Best Engineering Colleges in USA: Fees, Scholarships, Eligibility, Courses and Salaries

International students consider a career in engineering from the USA as there are more than 100 top engineering colleges in USA, ranked worldwide with a versatile number of specializations and programs available, as per THE World University Rankings 2022.

  • According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projection of employment growth states an increase in the number of engineering jobs in USA nearly by 140,000 in a decade (2016-2026).
  • Pursuing MS in civil engineenring in US is surely a benefit as job growth projected in the specialisation is 32,200 for the same decade.
  • Manufacturing Industry has more than 578,000 engineers, which is more than in any other industry.
  • 65% of the engineers in the USA enjoy an average annual salary of 85,000 USD or more.

USA is one of those countries known for having top engineering colleges and therefore, one must have a bachelor's degree with knowledge of trigonometry, calculus, and physics to begin with an entry-level job. Given below is a graph representing the projection of new jobs by industries in the USA by 2026:

New jobs by Expected (2026) by industries

Best Engineering Colleges in USA 

With a large number of universities ranking globally among Engineering colleges from around the world, USA has placed itself among the elite nations offering top notch Engineering programs in the world. The global subject ranking of the top universities in USA for Engineering by THE World University Rankings 2022 are as follows.

University/College Subject Ranking of Engineering Colleges in US (2022) Engineering Programs offered
Harvard University #2 7 Undergraduate programs; 6 Graduate programs; 4 Doctoral programs are offered
California Institute of Technology #=2 6 Undergraduate programs; 4 Graduate programs; 4 Doctoral programs are offered
Stanford University #4 11 Undergraduate programs; 11 Graduate programs; 9 Doctoral programs are offered
Massachusetts Institute of Technology #5 13 Undergraduate programs; 20 Graduate programs; 10 Doctoral programs are offered
Princeton University #7 4 Undergraduate programs; 6 Graduate programs are offered

These are some of the best Engineering colleges in the USA that will not only help an international student add wings to their dreams, but will also offer a world class higher education in the USA.

Engineering Colleges in USA: Specializations Available

Engineering is considered as one of the broad fields of education where specializations from almost all the aspects of science are offered by adding the touch of technology to it. With 23% of projected new jobs in civil engineering, followed by mechanical and industrial engineering as the second and third in the estimated job growth in the USA, the country offers a number of specializations in engineering for the aspirants as follows:

Specializations Specializations
Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Industrial Engineering
Chemical Engineering Biomedical Engineering
Computer Engineering Astronautics Engineering
Software Engineering Financial Engineering
Aerospace Engineering Bioengineering Engineering

Engineering Colleges in USA: Degrees Offered

A variety of programs are available at some of the best engineering colleges in USA. Some of these degree programs are mentioned below:

  • Undergraduate: Bachelors of Engineering, Bachelor of Science & Bachelor of Applied Science
  • Graduate: Master of Engineering, Master of Science & Master of Applied Science
  • Doctoral: Doctoral of Philosophy [Ph.D.]

Engineering Colleges in USA: Undergraduate Programs

An undergraduate degree in Engineering from the USA can be the most basic one to enter the field but at the same time, it makes a professional earn 24% more than those who have only managed to get a certificate or a diploma in the same field, as per salary explorer.

Listed below are some of the best engineering colleges in USA for studying bachelors or undergraduate programs

Popular Programs Universities Offering the Programs Average Annual Fees (INR) Duration
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering California Institute of Technology;
Stanford University;
Harvard University
46.06 lakhs;
38.62 lakhs;
72.72 lakhs
4 Years
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
California Institute of Technology
39.25 lakhs;
46.06 lakhs
4 Years
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Yale University;
Columbia University;
Harvard University
42.28 lakhs;
48.08 lakhs;
72.72 lakhs
4 Years
Bachelor of Civil Engineering Princeton University;
Stanford University;
Cornell University
35.55 lakhs;
38.62 lakhs;
39.86 lakhs
4 Years
Bachelor of Bioengineering California Institute of Technology;
Stanford University
46.06 lakhs;
38.62 lakhs
4 Years
Bachelor of Aeronautics & Astronautics Stanford University;
University of Michigan(Ann Arbor)
38.62 lakhs;
37.59 lakhs
4 Years
Bachelor of Nuclear Science & Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology 39.25 lakhs 4 Years

Engineering Colleges in USA: Eligibility for Bachelors

The students looking forward to applying for their Undergraduate Engineering degree from the USA must ensure to meet a few basic eligibility conditions as itemized beneath:

  • International students will have to deliver their qualifying certificate of 12th grade from any registered body of education (science background is preferred)
  • Students may have to take the following;
  • International students will have to give the Proof of English Language proficiency
    • IELTS: 7 or more
    • TOEFL Range: 85-100
  • International students may have to appear for tests and interviews conducted by the appearing universities.
  • Age proof can be a requirement for many universities.

