What Is Engineering?
Engineering is a subset of technology and science that focuses on the design of engines, machines, structures, and electrical systems. From studying the latest advancements in 3D printing technology to exploring the aerodynamic design behind today’s fastest jets, you can explore many types of engineering fields in various engineering degree programs at US universities. As a bachelor of engineering, you will have fast-growing career opportunities for the future.
Principal areas of study in engineering include chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, nuclear engineering, aerospace engineering, and industrial engineering.
projected new jobs each year
engineers in the USA
median annual salary (2024)
Featured Universities
- #102 U.S. News RankingAuburn UniversityAuburn, AlabamaStarting Tuition$38,314Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment30,440RegionSouthSamuel Ginn College of Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering - STEM designated
- Biosystems Engineering - STEM designated
- – Bioprocess Engineering Option
- – Ecological Engineering Option
- – Forest Engineering Option
- Chemical Engineering - STEM designated
- – Biochemical Engineering
- – Polymers and Molecular Engineering
- Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering - STEM designated
- Industrial & Systems Engineering - STEM designated
- Materials Engineering - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering - STEM designated
- Software Engineering - STEM designated
- Biosystems Engineering
- – Bioprocess Engineering Option
College of Agriculture- Biosystems Engineering - STEM designated
- – Ecological Engineering Option
- – Forest Engineering Option
College of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences- Forest Engineering Option
Less - Aerospace Engineering - STEM designated
- University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TexasStarting Tuition$18,692Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment34,864RegionSouth
- Engineering Studies: Mechanical Engineering, BS*
- Engineering Studies: Biomedical Engineering, BS*
- Engineering Studies: Civil Engineering, BS*
- Engineering Studies: Chemical Engineering, BS*
- Engineering Studies: Computer Engineering, BS*
- Engineering Studies: Electrical Engineering, BS*
- Software Engineering, BS*
- Computer Engineering, BS
Less - Engineering Studies: Mechanical Engineering, BS*
- Heriot-Watt University UKScotland, United KingdomStarting Tuition£19,456Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment9,883RegionNon USThe School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
- Architectural Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Architectural Engineering, MEng**
- Civil Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Structural Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Structural Engineering, MEng**
- Civil Engineering, MEng**
The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences- Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering, MEng**
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering, MEng**
- Chemical Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Chemical Engineering, MEng**
- Mechanical Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Mechanical Engineering, MEng**
- Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Aerospace Engineering, BEng
- Aerospace Engineering, MEng
The School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences- Computer Science, BSc (Hons)*
- – Software Engineering
- Software Engineering, MEng**
Global College- Bachelor's Degree Accelerator Programme
- – BSc Engineering with Accelerator Programme
Less - Architectural Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Central Methodist UniversityFayette, MissouriAverage Tuition$28,670Location TypeSmall townTotal Enrollment3,382RegionMidwestBachelor of Science
- Tech/Engineering Education
Less - Tech/Engineering Education
- #75 U.S. News RankingUniversity at BuffaloBuffalo, New YorkAverage Tuition$24,990Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment32,332RegionNortheastSchool of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Aerospace Engineering - STEM designated
- Biomedical Engineering - STEM designated
- Chemical Engineering - STEM designated
- Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering BS - STEM designated
- Engineering
- Engineering Physics - STEM designated
- Engineering Science - STEM designated
- Environmental Engineering - STEM designated
- Industrial Engineering - STEM designated
- Material Science and Engineering - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering - STEM designated
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Combined Degree Program- Electrical Engineering BS/MS
Less - Aerospace Engineering - STEM designated
- #192 U.S. News RankingUniversity of Nevada RenoReno, NevadaStarting Tuition$27,288Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment21,000+RegionWestCollege of Engineering and IT
- Engineering Undeclared - STEM designated
- – Biomedical Engineering - STEM designated
- – Chemical Engineering - STEM designated
- – Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- – Computer Science and Engineering - STEM designated
- – Electrical Engineering - STEM designated
- – Engineering Physics - STEM designated
- – Environmental Engineering - STEM designated
- – Materials Science and Engineering - STEM designated
- – Mechanical Engineering - STEM designated
- – Metallurgical Engineering - STEM designated
College of Science- Geological Engineering BSGE - STEM designated
- Mining Engineering BSMINE - STEM designated
Less - Engineering Undeclared - STEM designated
- Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MissouriStarting Tuition$18,516Location TypeMidsize cityTotal Enrollment7,083RegionMidwestCollege of Engineering and Computing
- Aerospace Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Architectural Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Chemical Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Computer Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Ceramic Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Civil Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Environmental Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Geological Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Mining Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Metallurgical Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Nuclear Engineering BS – STEM designated
- Petroleum Engineering BS – STEM designated
Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development- Engineering Management BS – STEM designated
Less - Aerospace Engineering BS – STEM designated
- #59 U.S. News RankingStony Brook UniversityStony Brook, New YorkAverage Tuition$28,874Location TypeMidsize cityTotal Enrollment26,000RegionNortheastCollege of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering - STEM designated
- Chemical and Molecular Engineering - STEM designated
- Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering - STEM designated
- Engineering Science - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering - STEM designated
College of Arts and Sciences- Engineering Chemistry - STEM designated
Less - Biomedical Engineering - STEM designated
- #151 U.S. News RankingUniversity of UtahSalt Lake City, UtahStarting Tuition$33,670Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment32,994RegionWestCollege of Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering - STEM designated
- Chemical Engineering - STEM designated
- – Biochemical Engineering
- – Polymers and Molecular Engineering
- Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering - STEM designated
- Construction Engineering - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering - STEM designated
- Material Science & Engineering
College of Architecture and Planning- Computer Science, Entertainment and Engineering Emphasis (B.S.)
