My dream is to design cars, so I'm considering automotive engineering as a major. Does anyone know which colleges are best for automotive engineering? Any tips for programs with good industry connections would also be appreciated.
Absolutely, I'd be happy to offer some suggestions. Begin by considering universities that have a strong overall engineering program, as this generally indicates a high level of faculty expertise and resources for students, regardless of their specific field of study.
A university that comes to mind with a particularly strong automotive engineering graduate program is the University of Michigan. Their Mechanical Engineering department offers automotive engineering as a graduate concentration, where students can study everything from automotive systems to hybrid electric vehicles. Michigan also benefits from being close to America's automobile manufacturing hub in and near Detroit, providing many opportunities for internships and jobs in the automotive industry.
Meanwhile, Clemson University in South Carolina also has a highly regarded Automotive Engineering program. What's unique about Clemson is their dedicated International Center for Automotive Research (ICAR), an advanced-technology research campus where academia, industry, and government organizations collaborate. This includes internships opportunities with automakers and suppliers.
Out West, the University of California, Riverside's Bourns College of Engineering hosts a Center for Environmental Research and Technology, with laboratories focused on advanced transportation technologies.
Remember, it's not just about the program itself. Look for universities that offer hands-on learning experiences, opportunities for internships, and strong relationships with car companies.
Lastly, bear in mind that most experts in the field of automotive engineering hold degrees in mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. Therefore, don't limit your options to schools offering a specific "automotive engineering" degree if they have an otherwise strong program in mechanical or electrical engineering, because you can focus your studies on automotive applications.
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