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why not there are more than 20 universities that can teach cyber security1. Pennsylvania State UniversityCollege of Information Sciences and TechnologyPlaced among the “Public Ivies,” Pennsylvania State University holds land-grant, sea-grant, space-grant, and sun-grant status for generating $836 million in research expenditures and teaching 99,133 Nittany Lions at 24 locations statewide and online. Led by President Eric J. Barron, the Big Ten powerhouse has had its World Campus since 1998 to deliver MSCHE-accredited programs with an 87 percent graduation rate. The U.S. News ranked PSU World for America’s fifth best online computer IT degrees and eighth top online bachelor’s degrees. Given the Sloan Excellence in Institution-Wide Online Education Award, Penn State also has the #1 best recruiting outcomes according to The Wall Street Journal.Through Blackboard Collaborate and Skype, online undergrads can pursue the PSU World Campus’ B.S. in Security and Risk Analysis – Information and Cyber Security Option. Currently billing $584 per credit, the 120-credit bachelor’s follows former NSA Director Mike McConnell’s advice on preparing IT specialists who are equipped to identify and prevent catastrophic attacks via the Internet. The online major involves courses like network security, C++ programming, cyber forensics, data organization, and terrorism. Online students could still join the World Campus Technology Club, access the Red Cell Analytics Lab, intern with DHS, and study abroad with 300+ global programs.Post-bachelor’s students at Pennsylvania State University with 5+ years of experience may complete the Master of Professional Studies in Information Sciences instead. Consisting of 33 credits for $854 per credit, the online MPS has a built-in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Option for strengthening IT skills specifically for stopping internal or external hacker threats. Collaborative learning courses take two years part-time with courses like multisensor data fusion, enterprise architecture, risk management, visual analytics, and Web privacy. Open for application until June 1st and October 1st yearly, the PSU master’s program expects a minimum “B” average from orientation through the applied capstone project.Website2. Johns Hopkins UniversityWhiting School of EngineeringEstablished in 1876 on a $7 million bequest from a 19th-century Maryland entrepreneur, Johns Hopkins University has become a private, nonsectarian RU/VH hub led by President Ronald J. Daniels to serve 5,326 undergrad and 14,848 post-grad Blue Jays in the Big Ten. Affiliated with 36 Nobel laureates, JHU has campuses from Baltimore and Columbia to Bologna and Nanjing. Along with 45+ free online classes on Coursera, Johns Hopkins grants America’s sixth best computer IT and 21st top online engineering programs according to the U.S. News. Ranked Kiplinger’s 19th best private value, JHU was also placed 16th globally by ARWU.The Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals Program lets post-grads pursue the Master of Science in Cybersecurity fully online to defend computer systems from penetration attacks for data security. Requiring Java and C++ mastery, the 10-course degree offers three specialized tracks for Networks, Analysis, and Systems before an independent study project. For $4,055 per course, the online curriculum delves into intrusion detection, cryptology, protocol design, software security, and information assurance. Noted for several 2017 Faculty Award-winning instructors, the online degree lends one-on-one support via the Cybersecurity Advising Corner. Students could obtain the Cybercorps Scholarship for Service or Information Security Institute Fellowship for Veterans.Another online cyber security degree program with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio at Johns Hopkins is the ABET-accredited B.S. in Computer Science, which charges $1,100 per course. The 126-credit program’s Information Security Track immerses online students in introductory courses like algorithms, calculus, data structures, Java programming, cryptology, and ethical hacking. Around 60 undergrads complete the eight-semester plan annually to successfully apply computing knowledge for addressing security and legal concerns. Some head to the Homewood Campus during the summer for the 10-week Summer Research Expedition (SRE). Online alums from Johns Hopkins University are vigorously recruited by tech giants, including Oracle, Google, and Microsoft.Website3. University of ArizonaEller College of Management/College of EngineeringBelonging to the elite AAU, the University of Arizona is a public, co-educational RU/VH Pac-12 institution directed by President Robert C. Robbins with a $660.7 million endowment to serve 43,625 Wildcats and run initiatives like CyVerse. From its 380-acre, red-brick campus in sunny Tucson, Arizona uses the D2L learning management system for cinema-quality lectures in 80+ online programs. The U.S. News ranked UA as America’s 124th best university with the 11th best computer IT and 81st top bachelor’s degrees online. Ranked 24th nationally by the Council for Aid to Education, the University of Arizona was granted the USDLA 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning.Taught by PhD-level professors from Worcester Polytechnic, Ohio State, Carnegie Mellon, USC, and others, the Master of Science in Cybersecurity is accessible inclusively online for UA post-grads. Admitting six times annually for $1,332 per credit, the flexible program suits tech professionals with at least three years of work experience. The 33-credit degree offers two tracks for Information Systems or Physical Systems for hands-on practice shielding networked devices from cyber compromise. Core courses include data mining, penetration testing, machine learning, systems engineering, and business intelligence. Eight-week mini semesters lead to a cyber warfare capstone and optional CISSP credentialing.Featuring a lower student-faculty ratio at 15:1, University of Arizona South also confers the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Cyber Operations for $490 per unit. This online degree completion program suits associate graduates with a minimum 2.5 GPA who transfer for greater depth of knowledge on rendering IT solutions for security. The 60-credit degree’s connects students virtually by the Network Operations Center to practice hacking more than 15,000 user personas. Online courses like network analysis, cyber ethics, malware threats, and secure software development begin every two months. Students from U.S. territories like Guam and Puerto Rico aren’t authorized though.Website4. Drexel UniversityCollege of Computing and InformaticsRenowned for graduating 100,000 alumni like Paul Baran, Norman Joseph Woodland, and Violet Oakley, Drexel University is a private, nonprofit RU/VH institution accredited by the MSCHE to educate 26,359 Dragons with a $650.3 million endowment and paid co-ops. Split into 15 schools, Drexel goes beyond its 96-acre campus in Philadelphia, Forbes’ 102nd best place for education, with online programs on Blackboard. The U.S. News applauded Drexel for America’s 11th best computer IT and 110th top bachelor’s degrees online. Named the 78th “Most Diverse College” on Niche, Drexel University also ranked 180th nationally for value-added education by The Economist.Selectively admitting 75 percent of applicants for $489 per credit, Drexel Online awards the B.S. in Computing and Security Technology with 10-week quarters to build the fundamental tools for implementing networks that meet high security clearances. Accepting applications until August 25th, the 188-credit curriculum lets working adults transfer up to 113 quarter credits for accelerated learning. The self-paced, 100 percent online program is available in 49 states, excluding Minnesota. Within the Computing Security Concentration, students integrate online courses like wireless networking, risk assessment, disaster recovery, mobile applications, and computer architecture. Graduates will qualify for cybersecurity credentials, such as CCNA Cyber Ops and Oracle 9i DBA.Drawing on 125 years of experience, Drexel University also grants the M.S. in Cybersecurity either online or on-campus from Bossone Hall. Directed by Dr. Kapil R. Dandekar, the 45-credit degree trains ECE Department enrollees for adapting IT techniques to confront emerging cyber warfare tactics in managerial positions. Presently billing $1,228 per credit, the program begins every September, January, April, and June for students with combined GRE scores above 300. Expect online courses like information policy, computer networking, data algorithms, national security intelligence, and risk analysis with Internet labs. Master’s students could substitute the thesis research for graduate co-ops at Qualcomm, Alcatel-Lucent, and other companies.Website5. Syracuse UniversityCollege of Engineering & Computer ScienceUnder the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862, Syracuse University was founded on land donated by Bishop Jesse Truesdell Peck to create today’s private, nonsectarian IAMSCU research center led by Chancellor Kent Syverud to educate 21,267 Orange and employ 1,563 staff. Endowed for $1.157 billion, Syracuse extends beyond its 683-acre campus on Central New York’s University Hill with online learning. According to the U.S. News, SU has America’s 17th best computer IT and 35th top engineering programs online. As a “College with a Conscience,” Syracuse was also ranked the 103rd best U.S. college and 251st best global university by Times Higher Education.Since 2009, the ABET-accredited Engineering@Syracuse program has delivered a Master of Science in Cybersecurity completely online for working IT gurus to increase their capacity for identifying, thwarting, and counteracting security breaches. Spanning 15 months full-time, the 30-credit curriculum requires high-level programming expertise with a minimum GRE Analytical score of 650. Post-B.S. majors pay $1,500 per credit for coursework in Internet security, information assurance, cryptography, distributed access control, cyber law, and operating systems. Classes take a synchronous, live format weekly for webcam chats organized by PhD-level faculty. Online learners are only required to attend one on-campus immersion in July for peer collaboration.Partnered with the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the SU iSchool also allows a faster promotion track for online students to finish the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Information Security Management. Available year-round, the 15-credit option suits ISM officials seeking in-depth insights into the complex risks to organizational computers. Live classes explore digital forensics, database security, information policy, electronic commerce technologies, and information systems protocols. Up to six credits could be devoted to internship experience with Lockheed Martin, Mimecast, and others. Covering the $1,500 per credit could be easier with Syracuse’s Information Assurance Scholarship Program funded by the DoD.Website6. Florida Institute of TechnologyCollege of Engineering & ComputingSitting atop a 130-acre campus in Melbourne just 50 miles from the Kennedy Space Center, the Florida Institute of Technology is a private, space-grant SACS-accredited institution emphasizing STEM education across its seven online colleges. Since 1958, Florida Tech’s $66.2 million endowment has grown to serve 6,631 Panthers, 34 percent of whom hail from global countries. The U.S. News ranked FIT as America’s 171st best university with the 21st best online computer tech and 68th top online bachelor’s programs. Ranked 36th among research universities for ROI on PayScale, Florida Tech was crowned the third fastest-growing campus nationwide by The Chronicle of Higher Education.Broadcasted asynchronously online via the video-based eLearning platform, the M.S. in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity is a two-year, part-time Florida Tech degree with eight-week courses to help make organizations immune from security breaches. Partnered with Harris Corp., the 11-course major has six yearly start dates to attract IT professionals who want expert-level knowledge on attack models through cybersecurity case studies. Estimated to cost $25,641 total, the curriculum directs courses in biometric authentication, application security, cryptography, data mining, and secure Web services until the culminating IA project. Applicants can be considered with just a bachelor’s degree and minimum 3.0 GPA instead of GRE scores.Post-grads have another 100 percent online option at the Florida Institute of Technology, the Master of Business Administration with a Cybersecurity Specialization. Priced at $896 per credit, the 12-course, IACBE-accredited degree offers a unique management perspective for information systems professionals who seek to secure enterprise networks. Unlike the M.S., the MBA includes core courses like managerial economics, corporate finance, organizational behavior, and business development first. Florida Tech’s eight-week, no-GMAT courses begin with the SmarterMeasure readiness assessment and end with a strategic management capstone. Joining the alumni network of 60,000 Panthers helps graduates reach a 93 percent job placement rate.Website7. Kennesaw State UniversityCollege of Computing and Software EngineeringEndowed for $36.523 million under President Sam Olens, Kennesaw State University is a public, co-educational doctoral institution created in 1963 in the University System of Georgia to enroll 36,428 Owls full-time within the Big South Conference. Although it’s located on 581 acres in the Atlanta suburbs of Cobb County, KSU has 500+ SACS-accredited online courses delivered through Brightspace by D2L. The U.S. News recognized Kennesaw for America’s 38th best computer tech and 186th top online bachelor’s degrees online. Crowned the 292nd “Hardest College to Get Into” on Niche, Kennesaw State University was also the Southeast’s 192nd best bang for the buck in Washington Monthly.Directed by Dr. Herb Mattford, the Bachelor of Science eMajor in Cybersecurity is the first of Kennesaw State’s online cyber security degrees preparing undergrads from a technically-focused approach. Available with optional Criminal Justice or Crisis Preparedness minors, the 120-credit program builds awareness of cyber criminals’ tactics to develop secure IT solutions. Online undergrads develop skills with cutting-edge technologies like CheckPoint Software and Palo Alto Firewalls. For only $199 per credit, courses cover Unix administration, perimeter defense, server systems security, contingency planning, and more. Ambitious eMajors could also intern with Georgia Technology Authority, participate in the Southeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, and join the CCERP Conference.Online graduate students at Kennesaw State University could pursue the Master of Science in Information Technology with a Certificate in Information Technology Security too. The SREB Electronic Campus lets post-grads “Move Ahead” their IT skills anytime 24/7 for enhanced planning, implementation, and supervision of secure network systems. Logging into Desire2Learn makes courses like software design, Web technologies, computer forensics, electronic commerce, and EHR systems fly off the screen. The 48-credit degree currently costs $383 per credit and accepts applications until July 1st, November 1st, and April 1st yearly. Thesis research with the state-of-the-art Security Analysis Lab is wholly optional.Website8. New Jersey Institute of TechnologyYing Wu College of ComputingEnrolling 11,317 Highlanders in the Atlantic Sun Conference, the New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public, sea-grant polytechnic APLU member budgeting for $451 million annually that was founded in 1881 by prolific inventor Edward Weston. Based on 48 acres in Newark just 13 miles from Midtown Manhattan, NJIT offers 13 master’s degrees completely online under American Council of Graduate Schools guidelines. The U.S. News congratulated NJIT for the 87th best engineering school and 38th top online IT degrees. Placed among MONEY Magazine’s “Top 10 Colleges with Great Career Services,” New Jersey Tech also ranked 16th for a mid-career median salary of $117,000 on PayScale.Backed by the ABET Computing Accreditation Commission, the M.S. in IT Administration and Security at the New Jersey Institute of Technology can be garnered 100 percent online by network administrators who seek to erect electronic infrastructures safe from attack. Along with four electives, students study Internet protocols, network management, database administration, and wireless networks security for $1,199 per credit. Within the virtual CIP Lab, online post-grads practice using Oracle, UNIX, Symantec, and other real-world software. Students could also join the ACM Student Chapter, research in the Center for Information Protection, and take paid, three-credit co-ops found via CDSlink.Another Moodle option costing New Jerseyans $1,199 per credit at NJIT is the Online M.S. in Information Systems with a Specialization in Security and Network Management. Taking a managerial approach, this 30-credit curriculum develops business analysts with the technical skills to secure user interface systems for corporate confidentiality. Online courses begin every September for 15-week sessions that are primarily asynchronous with Information Systems Club opportunities. Admission will require a cumulative GPA above “B” and minimum GRE scores of 143 (verbal) and 151 (quantitative). Some sample courses include forensic auditing, transaction mining, counter hacking, data communications, and higher-layer protocols.Website9. University of Illinois-SpringfieldCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesChartered by Governor Richard Ogilvie in 1969, the University of Illinois-Springfield is a public, land-grant COPLAC liberal arts institution in the Great Lakes Valley Conference that’s currently endowed for $12.1 million to teach 5,431 Prairie Stars full- or part-time. Occupying 740 acres along Lake Springfield on Thomas Strawbridge’s homestead, UIS offers HLC-accredited online education giving the Sloan Consortium Most Outstanding Achievement Award since 2001. The U.S. News ranked Illinois-Springfield for the 54th best online bachelor’s and 123rd top online graduate education. Graded B+ as America’s eighth “Best Online College” on Niche, UIS boasts the largest computer science department in Illinois.Designated a Cisco Regional Networking Academy, the University of Illinois-Springfield offers the B.S. in Information Systems Security online for future cyber forensics specialists to gain IT problem-solving skills. Through Blackboard, the degree is delivered in a 2+2 format with transfer agreements from Rock Valley College, Joliet Junior College, Kaskaskia College, and more. For 120 total credits, the online program integrates courses from discrete mathematics and Java programming to network administration and information assurance. Costing $352 per credit, the bachelor’s includes 10 hours of engaged citizenship experience and an exit assessment. Undergrads may also join Computer Science Club and/or take internships for networking.Within the AACSB-accredited College of Business, UIS post-grads will find an Online Master of Science in Management Information Systems that offers an Information Security Elective Track. Cybersecurity professionals enrolling in this 36-credit program will sharpen the skills to analyze, design, and oversee organizational data systems safely. Master’s courses charging $402 per credit will explore IT governance, wireless networking, managerial decision support systems, data warehousing, and IT project management. MIS majors elect a research thesis, capstone project, or advanced seminar for their closure. Students could benefit from joining the AIS Chapter, securing the Graduate Public Service Internship, and adding the Business Intelligence Certificate.Website10. Towson UniversityJess & Mildred Fisher College of Science & MathematicsAttracting 22,285 Tigers from 100+ countries, Towson University is a public, four-year research institution founded by the General Assembly of Maryland in 1865 that’s developed a $450 million annual budget for on-site and online teaching under President Kim Schatzel. Based upon 328 acres in Baltimore County just off Interstate 83 on York Road, the Towson Learning Network (TLN) makes education accessible with the same MSCHE-accredited rigor. The U.S. News distinguished Towson for the 66th best online graduation education nationally. Placed 254th in MONEY Magazine’s ranking, Towson University is named America’s 117th best public university and 181st best value school by Forbes.Featuring an average retention rate of 86 percent, Towson awards the Applied Information Technology (M.S.) either online or