College of Mines and Earth Sciences- Geological Engineering - STEM designated
- Metallurgical Engineering - STEM designated
- Mining Engineering - STEM designated
Less - Biomedical Engineering - STEM designated
- #102 U.S. News RankingGonzaga UniversitySpokane, WashingtonStarting Tuition$56,140Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment7,500+RegionWestSchool of Engineering & Applied Sciences
- Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering - STEM designated
- Engineering Management - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering - STEM designated
- Biomedical Engineering - STEM designated
Less - Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- #139 U.S. News RankingUniversity of the PacificNorthern CaliforniaStarting Tuition$57,824Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment6,852RegionWestSchool of Engineering and Computer Science
- Bioengineering* - STEM designated
- Civil Engineering* - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering* - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering* - STEM designated
- Engineering Management* - STEM designated
- Engineering Physics* - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering* - STEM designated
Less - Bioengineering* - STEM designated
- #127 U.S. News RankingUniversity of South CarolinaColumbia, South CarolinaStarting Tuition$37,292Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment34,795RegionSouthMolinaroli College of Engineering and Computing
- Aerospace Engineering - STEM designated
- Biomedical Engineering - STEM designated
- Chemical Engineering - STEM designated
- – Biochemical Engineering
- – Polymers and Molecular Engineering
- Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering - STEM designated
- Industrial Engineering - STEM designated
- Engineering - Undecided
Less - Aerospace Engineering - STEM designated
- Heriot-Watt University DubaiDubai, UAEStarting Tuition$21,355Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment4,319RegionNon USThe School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Automotive Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Chemical Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Mechanical Engineering and Energy Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Mechanical Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
The School of Mathematical and Computer Science- Computer Science, BSc (Hons)*
- – Software Engineering
The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society- Architectural Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- Civil Engineering, BEng (Hons)
Global College- Degree Entry Programme in Engineering
- Advanced Degree Entry Programme in Engineering
Less - Automotive Engineering, BEng (Hons)*
- #42 U.S. News RankingRutgers University- New BrunswickNew Brunswick, New JerseyAverage Tuition$39,649Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment35,000RegionNortheastSchool of Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering, BS
- Applied Sciences in Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Biomedical Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Civil Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Environmental Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Industrial and Systems Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Materials Science and Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering, BS – STEM designated
Less - Aerospace Engineering, BS
- #97 U.S. News RankingFlorida International UniversityMiami, FloridaStarting Tuition$21,012Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment58,064RegionSouthSTEM Field & Computer Science
- Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering - STEM designated
- Biomedical Engineering - STEM designated
- Environmental Engineering - STEM designated
Less - Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- #151 U.S. News RankingSeattle UniversitySeattle, WashingtonStarting Tuition$55,620Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment7,268RegionWestCollege of Science and Engineering
- Civil Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- – Environmental Engineering
- Electrical Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Engineering (major undeclared), BS – STEM designated
- Computer Engineering, BS – STEM designated
Less - Civil Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- University of Wisconsin - PlattevillePlatteville, WisconsinAverage Tuition$18,344Location TypeMidsize cityTotal Enrollment6,702RegionMidwestCollege of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture
- Technology and Engineering Education, BS
College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science- Civil Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Computer Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Engineering Physics, BS – STEM designated
- Environmental Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Industrial and Systems Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering, BS – STEM designated
- Software Engineering, BS – STEM designated
Less - Technology and Engineering Education, BS
- #143 U.S. News RankingUniversity of KansasLawrence, KansasAverage Tuition$26,960Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment27,690RegionMidwestSchool of Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering - STEM designated
- Architectural Engineering - STEM designated
- Chemical Engineering - STEM designated
- – Biochemical Engineering
- – Polymers and Molecular Engineering
- Civil Engineering - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering - STEM designated
- Petroleum Engineering - STEM designated
Less - Aerospace Engineering - STEM designated
- #169 U.S. News RankingLouisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, LouisianaStarting Tuition$25,200Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment30,985RegionSouthCollege of Engineering
- Biological Engineering, BSBE - STEM designated
- Chemical Engineering, BSChE - STEM designated
- Civil Engineering, BSCE - STEM designated
- Environmental Engineering, BSEvE - STEM designated
- Computer Engineering, BSCompE - STEM designated
- Electrical Engineering, BSEE - STEM designated
- Industrial Engineering, BSIE - STEM designated
- Mechanical Engineering, BSME - STEM designated
- Petroleum Engineering, BSPE - STEM designated
University Center for Advising & Counseling- University School
- – Undecided - Science & Engineering
Less - Biological Engineering, BSBE - STEM designated
- #143 U.S. News RankingUniversity of DaytonDayton, OhioStarting Tuition$52,310Location TypeLarge cityTotal Enrollment10,958RegionMidwestSchool of Engineering
- Engineering Programs - STEM designated
- – Chemical Engineering (BCE)
- – Civil Engineering (BCE)
- – Computer Engineering
- – Discover Engineering
- – Electrical Engineering (BEE)
- – Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering Technology Programs - STEM designated
- – Discover Engineering Technology
- – Industrial Engineering Technology
- – Mechanical Engineering Technology
- – Electronic Engineering Technology
Less - Engineering Programs - STEM designated

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Bachelor of Engineering Degree FAQs
Where can I study engineering in the US?
