Impactful presents a ranking of the top 10 colleges for engineering degrees.
Impactful rankings highlight the top institutions offering engineering students the best education and career prospects.
From the highly selective Princeton and Stanford to the world-renowned MIT and Caltech, this list showcases the best of the best in engineering education in the U.S.
The original list of schools considered for this ranking was gathered from Niche.com. Niche ranks universities and colleges using reviews from students and alumni, as well as data gathered from the Department of Education about admission requirements and institutions’ academic/social life.
Our assessment of the best colleges and universities for engineering is based on various factors, including retention rates, graduation rates, median earnings, and average net prics. Only 4-year public and private schools were considered for this ranking.
All data is sourced from College Scorecard and is current as of 2023.
Keep reading to discover the best colleges for engineering students.
1. Princeton University
- Average Net Price: $9,836
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 97%
- Median Earnings: $95,689
- Acceptance Rate: 5.63%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,688
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $74,150
- Average SAT: 1506
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 34
Princeton University ranks as the top school for engineering on our assessment of the best colleges for engineering. The institution has an acceptance rate of only 5.63%, indicating a highly selective admissions process. It also boasts a high retention rate of 91% and a graduation rate of 97%. The median earnings for Princeton’s graduates are also quite impressive at $95,689. The average net price for students is relatively low at $9,836.
2. Stanford University
- Average Net Price: $12,894
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 96%
- Median Earnings: $97,798
- Acceptance Rate: 5.19%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,366
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $74,570
- Average SAT: 1491
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 33
Stanford is among the most well-known universities in the nation, with a mere 5.19% acceptance rate. Its retention and graduation rates are also high at 92% and 96%, respectively, making it as selective as Princeton. Stanford University prides itself on the high median salary of its alumni, reaching an impressive $97,798. Unfortunately, their students face a slightly steeper net price than Princeton at $12,894.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Average Net Price: $16,407
- Retention Rate: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Median Earnings: $111,222
- Acceptance Rate: 7.26%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4360
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $73,160
- Average SAT: 1550
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 35
MIT is ranked third on our list of the best engineering schools in the USA and is renowned worldwide for its exceptional engineering program. MIT has a low acceptance rate of 7.26% and a near-perfect retention rate of 99%. MIT’s graduation rate is 95%, and its graduates earn an impressive median salary of $111,222. However, the average net price for students is relatively high at $16,407.
4. Harvard University
- Average Net Price: $13,872
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 98%
- Median Earnings: $84,918
- Acceptance Rate: 5.01%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6099
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $75,914
- Average SAT: 1520
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 34
Harvard University earns the fourth spot on our list of best colleges for engineering. While its acceptance rate is slightly lower than Princeton and Stanford at 5.01%, Harvard’s retention rate is only 86%, the lowest among the top five schools. Its graduation rate, however, is the highest among the top 10 at 98%. On average, Harvard graduates make an annual salary of about $84,918 which makes for an impressive return on the $13,872 average net price.
5. Rice University
- Average Net Price: $16,076
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Median Earnings: $77,683
- Acceptance Rate: 10.89%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4052
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $67,102
- Average SAT: 1533
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 35
With an acceptance rate of 10.89%, Rice is less selective than the top four schools. Nevertheless, it boasts an impressive 97% retention rate and 94% graduation rate. Rice’s graduates earn a median salary of $77,683, and the average net price for students is $16,076.
6. Yale University
- Average Net Price: $15,296
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 98%
- Median Earnings: $88,655
- Acceptance Rate: 6.53%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4701
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $76,645
- Average SAT: 1520
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 34
With an acceptance rate of 6.53%, Yale is similarly selective to Harvard. However, its retention rate is lower than the top five schools at 82%. Yale has the second-highest graduation rate among the top 10 universities, at 98%. Yale’s graduates earn a median salary of $88,655, and the average net price for students is $15,296.
7. Vanderbilt University
- Average Net Price: $19,970
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Median Earnings: $79,872
- Acceptance Rate: 11.62%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 7052
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $73,148
- Average SAT: 1520
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 34
Vanderbilt is the least selective of the top 10 schools on our list, with an acceptance rate of 11.62%. However, its retention and graduation rates are still high at 97% and 93%, respectively. Vanderbilt’s graduates earn a median salary of $79,872, and the average net price for students is relatively high at $19,970.
8. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Average Net Price: $26,542
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Median Earnings: $112,166
- Acceptance Rate: 6.69%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 901
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $74,763
- Average SAT: 1566
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 36
Caltech stands out with an incredibly exclusive acceptance rate of 6.69%, with a 96% and 93% retention and graduation rate, respectively. These figures showcase the high-quality education they provide, which is evident in their alumni’s success. Caltech leads our list of schools with the highest median salary of $112,166 for its graduates but with a high average net price of $26,542.
9. Georgia Institute of Technology
- Average Net Price: $9,287
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Median Earnings: $67,841
- Acceptance Rate: 25.07%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 28783
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $27,235
- Average SAT: 1420
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 32
With an acceptance rate of 25.07%, it is the least selective school among the top 10. However, its retention rate of 96% is high, while its graduation rate of 85% is the lowest among the top 10 schools. Georgia Tech’s graduates earn a median salary of $67,841, the lowest among the top 10 schools. However, the average net price for students is the lowest among the top 10 at $9,287.
10. Columbia University
- Average Net Price: $16,116
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Median Earnings: $87,497
- Acceptance Rate: 6.04%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 7074
- Annual Average Cost of Attendance: $75,664
- Average SAT: 1530
- ACT Cumulative MidPoint: 34
Columbia University boasts an acceptance rate of only 6.04%, making it as selective as two of the most prestigious institutions in the country, Yale and Harvard. Columbia’s retention and graduation rates are also outstanding, with 97% of students staying enrolled and 95% successfully earning their degrees. What sets Columbia apart is the incredible earning potential of its graduates. The median salary for Columbia alumni is an impressive $87,497, a testament to the quality of education and opportunities available at the university. Attending Columbia comes at a cost, with the average net price for students at $16,116. For those who can afford it, the investment is undoubtedly worthwhile.
