Best institutions to study Pre-Engineering
A program that prepares individuals for admission or transfer to a baccalaureate-level program in any of the fields of engineering.
217 U.S. institutions graduated 3,483 Pre-Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.0102, a specialization of Engineering (CIP 14.01).
About Pre-Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals for admission or transfer to a baccalaureate-level program in any of the fields of engineering.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pre-Engineering program is designed to prepare individuals for admission or transfer to a baccalaureate-level program in various fields of engineering. This program serves as a foundational step for students aiming to pursue advanced studies in engineering disciplines such as mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering. With 217 colleges offering this program across the United States, it provides accessible pathways for aspiring engineers.
Students in the Pre-Engineering program typically engage in coursework that covers fundamental engineering principles, mathematics, and science. This foundation equips them with essential skills and knowledge necessary for success in a four-year engineering degree.
Credentials awarded
What Pre-Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree2,808 graduates / yr · 196 institutions81%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year403 graduates / yr · 17 institutions12%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years257 graduates / yr · 17 institutions7.4%
- Bachelor's degree15 graduates / yr · 8 institutions0.4%
Graduates over time
Pre-Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 636 |
| 2013 | 865 |
| 2014 | 975 |
| 2015 | 1,151 |
| 2016 | 1,239 |
| 2017 | 1,459 |
| 2018 | 1,868 |
| 2019 | 2,046 |
| 2020 | 2,308 |
| 2021 | 2,426 |
| 2022 | 2,554 |
| 2023 | 2,290 |
| 2024 | 2,717 |
| 2025 | 3,483 |
Top 50 institutions for Pre-Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAssociate's | 187 | 45% | — |
| 2 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 163 | 31% | — |
| 3 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAssociate's | 118 | 33% | — |
| 4 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAssociate's | 89 | 48% | — |
| 5 | Clovis Community College Fresno, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 89 | 45% | — |
| 6 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 82 | 40% | — |
| 7 | Utah Tech University Saint George, UTPublicAssociate's | 77 | 38% | — |
| 8 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 68 | 36% | — |
| 9 | Ventura College Ventura, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 68 | 38% | — |
| 10 | Northeast Technology Center Pryor, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 55 | 97% | — |
| 11 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAssociate's | 54 | 31% | — |
| 12 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 24% | — |
| 13 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAssociate's | 47 | 16% | — |
| 14 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAssociate's | 47 | 31% | — |
| 15 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 81% | — |
| 16 | Moore Norman Technology Center Norman, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 45 | 91% | — |
| 17 | Norco College Norco, CAPublicAssociate's | 45 | 42% | — |
| 18 | San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate's | 44 | 48% | — |
| 19 | Moorpark College Moorpark, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 43 | 44% | — |
| 20 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate's | 40 | 37% | — |
| 21 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAssociate's | 38 | 29% | — |
| 22 | Cabrillo College Aptos, CAPublicAssociate's | 37 | 38% | — |
| 23 | Reedley College Reedley, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 42% | — |
| 24 | Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center Choctaw, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 92% | — |
| 25 | Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OKPublicAssociate's | 33 | 27% | — |
| 26 | University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Fort Smith, ARPublicAssociate's | 32 | 38% | — |
| 27 | Hartnell College Salinas, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 40% | — |
| 28 | Chandler - Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZPublicAssociate's | 32 | 30% | — |
| 29 | Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale, AZPublicAssociate's | 31 | 32% | — |
| 30 | Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills, CAPublicAssociate's | 30 | 46% | — |
| 31 | El Camino Community College District Torrance, CAPublicAssociate's | 29 | 42% | — |
| 32 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 34% | — |
| 33 | Glendale Community College Glendale, AZPublicAssociate's | 27 | 16% | — |
| 34 | Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CAPublicAssociate's | 27 | 34% | — |
| 35 | Minnesota North College Hibbing, MNPublicAssociate's | 27 | 42% | — |
| 36 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAssociate's | 26 | 17% | — |
| 37 | Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga, TNPublicAssociate's | 26 | 26% | — |
| 38 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 25 | 21% | — |
| 39 | Chabot College Hayward, CAPublicAssociate's | 25 | 47% | — |
| 40 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAssociate's | 25 | 37% | — |
| 41 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College Kalamazoo, MIPublicAssociate's | 25 | 28% | — |
| 42 | Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NYPublicAssociate's | 25 | 35% | — |
| 43 | Johnston Community College Smithfield, NCPublicAssociate's | 25 | 37% | — |
| 44 | SUNY Westchester Community College Valhalla, NYPublicAssociate's | 23 | 25% | — |
| 45 | SUNY Broome Community College Binghamton, NYPublicAssociate's | 22 | 23% | — |
| 46 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAssociate's | 21 | 31% | — |
| 47 | San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 35% | — |
| 48 | Butler Community College El Dorado, KSPublicAssociate's | 21 | 32% | — |
| 49 | Midlands Technical College West Columbia, SCPublicAssociate's | 21 | 18% | — |
| 50 | St Charles Community College Cottleville, MOPublicAssociate's | 21 | 25% | — |
Offered in 31 states
Where Pre-Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Engineering programs offered there.
Other Engineering specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Engineering (CIP 14.01).
Common questions
What degree do I earn in the Pre-Engineering program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, among other awards.
How many colleges offer the Pre-Engineering program?+
There are 217 colleges offering this program in the U.S.
What is the typical duration of the Pre-Engineering program?+
Programs can vary, with awards ranging from at least 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What should I do after completing the Pre-Engineering program?+
You can transfer to a baccalaureate-level engineering program to further your education.
What is the CIP code for Pre-Engineering?+
Pre-Engineering is CIP 14.0102 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Engineering (CIP 14.01). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals for admission or transfer to a baccalaureate-level program in any of the fields of engineering.
How many institutions offer Pre-Engineering programs?+
217 U.S. institutions reported Pre-Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 31 states, awarding 3,483 credentials in the year. That is 23.6% of all Engineering graduates.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card