auburn University awarded about 11 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $55,422 in their early career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for Auburn University

6

University Of Alabama At Huntsville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Huntsville. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates 64% of students within six years. University Of Alabama At Huntsville awarded about 92 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for University Of Alabama At Huntsville

7

West Virginia University placed #7 among the best general engineering schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 37 general engineering degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at West Virginia University

8
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University landed the #8 spot for general engineering this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Mississippi State University awarded about 34 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $47,383 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,969. See the full general engineering program report for Mississippi State University

9

Tennessee Technological University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Tennessee Technological University earn around $46,981 in the first couple years of their career. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at Tennessee Technological University

10
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 general engineering degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $71,176 in their early career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for James Madison University

11

Randolph Macon College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 11 general engineering degrees were awarded at Randolph Macon College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $40,317 in their early career. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $26,432 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from Randolph Macon College

12
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 30 general engineering degrees were awarded at Campbell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $54,629. Campbell University graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. Read more about the general engineering program at Campbell University

13

Florida Polytechnic University earned the #13 position for general engineering this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Lakeland. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Florida Polytechnic University awarded about 12 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $64,823 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500. See the full general engineering program report for Florida Polytechnic University

14

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #14 spot for general engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 193 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $16,790. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at Northern Virginia Community College

15

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #15 among the best general engineering schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $93,349 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,518 to complete this degree. Read more about the general engineering program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

16

Florida International University landed the #16 spot for general engineering this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for Florida International University

17

Louisiana Tech University earned the #17 position for general engineering this year. This large public university is located in the town of Ruston. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 23 general engineering degrees were awarded at Louisiana Tech University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $49,261 in their early career. Louisiana Tech University graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for Louisiana Tech University

18

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Magnolia. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 26 general engineering degrees were awarded at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $41,723 in their early career. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,385 in student loans. Get the full general engineering details for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

19
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas came in at #19 for general engineering this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. University Of Arkansas awarded about 99 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from University Of Arkansas earn around $109,446 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,019. More information about a degree in general engineering from University Of Arkansas

20

Tidewater Community College earned the #20 position for general engineering this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 64 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $68,555. Tidewater Community College graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Get the full general engineering details for Tidewater Community College

21

The University Of West Florida placed #21 among the best general engineering schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 17 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of West Florida in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. The University Of West Florida graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. More information about a degree in general engineering from The University Of West Florida

22

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #22 spot for general engineering this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 16 general engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $50,000 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. See the full general engineering program report for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

23

Mercer University landed the #23 spot for general engineering this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Mercer University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 101 general engineering degrees were awarded at Mercer University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $72,403. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full general engineering program report for Mercer University

24

Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #24 spot for general engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Savannah. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 92 general engineering degrees were awarded at Savannah College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Savannah College Of Art And Design earn around $40,671 in the first couple years of their career. Savannah College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $26,346 in student loans. Get the full general engineering details for Savannah College Of Art And Design

25

John Tyler Community College landed the #25 spot for general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 39 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at John Tyler Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $36,623 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,262. Read more about the general engineering program at John Tyler Community College

Rest of the Top 50 General Engineering Schools

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

26
27
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
39
40
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC
41
42
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA
43
44
45
46
47
Midlands Technical College crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC
48
Germanna Community College crest
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA
49
50

ADBLOCK #173
View All General Engineering Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 160 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options