off-campus at the University Center of Northeastern Maryland. Starting in the Fall, Spring, or Summer, the 33-unit curriculum offers six concentration areas, including Information Security and Assurance for cybersecurity expertise. Online post-grads advance their technical acumen for fast-paced IT solutions that protect the integrity of digital data. Expect logging into interactive courses like systems development process, network security, vulnerability analysis, and database management via Direct Access. Maryland residents pay $9,054, but out-of-state residents are billed $16,362 yearly. For application, majors select the independent study project or 140-hour internship.Towson University also offers two alternatives to the online cyber security degree program that costs $288 in-state and $806 out-of-state per unit. The Online Information Security & Assurance Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is a stand-alone, five-course option that could fulfill IACRB certification. Organized by Lisa Loewe, the curriculum includes courses for IT infrastructure, network security, risk analysis, systems development process, and security case studies. The Online Security Assessment & Management Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is another one-year, five-course offering for personnel interested in physical or cyber risk protection. Topics span from emergency communication to team building and tactical planning. Both require holding a bachelor’s with a minimum 2.75 GPA.Website11. DePaul UniversityCollege of Computing and Digital MediaOrganized by President Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., DePaul University is endowed for $420.1 million as the United States’ largest private, Catholic liberal arts and sciences institution upholding Vincentian values to educate 15,407 undergrad and 7,703 post-grad Blue Demons. From 36 main acres with Gold LEED-certification in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, DePaul operates locations in Naperville, O’Hare, and online. The U.S. News ranked DePaul as America’s 124th best university and 70th top value. Declared the 99th “Best College for Computer Science” on Niche, DePaul University won the Insight into Diversity Higher Education Excellence Award and placed on the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll.Recognized for a median early-career salary of $71,400, DePaul manages digital learning tools to provide playback courses online for its Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. Integrating the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) credential, the 192-unit curriculum builds on liberal studies to cover the fundamentals of computer infrastructure design for secured access. For $615 per hour, the curriculum includes classes like host-based security, incident response, security engineering, database systems, and Python for programmers. Online undergrads need to finish 45+ quarter credits and one semester of C++ before entry. Students then benefit from practicum in the CDM Information Assurance and Security Lab, which consists of 80 routers and 40 firewalls.Presently billing $830 per unit, the Master of Science in Cybersecurity is another online DePaul option for graduates with 2+ years of IT experience to expand their skills for managing secured computer infrastructure to thwart increasing cyber risks. Led by Dr. Jean-Philippe Labruyere, the 52-credit curriculum offers three concentrations for Computer Security, Risk Management and Compliance, or Networking and Infrastructure. Requiring a 2.5 GPA or higher, the coursework ranges from digital forensic techniques and cryptology to object-oriented software development. Cutting-edge Cisco equipment allows for hands-on virtual learning, including a 10-week CINS Capstone and National Cyber League competition.Website12. University of Rhode IslandDigital Forensics and Cyber Security CenterEndowed for $124.6 million, the University of Rhode Island is a public, land-grant and sea-grant RU/VH institution founded in 1892 that’s now led by President David M. Dooley to employ 676 full-time staff who encourage 16,613 Rams to “Think Big.” Headquartered on 1,254 acres in the Kingston Historic District, URI delivers 130 NEASC-accredited academic programs from Providence, Narragansett, West Greenwich, and online through Sakai. According to the U.S. News, Rhode Island is America’s 159th best university and 83rd top public college. Ranked America’s 204th best economic value by The Economist, URI was deemed the 171st top research university nationally on Forbes.Starting each September with a July 1st application deadline, the Professional Science Master’s Degree in Cyber Security is available wholly online for University of Rhode Island post-grads who are working in IT. After the self-paced Fundamentals for Cyber Security workshop, the 36-credit curriculum seeks to protect public, corporate, and federal welfare by setting up strict security protocols on information systems. For $655 per credit or $2,620 per course, the DFCSC online degree integrates courses in digital forensics, incident response, intrusion detection, network security, and ethical hacking. Instead of a master’s thesis, students complete Cloud-based labs and internships with partners like Wetstone Technologies or ForensicSoft.Launched in 2004 under a U.S. National Science Foundation Grant, the DFCSC at Rhode Island also delivers the Cyber Security Graduate Certificate online for tech-focused, post-grad credentials without a full master’s. Available over nine, 12, 16, or 20 months, the four-course certificate suits working professionals with Net+ certification and comprehension of computer networks. Besides the core courses in systems security and information assurance, students choose a concentration in Advanced Incident Response, Advanced Intrusion Detection and Defense, or Penetration Testing for video lectures accessed 24/7. Certificate credits could transfer into URI’s Master’s in Computer Science or Ph.D. in Computer Science with a Cyber Security Concentration.Website13. Nova Southeastern UniversityCollege of Engineering and ComputingClassified for “Higher Research Activity” with $87 million in external funding, Nova Southeastern University is a private, nonprofit ICUF institution of the Sunshine State Conference that’s led by President George L. Hanbury II to inspire 24,148 Sharks in 18 colleges. Based upon 480 acres in Florida’s Greater Miami Metro in Davie near Dania Beach, Nova also excels with Web-based instruction that ranked 55th on Online Degree Reviews. The U.S. News named Nova Southeastern the 214th best national university with the 84th best online graduate education. Placed ninth for diversity, NSU was given a Forbes financial grade of “C” for America’s 395th most grateful graduates.Through the SREB Electronic Campus, Nova follows the “Principles of Good Practice” to award an accredited Master of Science in Information Assurance & Cybersecurity fully online. The 12-course, 36-credit curriculum spans 16 to 24 months for working professionals to address global concerns for securing network vulnerabilities to avert criminal hackings. Taught by only PhD-level professors, online courses include information security governance, network forensics, software engineering, operating systems, and applied cryptography with two electives. Each Blackboard course costs $775 per credit for virtual access to CIPhER labs, Electronic Library databases, and internship connections like the Capital Group IT Security Response Center.Post-master’s students seeking online cyber security degrees will find a unique online option in Nova Southeastern’s Ph.D. in Information Systems program with an Information Security Concentration. Expecting a minimum 3.25 GPA, the 64-credit curriculum opens advanced IT industry positions as well as teaching and research jobs in academia. Fourteen-week online courses like human-computer interaction, knowledge management, multivariate research, and information privacy are supplemented with just one on-campus trip to Fort Lauderdale quarterly. Charging $1,115 per credit after the $50 application fee, the online doctorate also includes two sections of directed research and a dissertation. There’s also a hybrid Ph.D. in Information Assurance available.Website14. Bellevue UniversityPublic Service, Safety, Security & Intelligence DivisionReaccredited by the HLC-NCA in 2014, Bellevue University is a private, nonprofit adult-friendly Nebraska institution celebrating its 50th anniversary that’s affiliated with notable alums like Abbie Cornett, Judd H. Lyons, and James R. Young. Endowed for $28.07 million to educate 10,304 Bruins with “Real Learning for Real Life,” Bellevue extends beyond its main Sarpy County campus to the Lozier Professional Center in Omaha and Online University. The U.S. News ranked Bellevue for America’s 92nd best online bachelor’s degrees. Honored for the #1 most generous credit transfers by Online Course Report, Bellevue University has earned CLO Magazine’s Bronze Excellence in Social Learning Award.Applauded among Government Security News’ Best Higher Education Award winners in 2015, the Online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity attracts Bellevue cohorts who seek to safeguard sensitive data in impenetrable networks. Charging $410 per online credit, the 127-credit curriculum emphasizes the technical skills for spotting, analyzing, and addressing cyber risks with state-of-the-art technologies. Courses take an accelerated, nine-week format for quickly mastering risk auditing, cyber forensics, cryptography, access control, mobile device security, and more with the Kirkpatrick Signature Series. High school grads and GED recipients are assigned success advisors to personalize their course-by-course schedule. Bellevue alumni report a median mid-career salary of $102,000.Given 4.5 stars based on 1,743 student reviews, the Master of Science in Cybersecurity is another of Bellevue’s online degrees geared toward entry- and mid-level IT professionals seeking active instruction on the latest security technologies. Cohorts pay $565 per credit before financial aid to prepare for safeguarding organizations against hacking incidents. Logging into BRUIN for this 36-credit program will involve content like business continuity planning, risk management, operations security, cyberdeterrence, and cloud computing security. Analysts with 5+ years of experience could take the six-module, accelerated option for graduation in 12 months. There’s also a 36-credit M.S. in Security Management online for leadership-style training.Website15. Lewis UniversitySchool for Professional and Continuing EducationPromoting the motto “Signum Fidei,” Lewis University is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution devoted to the Lasallian tradition since its founding by the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1932 to enlighten 4,613 undergrad and 1,960 post-grad Flyers with a $56.32 million endowment. Led by President Dr. David J. Livingston from 410 acres in Romeoville, Illinois, Lewis also operates classrooms in Albuquerque and virtually through Blackboard. With a 62 percent admission rate, Lewis is deemed the Midwest’s 24th best university and 19th best for vets college by the U.S. News. Washington Monthly also crowned Lewis University the region’s 156th top value.Boasting a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, Lewis’ Online Information Security and Risk Management B.S. uses an accelerated format for undergrads to acquire the technical expertise to outsmart cyber criminals and protect vital personal or organizational information. The 64-credit, two-year program admits full-time students who’ve completed an associate degree at accredited schools like Moraine Valley Community College. Students take adult-only classes like IT law, disaster recovery planning, data discovery, and ethical hacking with 24/7 access. Lewis University offers a cutting-edge VMware CloudLab for simulations with Telemet Orion and Linux software. Some may also intern with CME Group and join the ISACA-Chicago Chapter.Priced at $795 per credit, the Master of Science in Information Security is another of Lewis University’s online offerings where experienced IT professionals prepare for developing efficient cyber defense operations. Graduates qualify for industry-leading certifications, including Security+, CISSP, and CISM, for protecting valuable assets in managerial positions. Lewis has placed over 40 alumni at Argonne National Laboratory’s IT Department too. Open with rolling admission, the 100 percent online option has eight-week courses with the Technical Concentration or Management Concentration. Virtual courses span from secure operating systems and network security to cybercrime identification and digital forensics before the capstone, 16-week research project.Website16. Champlain CollegeDivision of Information Technology & SciencesNestled upon a 22-acre, 50-building Victorian campus in Burlington, Vermont, Champlain College is a private, residential NEASC-accredited institution tracing back to 1878 that’s expanded to teach globally in Dublin, Montreal, and on the World Wide Web. Organized into five divisions led by Chief Academic Officer Dr. Laurie Quinn, Champlain educates 2,000 full-time students with an average class size of 17. According to the U.S. News, the North’s third most innovative school has the country’s 148th best online bachelor’s programs. As winner of the Way to Go Commuter Challenge in 2013, Champlain College also ranked #3 overall on the Online Education Database.Designated a DC National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence by the U.S. Air Force, Champlain offers working adults the ability to transfer up to 90 credits into the Online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program. Taught by practitioner faculty, the distance degree is directed by Ric Messier, CISSP, fully online with two, seven-week terms annually for training to defend digital intelligence from unscrupulous hackers. Priced at $641 per credit, courses include security scripting with Python, emerging threats, mobile security, system intrusion analysis, and webpage development with a senior seminar project. There’s also a B.S. in Computer Forensics & Digital Investigations online.Voted #1 nationally in SC Magazine twice, Champlain post-grads pursue the Online M.S. in Information Security Operations with a standard completion rate of 80 percent. With access to the CNIS Club, students finish the 30-credit curriculum within 24 months to better understand current cyber attack vectors and formalize policy-driven IT precautions. Ideal for systems analysts with 2+ years of experience, accelerated seven-week webinars delve into malware analysis, vulnerability detection, operations management, game theory, and incident response. Theories are applied with virtual teams-based projects and the war games capstone. Admission to the $23,850 program requires an accredited bachelor’s with a 2.5 GPA or greater.Website17. Dakota State UniversityCollege of ComputingFollowing the Excellence Through Innovation 2020 Plan, Dakota State University is a public, polytechnic STEM-centric institution directed by President José-Marie Griffiths that’s endowed for $10.1 million to educate 3,047 Trojans and give upper-division majors free tablet PCs. Located on 20 acres in Madison, South Dakota, with the acclaimed Karl E. Mundt Library, DSU also delivers HLC-accredited courses in Sioux Falls and over the Internet. The U.S. News ranked Dakota State the Midwest’s 108th best university with the 185th top online graduate education countrywide. Deemed America’s 220th “Best College for Computer Science” on Niche, DSU was placed 113th by the Educate to Career College Ranking.Eligible for the full-ride Cyber Corps Scholarship and $20,000 stipend, Dakota State University’s Online B.S. in Cyber Operations suits young programmers who wish to develop the hacker mindset to resolve tech vulnerabilities before breaches occur. The bachelor’s requires completing 30 credits annually for four years to master how reverse engineering works to create secure computer hardware and software. Online courses are capped at 35 for engaging in virtual labs like malware analysis, cellular security, assembly language, and data structures. Charging $335 per credit, the program lets undergrads join DakotaCon, compete in the ACM North Central Region, and intern with Los Alamos National Laboratory.Currently costing $444 per credit, the DSU College of Computing’s M.S. in Information Assurance & Computer Security is also accessible 24/7 online with the GetEducated | Review, Rate, Rank & Compare Online Colleges & Degrees | GetEducated “Affordability” badge. Applications are accepted until June 15th, November 15th, or April 15th annually for bachelor’s graduates with an overall 3.0 GPA and satisfactory GRE scores. The 30-credit degree prepares IT systems analysts for leading the strategic cybersecurity efforts to reduce risk of digital attack. It could be completed with the accelerated 4+1 Computer Science B.S./MSIA track. Other post-grad online opportunities include the Banking Security Certificate, Ethical Hacking Certificate, and Doctor of Science (DSc) in Cyber Security.Website18. Davenport UniversityCollege of TechnologyFounded by Conrad G. Swensburg in 1866 with just 16 students in office skills training, Davenport University has evolved into a private, nonprofit multi-campus GLIAC institution that’s encouraging 7,767 Panthers to “Get Where the World is Going.” Organized by President Richard Pappas, Ed.D., Davenport uses its 69-acre main campus in Grand Rapids to cover Michigan from Holland to Livonia and deliver online study via Blackboard. The U.S. News recognized Davenport for America’s 186th best online baccalaureate degrees. Named the 98th “Best Online College” and 120th “Most Conservative College” on Niche, Davenport University ranked in the top 5 percent for computer science on College Factual.Unlocking a median mid-career salary of $90,120, the DU Global Campus conducts its Cyber Defense Bachelor of Science 100 percent online for learning the myriad of technological tools used to protect digital information. Costing $707 per credit for Michiganders with a 33 percent discount for non-residents, the four-year degree nurtures the performance-based skills for developing internal and external infrastructure checks to curb criminal intrusion. The 45-credit major offers elective tracks for Math Modeling, Information Assurance, or Healthcare Information Assurance. In 2015, undergrads on the Cyber Defense team finished #1 in the Michigan Collegiate Cyber League. Alumni excel with Delphi Corporation, NETech, DHS, and more.Another online cyber security degree program from Davenport University is the M.S. in Information Assurance, which is estimated to cost $765 per credit before textbooks. Mapped to the Committee on National Security Systems training Standard 4011, the 34-credit degree preps post-graduates for leading cyber operations that minimize risk to organizational assets. Starting six times yearly, the online program’s seven-week courses explore IT business continuity, cryptography, application security, digital forensics, and banking security. During their fourth term, MSIA enrollees purse a master’s thesis research topic with PhD-level faculty advisors. Davenport integrates cyber security courses in the Online M.S. in Technology Management too.Website19. Mercy CollegeDepartment of Mathematics and Computer ScienceAcclaimed for its Cybersecurity Education Center, Mercy College stands atop 66 acres in the Hudson Valley suburb of Dobbs Ferry just 25 miles north of New York City as a private, nonsectarian NAICU research institution directed by President Timothy L. Hall. Endowed for $193.5 million, Mercy has expanded since 1950 to educate 11,295 Mavericks total from Yorktown Heights and the Bronx to the World Wide Web. Included in Barron’s Best Buys in College Education, Mercy College was ranked the 457th best master’s university and 190th top value by Washington Monthly. Niche also distinguished Mercy as America’s 113th “Best Online College” and 88th “Safest College.”Delivered by PhD-trained faculty from Pittsburgh, Shanghai Jiao Tong, George Mason, Florida, and more, Mercy’s Cybersecurity B.S. is available online over four years full-time. The 120-credit, MSCHE-accredited degree fulfills high demand in today’s information age to adapt sound security policies that prevent digital disasters. Undergrads can transfer a maximum of 75 credits from two-year colleges and 90 credits from universities. Aspiring IT professionals will delve into courses like artificial intelligence, website administration, penetration testing, intelligent programming, and Linux networking for $761 per credit taken. Seniors could also add the cybersecurity workplace experience with big-name NYC companies like Morgan Stanley and BNY Mellon.Selectively admitting 72 percent of applicants for a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, the M.S. in Cybersecurity is another of Mercy’s online options for post-bachelor’s scholars to safeguard data in our interconnected, tech-savvy world. Graduates build the advanced IT and leadership skills for assuming mid- and upper-level jobs, such as Chief Security Officer, that defend networks from breaches. Satisfying CISSP credentialing, the 30-credit, online curriculum integrates courses like data mining, forensic computing, firewall installation, IT compliance, and distributed database security for $876 per credit with a master’s project. Undergrads with a minimum 3.3 GPA could pursue the Dual B.S./M.S. online too.Website20. Wilmington UniversityCollege of Online and Experiential LearningAffiliated with noteworthy alumni like Hugh T. Broomall, Ruth Briggs King, and Francis D. Vavala, Wilmington University is a private, nonsectarian doctoral-granting research hub in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference that’s endowed for $68.3 million. Although WilmU is headquartered off Route 13 in New Castle, Delaware, over 40 percent of the 20,522 student population studies online for MSCHE-accredited education. Ranked for America’s 202nd best online baccalaureate programs by the U.S. News, Wilmington is crowned the 101st “Best Online College” overall on Niche. Washington Monthly also applauded Wilmington University as the 258th best national college and 95th top Northeastern value.Touting a Blackboard Exemplary Course Award win, the Online B.S. in Computer and Network Security immerses WilmU Wildcats in the fast-paced tech sector to defend against spyware, adware, malware, and other cybercrimes that compromise networks. Given CAE Certification, the 120-credit curriculum develops security analysts with the best practices to implement information assurance projects ethically. General education courses like public speaking and college math lead to major online classes for electronic discovery, cyberlaw, criminal procedures, perimeter security, and algorithm applications for $363 per credit. Students could embed 400-600 hours of cooperative education at firms like Danisco US and SSD Technology Partners.Post-grads choosing Wilmington University may earn the M.S. in Homeland Security with the Information Assurance Concentration 100 percent online or in New Castle. Priced at $466 per credit, the master’s program sharpens students’ security preparedness to identify, evaluate, and address threats to our homeland’s most sensitive data. Ideal for future DHS jobs, the 33-credit curriculum blends courses on terrorism, risk assessment, crisis leadership, Web security, radio frequency identification, and operating systems control. Some credits could be transferred from the FBI National Academy if applicable. Prospective online students may also consider the M.S. in Information Systems Technologies and Digital Evidence Discovery Certificate.