Required Documents

The documents as follows are essential for an Undergraduate Engineering program in the USA:

Engineering Colleges in USA: Fees & Funding for Bachelors

The average annual cost to study an undergraduate Engineering program from the USA could range from 40,000 (USD) to 96,000 (USD) approximately, depending on the course and university one chooses. International students can also take the help of various scholarships available by the universities and government of the country. Find out some popular scholarships for bachelors in USA.

Engineering Colleges in USA: Postgraduate Programs

A Graduation degree in Engineering can be that additional education required for advancing in the occupation. According to salary explorer, the employees with a master degree can earn 29% more than they can earn only having a bachelor’s degree.

Further down is the list of widespread Graduate Engineering programs accessible in the USA:

Popular Programs Universities Offering the Programs Average Annual Fees (INR) Duration
Master of Civil Engineering California Institute of Technology;
Stanford University
47.57 lakhs;
42.6 lakhs
2 Years
Master of Chemical Engineering in USA Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
Princeton University
39.26 lakhs;
37.56 lakhs
2 Years
Master of Electrical Engineering in USA Columbia University( New York);
University of California( Los Angeles)
48.1 lakhs;
24.34 lakhs
2 Years
Master of Mechanical Engineering in USA University of California(Berkeley);
Cornell University
10.11 lakhs;
43.09 lakhs
2 Years
Master of Bioengineering Stanford University 42.6 lakhs 2 Years
Master of Financial Engineering Columbia University(New York);
University of California( Los Angeles)
44.78 lakhs;
59.79 lakhs
2 Years
Master of Engineering in Computer Science  Cornell University 43.09 lakhs 2 Years

Engineering Colleges in USA: Eligibility for Masters

The applications of the students willing to apply for a Master degree in Engineering from the USA shall be accepted on the fulfillment of basic criteria as mentioned under-

  • Students must provide their undergraduate qualifying certificate in a related field of study.
  • GRE scores are required for maximum universities. International students must ensure that they score competitive scores to get admissions in top universities in USA.
  • All the International students will have to give proof of English Language proficiency
    • IELTS: 7 or more
    • TOEFL Range: 85-110
  • Students may have to satisfy all the rules and regulations set by respective universities and departments.
  • Interviews may be conducted depending on the course and the university chosen.

Required Documents

The important documents needed for a Graduate Engineering program in the USA are mentioned beneath:

  • SOP for MS in US
  • LOR
  • Resume/CV (Depends on the university applying)
  • A valid passport and a visa is compulsory

Engineering Colleges in USA: Fees & Funding for Masters

To pursue a graduate program in Engineering from the USA can cost within a range of 14,000 USD to 80,000 USD on average annually. The range may vary depending on the course and university one chooses. The benefits of scholarships for masters in USA can be easily availed.

Engineering Colleges in USA: Doctoral Programs

A Ph.D. in Engineering can be one of the most advanced degrees in this profession, as per the data observed from the Salary Explorer, which shows that an engineer with a Ph.D. degree can earn 23% more than the master’s degree holders for doing the same job. Ph.D. programs available in best Engineering Colleges in the USA are detailed below:

Popular Programs Universities Offering the Programs Average Annual Fees (INR) Duration
Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] Chemical Engineering Stanford University;
Columbia University
40 lakhs
36.27 lakhs
4 Years;
5 Years
Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] Nuclear Science & Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
Ohio State University
13.56 lakhs
27.5 lakhs
3 Years;
5 Years
Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] Civil Engineering University of Michigan;
New York University
19.8 lakhs
37.44 lakhs
3 Years;
5 Years
Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] Mechanical Engineering Cornell University;
Carnegie Mellon University;
New York University
22.37 lakhs
33.83 lakhs
37.44 lakhs
5 Years;
4 Years;
5 Years
Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] Electrical Engineering Harvard University 18.29 lakhs 5 Years
Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] Aeronautics and Astronautics Stanford University;
Ohio State University
40 lakhs;
27.5 lakhs
4 Years;
5 Years

