The education needed to be an engineer is normally a bachelor's degree. Engineers usually study mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or civil engineering. 65% of engineers hold a bachelor's degree and 13% hold a master's degree. We found these by analyzing 71,868 engineer resumes to investigate the topic of engineer education more precisely.

The most common colleges for students to pursue their goal of becoming an engineer are Purdue University and Texas A&M; University. We also broke down what colleges provide the best overall education for an engineer. Students have a great path to earning their engineer qualifications at the following schools:

  1. Michigan Technological University
  2. Georgia Institute of Technology
  3. Cornell University

If you're interested in getting a college degree in an affordable college for engineers - California State University - Long Beach is an excellent option for you. If your SAT or ACT score aren't as high as you'd like, you can look at Oregon Institute of Technology, as the admission requirements aren't too selective. On the other end of that spectrum are the Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University and California Institute of Technology.

For those who would rather stay in your pajamas during the day, we prepared some online courses that can help in engineer education paths.

We prepared a list of an engineer certifications that you should consider. The necessary certifications that engineers must have to succeed are Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

Engineer JOBS

What Education is Needed to Become an Engineer?

What Degree Should I Get to Become an Engineer?

The most common degree for engineers is bachelor's degree 65% of engineers earn that degree. A close second is master's degree with 13% and rounding it off is associate degree with 11%.

  • Bachelors, 65%
  • Masters, 13%
  • Associate, 11%
  • High School Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What Should I Major in to Become an Engineer?

Most engineers, 20% to be exact, major in mechanical engineering. Some other common majors for an engineer include electrical engineering and civil engineering majors.

Most Common Colleges For Engineers

Here are the most common colleges for an engineer career in the US based on their resumes. Advocates often get their degree in Purdue University, Texas A&M; University, and Pennsylvania State University .

Engineer Common CollegePercentages
Purdue University8.91%
Texas A&M University7.77%
Pennsylvania State University7.02%
University of Phoenix6.12%
University of California - Davis5.46%

10 Best Universities For Engineers

In a lot of cases, a higher education can mean a higher salary or even a better job. That's why we found out the best colleges for engineers. We based this list on these metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of students working, ratio of working vs. non-working students 10 years after admission, average cost of attendance and median debt for graduates.

1. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-State Tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

Website

https://www.mtu.edu

Address

1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931-1295

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $54,000 per year

Net Price: $15,348 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 73.88%
SAT Average - 1272
ACT Average - 27
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering

2. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-State Tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

Website

www.gatech.edu

Address

225 North Avenue, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30332

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $66,100 per year

Net Price: $14,927 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 21.53%
SAT Average - 1465
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Business
Electrical Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

Website

www.cornell.edu

Address

300 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $76,300 per year

Net Price: $30,494 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 10.61%
SAT Average - 1471
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

Website

web.mit.edu/

Address

77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $99,600 per year

Net Price: $18,278 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 6.74%
SAT Average - 1545
ACT Average - 35
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering
Industrial Engineering

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

Website

www.columbia.edu

Address

535 West 116th Street, New York, NY 10027

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $77,900 per year

Net Price: $22,637 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 5.91%
SAT Average - 1512
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

Website

www.stanford.edu/

Address

450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-2061

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $92,800 per year

Net Price: $12,265 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.36%
SAT Average - 1497
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

Website

www.jhu.edu

Address

3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218-2688

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $68,000 per year

Net Price: $30,701 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 11.48%
SAT Average - 1513
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Chemical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Business
Computer Networking

9. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

Website

www.cmu.edu/

Address

5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $84,000 per year

Net Price: $32,674 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 17.12%
SAT Average - 1507
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Electrical Engineering
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Engineering

10. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

Website

www.harvard.edu

Address

Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $91,300 per year

Net Price: $15,561 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.73%
SAT Average - 1520
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Physics
Mechanical Engineering

20 Best Online Courses for Engineers

Advertising Disclosure
advertising-disclosure

1. Cloud Data Engineering

coursera

Welcome to the third course in the Building Cloud Computing Solutions at Scale Specialization! In this course, you will learn how to apply Data Engineering to real-world projects using the Cloud computing concepts introduced in the first two courses of this series. By the end of this course, you will be able to develop Data Engineering applications and use software development best practices to create data engineering applications. These will include continuous deployment, code quality tools,...