Q. Which engineering school is better, University of Maryland's A. James Clark School, or Rice University's George R. Brown School?I have read and hear conflicting opinions as the which undergraduate program is better. More specifically, how do the schools compare in Mechanical Engineering?A2A: I am not an engineer and this topic should be addressed by mechanical engineers on Quora. I will take a stab at it in the meantime. It has been awhile since I was an undergraduate at Rice. I try to be involved by being an alumnus interviewer.There are so many different rankings for engineering programs that have no consistency. Many mostly deal with graduate engineering schools. Among those, Rice’s small size is a disadvantage. Rice chooses to do certain things very well. Its commitment to undergraduate education makes the George R. Brown School a good program. Class size is smaller, easier to interact with professors and plenty of opportunities to participate in research.Students are of high caliber, hard working and hard playing. There is more camaraderie than competition. Almost everyone lives on campus and is active in intramural sports/clubs, organizations. Students are assigned to colleges/dorms with affiliation lasting through to graduation. There is close collaboration in doing difficult homework, exam preparation. In addition to the College Master, whose family lives in the building/or attached housing, many faculty members are assigned to the colleges and take their lunch meals there. In upper level classes, there may just be 2–3 students. Certain classes we get to choose when to meet, bring the donuts and the professors the coffees, even in the evenings. Rice is perennially ranked #1 in student satisfaction/quality of life. Rice’s location in Houston (4th largest city in the US) is advantageous, de facto the Energy capital of the world. (There are more than 70 foreign consulates in Houston). Close interaction with NASA LBJ Space Center is a plus. Plenty of companies recruit on campus. There is a strong alumni network with available mentoring.Rice’s other strength is the preponderance of double/triple majors and national reputation. This should help in applying for graduate schools. Non-major electives are strong across the board. The life sciences and biomedical engineering departments are well regarded, often there are collaboration between Rice and other institutions in the adjacent world’s largest Texas Medical Center (Baylor College of Medicine, UT Houston McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Dental Branch, #1 ranking MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Texas Heart Institute to name a few). It is tougher to get into Rice then to graduate from Rice.What I have included here a listing of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Houston, valuable for internship and employment.Selectivity of Rice.Princeton ranking of colleges. USN ranking of Rice and University of Maryland. Links to both mechanical engineering departments.Next is the most helpful list - 50 highest ranking undergraduate engineering schools. Maryland edges Rice by two places. I have attached the whole list further down.Then there is a comparison by Smart Class head to head of the two schools, followed by info of each. The costs may look disproportionate. But Rice does offer a lot of financial aid.Finally, there is a USN top 10 ranking of Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Programs. Unfortunately, neither school made the list.I would consider Rice over Maryland if accepted and offered adequate financial aid. Undergraduates at Rice are not short changed. Rice students do not have to declare a major until the end of sophomore year, and it is easy to change or add major. With the option of taking 4 classes Pass/Fail, you can sample the curriculum without damaging your GPA. With a strong Honor Code, some courses offer take home exams (open or closed book) to not waste class time. There are also self-paced courses. For some courses, you schedule your final in the two weeks before the end of the semester so that you can best strategize exam preparation. If you change your major, Rice’s other departments are world class. The upstart Jones School of Business has steadily climbed in ranking. Baker Center for Public Policy has become a major think tank. The college experience will be pleasant. And Houston is a great town to explore. Students can ride the mass transit system for free. This campus is among the most beautiful, and is located in an upscale part of town. The Rice Village is a nearby shopping center with high end and low end shops. Next to Rice University is the huge Texas Medical Center, as well as the Houston Museum District. Galveston beach is only 45 minutes away.For graduate school, a larger department maybe more alluring. UT Austin/ Texas A&M and U Houston are not too far away. But many graduates go farther afield to Stanford, MIT, Cal Tech etc.University of Maryland does look like a very good school. For me, it is just too big and there is less clout.Again, I am not an engineer and I know very little about the University of Maryland.All the Best!Texas Medical CenterRice ranked No. 1 for happiest students and lots of race/class interactionB.J. ALMOND AUGUST 29, 2016POSTED IN: FEATURED STORIESThe happiest students in the country are at Rice University, according to the Princeton Review’s 2017 edition of “The Best 381 Colleges.” The new college guide ranks Rice No. 1 for happiest students and for lots of race/class interaction. Rice is also No. 9 for best quality of life.The rankings are based on surveys of 143,000 students at 381 top colleges. Students responded to 84 questions about academics, administration, the student body and themselves. The guide published the top 20 schools in 60 categories. In addition to three top-10 rankings, Rice is No. 20 for best health services, and a photo of the campus appears on the cover of the publication.“We’re especially gratified by our two No. 1 rankings in the Princeton Review for student happiness and interaction among students of different racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as our top-10 ranking for overall student quality of life,” Rice President David Lebron said. “These reflect two of our most important commitments: the general welfare and positive engagement of our students, and building a diverse and inclusive community. We take this expression of satisfaction from our students not as a laurel to rest upon, but an encouragement to constantly aspire to do even better.”Fifty best dining experienceThe guide’s profile of Rice notes that the crossover between personal and academic life made possible by the residential college system “helps make life at Rice well-balanced.” One student said, “The environment is very inclusive,” and another said, “There is no racial majority here on campus, and I’ve met students of varied political affiliations, religions, socio-economic status and sexual orientations.” The guide reports that Rice students are “generous with their praise for professors.” Although students have a wide range of activities and interests, “what they all have in common is their satisfaction with life at Rice,” the Princeton Review wrote.For more information on the rankings, visit princetonreview.com/college-rankings/best-colleges.- See more at: Rice ranked No. 1 for happiest students and lots of race/class interactionPrinceton tops list of 2017 U.S. News Best Colleges RankingsRice University Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Maryland Mechanical Engineering50 Best Bachelors in Engineering Degrees for 2017#21RICE UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 83.17ANNUAL TUITION: $43,918PROGRAM WEBSITELocated in Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city, Rice is a comprehensive research university fostering diversity and an intellectual environment that produces the next generation of leaders and advances tomorrow’s thinking. The nine departments of the School of Engineering offer programs toward seven Bachelor of Science and nine Bachelor of Arts degrees and several engineering-related minors.More than sixty percent of Rice undergraduate engineers have a meaningful research experience before graduation. They also own all the intellectual property they create while students at Rice. The Rice Center for Engineering Leadership helps students become inspiring leaders, exceptional team members, effective communicators and bold entrepreneurs. The Rice Center for Career Development not only assists students in finding jobs after graduation, they also help undergraduates secure summer-long internships that are a vital part of the Rice experience.One of the unique features of Rice is its residential colleges. Before matriculating, undergraduates become a member of one of eleven residential colleges, which have their own dining halls, public rooms, and dorms on campus; most of the first-year students and about 75 percent of all undergraduates reside at their associated colleges. Because each student is randomly assigned to one of the colleges, and maintains membership in the same college throughout the undergraduate years, the colleges are enriched by the diversity of their students’ backgrounds, academic interests and experiences, talents, and goals.19UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND—COLLEGE PARKCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 84.49ANNUAL TUITION: $32,045PROGRAM WEBSITEThe A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland is comprised of seven departments and offers nine undergraduate degrees. A common core curriculum outlines the first year for most students no matter their major. The challenging set of courses emphasizes teamwork. Students also have numerous opportunities for research and design projects. The degree programs put special emphasis on technology entrepreneurship and offer many international and collaborative possibilities.The A. James Clark School of Engineering also provides undergraduate students outstanding resources for their academic pursuits—innovative research opportunities, world-renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. Students are also a part of the University of Maryland community, which offers its own array of resources and opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun on and around its idyllic campus in College Park, MD. As a Clark School Engineer, students will have the opportunity to build a foundation of skills and knowledge that will benefit the world in a very special and unique way, while themselves having a special and unique experience as a Terrapin.The 25 Healthiest Colleges in the U.S., 201214. Rice UniversityStudents at Rice definitely won't go hungry. There are dining halls in every residential college that serve three meals per day, and students' meal plans are unlimited. And according to The Princeton Review, Rice University has the happiest students in the U.S.A. This may be thanks to its comprehensive wellbeing resource site or the many fitness events organized by the recreation department. Photo Courtesy of Rice UniversityHoustonNASA LBJ Space Center (land donated by Rice University)Rice Tree Campus USARice Residential CollegeMaryland Color GuardTop 50 colleges with the hardest-working studentsIt’s no secret that college students work hard. But where do students work the hardest?School analytics site Niche recently compiled a list of schools with the hardest-working students. The top 50 colleges were chosen from 1,311 schools based on their Niche Academics Grade, which involves the school’s acceptance and graduation rates, and student survey responses about workload and study habits, according to Niche.Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology tops the list at No. 1. Check out the rest to see if your school made the cut!50. University of Virginia49. Emory University48. Colgate University47. University of Michigan at Ann Arbor46. University of California at Los Angeles45. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute44. Rhode Island School of Design43. Colorado CollegeThomas Jefferson University (Photo: Maarten Danial/Flickr)42. Thomas Jefferson University41. Pomona College40. Amherst College39. United States Naval Academy38. Claremont McKenna College37. Georgetown University36. Vassar College35. Colorado School of Mines34. Case Western Reserve University33. Wellesley CollegeDuke students walk by Duke Chapel on the campus of Duke University in Durham, N.C. (Photo: Jim R. Bounds/Bloomberg)32. Duke University31. Dartmouth College30. Wake Forest University29. University of Pennsylvania28. Oberlin College27. Northwestern University26. Grinnell College25. Harvard University24. Williams College23. Swarthmore College22. United States Military Academy at West Point21. Brown University20. Georgia Institute of Technology19. University of California at Berkeley18. Cornell University17. Harvey Mudd College16. Carleton College15. University of Notre Dame13. (TIE) Stanford University13. (TIE) Middlebury College12. Washington University in St. LouisJohns Hopkins (Photo: AP/Patrick Semansky)11. Johns Hopkins University10. College of William & Mary9. Vanderbilt University8. Columbia University7. Bowdoin College6. Princeton University5. Yale University4. Carnegie Mellon University3. Rice University2. University of Chicago1. Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyBrooke Metz is a student at Wake Forest University and a USA TODAY College web producer.Residential CollegeA regular in the college world seriesResidential College (Dorm)Jim Henson Maryland alumnusLast Updated: January 1, 2017The United States’ global competitiveness has become a national priority, and with it, efforts to increase the number of U.S. students seeking degrees in engineering and computer science. The need is so important that Congress passed the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act, authorizing $43.3 billion in federal spending in science, engineering, mathematics and technology research and education programs.Engineers use mathematics, the physical, chemical, and biological sciences, as well as business and communications skills to solve important, real-world problems in society. Engineers and scientists must be critical thinkers, and entrepreneurs and innovators who understand the social and business implications of their work. They need to be able to communicate their ideas coherently, and work effectively in teams. Above all, they must be willing and able to provide leadership in solving society’s big problems.Our world is powered by engineers. Engineers create the newest products, services, and ideas to improve human health, safety, and happiness. Engineers provide solutions to opportunities and challenges that affect everyone. From the environment, energy, new product design, to national security, engineers have an active role in virtually every area of human life.Engineering salaries vary depending on the level of education, focus of career, and the region of the world, but year after year, engineering tops the list of majors with the highest average starting salary. It is well worth the time and effort to become an engineer. The most current numbers on starting median salaries for engineers is $55,000 to $70,000, with the potential to earn two to three times these amounts with experience, success, and further education.RELATED ENGINEERING RANKINGSEngineering involves the creative application of tools from math and science to solve problems that confront humanity today. While these problems present technological challenges, each exists within a cultural, economic, historical, and ethical context, and thus an undergraduate education in engineering must provide students with a broad academic foundation.Twenty-first century engineering is at the epicenter of an explosion in new knowledge. Revolutionary discoveries in science, engineering, medicine, mathematics, and the social sciences have not only changed the way we interact with the world around us, but have also blurred the boundaries between academic disciplines. Engineering is the catalyst for bringing disciplines together and pushing forward the amazing advances made possible by those collaborations. The breadth of an engineer’s education as well as the interdisciplinary nature of engineering disciplines has led some to call an engineering education the new liberal arts.The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredits college engineering programs nationwide using criteria and standards developed and accepted by U.S. engineering communities. There are several disciplines within engineering—different starting points for solving engineering problems. More than twenty-five major specialties are recognized in the fields of engineering and engineering technology. Some of the more popular areas of study include Aerospace, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, Mechanical, and Systems.Whether you’re an undergraduate who likes the idea of research or who is thinking about graduate school, collaborating on projects will prepare you for a productive future in research, your workplace, and your community. The experience will position you to meet the needs of society and provide technical leadership, no matter where your path leads. Because research is such an integral part of engineering, and because schools with graduate programs tend to have more research center, labs, and institutes, we’ve limited our top fifty list to those schools with graduate programs.What Are the Best Engineering Degree Programs?To help prospective engineering student explore programs and schools, we have compiled the following list of the top fifty undergraduate engineering programs. Because we know that a degree is an investment of sorts, we have factored into our rankings the cost of getting an engineering degree and the salary prospects for graduates of the various schools. By combining data points from U.S. News and World Report, http://Payscale.org, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and information