Top Colleges for Undergraduate Engineering

I'm looking to apply to some of the best colleges for undergraduate engineering in the U.S. Which schools have the strongest programs overall? I'd love to hear about a mix of well-known and maybe some hidden gems. Any recommendations?

Sure, it's fantastic that you're aiming high with your goals for studying engineering!

When discussing top engineering schools in the US, it's hard not to start with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). MIT's School of Engineering is often ranked as the best overall engineering school worldwide, boasting various top-ranked specialty programs such as Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, and Nuclear Engineering.

Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley (Cal) are also known for their fantastic engineering programs. Stanford is particularly renowned for its programs that intersect with business and entrepreneurship, while Cal is known for their highly-ranked Civil and Environmental Engineering programs.

In the private university category, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is another to consider. Caltech offers a wide range of engineering disciplines, and its small class size leads to a good amount of attention from faculty members.

Moving east, Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania has a particularly robust Computer Engineering program, and also offers unique interdisciplinary programs such as Biomedical Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also boasts particularly strong Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programs. It's a public university, so it offers a bit of a different campus culture and atmosphere compared to some of the smaller, private institutions I mentioned earlier.

As for hidden gems, I'd suggest checking out Harvey Mudd College. Despite its smaller size, it's widely recognized for its quality instruction and hands-on project-based curriculum, particularly in Engineering.

Keep in mind that determining the "best" engineering school very much depends on your personal needs and aspirations, including what branch of engineering you're interested in, what type of learning environment you thrive in, and what kind of campus culture you're seeking. I recommend taking these factors into account as you research schools. Good luck!