See More on Coursera

2. Technical Support Case Studies and Capstone

coursera

This course allows you to show what you’ve learned in the previous IT Technical Support professional certification courses and apply that knowledge to realistic situations. The IT Technical Support Capstone leads you through a series of technical support case studies that require hands-on work to resolve. You will practice analyzing user help requests and troubleshooting various issues. You’ll demonstrate your knowledge of hardware, software, networking, security, and cloud computing. You’ll...

See More on Coursera

3. Python Project for Data Engineering

coursera

This mini-course is intended to apply foundational Python skills by implementing different techniques to collect and work with data. Assume the role of a Data Engineer and extract data from multiple file formats, transform it into specific datatypes, and then load it into a single source for analysis. Continue with the course and test your knowledge by implementing webscraping and extracting data with APIs all with the help of multiple hands-on labs. After completing this course you will have...

See More on Coursera

4. Data Engineering Essentials using SQL, Python, and PySpark

udemy
4.2
(1,602)

Learn key Data Engineering Skills such as SQL, Python, Apache Spark (Spark SQL and Pyspark) with Exercises and Projects...

See More on Udemy

5. GCP - Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Certification

udemy
4.4
(1,132)

Learn Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Certification with 80+ Hands-on demo on storage, Database, ML GCP Services...

See More on Udemy

6. Get Expertise in Database Testing(SQL) + Linux for Testers

udemy
4.5
(808)

E2E Setup Installation E2E Database Testing coverage Joins GroupingDDLDMLDRLUnix /Linux commands +Shell Script...

See More on Udemy

7. Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer Certification

udemy
4.5
(515)

Learn Google Cloud - GCP with 50+ Hands-on Demo lab & Prepare yourself for GCP Professional Cloud Security Engineer Exam...

See More on Udemy

8. JavaScript for QA Engineers and SDETs

udemy
4.6
(846)

Learn to code in JavaScript so you can pass your coding interview. Specifically designed for QA. No experience required!...

See More on Udemy

9. Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer Practice Tests

udemy
4.5
(1,726)

By the author of the Official Study Guides for the Cloud Engineer, Architect, and Data Engineer exams...

See More on Udemy

10. TCP/IP Training Video A Definitive & Easy To Follow Course

udemy
4.8
(851)

Essential TCP/IP Training Course For Professionals Who Manages Servers, Networks Or Any Other Network Connected Device...

See More on Udemy

11. Google Certified Associate Cloud Engineer Practice Tests

udemy
4.5
(835)

Become GCP Google Certified Associate Cloud Engineer # Ace your ACE exam # Google Cloud Certification Practice Exams...

See More on Udemy

12. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

udemy
4.5
(327)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

See More on Udemy

13. Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer Course [2019 Update]

udemy
4.5
(1,962)

Take this course to prepare for the GCP Data Engineers Exam. Updated to reflect latest exam content...

See More on Udemy

14. Data Engineering using AWS Data Analytics

udemy
4.5
(888)

Build Data Engineering Pipelines on AWS using Data Analytics Services - Glue, EMR, Athena, Kinesis, Lambda, Redshift...

See More on Udemy

15. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA

udemy
4.4
(456)

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...

See More on Udemy

16. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

udemy
4.5
(907)

Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...

See More on Udemy

17. Linux(Unix) Command with Shell Scripting-Must for Testers/QA

udemy
4.5
(436)

Learn Linux Shell Commands, Shell Scripting with Practical Implementation File Processing using SED, AWK & Advance GREP...