provided by schools, we’ve created a list of fifty schools that will get an aspiring engineering off to a successful start.BEST BACHELORS IN ENGINEERING PROGRAMS1UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS—URBANA-CHAMPAIGNCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 100.00ANNUAL TUITION: $31,320PROGRAM WEBSITEAt the University of Illinois’s main campus in Urbana, undergraduates can choose from among fifteen top-ranked engineering majors in 12 of the university’s engineering departments. In addition to the variety of engineering programs, the university offers an Engineering First-Year Experience, an interdisciplinary program designed to enhance the learning experience of every first-year student in Engineering at Illinois. The goal of this experience is to support the aspirations of beginning engineering students by laying a solid foundation for their collegiate career.With the breadth and depth of knowledge among the university’s engineering research faculty, students can find experts in several fields who are willing to provide them with research opportunities. Over fifty percent of undergraduates do research in the 60+ laboratories, research centers, and institutes at the university. The research experience builds valuable skills while allowing students to do world-changing things even before graduation.The more than seventy engineering societies and a vibrant university community provide engineering students ample opportunities to grow professionally and socially. The exceptional career services, the extensive Illini network, and the top-ranked education give graduates of engineering programs at the University of Illinois high regard in the professional and graduate spheres.2PURDUE UNIVERSITY—WEST LAFAYETTECOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 98.87ANNUAL TUITION: $28,804PROGRAM WEBSITEPurdue, Indiana’s land grant university, offers sixteen different undergraduate engineering majors, covering areas such as Construction Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Biological Engineering. Students who know they will want to pursue a graduate degree may also find the BS/MS or BS/MBA options intriguing.At Purdue’s main campus in West Lafayette, engineering undergraduates have available to them some of the nation’s leading experts who together envision a more inclusive, socially connected, and scholarly engineering education that puts students first. To that end, Purdue is proud of its many programs, including Women in Engineering, Engineering Leadership, and Global Engineering.The entry point for all engineering students at Purdue is its First-Year Engineering Program. In this program students ease into college life, get grounded in the fundamentals, and discover their passion for engineering. Beginning students get academic and personal support from professional academic advisors, faculty, and student advisors. They also enroll in a common first-year curriculum that helps them further distinguish the engineering disciplines, identify which engineering major is right for them, and learn where they might work if they pursue a degree in an engineering field.3GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 98.46ANNUAL TUITION: $32,404PROGRAM WEBSITEGeorgia Tech is home to a prestigious College of Engineering with eight schools that offer eleven undergraduate engineering majors. All of Georgia Tech’s engineering undergraduate programs well prepare students for careers or graduate studies by providing a solid foundation in engineering principles. Students gain both knowledge and practical experience by collaborating across disciplines and apply their skills to real-world problems. All of the college’s undergraduate programs have consistently ranked in the top six of their respective areas in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings.In addition to the experience of college life on Georgia Tech’s vibrant campus in Atlanta, engineering students can find social, academic, and professional enrichment through any of the dozen engineering clubs and organizations. The College of Engineering also boasts the nation’s largest and most diverse engineering college, awarding more engineering degrees to women and underrepresented minority students than any other school in the country.4UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA—TWIN CITIESCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 96.84ANNUAL TUITION: $22,210PROGRAM WEBSITEThe University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering offers students a rigorous, world-class education tailored to their interests and goals. Undergraduates in the college are able to choose from a wide range of programs and learn from some of the world’s leading experts in their fields. In the college’s twelve departments there are eighteen majors, twelve of which are in various engineering disciplines.Researchers in the college are on the cutting edge of finding ways to address some of the world’s most pressing problems. The partnership the college has with the school of medicine and with companies regionally and globally gives students unparalleled opportunities to match their skills with industry needs.On one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses in Minneapolis, the university provides its students a well-rounded college experience. There are over 1000 student groups at the university and 75 in the College of Science and Engineering. The First-Year Experience course connects freshmen to learning, research, and career opportunities to help them succeed. The course also includes fun, project-based work in small teams.5TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY—COLLEGE STATIONCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 95.59ANNUAL TUITION: $28,768PROGRAM WEBSITEEngineering has been a part of Texas A&M University since its founding in 1876. The college’s mission is to cultivate engineers who are well founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.The College of Engineering is now the largest college at the university and offers nearly twenty undergraduate majors in its fourteen departments. It is also one of the largest engineering schools in the country, ranking second in undergraduate enrollment. The forty student organizations within the college coupled with the lively college atmosphere on one of the state of Texas’s largest universities enhances the college experience for engineering undergraduates.The quality of research activities at Texas A&M is highlighted by the direct impact of research on technology. In addition the college boasts a high volume of peer reviewed research funding from highly competitive sources and a high volume of publications in influential refereed journals. These things along with with the number of patents and the volume of widely used textbooks help consistently put the engineering programs in numerous national rankings.6UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA—BERKELEYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 95.14ANNUAL TUITION: $40,191PROGRAM WEBSITEBerkeley Engineering at the University of California is regularly rated one of the top schools of engineering in the world. Its emphasis on creativity and imagination, together with its commitment to work toward ways of changing society, make Berkeley Engineering a great place for students to pursue goals for themselves and the world. The spirit of collaboration and entrepreneurship marks the whole undergraduate experience for students of engineering.With over 3000 undergraduate students pursuing one of the school’s eleven majors and residing on the vibrant campus in Berkeley, the School of Engineering has ample opportunity for social, professional, and collegial interactions. And with over fifty centers and institutes of research, location near the tech-forward Silicon Valley, and key relationships with industry partners, the school has a strong stature among leading intellectuals. Undergraduates can find ways to participate in the school’s award-winning research by way of several fellowship and apprenticeship programs.7UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS—AUSTINCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 93.00ANNUAL TUITION: $34,676PROGRAM WEBSITEThe flagship campus of the University of Texas system boasts one of the country’s premier engineering schools in its Cockrell School of Engineering. Undergraduates at Cockrell not only learn from some of the world’s leading experts, but they also learn alongside these leaders. Participation in innovative, hands-on projects is a hallmark of the undergraduate experience.In addition to being a part of a world-class instructional environment, engineering students at Cockrell have access to eighty engineering-specific student groups, First-Year Interest Groups, and the Engineering Career Assistance Center. These resources provide students both social and professional enrichment to help them grow and flourish as engineers. Not only that, but students at the University of Texas at Austin live in one of the country’s most attractive cities. Austin is home to an ever-increasing number of thriving startup companies and continues to be one of the fastest-growing, most innovative cities in the country.8VIRGINIA TECHCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 92.88ANNUAL TUITION: $29,371PROGRAM WEBSITEAll first-year engineering students at Virginia Tech begin their undergraduate life in the Department of Engineering Education. After completing specific core course requirements, students can declare for one of the fourteen engineering majors in the College of Engineering at the university. These early shared courses give all of Virginia Tech’s engineering undergraduates an understanding of the engineering profession, including the skills, capacity for problem solving, and abilities for graphic and design processes needed to address current global issues. The renowned faculty apply research to teaching practices and practice research-based innovations in the classroom to provide the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary for students to become successful engineers and learners.Located in Blacksburg nestled on a plateau between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains in southwest Virginia, Virginia Tech is a special place. The idyllic surroundings enhance an already lively and exciting campus life. For engineering undergraduates, the possibilities for social, academic, and professional relationships are numerous. Along with a wide variety of labs and creative workspaces, the College of Engineering’s Ware Lab is a facility dedicated solely to undergraduate student design projects, providing a unique learning environment for engineering students from various majors.9UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN—MADISONCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 91.18ANNUAL TUITION: $32,738PROGRAM WEBSITEThe flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin system is located in the state’s capital city of Madison. With over 40,000 students from 50 states and over 120 countries, the Badgers are diverse, active, and energetic. Considered one of the best public universities in the nation, the University of Wisconsin is high on the list for many prospective students. Add in a top-rated College of Engineering and it is no surprise that Wisconsin is a popular school for future engineers.The world-class faculty and the outstanding curriculum at the College of Engineering provide undergraduates the technological tools, resources, and knowledge that will help them develop solutions to problems in fields ranging from medicine to energy to manufacturing. Not only do students benefit from classroom and lab experiences, but they can also enrich their social life by taking advantage of opportunities such as international study, field research, internships, laboratory experience, entrepreneurial opportunities, and more. Additionally, the opportunities to work directly with faculty members and participate in the over fifty registered engineering organizations enhance the educational experience of engineering undergraduates.10PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY—UNIVERSITY PARKCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 88.61ANNUAL TUITION: $32,382PROGRAM WEBSITEThe Penn State University system is a well-respected network of public research universities. At its main campus in University Park, the College of Engineering offers one of the most vibrant educational programs in the country. It has breadth, depth, technical diversity, and innovative research that directly impacts the quality of life of global citizens. It is comprised of a responsive community of intellectuals that is focused on serving the technical profession and society. And it is located on one of the most extraordinary college campuses in the world. The Nittany Lion spirit is strong and diverse.The College of Engineering embraces multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary education and research in its twelve departments and schools. With over 30 research centers and laboratories, Penn State’s engineering programs are some of the nation’s leading academies of learning, discovery, and application. The College of Engineering offers fourteen majors to its over 7000 students, while the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences offers five further engineering majors focused on the environment and energy.11UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 88.20ANNUAL TUITION: $34,791PROGRAM WEBSITESeattle and the Puget Sound region are a hub of creativity and innovation in aerospace, biotechnology, global health, clean technology, and information and communications technology. The College of Engineering at the University of Washington is an active and leading institution in these vital fields. It is an engine of economic growth, ranked third in the nation for the number of startups launched each year.The university is the top-ranked public university for federal research and training funding and the ten engineering departments are consistently rated some of the highest in the country in their respective fields. Because of the university’s influence in the economy, technology, and research, undergraduate engineering students at the University of Washington are afforded an unmatched educational experience. They have opportunities to work on interesting projects with global impact, tackle real-world problems through design projects, and much more as they open doors to an extraordinary future.The university has a wide variety of programs to support engineering students. First- and second-year undergraduates can live in the Engineering Community, a residence hall that extends learning beyond the classroom. The Engineering Academic Center provides support, tutoring, workshops, and study groups.12IOWA STATE UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 87.83ANNUAL TUITION: $21,483PROGRAM WEBSITEIowa State University’s College of Engineering offers a dozen different engineering majors as well as five minors for undergraduate students in its eight departments. Engineering students at Iowa State get to work with professors whose research shapes the future, participate in research labs with the latest technology on revolutionizing projects, and get hands-on experience by collaborating with students from over one hundred countries.ISU engineering students can also enhance their educational experience by participating in one of the college’s top-rated learning communities. Every engineering major has a learning community that takes a large campus and makes it small. Students can also join more than sixty engineering student organizations or participate in one of the College of Engineering’s more than thirty study abroad programs. The possibilities are numerous and the experiences are priceless. The excellent and well-rounded engineering programs at ISU lead to over 95% of graduates landing jobs within six months of graduation.13CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 86.57ANNUAL TUITION: $47,577PROGRAM WEBSITEOn 124 acres in the beautiful environs of Pasadena, California, sits a world-renowned and pioneering research and education institution dedicated to advancing science and engineering. Cal Tech is home to an array of award-winning faculty members, including 35 Nobel Prize winners. Its investigations into the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary atmosphere have helped Cal Tech to develop a well-deserved reputation. All the while, it educates some of the world’s most outstanding students to become creative members of society.Boasting one of the lowest student to teacher ratios and a rigorous curriculum with access to varied learning opportunities and hands-on research, Cal Tech is a prime destination for prospective engineering students. The Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers six majors and two minors for undergraduate students interested in a career or a graduate degree in engineering. As well, the Division of Biological Engineering offers an undergraduate major in Bioengineering, and the Division of Chemical and Chemical Engineering offers an undergraduate major in Chemical Engineering with the option of four different concentrated tracks.14MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 86.44ANNUAL TUITION: $48,452PROGRAM WEBSITEThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is consistently one of the top ranked universities in the world. Its School of Engineering is no different among engineering programs. Founded in 1861, MIT has a proud history of influencing the world through technological leadership and research innovation. MIT is one of the world’s preeminent research universities. The largest of MIT’s five schools, the School of Engineering educates about sixty percent of MIT’s undergraduates. Over a third of MIT’s faculty are in the School of Engineering and they account for more than half of the sponsored research at MIT.The School of Engineering is home to eight academic departments and one division, as well as twenty laboratories and research centers. Undergraduate students in engineering fields have access to some of the world’s leading experts who are conducting some of the most cutting edge research. Students learn from and work with these award-winning leaders by choosing from over thirteen engineering majors and many more minors.15OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY—COLUMBUSCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 85.94ANNUAL TUITION: $28,229PROGRAM WEBSITEThe Columbus campus of Ohio State University is one of the largest university campuses in the nation. It is also home to one of the best colleges of engineering. Students enrolled in the College of Engineering at Ohio State move beyond the traditional lecture/lab approach and take part in experiential learning that provides both team-building skills and technological abilities. The nationally recognized First-Year Engineering Program fosters an appreciation of lifelong learning in general and engineering in particular. In addition to the academic and professional opportunities afforded the nearly 8000 undergraduate engineering students, OSU is known for its vibrant and active campus life.The College of Engineering currently offers fourteen major programs in eleven departments that span the breadth of careers within the profession. Students have the opportunity to follow their own investigational instincts through undergraduate research. Leading experts on the faculty work with the student to sculpt the student’s topic of interest into a feasible research project.More than 40 research centers and laboratories provide students with access to state-of-the-art facilities for research and teaching. The Global Option in Engineering is an exciting program for undergraduate students in any engineering major. These students combine internationally themed courses, experiences with global dimensions, and culture or language training to enhance their global competencies and better prepare them for the practice of engineering in a global environment.16UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN—ANN ARBORCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 85.73ANNUAL TUITION: $43,476PROGRAM WEBSITEAnn Arbor, Michigan is a vibrant, culturally rich community, in no small part to being the home of the flagship campus of the University of Michigan system. It is in many ways the quintessential college town. As the university is nestled in the heart of this city of 100,000 people, so the School of Engineering is the heart of the university’s North Campus, a hub of creativity, where engineering, art, music, and design students coexist and thrive.Michigan Engineering offers seventeen undergraduate programs of study that lead to a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition, there are a variety of programs that help students explore their specific interests, several