Engineering Colleges in USA: Eligibility Criteria for PhD

A P.H.D degree from Engineering colleges in USA requires international students to meet special benchmarks in order to be eligible enough for the program. Assembled below are the few essential requirements that all the willing students must ensure to fulfill:

  • International students are recommended to have a good academic record both in undergraduate and graduate degrees (70% or B).
  • All international students may have to provide the GRE scores.
  • Students must get their research paper approved by the concerned universities.
  • Proof of English Language proficiency is mandatory for all international students:
    • IELTS- 7 or more
    • TOEFL: 85-100
  • International students may require giving internet-based tests, revised paper-delivered tests, and paper-based tests.
  • International students strictly need to follow the rules set by the universities.

Documents Required

All the students must ensure to have the following documents when applying for a Ph.D. in Engineering from the USA:

  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
  • Resume/CV
  • Past academic transcripts.

Engineering Colleges in USA: Fees & Funding for PhD

Annual fees to pursue a doctoral degree from engineering colleges in USA may differ based on programs and university one chooses but on average annually, it may cost between the ranges from 18,000 to 55,000 USD. International students can check for different scholarships and loans as help provided by a few universities and the government of the country.

Engineering Colleges in USA: Scholarships Available

With 201,145 numbers of approximate international students present in the USA for pursuing engineering, the annual average cost an international student pays for the same course may rise up to $1,32,860 including the tuition fees and the cost of living.

Therefore, the thought of studying in a country like the USA can seem a little difficult. However, this too has a key in terms of many scholarships open for students by the country as well as by the universities. Students can keep an eye on the websites of the country and the universities in search of suitable financial help.

Some of the scholarships for international students in USA are listed below:

Scholarship Name Offered To Award (USD) Amount Awarded Offered By
1st Formation Business Scholarships All UG & PG programs 800 Institution
The Kay-Grant Group Scholarship All Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D. programs at any University in the USA 1,000 Trust
Comindware Scholarship All UG, PG & Doctorate programs 4,000 Corporate
Go Clean Scholarship All UG, PG & Doctoral programs 3,500 Trust
MIT- Grad. Student Fellowships in Nuclear Engineering Graduate programs in nuclear engineering Stipend, Health insurance, Training and travel University
Richard A. Freund International Scholarship Master’s & Doctoral degrees in the fields of engineering 5,000 Corporate
Tata Scholarship- Cornell University All UG programs but preferences are given to civil, electrical and computer engineering Variable Trust

Points to Note When Looking out for Scholarships in the USA:

  • International students must make sure to have good academic grades.
  • Admission confirmation by the applied universities is required.
  • Age proof documents can be a requisite.
  • Students may have to go through tests directed by scholarship providing bodies.
  • Letter of Recommendation and statement of purpose can be wanted.

Engineering Colleges in USA: Jobs & Salaries

An individual who is eager to make a vocation in the engineering field of the USA may find the country lucrative. Around 139,300 new jobs are expected to rise with the demand of engineers in the USA. These will be required across various industries in the engineering stream. Given below is a graph representing the top 4 specializations for which the requirements of engineers will be maximum by 2026 in the USA:

Jobs Expected (2026) by Specialization

Gathered below are some engineering designations, along with their approximate salaries:

Designation Average Annual Salary (INR)
Civil Engineer 67.58 lakhs
Construction and Project Manager 1.24 lakhs
Biochemical Engineering 63.23 lakhs
Ceramics Engineer 61.94 lakhs
Electrical Engineer 68.49 lakhs
Environment Engineer 66.74 lakhs
Mechanical Engineer 65.9 lakhs
Communications Engineer 70.55 lakhs
Design Engineer 66.59 lakhs
Genetic Engineer 69.1 lakhs
Geological Engineer 69.87 lakhs
Robotics Engineer 73.75 lakhs

The average salaries will not only be affected by the job role but also by the city you choose to work in. Given below is a graph depicted the change in average salary (annual) of engineers in various cities of the USA:

Average Salary (USD) by city

According to salary explorer, the engineering employees are found to enjoy an increment of 9% every 15 months and 56% of them are observed to have received at least one form of monetary bonus ranging from 3% to 6%.