See More on Udemy

18. GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Certification: Google Cloud

udemy
4.5
(1,077)

Learn Google Cloud - GCP with 90+ Hands-on demo Lab & make yourself fully prepared for GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Exam...

See More on Udemy

19. SOFTWARE TESTING MASTERCLASS-2022-JIRA AGILE API Testing

udemy
4.4
(974)

Be a Manual Testing Expert with Database & Mobile Testing, Linux, Postman with Realtime Quality Assurance/QA questions...

See More on Udemy

20. Data Engineering Capstone Project

edX (Global)

In this Capstone you’ll demonstrate your ability to perform like a Data Engineer. Your mission is to design, implement, and manage a complete data and analytics platform consisting of relational and non-relational databases, data warehouses, data pipelines, big data processing engines, and Business Intelligence (BI) tools. This Capstone project will require that you apply and sharpen the skills and knowledge you developed in the various courses in the IBM Data Engineering Professional...

See More on edX

Best Engineer Certifications in 2023

1. Engineer In Training Certification (EIT)

The EIT Certification, which is formally known as the Engineer In Training Certification, is simply a document, a number, granted by the individual’s state engineering board after they pass the Engineer In Training Exam. The Engineer in Training Exam (EIT Exam) is the first of two exams you will take as you move towards obtaining your Professional Engineering License (PE). This exam, which you may also hear referred to as the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE Exam), is developed and administered in all states (and a number of locations outside the US) by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The FE Exam is offered to eligible students year-round in four different testing windows.

The EIT Certification, which is formally known as the Engineer In Training Certification, is simply a document, a number, granted by the individual’s state engineering board after they pass the Engineer In Training Exam. The Engineer in Training Exam (EIT Exam) is the first of two exams you will take as you move towards obtaining your Professional Engineering License (PE). This exam, which you may also hear referred to as the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE Exam), is developed and administered in all states (and a number of locations outside the US) by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The FE Exam is offered to eligible students year-round in four different testing windows.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? No
  • Renewal Required? No

2. Project Management Professional (PMP)

The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.

The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
Project Management Certification Training + 2 Practice Exams
udemy
3.9
(134)

3. Certified Audio Engineer (CEA)

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying Website
Certified Audio Engineer
Certifying Organization
Society of Broadcast Engineers,...

4. Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE)

The purpose of the certification program is to recognize chemists and chemical engineers who have a certain basic level of education and/or experience and who have participated in professional career development and continuing education during the immediate past one to three years.

The purpose of the certification program is to recognize chemists and chemical engineers who have a certain basic level of education and/or experience and who have participated in professional career development and continuing education during the immediate past one to three years.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)

5. Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC)

This professional competency certification requires successful completion of Certificates of Proficiency in twelve key knowledge areas: Software Engineering Requirements, Software Engineering Design, Software Engineering Construction, Software Engineering Testing, Software Engineering Maintenance, Software Engineering Configuration Management, Software Engineering Quality, Software Engineering Processes, Software Engineering Models & Methods, Software Engineering Management, Software Engineering Project Management, Software Engineering Economics and the successful completion of two advanced applied modules.

This professional competency certification requires successful completion of Certificates of Proficiency in twelve key knowledge areas: Software Engineering Requirements, Software Engineering Design, Software Engineering Construction, Software Engineering Testing, Software Engineering Maintenance, Software Engineering Configuration Management, Software Engineering Quality, Software Engineering Processes, Software Engineering Models & Methods, Software Engineering Management, Software Engineering Project Management, Software Engineering Economics and the successful completion of two advanced applied modules.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)

6. Software Engineering Management Associate Engineer

Software engineering management involves a number of various activities and processes. It requires an understanding of software engineering economics, software development process, software models and methods as well as traditional management functions such as planning, coordinating measuring, controlling and reporting in the context of software engineering.