options for minors, and many other educational opportunities. For example, the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program enables students to work one-on-one or as part of a small group of students on research projects conducted by faculty and research scientists all across campus.The College of Engineering offers hundreds of labs and opportunities to students looking to create their own projects or assist award-winning professors with groundbreaking research. And as one of the nation’s premier public research universities, the University of Michigan offers countless opportunities for undergraduates to enrich their college experience socially, academically, civically, and more.17NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY—RALEIGHCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 85.01ANNUAL TUITION: $26,399PROGRAM WEBSITEThe College of Engineering at North Carolina State is the largest of any college at the university. Eighteen Engineering degrees are offered through nine academic departments in the College of Engineering and three departments in other colleges. The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering Institute and Operations Research also offer engineering degrees.Through its state-of-the-art facilities, advanced computer resources, and world-class faculty, the College of Engineering integrates education and research, giving its undergraduate students opportunities to solve real-world problems in classroom, field, and laboratory settings. It also offers degree opportunities on the internet through its Engineering Online program. The Engineering First Year Program is home to first-year engineering students, providing important information that ensures a successful college career.NC State is located in Raleigh, NC, part of what’s known as the Research Triangle, comprised of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and anchored by NC State, the University of North Carolina, and Duke University. The proximity to so many world- and industry-leading research projects and the partnerships with other institutions gives NC State undergraduate students an advantage unavailable to many.18STANFORD UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 84.84ANNUAL TUITION: $47,940PROGRAM WEBSITEEngineering undergraduates at Stanford University have an unlimited number of possibilities, with a high number of degree options, research possibilities, and educational experiences. Within the School of Engineering’s departments, students can choose from among nine degree programs. The School of Engineering itself offers interdisciplinary programs leading to the B.S. degree in engineering with seven different specializations. Students may also elect a B.S. in an Individually Designed Major in Engineering. The Bachelor of Arts and Science (B.A.S.) in the School of Engineering is available to students who complete both the requirements for a B.S. degree in engineering and the requirements for a major or program ordinarily leading to the B.A. degree. A degree in Petroleum Engineering is offered by the Department of Energy Resource Engineering in the School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences.In addition to the plethora of degree options for the undergraduate engineering students at Stanford, qualified students have the opportunity to do independent study and research at an advanced level with a faculty mentor in order to receive a Bachelor of Science with honors. The school’s institutes and programs bring together students and faculty to work together to solve big problems in human-centered ways, to conduct interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach to promote an environmentally sound and sustainable world, and much more.Other opportunities range from service learning programs to internships to study tours. These opportunities enhance engineering education by providing students with an opportunity to learn about technology and engineering globally, to build professional networks, and to gain real world experience in a culturally diverse and international environment.19UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND—COLLEGE PARKCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 84.49ANNUAL TUITION: $32,045PROGRAM WEBSITEThe A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland is comprised of seven departments and offers nine undergraduate degrees. A common core curriculum outlines the first year for most students no matter their major. The challenging set of courses emphasizes teamwork. Students also have numerous opportunities for research and design projects. The degree programs put special emphasis on technology entrepreneurship and offer many international and collaborative possibilities.The A. James Clark School of Engineering also provides undergraduate students outstanding resources for their academic pursuits—innovative research opportunities, world-renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. Students are also a part of the University of Maryland community, which offers its own array of resources and opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun on and around its idyllic campus in College Park, MD. As a Clark School Engineer, students will have the opportunity to build a foundation of skills and knowledge that will benefit the world in a very special and unique way, while themselves having a special and unique experience as a Terrapin.20UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA—LOS ANGELESCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 83.34ANNUAL TUITION: $39,518PROGRAM WEBSITEIn the heart of one of the country’s largest metropolitan cities and a part of one of the nation’s premier public university systems, UCLA is a leading institution in a variety of fields and disciplines. Its Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science is a national leader in technological innovation, interdisciplinary research, and engineering education. Within the school’s seven departments, it offers nine majors that prepare undergraduate students to meet the challenges of the 21st century.The Samueli School curriculum offers a hands-on, multidisciplinary education to prepare students to take on the challenges of their times and to make impact in ways that they cannot yet imagine. Its proximity to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the UCLA Anderson School of Management allows UCLA Engineering to excel in the growing field of biomedical and bioengineering research, as well as entrepreneurship.The talented and diverse faculty members at UCLA Engineering are among the top engineering educators and researchers in the world. They lead in fields including energy, sustainability, healthcare, communications, transportation, infrastructure, and information technology. Undergraduates at UCLA have the benefit of all that Los Angeles has to offer as well as the world renowned education the School of Engineering affords them.21RICE UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 83.17ANNUAL TUITION: $43,918PROGRAM WEBSITELocated in Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city, Rice is a comprehensive research university fostering diversity and an intellectual environment that produces the next generation of leaders and advances tomorrow’s thinking. The nine departments of the School of Engineering offer programs toward seven Bachelor of Science and nine Bachelor of Arts degrees and several engineering-related minors.More than sixty percent of Rice undergraduate engineers have a meaningful research experience before graduation. They also own all the intellectual property they create while students at Rice. The Rice Center for Engineering Leadership helps students become inspiring leaders, exceptional team members, effective communicators and bold entrepreneurs. The Rice Center for Career Development not only assists students in finding jobs after graduation, they also help undergraduates secure summer-long internships that are a vital part of the Rice experience.One of the unique features of Rice is its residential colleges. Before matriculating, undergraduates become a member of one of eleven residential colleges, which have their own dining halls, public rooms, and dorms on campus; most of the first-year students and about 75 percent of all undergraduates reside at their associated colleges. Because each student is randomly assigned to one of the colleges, and maintains membership in the same college throughout the undergraduate years, the colleges are enriched by the diversity of their students’ backgrounds, academic interests and experiences, talents, and goals.22ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY—TEMPECOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 82.95ANNUAL TUITION: $25,458PROGRAM WEBSITEArizona State’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering has a variety of resources to help undergraduate students succeed along their path to becoming engineers. From the very first semester, Fulton students integrate problem-based learning opportunities in their program courses. The Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative is a signature program at ASU, allowing undergraduates to work with faculty in pursuing their own research passion. Undergraduates might also take part in the Engineering Projects in Community Service program and design, build, and deploy systems to solve engineering-based problems for not-for-profit and nonprofit organizations. There is also the new Startup Center!, which offers signature entrepreneurship and innovation courses, workshops, expert mentoring, new venture competitions, and more.With two dozen undergraduate majors available, undergraduates at Fulton Schools are able to find the right avenue for pursuing their engineering passions. Fulton Engineering student support services include a thriving residential community, a dedicated Tutoring Center and a dedicated Engineering Career Center hosting workshops, biannual career fairs and more. ASU is located in Tempe, a part of the greater Phoenix area, giving students access to all that a big city has to offer for social and professional development needs.23PRINCETON UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 81.30ANNUAL TUITION: $45,320PROGRAM WEBSITEPrinceton University is one of the world’s premier research universities. At its School of Engineering and Applied Science engineering students learn the fundamental principles of engineering sciences and apply that knowledge to engineering design and practice through advanced courses and independent work. Ample opportunities for study in the life sciences, social sciences, and humanities complete a well-rounded undergraduate education that prepares students for a wide range of careers.Each engineering undergraduate at Princeton pursues an academic program in one of the six engineering departments that reflects his or her aspirations and interests within a general framework of requirements. Students benefit from participation in any of several engineering student organizations, stellar academic advising, and exceptional study abroad programs. But most importantly, Princeton engineering undergraduates learn from and participate with some of the world’s leading experts in their fields.Located in Princeton, NJ, the university’s proximity to New York City and Philadelphia gives students the cultural offerings of two major metropolitan centers that can be reached within one hour by train or car. Being near large cities also benefits engineering students looking for internships during their degree program or jobs upon graduation. But students can also find ample opportunities for social and professional enrichment on the Princeton campus, especially in the activities of their residential colleges.24UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDACOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 79.14ANNUAL TUITION: $28,666PROGRAM WEBSITEThe Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida is home to one of the largest and most dynamic engineering programs in the nation. Its nine departments offer fifteen undergraduate degree programs and its twenty centers and institutes help produce leaders and problem-solvers who take a multidisciplinary approach to innovative and human-centered solutions. Add to these stellar academic attributes life on one of the country’s liveliest and most exciting university campuses and it is no wonder Florida is an ever popular pick for aspiring engineers.The College of Engineering is approaching 9000 students and is in the top one percent for enrollment of women across all degree types. In addition to the diversity of the student body, the college has five times the U.S. average of startups launched and two times the U.S. average of inventions produced per research dollar invested. These numbers are due in part to the exceptional engineering faculty and in part to the college’s emphasis on innovation and discovery.25CORNELL UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 75.81ANNUAL TUITION: $50,953PROGRAM WEBSITEThe College of Engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY offers one of the broadest curricula in the world with fourteen majors, including the option for students to create their own program, as well as nineteen minors and dozens of concentrations. Cornell engineering students are empowered by an atmosphere of discovery, learning from and working with faculty members who are pushing the limits of engineering. Faculty and students also break the intellectual barriers to finding solutions at the national research centers on campus many of which were established and are led by engineering faculty members. Cornell is home to more than one hundred interdisciplinary centers, institutes, laboratories, and programs that support research and enhance education.With nearly 3200 undergraduate students, the College of Engineering is one of the largest schools at Cornell. Its makeup is diverse and growing. The distinct personal, academic, and professional backgrounds of Cornell’s academic community gives depth and breadth to the interdisciplinary approach that is intrinsic to the university and unparalleled at other institutions. With eleven departments, the depth and breadth of academics at Cornell Engineering translates into unique undergraduate opportunities for focused study and interdisciplinary collaboration.26HARVARD UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 75.17ANNUAL TUITION: $47,074PROGRAM WEBSITEHarvard University has been for some time one of the top research universities in the world. Its attributes as an institution need little mentioning. For those prospective engineering undergraduates, knowing more about Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences might help as they explore potential educational opportunities.The School takes a broad-minded approach to education, designing courses and programs to cater to students at multiple levels and fully incorporating laboratory research. There are eight primary research interests in the School offering, six of which offer curriculum for a bachelor degree. Undergraduates can pursue one of seven Bachelor of Arts degrees or one of four Bachelor of Science degrees.Much coursework and several individual research opportunities allow undergraduates to work with professors on extraordinary projects. Dedicated undergraduate research facilities and Active Learning Labs also provide opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning. The School’s student organizations, research centers, initiatives, and institutes provide further opportunity to develop socially, academically, and professionally.27UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA—SAN DIEGOCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 74.63ANNUAL TUITION: $41,387PROGRAM WEBSITEJust outside of sunny San Diego, La Jolla, CA, is home to the University of California–San Diego. UCSD is one of six UC schools to make our top 50 list. The Jacobs School of Engineering offers nearly twenty undergraduate majors leading to a bachelor’s degree. Its six award-winning departments provide close to 7000 undergraduate students with a breadth and depth unparalleled for undergraduate programs.Jacobs is set apart by its entrepreneurial culture and integrative engineering approach. The education model at Jacobs focuses on deep and broad engineering fundamentals, enhanced by real-world design and research, often in partnership with industry. Through their Team Internship Program and GlobalTeams in Engineering Service program, for example, they encourage students to develop their communications and leadership skills while working in the kind of multi-disciplinary team environment experienced by real-world engineers.Students have many options for development and social and professional interaction. The many exciting and active research centers provide opportunities for hands-on learning. And, being located at the hub of San Diego’s thriving information technology, biotechnology, clean technology, and nanotechnology sectors, the Jacobs School proactively seeks corporate partners to collaborate with them and their students in research, education, and innovation.28CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 74.45ANNUAL TUITION: $52,040PROGRAM WEBSITECarnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA is home to a world-class College of Engineering. With an eye toward the future, the curriculum at the College focuses on educating engineers to be properly equipped for successful careers in today’s global economy. It includes intensive classroom, laboratory, and hands-on learning. The work is challenging and the curriculum customizable.General engineering courses are required in the first year, giving students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with a discipline before choosing a major. Many of the courses are project-based, including the “Introduction to Engineering” classes taken in the first year. Students are able to learn and practice under the supervision of our world-class faculty, who stress creativity and independent thinking, while requiring the student to define a problem, to design in the presence of technical and socioeconomic constraints, to make judgments among alternative solutions, and to explore innovative alternatives to more conventional solutions.The college offers a five-year joint bachelor’s and master’s degree in all five of the traditional majors, and an accelerated master’s program in Engineering & Technology Innovation Management. The College of Engineering also offers a unique joint degree with the Tepper School of Business where students can earn a BSE and an MBA in five years.29UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO—BOULDERCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 73.54ANNUAL TUITION: $35,079PROGRAM WEBSITEThe College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado in Boulder offers fourteen undergraduate degree programs. From Aerospace Engineering to Technology, Arts and Media, Colorado’s over 4000 engineering undergraduates have the opportunity for a world-class education on one of the most vibrant campuses in the country.The College of Engineering and Applied Science prides itself on their pioneering new approach to engineering education that places the student’s needs first and is integrative, collaborative, and inclusive. Students in the College are well prepared for entering careers in an increasingly global workforce.The many signature programs available at Colorado enhance the educational and professional development of engineering students. These programs include the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, which provides hands-on design experience to undergraduate students in its unique, award-winning facility. The college’s First-Year Engineering Projects Course allows students to put engineering theory into practice early in their undergraduate careers. Students work together on developing a variety of projects that address a wide range of real-world issues. The BOLD (Broadening Opportunity through Leadership and Diversity) Center fosters success through academic resources, student leadership, mentorship, research and career development opportunities and a supportive community in order to break down the barriers that keep too many of today’s young talent from reaching their aspirations.30UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA—DAVISCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 72.74ANNUAL TUITION: $40,728PROGRAM WEBSITEThe College of Engineering at the University of California Davis provides an undergraduate engineering education based on strong fundamentals. It provides students the tools they need to prepare for careers and continue to grow and adapt in a quickly changing technical world. Its undergraduate students have many opportunities for hands-on engineering through research, design competitions, student clubs, internships and, of course, classroom