I'm looking into engineering programs and have been considering schools in Iowa. What are the top colleges there for engineering? Any personal experiences or thoughts on the programs would be awesome! Thanks!
There are several great colleges for engineering in Iowa. Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames is one of the top engineering schools, boasting over a dozen undergraduate engineering programs. They also have considerable research opportunities and laboratories available for hands-on learning experiences.
The University of Iowa (UI) is another option with a strong engineering program focusing on areas such as biomedical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and industrial and systems engineering. UI hosts the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research, a top-tier research institute for fluid sciences, which can be a great resource if you're interested in hydraulic engineering. Students cite its wide array of specialty engineering programs and the resources provided by the nearby Research Park.
Another option could be Drake University, which is a smaller private institution that currently offers a three-plus-two dual degree program in collaboration with the Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Minnesota. You spend three years at Drake University and two additional years at the collaborating institutions, and at the end, you receive two bachelor's degrees: a BA or BS from Drake and a BS in engineering from the collaborating institution.
However, it's important to also consider other factors such as school size, student-to-faculty ratio, financial aid options, career services, and overall fit when selecting a college. Doing some college visits and talking to current students or professors could give you more insight into these programs.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.