Software engineering management involves a number of various activities and processes. It requires an understanding of software engineering economics, software development process, software models and methods as well as traditional management functions such as planning, coordinating measuring, controlling and reporting in the context of software engineering.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying Organization
IEEE Computer Society
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer Practice Tests
udemy
4.5
(1,726)

7. CCNP Service Provider Operations (CCNP)

The Cisco Certified Network Professional in Service Provider Operations (CCNP SP Operations) validates knowledge and skills required (of a Tier II or Tier III support engineer) to troubleshoot and maintain service provider IP NGN core (PE-PE and PE-CE) network infrastructures. With a CCNP SP Operations certification, a network professional demonstrates knowledge and skills required to isolate network performance problems, implement proactive fault measures using operations management processes, frameworks, and network management systems.

The Cisco Certified Network Professional in Service Provider Operations (CCNP SP Operations) validates knowledge and skills required (of a Tier II or Tier III support engineer) to troubleshoot and maintain service provider IP NGN core (PE-PE and PE-CE) network infrastructures. With a CCNP SP Operations certification, a network professional demonstrates knowledge and skills required to isolate network performance problems, implement proactive fault measures using operations management processes, frameworks, and network management systems.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying Organization
Cisco Systems, Inc.
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
CCNP Service Provider SPCOR-350-501
udemy
4.7
(428)

8. Petroleum Engineering Certification (PEC)

Associations, societies and professions offer voluntary certification programs to their members to bring increased recognition of the recipient's high professional standards and commitment to the profession. For the petroleum industry, the environmental and consumer era of the past few decades have given the public greater awareness of pollution, energy, and the need for a high level of industry professionalism. At the request of the membership, SPE has established this program to provide a Society-sponsored Petroleum Engineering Certification the Middle East, Asia Pacific, United States and other regions that express interest in the program.

Associations, societies and professions offer voluntary certification programs to their members to bring increased recognition of the recipient's high professional standards and commitment to the profession. For the petroleum industry, the environmental and consumer era of the past few decades have given the public greater awareness of pollution, energy, and the need for a high level of industry professionalism. At the request of the membership, SPE has established this program to provide a Society-sponsored Petroleum Engineering Certification the Middle East, Asia Pacific, United States and other regions that express interest in the program.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)

9. Structural Engineer (SE)

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying Website
Structural Engineer

10. Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP)

CISSP-ISSAP requires a candidate to demonstrate 2 years of professional experience in the area of architecture and is an appropriate credential for Chief Security Architects and Analysts who may typically work as independent consultants or in similar capacities. The architect plays a key role within the information security department with responsibilities that functionally fit between the C-suite and upper managerial level and the implementation of the security program. The candidate would generally develop, design, or analyze the overall security plan. Although this role may typically be tied closely to technology, it may be fundamentally closer to the consultative and analytical process of information security.

CISSP-ISSAP requires a candidate to demonstrate 2 years of professional experience in the area of architecture and is an appropriate credential for Chief Security Architects and Analysts who may typically work as independent consultants or in similar capacities. The architect plays a key role within the information security department with responsibilities that functionally fit between the C-suite and upper managerial level and the implementation of the security program. The candidate would generally develop, design, or analyze the overall security plan. Although this role may typically be tied closely to technology, it may be fundamentally closer to the consultative and analytical process of information security.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Course That Help You To Prepare For Certification
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
udemy
4.4
(430)

Entry Level Jobs For Becoming An Engineer

Top 10 Affordable Universities For Engineers

If those top 10 were a bit out of your price range, you might want to check these schools instead. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price and mean earnings after 6 years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for engineers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,798

Cost of Attendance

18,306

Website

www.csulb.edu

Address

1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840-0115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $40,000 per year

Net Price: $8,982 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 31.21%
SAT Average - 1146
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,620

Cost of Attendance

18,136

Website

www.byu.edu

Address

Main Campus, Provo, UT 84602

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $46,600 per year

Net Price: $13,181 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 64.47%
SAT Average - 1324
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Information Systems
Chemical Engineering

3. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-State Tuition

$4,094

Cost of Attendance

14,302

Website

https://www.uprm.edu

Address

Call Box 9000, Mayaguez, PR 00681

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $38,700 per year

Net Price: $8,584 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 63.51%

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-State Tuition

$5,940

Cost of Attendance

13,508

Website

bayamon.inter.edu

Address

500 Road 830, Bayamon, PR 00957

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $19,300 per year

Net Price: $8,490 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 30.72%

5. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,556

Cost of Attendance

19,434

Website

www.fiu.edu

Address

11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,500 per year

Net Price: $8,311 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 58.56%
SAT Average - 1185
ACT Average - 25
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,381

Cost of Attendance

21,034

Website

www.ufl.edu/

Address

300 SW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $47,700 per year

Net Price: $8,057 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 38.75%
SAT Average - 1362
ACT Average - 30
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Chemical Engineering

7. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,353

Cost of Attendance

21,302

Website

www.cpp.edu

Address

3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $42,900 per year

Net Price: $12,842 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 55.15%
SAT Average - 1143
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Business
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$6,749

Cost of Attendance

14,823

Website

www.calstatela.edu

Address

5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90032

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $37,200 per year

Net Price: $4,175 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 41.52%
SAT Average - 978
ACT Average - 18
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering

9. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,464

Cost of Attendance

17,166

Website

www.wvutech.edu

Address

405 Fayette Pike, Montgomery, WV 25136

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $39,300 per year

Net Price: $10,200 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 60.65%
SAT Average - 1170
ACT Average - 24
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Business
Civil Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Electrical Engineering

10. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,992

Cost of Attendance

22,430

Website

https://www.purdue.edu

Address

Hovde Hall of Administration, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $49,000 per year

Net Price: $12,527 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 57.98%
SAT Average - 1309
ACT Average - 29
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Industrial Engineering

Top 10 Hardest Universities To Get Into For Engineers

Some people like a challenge. Well, we challenge you to get into one of these schools. It's not going to be easy. We know this based on these institutions' admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted and mean earnings of students 6 years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions Rate

8%

SAT Average

1,508

Website

www.northwestern.edu

Address

633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $71,900 per year

Net Price: $24,840 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 8.47%
SAT Average - 1508
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering
Industrial Engineering

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

11%

SAT Average

1,513

Website

www.jhu.edu

Address

3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218-2688

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $68,000 per year

Net Price: $30,701 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 11.48%
SAT Average - 1513
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Chemical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Business
Computer Networking

3. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

7%

SAT Average

1,566

Website

www.caltech.edu

Address

1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $68,500 per year

Net Price: $23,820 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 6.62%
SAT Average - 1566
ACT Average - 36
Most Popular Majors
Physics
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

17%

SAT Average

1,507

Website

www.cmu.edu/

Address

5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $84,000 per year

Net Price: $32,674 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 17.12%
SAT Average - 1507
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Electrical Engineering
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Computer Engineering

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

6%

SAT Average

1,512

Website

www.columbia.edu

Address

535 West 116th Street, New York, NY 10027

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $77,900 per year

Net Price: $22,637 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 5.91%
SAT Average - 1512
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions Rate

4%

SAT Average

1,497

Website

www.stanford.edu/

Address

450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-2061

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $92,800 per year

Net Price: $12,265 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 4.36%
SAT Average - 1497
ACT Average - 34
Most Popular Majors
Computer Science
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions Rate

11%

SAT Average

1,471

Website

www.cornell.edu

Address

300 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $76,300 per year

Net Price: $30,494 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 10.61%
SAT Average - 1471
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

19%

SAT Average

1,466

Website

www.northeastern.edu

Address

360 Huntington Ave, 110CH, Boston, MA 02115

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $57,800 per year

Net Price: $31,855 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 19.34%
SAT Average - 1466
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Engineering
Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering

9. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions Rate

22%

SAT Average

1,465

Website

www.gatech.edu

Address

225 North Avenue, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30332

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $66,100 per year

Net Price: $14,927 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 21.53%
SAT Average - 1465
ACT Average - 33
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Business
Electrical Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions Rate

22%

SAT Average

1,420

Website

www.bu.edu

Address

One Silber Way, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02215

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $52,800 per year

Net Price: $30,729 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 22.09%
SAT Average - 1420
ACT Average - 32
Most Popular Majors
Business
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering

Top 10 Easier To Apply Universities For Engineers

Why make getting a job harder on yourself than it has to be? With these colleges, you're sure to be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores and average salary of students 6 years after graduation in order to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions Rate

96%

SAT Average

1,139

Website

https://www.oit.edu

Address

3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601-8801

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $52,900 per year

Net Price: $17,083 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 95.85%
SAT Average - 1139
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Engineering
Industrial Technology

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions Rate

69%

SAT Average

1,070

Website

www.captechu.edu

Address

11301 Springfield Rd, Laurel, MD 20708

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $53,000 per year

Net Price: $22,000 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 68.90%
SAT Average - 1070
ACT Average - 20
Most Popular Majors
Computer Information Systems
Aerospace Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Business
Computer Engineering

3. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

87%

SAT Average

1,107

Website

berks.psu.edu/

Address

Tulpehocken Rd, Reading, PA 19610-1016

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $43,600 per year

Net Price: $24,278 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 87.23%
SAT Average - 1107
ACT Average - 24
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Information Systems

4. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX • Private

Admissions Rate

87%

SAT Average

1,068

Website

www.tamucc.edu

Address

6300 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5503

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $39,100 per year

Net Price: $15,253 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 86.99%
SAT Average - 1068
ACT Average - 21
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Electrical Engineering
Physics

5. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions Rate

88%

SAT Average

1,111

Website

www.csuohio.edu/

Address

2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $37,200 per year

Net Price: $15,124 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 88.34%
SAT Average - 1111
ACT Average - 22
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Chemical Engineering

6. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions Rate

92%

SAT Average

1,149

Website

https://www.sdstate.edu/

Address

Box 2201, Adm 324, Brookings, SD 57007-1898

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $41,100 per year

Net Price: $19,503 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 92.43%
SAT Average - 1149
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Business
Engineering

7. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions Rate

90%

SAT Average

957

Website

www.aamu.edu/

Address

4900 Meridian Street, Normal, AL 35762

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $28,400 per year

Net Price: $14,444 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 89.86%
SAT Average - 957
ACT Average - 18
Most Popular Majors
Business
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering
Civil Engineering

8. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions Rate

97%

SAT Average

1,080

Website

www.pfw.edu

Address

2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $33,100 per year

Net Price: $11,404 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 96.61%
SAT Average - 1080
ACT Average - 22
Most Popular Majors
Business
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Engineering

9. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions Rate

91%

SAT Average

1,094

Website

altoona.psu.edu/

Address

3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601-3777

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $43,600 per year

Net Price: $24,274 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 90.88%
SAT Average - 1094
ACT Average - 23
Most Popular Majors
Computer Information Systems
Engineering
Civil Engineering

10. Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • Private

Admissions Rate

87%

SAT Average

1,093

Website

www.odu.edu

Address

5115 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23529

Median Earnings 6 years after Graduation: $38,300 per year

Net Price: $15,680 per year

Admissions
Acceptance Rate - 86.99%
SAT Average - 1093
ACT Average - 21
Most Popular Majors
Business
Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering

Average Engineer Salary by Education Level

Engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $113,933 annually. With a Masters degree, engineers earn a median annual income of $104,300 compared to $91,031 for engineers with an Bachelors degree.

Engineer Education LevelEngineer Salary
Master's Degree$104,300
Bachelor's Degree$91,031
Doctorate Degree$113,933

Engineer Internship Jobs

Engineer Jobs