projects, with access to a large, well-equipped student shop, a rare resource in engineering schools today.UC Davis offers the most comprehensive engineering program and the most ABET-accredited engineering majors among the six schools appearing in this list from the University of California system. The College of Engineering not only provides access to a well-rounded educational experience, it provides several student resources, facilities, and organizations to help engineering undergraduates succeed in school and beyond.The Engineering Fabrication Laboratory is the university’s primary manufacturing shop for the numerous student teams and research groups within the College of Engineering. The Engineering Student Startup Center is an on-campus space where UC Davis students can prototype ideas and collaborate on technology ventures. The space was designed as a creativity hub for learners and young entrepreneurs, and is equipped with resources to empower students at the earliest stages of their startup ideas. Dedicated computer labs and student centers for engineering students is just some of the small touches that make UC Davis an excellent choice for engineering undergraduates.31NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 72.32ANNUAL TUITION: $50,855PROGRAM WEBSITEAt Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, the McCormick School of Engineering has developed the concept of whole-brain engineering. This idea permeates the full environment at McCormick and runs its way through all of the bachelor’s programs. Over a dozen undergraduate majors deliver a balanced education through coursework, research, internships, and extracurricular activities.Three key areas characterize a McCormick experience: design, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Design connects the technical skills of engineering with the creativity needed to correctly frame and solve the problem. The Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides course offerings, funding, and guidance to students looking to nurture and develop their innovative ideas. And with resources such as the Center for Leadership, McCormick students gain the skills and ability to rally support around an objective, manage team dynamics, and maximize collaboration.Northwestern’s proximity to Chicago gives its students access to cultural experiences and professional networks that enhance the school’s already stellar degree programs. McCormick also provides resources like personal and career development that further shape its students into engineers who impact the world.32JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 71.84ANNUAL TUITION: $50,410PROGRAM WEBSITEAt the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, an engineering education is based in a solid foundation of basic science, mathematics, and computing. Beginning freshman year, Hopkins students are immersed in the innovative application of engineering concepts, applying engineering knowledge and working across disciplines to solve society’s greatest challenges. Undergraduates work in collaboration with faculty who are recognized leaders in their fields. They conduct research, take part in internships, find jobs, study abroad, and are encouraged to pursue academic interests outside their major.The Hopkins Engineering community is small, tight-knit and collegial, with all the benefits that come with being part of the Johns Hopkins global research network. Since 1979, Johns Hopkins University has been ranked by the National Science Foundation as the nation’s leading academic institution in total research and development spending. With any of the eleven undergraduate engineering programs, students will learn from and work with leading and active experts in their fields. Whiting boasts a 9:1 student to faculty ratio. The intimacy paired with the world-class research makes Hopkins one of the best choices for undergraduates who desire a hands-on experience.33UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA—SANTA BARBARACOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 71.20ANNUAL TUITION: $40,704PROGRAM WEBSITEThe College of Engineering at the University of California at Santa Barbara provides a small-school atmosphere at a major university. Its five undergraduate majors give the nearly 1500 students a chance to study with world renowned faculty in an intimate environment. The 10:1 faculty to student ratio allows students to get to know leading scholars while learning from and working with them.The mission of the College of Engineering is to provide its students a firm grounding in scientific and mathematical fundamentals; experience in analysis, synthesis, and design of engineering systems; and exposure to current engineering practice and cutting edge engineering research and technology. To that end, UCSB engineering undergraduates have opportunities for interaction in active student organizations, expansion in study abroad programs, and discovery in one of several undergraduate research programs.The beautiful and inspiring setting of Santa Barbara on the California coastline is merely the backdrop to a globally top-ranked educational and research experience with the College of Engineering at UCSB. Access to the Los Angeles metropolitan area to the south and the Bay Area further north, give UCSB Engineering students large job markets to enter.34DUKE UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 70.17ANNUAL TUITION: $51,265PROGRAM WEBSITEStudents at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering are active, well-rounded, and successful. They participate in meaningful research, study abroad, and become active in student organizations, many of which are specialized engineering groups. And Duke gives them a top-notch education, preparing them to take their activity and success to a wider world.Pratt School of Engineering offers Bachelor of Science degrees in four major engineering disciplines: Biomedical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. While each engineering major offers options for specialized study, the general engineering degree requirements are the same for all majors.Duke itself is a world-renowned university located in Durham, NC, a part of the famous Research Triangle. Engineering students not only benefit from the vibrant campus life at Duke, but they also benefit from the fertile research atmosphere that fills the region. The Research Experience for Undergraduates program is unmatched and provides opportunities to gain valuable research skills that make students highly competitive for jobs, internships, and graduate school scholarships.35UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGHCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 69.00ANNUAL TUITION: $29,758PROGRAM WEBSITEThe Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh has seven departments offering thirteen engineering programs. Although some students enter the Swanson School of Engineering with a departmental major already in mind, all students are admitted to the First-Year Engineering Program as undecided engineering majors. This first year experience is crucial to the development of the student and the future engineer. The program offers a common set of core courses, allowing students to share experiences and thus build lasting friendships and professional networks. It also ensures a solid foundation in math and science and thus create better chances for future success.The Freshman Engineering Integrated Curriculum requires the work and cooperation between different engineering departments in addition to the School of Arts and Sciences. The faculty is particularly devoted to the students they teach and have an ongoing commitment to the success of this program. They also happen to be leaders in their fields.Several centers, institutes, and labs give students opportunities for hands-on research experiences. And the many student organizations enhance the educational experiences of students by providing social and professional interactions with peers and future colleagues.36UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONACOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 68.82ANNUAL TUITION: $30,025PROGRAM WEBSITEAt the University of Arizona’s College of Engineering, undergraduates can choose from among fourteen majors. All engineering students start with hands-on introductory design courses. The UA College of Engineering has a 91-percent first-year retention rate, far higher than the national average. They pair some of their best instructors with freshmen; provide hands-on, interactive learning; and offer a number of advising, tutoring, and mentoring services.A unique opportunity for underclassmen engineering students at Arizona is the Engineering Leadership Community. The ELC is a unique living-learning community that brings together first and second-year engineering undergraduate students, helping them to develop their skills as future members of the profession, while giving them a real sense of belonging to the College of Engineering. Students have the opportunity to form a cohort of peers who attend classes together, receive guidance from a faculty member, pursue social networking among the UA engineering community and explore engineering professions.In addition the College is home to several dozen engineering clubs and organizations, an Honors Program, and an Engineering Ambassadors program. Students can also further enhance their education through study abroad programs and excellent tutoring and study groups.37COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINESCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 67.65ANNUAL TUITION: $34,828PROGRAM WEBSITEAt the Colorado School of Mines, earth, energy, and environment are the focus for students of engineering and applied sciences. The six of the school’s departments offer engineering majors, while two offer engineering minors. Colorado School of Mines is a public research university devoted to engineering and applied science. It has the highest admissions standards of any public university in Colorado and among the highest of any public university in the U.S.The Colorado School of Mines has distinguished itself by developing a curriculum and research program geared towards responsible stewardship of the earth and its resources. In addition to strong education and research programs in traditional fields of science and engineering, the school is one of a very few institutions in the world having broad expertise in resource exploration, extraction, production, and utilization.The school has 180 student organizations on campus, eighteen intercollegiate athletic teams, and the largest section of the Society of Women Engineers. Modern research facilities including more than 40 specialized centers, a strong interdisciplinary teaching and research focus and low student-to-faculty ratio offer a personalized education and encourage students to investigate problems from real-world perspectives. The school’s’ reputation and high admission standards, as well as its alumni network in industry, government, and academic institutions, contribute to a high placement rate.38RUTGERS UNIVERSITY—NEW BRUNSWICKCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 66.19ANNUAL TUITION: $30,023PROGRAM WEBSITEAt the main campus of the State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick, Rutgers University’s School of Engineering continues the 250-year tradition of success at one of the leading public research institutions in the country. For nearly 150 of those years, a Rutgers Engineering education has prepared students for rewarding and successful careers in an ever-changing world through rigorous coursework, supported by groundbreaking research opportunities and leadership development.Undergraduate students in the School of Engineering follow a common first year curriculum. In the latter half of the first year, students declare a major from the over eight majors on offer. Also, those students with a desire and an outstanding first-year experience may find their way to the Engineering Honors Academy. Through selective academic courses and living together in residential halls during a portion of their time as undergraduates, Academy scholars enjoy an environment that facilitates strong intellectual bonds and personal growth. The students are challenged with accelerated courses and have the opportunity to participate in the prestigious James J. Slade research program which culminates in a final presentation and an honors thesis.All Rutgers Engineering students benefit from top-notch facilities, advising, and student services. And with the excellent career and professional development services, Rutgers students are well-prepared to take on fulfilling and successful careers in industry, government, research, and academia.39COLUMBIA UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 65.09ANNUAL TUITION: $55,056PROGRAM WEBSITEAt Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, students not only study science and mathematics and gain technical skills but also study literature, philosophy, art history, music theory, and major civilizations through the Core Curriculum in the humanities. The first and second years of the four-year undergraduate programs comprise approximately 66 semester credits exposing students to a cross-fertilization of ideas from different disciplines within the University.Columbia’s is one of the oldest and most distinguished engineering programs in the country. There are sixteen areas of study for engineering students, each of which affords students opportunities to learn from some of the most awarded faculty in the world. The advantageous location of the university provides research, internship, and entrepreneurship opportunities in New York City and other nearby metropolitan areas.Students are immersed in hand-on design programs from the very beginning of their programs. They participate in real research that has real world impact. The over 1400 undergraduate engineering students at Columbia are able to participate in several student organizations, take part in a variety of fellowships, and take advantage of all that Columbia and NYC have to offer.40UNIVERSITY OF UTAHCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 64.89ANNUAL TUITION: $27,039PROGRAM WEBSITEAt the University of Utah’s College of Engineering, undergraduate students can choose to focus their studies in one of seven departments, which offer eight majors and three minors. The university’s campus is located in Utah’s largest city, Salt Lake City. The pristine surroundings and the metropolitan environment offer an unparalleled variety of activity for university students.The College of Engineering had its origins in the State School of Mines, established in the 1890s. Dedicated to enhancing Utah’s mining industry, it was among the first engineering programs west of the Mississippi River. A strong tradition of educational and technical support for local industry continues to the present day. Today the College has nearly 3600 undergraduate students, awarding nearly 500 bachelor degrees a year.Within the college educational opportunities and resources that expand and enhance the core curriculum of each major abound. State of the art facilities, study abroad programs, an honors program, and a wide variety of student organizations are many of the things that help Utah stand out on the engineering landscape. In addition Utah’s engineering research opportunities and tutoring centers give students experiences and assistance for success at Utah and beyond.41UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIACOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 64.42ANNUAL TUITION: $45,066PROGRAM WEBSITEOne of the nation’s oldest public universities, the University of Virginia has been a leading research institution for nearly 200 years. The School of Engineering and Applied Science embodies the university’s successful ethos. Founded in 1836, the Engineering School is the third oldest engineering school in a public university in the U.S.Within the Engineering School undergraduate programs, courses in engineering, ethics, mathematics, the sciences, and the humanities are available to build a strong foundation for careers in engineering and other professions. The school’s abundant research opportunities complement the curriculum and educate undergraduates to become thoughtful leaders in technology and society. The distinguished faculty lead the nearly 2700 undergraduate students through instruction and collaboration in a variety of engineering disciplines, including cutting-edge research programs in computer and information science and engineering, bioengineering and nanotechnology, and energy and the environment. The University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science is home to nine departments offering ten undergraduate programs.Located in what the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research named the “happiest city in America,” the University of Virginia provides its students a full academic and social life. Charlottesville is found in Central Virginia just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It offers stunning beauty, extraordinary culture, and an inexhaustible list of things to do.42AUBURN UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 64.34ANNUAL TUITION: $28,840PROGRAM WEBSITEAuburn University in Auburn, AL is home to the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. The university has been offering engineering courses since 1872, and at Ginn College today students can choose from among a dozen undergraduate majors. Ginn provides excellent academic, research, and outreach programs; computer and laboratory facilities that are second to none; and a world-class faculty. The college is recognized as a major contributor to the region’s economic development and industrial competitiveness, with national and global influence.The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is among the nation’s top 50 in research expenditures. Undergraduates get to participate in many of the school’s award-winning research programs, and the strong research environment brings cutting-edge ideas and practices into the classroom. Ginn research programs collaborate with government agencies, businesses, and foundations to identify research needs, expand established technologies, and develop new ones, and transfer knowledge and technology to industry.At Ginn undergraduate students als have the opportunity to join a variety of student organizations, participate in engineering global programs, and take part in one of the liveliest university campus environments in the country. Career connections and tutoring centers help Ginn undergraduates become successful engineers that impact the world.43UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIACOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 63.65ANNUAL TUITION: $51,464PROGRAM WEBSITEPenn Engineering offers two broad engineering-based degrees. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) is the flagship program, preparing students for careers in professional engineering and related fields. Students can choose to concentrate in one of nine majors while pursuing the BSE. The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) provides students more breadth, and allows them to combine a technology-based degree with course work options in other disciplines. The BAS degree is designed primarily for students whose interests are not oriented toward professional engineering. Students pursuing a BAS can choose from among four majors or work with Penn’s award-winning faculty to create an individualized focus of study.The numerous academic resources include many active student organizations, a tutoring program, and an office of Research and Academic Services. Research opportunities abound in Penn’s various interdisciplinary research centers and institutes. The extraordinary faculty-to-student ratio provides great opportunities for undergraduate students to work in state-of-the-art research laboratories during the academic year and in the summer. The dedicated Science and Engineering Library provides ample resources for research and study. And Penn’s location in Philadelphia provides a wealth of activities and opportunities for internships and career-launching jobs.44CLEMSON UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 61.88ANNUAL TUITION: $32,796PROGRAM WEBSITEThe College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences at Clemson University in Clemson, SC has as its mission to create future engineers and scientists who can be productive in a global economy. All first-year undergraduates in the college begin with General Engineering courses. After that the college offers a broad range of rigorous and stimulating baccalaureate programs which provide unexcelled educational opportunities. Students may choose from among thirteen focused majors. The innovative combination of engineering and science disciplines which comprises the College facilitates study and research in fields transcending the traditional disciplines. Students enjoy close interaction with a distinguished faculty committed to excellence in undergraduate education as well as in research.With so much research at the University, there are plenty of opportunities for undergraduates to experience hands-on learning. Many students join Creative Inquiry teams and conduct research while applying classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Creative Inquiry projects require several semesters of commitment and provide invaluable hands-on experience as the participants find, analyze, and evaluate information. Clemson also has several student services, cooperative education and internships, and the vibrancy of a major university campus.45UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA—IRVINECOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 61.39ANNUAL TUITION: $39,458PROGRAM WEBSITEThe Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California at Irvine offers undergraduate degrees in a wide range of traditional and emerging fields. All engineering programs at UCI combine science, engineering fundamentals, design principles and application, and a culminating design experience. Students are encouraged to participate in research and hands-on engineering design opportunities to develop the practical skills needed for graduate study or employment. Two-thirds of undergraduate students participate in faculty-led research projects by the time they graduate. The Samueli School currently offers twelve majors and two minors.Over 3200 engineering undergraduates call UCI home and find focus in one of Samueli School’s five academic departments: biomedical engineering; chemical engineering and materials science; civil and environmental engineering; electrical engineering and computer science; and mechanical and aerospace engineering. The school pursues research that is timely, socially responsible and cutting edge, and works in partnership with industry and state and federal agencies to promote the transfer of research to applications that benefit society.Located in Irvine, CA, in Orange County, the school is situated within the larger Los Angeles metropolitan area and is also within reach of San Diego. Access to these major cities gives UCI students plenty of opportunities to explore cultural activities and professional networks.46UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARECOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 60.81ANNUAL TUITION: $31,420PROGRAM WEBSITEThe University of Delaware in Newark, DE traces its historic roots back to 1743, making it one of the oldest universities in the U.S. Today is stands as a national leading research-intensive, technologically advanced institution. The College of Engineering is one of the university’s seven colleges and is home to seven academic departments and three degree programs devoted to building a community of problem-solvers focused on challenges associated with sustainability, energy, healthcare, and the environment. Within those degree programs, students can choose from among nine majors and eleven minors.Over 2300 undergraduates are following a course of study in the College of Engineering at Delaware. A select number of these exceptionally capable and well-motivated students are given the chance to see and have a part in what is happening at the frontiers of knowledge today through the Undergraduate Research Program. The Science and Engineering Scholars Program combines the resources of the University’s science and engineering colleges and research centers, the Undergraduate Research Program, and industrial and government sponsors to give the selected students in-depth research apprenticeships in all areas of science and engineering.Delaware provides students with all of the resources of a large university together with the charm and intimacy of a small school. Student organizations, offices of development and support, career services, educational support, and other resources help to assure a successful journey through the undergraduate years.47YALE UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 60.52ANNUAL TUITION: $49,480PROGRAM WEBSITEYale University is a world-famous institution of higher education and research. It is consistently recognized as one of the most outstanding universities in the world. It is no surprise then that its School of Engineering and Applied Science is among the best in the country. Like any other outstanding college engineering program, Yale teaches students the principles of math and science, modern software tools, and how to design devices and systems. With most of its faculty being involved in cutting-edge research, many opportunities exist for students to participate. Unlike many students at many technically focused institutions, students in Yale Engineering take their non-engineering subjects in classes taught by renowned faculty and together with liberal arts majors whose focus is on social, political, economic, and other humanities areas.The student to faculty ratio is among the best in the country. Yale’s School of Engineering and Applied Science has approximately sixty professors and it graduates approximately sixty engineering majors each year. Students have the opportunity to work alongside their faculty mentors on the cutting-edge of contemporary research. Many faculty members involve undergraduates in their research.Student and professional organizations in the larger Yale community and specifically in the College of Engineering and Applied Science give Yale engineering students many and various opportunity for personal and social development. Yale’s location in New Haven, CT, with its ease of access to New York City, provides students with unlimited possibilities for cultural experiences, as well as career and professional networks.48VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 60.03ANNUAL TUITION: $45,610PROGRAM WEBSITEThe School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN offers a Bachelor of Engineering in six degree programs and a Bachelor of Science in two programs. The School of Engineering highly recommends students actively seek out opportunities in various areas of interest in order to gain valuable skills and knowledge in research fields. Research-active faculty members often allow undergraduate students to work in their labs as student workers, technicians, or assistants.In addition to exceptional curricula and research opportunities within the School itself, Vanderbilt Engineering is a part of the larger Vanderbilt University context. As a major research university, with a long heritage of excellent undergraduate education, Vanderbilt offers all that one expects from large institution. Student life is vibrant, with social and cultural activities abounding. Within the School of Engineering, several student organizations help undergraduates develop professionally and socially.Honors programs, internships, study abroad programs, and other activities in the school give undergraduates experiences and perspectives not available in the classroom or lab alone. Engineering Career Development assists students with their first steps into the job market. Vanderbilt undergraduates are well prepared to impact the world.49UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIACOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 58.91ANNUAL TUITION: $52,217PROGRAM WEBSITEThe University of Southern California in Los Angeles is one of the leading private research universities in the world. Nearly 2600 of its 19,000 undergraduates call the Viterbi School of Engineering home. The USC Viterbi School of Engineering is innovative, elite, and internationally recognized for creating new models of education, research and commercialization that are firmly rooted in real world needs.Viterbi’s First Year Excellence program aims to support student success and to help ensure a smooth transition to USC and Viterbi through a variety of different programs and services. The Engineering Freshmen Academy is a course every Viterbi undergraduate must take. The course approaches engineering from a different perspective, providing a macro-level view of the engineering profession by addressing the ethical, societal, and political impact of engineering. Academy section is assigned “Academy Coaches,” upper division Viterbi students who serve as resources and mentors to first year students.Since USC is in the heart of Los Angeles, there is a world of opportunity for its students. Cultural events abound. Beaches and mountains are within reach. Leaders from a variety of industries call LA home. Viterbi graduates, then, are well prepared to face the diverse challenges of the world and make an impact toward their resolutions.50MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE CHOICE SCORE: 58.55ANNUAL TUITION: $39,090PROGRAM WEBSITEStudents in the College of Engineering at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI are involved in a thriving, research-active environment. There they can sharpen problem-solving skills, connect with resources, interact with fellow engineers and students from other majors, and become a well-rounded engineer. Beginning in the first year, MSU Engineering students are immersed in a combination of academic rigor and hands-on, design-intensive education.The College of Engineering offers ten Bachelor of Science majors, spanning from the traditional, widely-recognized engineering degree titles to more interdisciplinary programs that permit students to build a foundation in engineering and add in courses from other fields of study. Incoming students are strongly encouraged to consider joining the CoRe Experience, where students live in the same residence hall where early engineering courses are taught. The experience provides students with the opportunity to be a part of a living-learning community focused on the engineering grand challenges of tomorrow.MSU is a large research university with all the amenities and options one would expect from such an institution. The many research projects give undergraduates ample opportunity to gain considerable professional experience. The student resources and organizations within the College of Engineering give MSU Engineering students a tremendous academic, social, and professional boost. And the vibrancy of the university campus rounds out the undergraduate experience for College of Engineering students.

Encourage contact between students and facultyDevelop reciprocity and cooperation among studentsEncourage active learningGive prompt feedbackEmphasize time on taskCommunicate high expectationsRespect diverse talents and ways of learningWhat are the Seven Principles?How can undergraduate education be improved? In 1987, Arthur W. Chickering and Zelda F. Gamson answered this question when they wrote "Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education." They defined what good education means at the undergraduate level. The seven principles are based upon research on good teaching and learning in the college setting.These principles have been intended as a guideline for faculty members, students, and administrators to follow to improve teaching and learning. Research for over 50 years on practical experience of students and teachers supports these principles. When all principles are practiced, there are six other forces in education that surface: activity, expectations, cooperation, interaction, diversity, and responsibility. Good practices work for professional programs as well as the liberal arts. They also work for a variety of students: Hispanic, Asian, young, old, rich, poor.Teachers and students have the most responsibility for improving undergraduate education. However, improvements will need to be made by college and university leaders, and state and federal officials. It is a joint venture among all that is possible. When this does occur, faculty and administrators think of themselves as educators that have a a shared goal. Resources become available for students, faculty, and administrators to work together.The goal of the seven principles is to prepare the student to deal with the real world.Principle 1: Encourage contact between students and faculty.Building rapport with students is very important. The contact between students and teachers are vital to the students' success. One of the main reasons students leave school is the feeling of isolation that they experience. The concern shown will help students get through difficult times and keep working. Faculty have many avenues to follow to open up the lines of communication.For the regular classroom:Invite students to visit outside of class.Know your students by name.Help students with problems in their extracurricular activities.Personalize feedback on student assignments.Attend student events.Advise students regarding academic courses and career opportunities.Seek out students you feel are having a problem with the course or are frequently absent.Encourage students to present their views and participate in class discussions.Have regular office hours.Help students to work with other faculty. Let them know of options, research, etc. of other faculty.Share personal experiences and values.Use the one-minute paper at the end of class to get feedback on what the student is learning and how well they are learning it.Talk to students on a personal level and learn about their educational and career goals.For distance and online courses:Try computer conferencing.Use list serves.Clearly communicate your email response policy.Encourage e-mail correspondence and discussion forum use, especially beneficial for those that are shy or are from different cultures because it allows them a different avenue of communication that might be more comfortable."Chat time" online with faculty (at various times, scheduled weekly).Use pictures of faculty/students.Visit the distance sites, if possible.Have an on-site support person.Maintain eye contact with camera and local students.Arrange for group work at a distance site.Principle in action:A York College (PA) professor has incorporated an invitation in the syllabus to encourage contact during office hours: "You are encouraged to stop in during office hours to talk about any problems or suggestions you may have concerning the course; about careers (especially graduate school or the benefits of majoring or minoring in (Insert your course here); or just about things in general. If you want to talk to me and find the schedule hours to be inconvenient, feel free to schedule an appointment."Faculty at St. Norbert College, Wisconsin, use electronic mail discussion groups. Many instructors find that the students are more willing to participate in a written discussion than to speak up in class. The instructor monitors the discussions and participates along with the students, adding personal perspectives and ideas to those of the students.The Residential College of Winona State University has implemented a "living-and-learn" environment to encourage student and faculty interaction. It is located 12 blocks from the main campus and houses 400 students in large, mostly single rooms. Academic activities at the Residential College include freshman seminars, sophomore common reading seminars, and an in-resident program with notable scholars or artists participating with students in a variety of experiences. Residential College faculty are located there and hold office hours. The interaction between students and faculty are enhanced because of the increased interaction.Technology, like e-mail, computer conferencing, and the World Wide Web/Internet, now gives more opportunities for students and faculty to converse. It is efficient, convenient, and protected. It allows more privacy so that students are able to discuss more openly without fear that other students are going to hear. E-mail also gives student more time to think about what they want to say. With these new alternatives to face-to-face communication, interaction from more students should increase within the classroom.Resources:Building awareness and diversity into student life: Pomona College. (1991). Liberal Education, 77 (1), 38-40.First year experience creates a community of learners: Augsburg College. (1989). Liberal Education, 75 (5), 28-29.Furlong, D. (1994). Using electronic mail to improve instruction. The Teaching Professor, 8 (6), 7.O'Neill, K.L. and Todd-Mancillas, W.R. (1992). An investigation into the types of turning points affecting relational change in student-faculty interactions. Innovative Higher Education, 16, (4), 227-290.Wilson, R.C., Gaff, J.G., Dienst, L.W., and Bavry, J.L. (1975). College Professors and Their Impact on Students. New York, NY: John Wiley.Principle 2: Develop reciprocity and cooperation among students.When students are encouraged to work as a team, more learning takes place. Characteristics of good learning are collaborative and social, not competitive and isolated. Working together improves thinking and understanding.For the regular classroom:Use cooperative learning groupsHave students participate in activities that encourage them to get to know one another.Encourage students to join at least one organization on campus.Assign group projects and presentationsUtilize peer tutoring.Encourage students to participate in groups when preparing for exams and working on assignments.Distribute performance criteria to students is that each person's grade is independent of those achieved by others.Encourage students from different races and cultures to share their viewpoints on topics shared in class.For distance and online courses:Use chat sites and discussion forums for student-to-student communication.Set up teams to interact through e-mail or phone bridges with enough people at each site.Encourage students to respond to each other's work by posting it on the internet.Have a question and answer time online.Use teleconferencing for idea sharing.Encourage online discussion groups that require interaction.Work on group projects through phone and e-mail.Team-teach courses.Include an "ice-breaker" activity to allow students to share their interest and to learn about others.Principle in action:Students in communication courses at Miami University develop a group "code of conduct" to help facilitate cooperative learning. A sample code is given out as a model. The sample code includes: respect each other, criticize ideas instead of people, listen actively, seek to understand before being understood, contribute to group discussion, keep an open mind, share responsibility, and attend all meetings. Students are encouraged to customize the code to address other shared concerns the group may have. Students refer to the code after each class or group session to assess their performance and identify areas for improvement.At Naugatuck Valley Community-Technical College, students are tested both individually and collaboratively. Students are given a test date but are not told in which fashion they will be tested. Group tests are highly structured and a unanimous decision must be reached for the answer. The collaborative testing method helps students experience a sensitivity for diversity and others' point of view; develop and refine skills in persuasion, listening, and reading; and share responsibility and accountability. This method also reduces test anxiety among students.In a first-year composition class at University of Minnesota students videotape themselves discussing apprehensions before taking the course, their feelings when they received their papers back, and what they learned from the class. Next quarter, the video is shown to new students in the course to show that the feelings they are experiencing are shared by others and helps motivate them to succeed.Cooperative learning has several benefits. Students care more about their learning because of the interdependent nature of the process. Retention is higher because there is a social and intellectual aspect on the content material. Students also find the method more enjoyable because there is no competition placed upon them. Cooperation, not competition, is more effective in promoting student learning.Resources:Cassini, C. (1994). Collaborative testing, grading. The Teaching Professor, 8 (4), 5.Grading student projects: A project in itself. (1994). Adapted from For Your Consideration, 3 (3), by The Teaching Professor, 8 (2), 3-4.Johnson, D.W. and Johnson, R.T. (1985). Cooperative Learning: Warm Ups, Grouping Strategies and Group Activities. Edina, MN: Interaction Book Co.McKinney, K. and Graham-Buxton, M. (1993). The use of collaborative learning groups in the large class: Is it possible? Teaching Sociology, 21, 403-408.Prescott, S. (1992). Cooperation and motivation. Cooperative Learning and College Teaching, 3 (1).