What are considered the top accreditations for engineering degrees?

I'm researching engineering programs and wondering about accreditation. What accreditations should I be looking for in a college engineering program to ensure it's a good fit?

When you're exploring engineering programs, one crucial accreditation to seek is from ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). An ABET-accredited program follows a high standard of education, ensuring that you're getting a quality education that meets the professional standards for engineering.

ABET accreditation is recognized worldwide, and many employers, especially those in the tech and engineering industries, value an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program. In addition, if you ever plan on pursuing licensure as a Professional Engineer, attending an ABET-accredited program is often one of the prerequisites.

Now, keep in mind that the absence of ABET accreditation does not necessarily mean that the program is of low quality; however, it could signify that the program doesn't strictly adhere to the traditional engineering curriculum. For example, some interdisciplinary or non-traditional engineering programs may not be ABET accredited.

A great way to assess the reputation and quality of these non-accredited programs would be to review their faculty and their research, employment outcomes of graduates, as well as ask current students or alumni about their experiences. If the program is relatively new, it might not have the ABET accreditation simply because the accreditation process takes several years and they haven't completed it yet.

Remember that tailoring your education to your career goals and personal interests can be just as important as accreditation. However, if you want flexibility and wider recognition of your degree, seeking ABET-accredited programs would be a smart move.