There are many top-ranked engineering universities in the USA for international students including Auburn University, Seattle University, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Kansas, University of the Pacific, University of South Carolina, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
What undergraduate engineering courses do colleges offer international students?
Fundamental courses international students will likely take during a bachelor of engineering in the USA degree program include:
Engineering Orientation
Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
Introduction to Computing for Engineers and Scientists
Introduction to Engineering
Once students have mastered the fundamentals of engineering during their first year, they will move on to more specialized courses. For example, a student pursuing a bachelor of civil engineering in the USA degree will take Civil Engineering Analysis and Construction Management courses, among others.
To learn more, please visit academic support for international students.
What requirements are needed to study undergraduate engineering in the US?
Typically, entry requirements for a BS engineering USA degree program include a high school diploma or equivalent with a sufficient minimum GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and English language proficiency. (Some universities may have additional requirements.)
If you want to study for a master’s degree in engineering, students are required to have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study, and have received a suitable GRE score. These requirements may vary depending on the university you attend. When applying for an engineering degree program, Shorelight enrollment counselors will help you with dedicated application assistance, a streamlined application process, English test score submissions, and more. Please visit international college application support for more information.
How many years does it take to earn a bachelor of engineering degree in the US?
Typically, a bachelor of engineering USA program may take four years to complete and a master’s degree in engineering usually requires one or two years. However, the duration may vary depending on the BS engineering in USA degree program and the university you attend. Scroll up to see internationally friendly US universities offering engineering bachelor’s programs; or visit our graduate engineering programs to see master’s programs.
What can you do with a bachelor of engineering degree?
Bachelor of engineering USA graduates qualify for diverse career options, including jobs across multiple industries such as finance and IT. In-demand engineering careers include:
Aerospace engineer
Automation and robotics engineer
Alternative energy engineer
Biomedical engineer
Chemical engineer
Civil engineer
Electrical engineer
Mining engineer
Petroleum engineer
Project engineer
Please refer to international student advisory services for more information.
Which undergraduate degree is best for engineering?
To find the right engineering degree program, first consider the type of engineering work you want to pursue in your career. If you want to work on the infrastructure of bridges, canals, and highways, a bachelor of civil engineering in USA covers advanced concepts in hydraulics, structural engineering, and quantity surveying. Similarly, an aerospace engineering degree can provide transferable skills to those who wish to work in aviation. Depending on the field of engineering you are passionate about, career goals, salary objectives, and skills, a Shorelight advisor can support you to build career development plans that guide you toward which bachelor of engineering USA degree is the best one for you and your career goals.
Which engineering degree leads to the highest paying careers?
Engineering degrees provide comprehensive knowledge and a versatile set of skills that open doors to high-paying job opportunities. Here are some careers you can pursue with a BS in engineering in the USA and potential earnings in the US.
Aeronautical engineer: $97,111
Architectural engineer: $63,965
Biomedical engineer: $81,720
Civil engineer: $72,144
Electrical engineer: $85,123
Mechanical engineer: $81,173
Source: SalaryExpert, 2025
How much does it cost to get a bachelor of engineering degree?
Tuition costs for an engineering degree can cost between $30,780 to $43,350, depending on the bachelor of engineering program and school you are considering. Certain engineering programs may offer on-campus training facilities, opportunities to work on projects with industry experts, and real-world internship experiences, which can make tuition fees vary. Reach out to a Shorelight education counselor or visit the research and resources page to learn more about scholarship programs, tuition costs, and financial aid for a bachelor of engineering in the USA.