Engineering is a great field to go into; with countless job opportunities in a growing industry, you will never worry about job security. Choosing a college can be a difficult decision, so we have compiled a list of the best engineering colleges in the world.
But before we get to the list, let’s briefly explore what engineering is and why it’s a wise career choice.
What is Engineering?
Engineering is a field in which people take concepts of science and math and use them to design a wide variety of machinery and structures, from robots to bridges. They also use science and math to figure out why and how things work, and then use that new knowledge to solve problems. Engineers are also the ones who make practical use of all the cool and exciting new scientific discoveries.
Why Go Into Engineering?
The field of engineering includes a wide variety of industries, with job titles ranging from mechanical engineer to cartographer or architect. There is a job in engineering for everyone, regardless of your specific interests.
This is also a growing and high-paying field. Engineers are consistently in high demand and start at a higher pay rate than almost any other field. Even in your first years as an engineer, you’re looking at an average base salary in the ballpark of $60,000. As you gain experience in the field, you can easily work your way up the ladder, bringing that salary up with you.
Engineering is also a satisfying job because your personal creativity is embraced. Creative problem solving is a huge part of engineering and you get to come up with interesting new ideas to apply to your work.
If this interests you, read on to discover the top 13 best engineering schools in the world to launch your engineering career path.
Top 13 Engineering Schools in the World
Once you have decided you want to pursue a degree in engineering, the next step is figuring out what school you want to go to. It can be difficult to make this decision when every college boasts the best engineering program in the world, so we have compiled a list of the top 13 engineering colleges from around the globe.
1. Michigan Institute of Technology
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, MIT is considered one of, if not the most well-known tech school in the world. MIT’s School of Engineering offers undergraduate, graduate and professional education in many different engineering industries. Industries included in its programs are aeronautics/astronautics, biological, chemical, civil/environmental, chemical, electrical/computer science, materials science, mechanical and nuclear science.
2. Tsinghua University
In Beijing, China, Tsinghua University offers a strong focus in hydraulic engineering and civil engineering. Tsinghua University is consistently rated as one of the top engineering colleges in the world. You should consider Tsinghua if you plan to major in hydraulic or civil engineering.
3. Stanford University
Stanford University in Stanford, California, US, offers both graduate and undergraduate programs. The university offers 10 departmental and six interdepartmental programs in its engineering school. Areas of study include the following: mechanical engineering, environmental systems, management science and engineering, electrical engineering, architectural design, biomedical computation, and the option of an individually designed major, in which you work with an advisor to design the engineering major best suited for you. Stanford would be a good choice if you have an interest in interdepartmental programs or creating your own major.
4. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge in Cambridge, United Kingdom offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The first two years of its undergraduate program provide an overarching engineering education. By the third year, students will select which area they wish to specialize in. Its graduate program focuses on speciality areas and research. Think about the University of Cambridge if you want to explore your options before declaring a speciality!
5. Imperial College London
In London, United Kingdom, the Imperial College London offers education in all areas of engineering. This allows students to become well-rounded in their knowledge of the field. It also provides opportunities to work with researchers, so if you want to do a lot of research, consider attending Imperial College London.
6. University of Oxford
In Oxford, United Kingdom, the University of Oxford teaches a major in engineering science. This can then be combined with a variety of other engineering majors. This helps create the best possible degree plan for individual students. The University of Oxford is a great option for students interested in having a basic knowledge of engineering science as well as a speciality.
7. University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, California, US, brings the University of California-Berkeley to the table with every program imaginable. From undergraduate to graduate to international, Berkeley provides a wide array of engineering majors to all prospective students. If you are interested in a specific niche of engineering or want to explore many different areas, the University of California-Berkeley may be a good choice for you.
8. ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland is often seen on the top tech school lists, so it is no surprise to see the college here as well. It offers eight bachelor’s degree programs in engineering and 17 master’s degree programs. ETH Zurich is an especially good choice for graduate students, as it has a variety of graduate programs.
9. Nanyang Technological University
In Singapore, Nanyang Technological University offers many undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering. This university focuses on industry-based education and uses a more hands-on approach to teaching. If you are a kinesthetic learner and can’t stand constant lectures, Nanyang Technological University may be a good fit for you.
10. National University of Singapore
Also in Singapore, the National University of Singapore has both undergraduate and graduate programs. It offers both research-based and coursework-based graduate programs in engineering. This means if you are looking for a more tailored graduate degree, this college would be a great choice.
11. Aalborg University
Aalborg University’s Faculty of Engineering and Science in Aalborg, Denmark puts an emphasis on environmental engineering but offers several programs. It strives to teach students how engineering can impact environmental sustainability. This would be a great choice for an environmentalist.
12. Harbin Institute of Technology
The Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China offers programs for undergraduate students and graduate students while catering to international students. It also offers summer programs, making this school a great option for those considering summer courses to speed up their degree plan.
13. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Finally, in Shanghai, China, we have the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This university offers different schools for different areas of engineering, providing a much more in-depth and focused education in those areas. For students who know exactly what they want to do and don’t want to waste time learning other aspects of engineering, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University would make a fantastic choice.
Studying Internationally
The above list of top engineering schools in the world has schools based in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Denmark, Singapore, and China. This means that applying to one of these schools could very well take you abroad for your studies. While this can be a scary idea, there are a lot of benefits to studying abroad that often get overlooked.
When you study abroad, you get to learn all about a new culture, giving you valuable life experience. Many people never have the opportunity to do something like this, so jump on the opportunity if you have it.
You will also likely learn a new language, regardless of the university’s requirements. Being around so many people speaking a different language than you is the ultimate immersive experience to teach you a new skill. The best part of going to school abroad is the opportunity to start a new chapter in your life. Sure, college does that already, but being in a different country, learning a new language and about a new culture? Nothing says “new chapter” better than that.
Conclusion
There really are quite a few benefits to pursuing a degree in engineering and with engineering being such a great field, it is an awesome idea to look into majoring in the field. For the opportunity to study at a great school, we highly suggest applying to several of the best 13 engineering colleges in the world as listed above.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