*Special note: The National Center on Post secondary Teaching, Learning, and Assessment has developed a source book on collaborative learning. Contact: NCTLA, Penn State University, 403 S. Allen St. Suite 104, University Park, PA 16801.Principle 3: Encourage active learning.Learning is an active process. Students are not able to learn much by only sitting in classes listening to teachers, memorizing pre-packaged assignments, and churning out answers. They must be able to talk about what they are learning, write about it, relate it to past experiences, and apply it to their daily lives. Students need to make learning a part of themselves.For the regular classroom:Ask students to relate what they are learning to something in real life.Use journaling.Give students concrete, real-life situations to analyze.Encourage students to suggest new reading, projects, or course activities.Ask students to present their work to the class.Use of simulation software to run "what-if" scenarios allows students to manipulate variables and circumstances.Practice role modeling and use web-based case studies to practice new thinking skills.Encourage students to challenge your ideas, the ideas of other students, or those ideas presented in readings or other course materials in a respectful matter.Set up problem solving activities in small groups and have each group discuss their solutions with the class.For distance and online courses:Allow flexibility in choosing material so that it is more meaningful to the learner (e.g. students choose their own topic, project format, etc.).Have an interactive web page.Debate on-line.Present students work for other students to review.Talk about what students are learning by creating a learning group through e-mail, telephone, chat room, or conferencing.Use e-mail for group problem solving.Principle in action:At Iowa State University, history students interview prominent historical individuals during a press conference. After the press conferences, students work in groups identifying the main ideas and creating headlines and news articles that highlight those ideas.Structured journal writing is a major part of several classes at Lesley College. Each journal entry has two parts: the first paragraph emphasizes points for recall and retention; the second part emphasizes application of the content to the student's life experience and observation.An education professor at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse has created a hypothetical school system, complete with administration, teachers, pupils, and families. The goal is to help the students learn the legal aspects of special education. During the semester, the students take on all roles as they participate in legal cases involving students with disabilities. Students gain an understanding of the law as it applies to special education and students with disabilities, and they develop a human understanding of the human side of the cases.Promoting active learning in higher education is a struggle because of the learning background that many students come to classes with. This is due to the fact that the norm in our nation's secondary schools has been to promote passive learning. A large amount of information needs to be covered with not enough time, so teachers resort to lecture in order to economize their time to cover as much material as possible. Students progress from topic to topic with no real understanding of the content and how it relates to their life. Effective learning is active learning. The concept of active learning has been applied to curriculum design, internship programs, community service, laboratory science instruction, musical and speech performance, seminar classes, undergraduate research, peer teaching, and computer-assisted learning. The common thread between all these events is to stimulate students to think about how they as well as what they are learning and to take more responsibility for their own education.Resources:Gabennesch, H. (1992). Creating quality class discussion. The Teaching Professor, 6 (9), 5.Hands on experience in course's focus: Temple University. (1989). Liberal Education, 75 (4), 33-34.Harrison-Pepper, S. (1991). Dramas of persuasion: Utilizing performance in the classroom. Journal of Excellence in College Teaching, 2.Interdisciplinary approach to technology. (1998). Liberal Education, 74, (2), 23-24.Nalcolmson, P. and Myers, R. (1993). Debates: Techniques for improving student thinking. The Teaching Professor, 7 (3) 6.Principle 4: Give prompt feedback.By knowing what you know and do not know gives a focus to learning. In order for students to benefit from courses, they need appropriate feedback on their performance. When starting out, students need help in evaluating their current knowledge and capabilities. Within the classroom, students need frequent opportunities to perform and receive suggestions for improvement. Throughout their time in college and especially at the end of their college career, students need chances to reflect on what they have learned, what they still need to know, and how to assess themselves.For the regular classroom:Follow-up presentations with a five minute period for students to write down what they have learned in class.Provide informative comments that show the students' errors and give suggestions on how they can improve.Discuss the results of class assignments and exams with the class and individual students.Vary assessment techniques (tests, papers, journaling, quizzes).Offer on-line testing, software simulations, and web-based programs that provide instantaneous feedback.Have question and answer sessions.Use audio and/or video recordings to assess performances.Return grades for assignments, projects, and tests within one week.For distance and online courses:E-mail gives instant feedback instead of waiting for the next lesson.Use on-line testing, software simulations, and web-based programs that provide instantaneous feedback.Monitor bulletin boards regularly and give specific information feedback to students.Use pre-class and post-class assessments.Schedule a chat group where you, the instructor are present. Use it as a question and answer session when appropriate.Send acknowledgment e-mails when you receive a students work.Post answer keys after receiving assignment from all students.Use of hyperlinks within text to provide feedback to questions raised within the text.Principle in action:At the University of Scranton, a management professor, used computer scored multiple choice tests and quizzes which allowed the professor to have the tests graded during the break that followed the test or quiz. The students immediately received their results and were able to discuss the exam in detail. Students were able to understand the material better through the class discussion that occurred after the test.Hollins College students taking the Critical Thinking course submit two copies of their papers. The second paper is critiqued by another student.Faculty at Winona State University in the Communication Studies Department have to evaluate as many as 30 speeches a day. They developed a system of codes for the most common comments on speeches. These codes were programmed into a computer program and instructors were able to listen to the speech and type in the codes for the appropriate comments. This gave extra time to make specific comments on the individual speech and also gave students complete and prompt feedback on the entire speech.The importance of feedback is so obvious that it is often taken for granted during the teaching and learning process. It is a simple yet powerful tool to aid in the learning process. Feedback is any means to inform a learner of their accomplishments and areas needing improvement. There are several different forms that feedback can take. They are oral, written, computer displayed, and from any of the interactions that occur in group learning. What is important is that the learner is informed and can associate the feedback with a specific response.Resources:Brinko, K.T. (1993). The practice of giving feedback to improve teaching. Journal of Higher Education, 64 (5), 574-593.Dohrer, G. (1991). Do teachers comments on students' papers help? College Teaching, 39 (2), 48-54.Enhancing instructor-class communication. (1994). The Teaching Professor, 8 (3), 3-4.More on student self-assessment. (1992). The Teaching Professor, 6 (10), 7.Svinicki, M.D. Four R's of effective evaluation. (1993). Reprinted from The Center for Teaching Effectiveness Newsletter at the University of Texas as Austin, in The Teaching Professor, 7 (9), 3-4.Principle 5: Emphasize time on task.Learning needs time and energy. Efficient time-management skills are critical for students. By allowing realistic amounts of time, effective learning for students and effective teaching for faculty are able to occur. The way the institution defines time expectations for students, faculty, administrators, and other staff, can create the basis for high performance from everyone.For the regular classroom:Expect students to complete their assignments promptly.Clearly communicate to your students the minimum amount of time they should spend preparing for class and working on assignments.Help students set challenging goals for their own learning.Have realistic expectations (don't expect 10 papers in 10 weeks).Encourage students to prepare in advance for oral presentations.Explain to your students the consequences of non-attendance.Meet with students who fall behind to discuss their study habits, schedules, and other commitments.Be careful that time on task is real learning, not busy work.Do not use technology for technology's sake. It must be relevant and useful to the topic.Have progressive deadlines for projects and assignments.Teach time management.Discussion topics from class posted in a discussion group on the web .For distance and online courses:Understand that there will be problems with the distance and technology along the way.Identify key concepts and how those will be taught. Given the amount of time, decide what realistically can be covered.Each distance class should involve some kind of achievement expectation that is laid out at the beginning of the course. Assign some content for out of class time.Give up the illusion of doing it all as you might in a regular classroom.Vary the types of interaction. In creating an interactive environment, it can be overwhelming to the students and teacher if the types of interaction required are too time consuming.Consider both in and out of class time.Make sure you know what your goals are and that the learners understand them as well.Have regular discussions that require participation.Principle in action:At Fort Lewis College in Colorado they have an "Innovative Month". Students are offered a series of five week summer domestic and foreign travel experiences that help them relate what they learned in the classroom to real life. The groups are limited to eight to fifteen students pre faculty member. Examples of Innovative programs include, "Management in Action", "Native American Schools", and "Music and Theater in England".At Lower Columbia College, the Integrative Studies Program is a block of 15 to 18 credit hours, organized around a theme. Students enroll in "traditional" courses, ut must enroll in the full block. This lets the faculty reorganize the day from the traditional fifty minute classes to include whatever schedule of lectures, seminars, conferences, and discussion groups needed to achieve learning objectives for that week.Wake Forest University teaches time management and study skills in their Learning Assistance Program and in the Learning to Learn class. Through a counseling/teaching model in the Learning Assistance Program, students are individually encouraged to learn and develop strategies to improve their academic performance. In the Learning to Learn Course, first and second year students study learning theory with emphasis on demonstrating how good time management and appropriate study skills positively affect outcome.An easy assumption to make would be that students would be more successful if they spent more time studying. It makes sense but it over simplifies the principle of time on task. Student achievement is not simply a matter of the amount of time spent working on a task. Even though learning and development require time, it is an error to disregard how much time is available and how well the time is spent. Time on task is more complicated than one might assume.Resources:Britton, B.K., and Tesser, A. (1991). Effects of time management practices on college grades. Journal of Educational Psychology, 83 (3), 405-410.Earth-sea-sky course combines art, science: Mississippi State University. (1988). Liberal Education, 74 (2), 29-30.Geiger, K. (1994). Rethinking school time: New, Better, and different...as well as more. The Washington Post, June 12, 1994. p. C3.Ludewig, L.M. (1992). The ten commandments for effective study skills. The Teaching Professor, 5 (10), 3.Terenzini, P.T., and Pascarella, E.T. (1994). Living with myths: Undergraduate education in America. Change, pp. 28-32.Principle 6: Communicate high expectations.Expect more and you will get it. The poorly prepared, those unwilling to exert themselves, and the bright and motivated all need high expectations. Expecting students to perform well becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when teachers and institutions hold high standards and make extra efforts.For the regular classroom:Give a detailed syllabus with assignments, due dates, and a grading rubric.Encourage students to excel at the work they do.Give students positive reinforcement for doing outstanding work.Encourage students to work hard in class.Tell students that everyone works at different levels and they should strive to put forth their best effort, regardless of what level it is.Help students set challenging goals for their own learning.Publicly acknowledge excellent student performance.Revise courses when needed so students remain challenged.Work individually with students who are struggling to encourage them to stay motivated.Encourage students to do their best instead of focusing on grades.For distance and online courses:Give a detailed syllabus with assignments, due dates, and a grading rubric.Call attention to excellent work in bulletin board postings or class list serves.Show examples of your expectations with previous students' work.Publish student work.Provide corrective feedback. State what you did and did not like.Be a role model to students. Model the behavior and expectations that you expect from students.Expect students to participate.Try to make assignments interesting and relevant to create interest.Ask students to comment on what they are doing.Suggest extra resources that support key points.Principle in action:At Bellevue University (Nebraska), students in the Introductory Psychology course are given a guide for answering essay questions on their syllabus. The suggestions are designed to provide direction to answering a broadly stated essay question. Three exams are given throughout the course. The list of suggestions as well as the essay question are included on the first two exams. On the final exam, only the essay question is given. Students are allowed to practice their writing skills until the assistance is no longer needed.In order to understand how students at SUNY-Plattsburgh learn and develop and how the school can help them to do so, students are required to take the College Outcomes Measures Project examination of the American College Testing Program (ACT COMP) as freshmen and again at the end of their sophomore year.Clayton State College requires students to exhibit seven different writing styles. Several levels of proficiency are present for each of the seven criteria. All students must pass writing assessments on four different occasions.Although it is often only discussed at the instructional level, high expectations also includes the students' performance and behavior inside and outside the classroom. College and universities expect students to meet their high expectations for performance in the classroom, but also expect a personal and professional commitment to values and ethics. They include the discipline to set goals and stick with them, an awareness and appreciation of the diversity of society, and a philosophy of service to others.Resources:An American Imperative: Higher Expectations for Higher Education. An open letter to those concerned about the American future. Report on the Wingspread group in Higher education. (1993).Defining what students need to know: Clayton State. (1988). Liberal Education, 74 (3), 29-30.Gabelnick, F., MacGregor, J., Matthews, R.S., and Smith, B.L. (1990). Learning communities: Creative connections among students, faculty, and disciplines. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, (4), San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.Nuhfer, E.B. (1993). Bottom line disclosure and assessment. The Teaching Professor, 7 (7), 8.Williams, J.H. (1993). Clarifying grade expectations. The Teaching Professor, 7 (7), 1.Principle 7: Respect diverse talents and ways of learning.There are many different ways to learn and no two people learn the same way. Students bring different talents and learning styles to the classroom. Students that excel in the seminar room may be all thumbs in the lab or art studio and vice versa. Students need the opportunity to show their talents and learn in ways that work for them. Then, they can be guided into new ways of learning that are not as easy for them.For the regular classroom:Use Web technologies to allow students to pick and choose learning experiences that fits the way they learn.Encourage students to speak up when they do not understand.Use diverse teaching activities and techniques to address a broad range of students.Select readings and design activities related to the background of students.Provide extra material or activities for students who lack essential background knowledge or skills.Integrate new knowledge about women, minorities, and other under-represented populations into your courses.Use learning contracts and other activities to provide students with learning alternatives for your courses.Encourage students from different races and cultures to share their viewpoints on topic discussed in class.Use collaborative teaching and learning techniques and pair students so they compliment each other's abilities.Give students a problem to solve that has multiple solutions. Guide them with clues and examples.Consider field trips.Be familiar with Howard Gardner's research on multiple intelligences.For distance and online courses:Encourage students to express diverse points of view in discussions.Create learning activities filled with real-life examples and diverse perspectives.Provide Saturday lab experiences by contracting with local high schools or community colleges.Some CD-Roms are available that offer a simulated lab.Balance classroom activities for all styles (some books, some hands on, some visual).Explain theory from a practical approach first then add the structural approach.Principle in Action:Realizing that students can interpret exam questions in different ways, students at Georgia State University in the nursing program are given the chance to modify multiple choice exam questions that they find confusing. This student input lessens test anxiety and gives the student an opportunity to demonstrate what they know.Western Washington University's Fairhaven College has a cluster college with an interdisciplinary curriculum and an emphasis is place on student-centerd approaches to teaching and learning.At Kalamazoo College, the K Plan gives students an on and off campus study that allows them to spend a significant amount of their time in college on career-development internships, foreign study, and individualized projects.The meaning of diversity is very clear from effective institutions. They embrace diversity and systematically foster it. This respect for diversity should play a central part in university decisions, be apparent in the services and resources available to students and resources available to students, be a feature of every academic program, and practiced in every classroom.Resources:Hill, P.J. (1991). Multiculturalism: The crucial philosophical and organizational issues. Change, 38-47.Jacobs, L.C., and Chase, C.I. (1992). Developing and Using Tests Effectively: A Guide for Faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.Kolb, D. (1981). Learning styles and disciplinary differences. In The Modern American College, edited by A.W. Chickering and Associates. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.Lynch, J.M., and Bishop-Clark, C. (1993). Traditional and nontraditional student attitudes toward the mixed age classroom. Innovative Higher Education. Winter, 109-121.National Institute of Education. (1984). Involvement in Learning: Realizing the Potential of American Higher Education. Final report of the study group on the conditions of excellence in American higher education. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education News.