This can be concluded with a verdict stating that engineering colleges in the USA will not only stand out for their rankings but will also help an international student land into careers with cushy median salaries. continuous demand for engineers in the USA will keep the engineering colleges graduates engaged with the industry.

Course
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Found 13 universities
Sort By
CD RankCollege InfoTuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.)Top CoursesRanking & Reviews
#1University of Florida logo

University of Florida, Gainesville

Florida, Usa45.9%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $28.7K/YrLiving$12.1K/YrAdmission B.S GeomaticsSAT1330IELTS6$28.7K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
7.0/10(14 Users)Ranked 151 by THE in 2024Ranked 47 by US News in 2024
#2University of Colorado logo

University of Colorado, Denver

Colorado, Usa65%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $17.8K/YrLiving$4.9K/YrAdmission M.S Geomatics Engineering & Geog...Duolingo105TOEFL79PTE58$17.8K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
7.2/10(2 Users)Ranked 601 by THE in 2024Ranked 138 by US News in 2024
#3New Mexico State University logo

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces

New Mexico, Usa60%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $26.7K/YrLiving$9.1K/YrAdmission B.A/B.S Geomatics or Surveying E...Duolingo95IELTS6$26.7K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
9.5/10(1 User)Ranked 601 by THE in 2024Ranked 132 by US News in 2024
#4Florida Atlantic University logo

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton

Florida, Usa59.8%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $20.6K/YrLiving$11.9K/YrAdmission B.S Geomatics EngineeringIELTS6PTE55$20.6K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
6.7/10(3 Users)Ranked 601 by THE in 2024Ranked 138 by US News in 2024
#5California State University logo

California State University, Fresno

California, Usa52.5%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $30.4K/YrLiving$9.7K/YrAdmission B.S Geomatics EngineeringIELTS5.5PTE44$30.4K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
5.0/10(1 User)Ranked 185 by US News in 2024Ranked 1117 by CWUR in 2022
#6Florida Institute of Technology logo

Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne

Florida, Usa61.3%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $39.3K/YrLiving$13.6K/YrAdmission M.Eng Earth Remote SensingDuolingo100TOEFL79PTE58$39.3K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
Ranked 801 by THE in 2024Ranked 161 by US News in 2024
#7Idaho State University logo

Idaho State University, Pocatello

Idaho, Usa100%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $27.9K/YrLiving$7K/YrAdmission B.S Surveying and Geomatics Engi...Duolingo85TOEFL61$27.9K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
Ranked 395 by US News in 2024Ranked 1712 by CWUR in 2022
#8University of Alaska logo

University of Alaska, Anchorage

Alaska, Usa82.9%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $25.4K/YrLiving$12K/YrAdmission B.S GeomaticsIELTS6$25.4K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
Ranked 1835 by CWUR in 2022Ranked 635 by FORBES in 2019
#9California State Polytechnic University logo

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

California, Usa39.3%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $12.6K/YrLiving$14.5K/YrAdmission B.S Geospatial EngineeringDuolingo95TOEFL71$12.6K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
6.7/10(4 Users)Ranked 273 by FORBES in 2019
#10Alfred State College logo

Alfred State College, Alfred

New York, Usa56.8%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $18K/Yr B.S Surveying and Geomatics Engi...IELTS5.5PTE54$18K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
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#11Northern Michigan University logo

Northern Michigan University, Marquette

Michigan, Usa75.9%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $19.3K/YrLiving$10.3K/YrAdmission B.A/B.S Geomatics- MajorIELTS6.5PTE50$19.3K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
1 More Program
7.0/10(1 User)
#12Nicholls State University logo

Nicholls State University, Thibodaux

Louisiana, Usa82.7%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $32.4K/YrLiving$9.3K/YrAdmission B.S GeomaticsDuolingo100IELTS6.5$32.4K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
8.7/10(1 User)
#13Troy University logo

Troy University, Troy

Alabama, Usa91.3%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $44.1K/YrLiving$6.7K/YrAdmission B.A/B.S Surveying and Geomatics ...IELTS5.5PTE46$44.1K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
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