Best institutions to study Engineering
Compare 109 U.S. colleges offering Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 38 states.
Engineering programs report a median of $73,153 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 14.99 and the Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors occupation (BLS SOC).
About Engineering programs
The Engineering program focuses on applying scientific theories, mathematical methods, and empirical evidence to develop technological solutions. Students in this field will learn to balance technical requirements with safety, human factors, and cost considerations, preparing them for a diverse range of engineering challenges. This program is ideal for individuals interested in problem-solving and innovation in various engineering domains.
In this program, students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework will cover topics related to engineering and technology, safety regulations, and management principles, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to evaluate product designs and conduct safety assessments.
Top 16 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,931 | 34 | 89% | — | $18,750 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Certificate degree | $80,250 | 58 | 85% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,734 | 38 | 88% | — | $22,000 |
| 4 | Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,059 | 8 | 40% | — | $31,000 |
| 5 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,253 | 660 | 91% | $18,925 | $22,512 |
| 6 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,668 | 153 | 83% | — | $20,000 |
| 7 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,204 | 32 | 63% | — | $23,000 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,153 | 77 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,153 | 75 | 34% | — | $26,000 |
| 10 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,549 | 21 | 70% | — | $31,000 |
| 11 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,685 | 2 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
| 12 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,045 | 44 | 67% | — | $19,469 |
| 13 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,007 | 35 | 81% | — | $22,875 |
| 14 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,522 | 71 | 86% | — | $19,250 |
| 15 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,741 | 108 | 92% | $12,032 | $7,500 |
| 16 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,233 | 2 | 55% | $31,634 | $27,000 |
Offered across 38 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2111, Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Engineering program can expect a positive job outlook, with an annual growth rate of 4.4% and approximately 1,500 annual job openings. The median wage for engineering professionals is $109,660, and most positions require a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.99.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.99 (Engineering, Other) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2111 | Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectorsprimary |
| 17-2199 | Engineers, All Other |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Investigate industrial accidents, injuries, or occupational diseases to determine causes and preventive measures.
- Conduct research to evaluate safety levels for products.
- Evaluate product designs for safety.
- Conduct or coordinate worker training in areas such as safety laws and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and use of safety equipment.
- Maintain and apply knowledge of current policies, regulations, and industrial processes.
- Recommend procedures for detection, prevention, and elimination of physical, chemical, or other product hazards.
Concentrations within Engineering
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Engineering, OtherCIP 14.9999
Any instructional program in engineering not listed above.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Engineering program?+
The program focuses on applying scientific and mathematical principles to design and analyze technological solutions.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, among others.
What is the job outlook for engineering graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.4%.
What is the typical education required for a career in engineering?+
Most engineering positions require a Bachelor's degree.
How much do Engineering graduates earn?+
Engineering graduates report median earnings of $73,153 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors occupation pays about $119,770 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Engineering?+
Engineering maps to CIP 14.99 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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