University Of Michigan Medical Center Alumni Society: Fill & Download for Free

Newly elected members and their affiliations at the time of election are:Aeppli, Gabriel; professor of physics, ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, SwitzerlandAndrews, Nancy C.; vice chancellor and dean, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C.Balbus, Steven A.; Savilian Professor of Astronomy and head of astrophysics, department of astrophysics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United KingdomBass, Brenda L.; distinguished professor, department of biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake CityBates, Robert H.; Eaton Professor of the Science of Government, department of government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.Behrmann Cohen, Marlene; professor, department of psychology, and director, Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, PittsburghBerry, Joseph A.; faculty member, department of global ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, Calif.Betzig, Eric; group leader, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, Va.Biggins, Sue; full member and associate director, division of basic sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, SeattleBowring, Samuel A.; professor, department of earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, CambridgeBronner, Marianne E.; Albert Billings Ruddock Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, PasadenaBurrows, Adam; professor of astrophysical sciences, department of astrophysical sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.Chakravarti, Aravinda; professor of medicine, pediatrics, molecular biology, and genetics, and director, Center for Complex Disease Genomics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, BaltimoreCheney, Dorothy L.; professor of biology and member of the graduate group, departments of psychology and anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaCooks, R. Graham; Henry Bohn Hass Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, department of chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.Dalla-Favera, Riccardo; Uris Professor of Pathology, department of genetics and development, and director, Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York CityDeaton, Angus; Dwight D. Eisenhower Professor of Economics and International Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and department of economics, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.Dell, Gary S.; professor, psychology department, University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignDulac, Catherine; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and professor, department of molecular and cellular biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.Edwards, Scott V.; Alexander Agassiz Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and curator of birds, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.Eskin, Alexander; professor, department of mathematics, University of Chicago, ChicagoFisher, Daniel S.; professor of applied physics, department of applied physics, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.Geman, Donald; professor, department of applied mathematics and statistics, Johns Hopkins University, BaltimoreGoldberg, Alfred L.; professor of cell biology, department of cell biology, Harvard Medical School, BostonGranick, Steve; director, Institute for Basic Science, Center for Soft and Living Matter, and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, South KoreaHa, Taekjip; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and professor of physics, University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignHastings, Alan; distinguished professor, department of environmental science and policy, University of California, DavisHe, Sheng Yang; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; and professor, MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East LansingHead-Gordon, Martin; Kenneth S. Pitzer Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, department of chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyHinnebusch, Alan G.; chief, Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Development, and director, program in cellular regulation and metabolism, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.Holloway, Ralph L.; professor of anthropology, Columbia University, New York CityHooper, Lora V.; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and associate professor, department of immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, DallasIncandela, Joseph; professor, department of physics, University of California, Santa BarbaraJackson, Matthew O.; Eberle Professor, department of economics, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.Jacobs-Wagner, Christine; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology; and director of the Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.Jasin, Maria; member and William E. Snee Chair, developmental biology program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York CityKahn, Robert E.; president and CEO, Corporation for National Research Initiatives, Reston, Va.Kapitulnik, Aharon; professor of physics, department of physics, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.Karten, Harvey J.; professor of neurosciences and psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La JollaKliewer, Steven A.; Nancy B. and Jake L. Hamon Distinguished Chair in Basic Cancer Research and professor, departments of molecular biology and pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, DallasKling, Catherine; Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences, professor of economics, and director, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Iowa State University, AmesLande, Russell; Royal Society Research Professor, division of biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, United KingdomLee, Jeannie T.; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and professor of genetics and pathology, department of molecular biology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, BostonLeonard, Warren J.; NIH Distinguished Investigator and chief, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, and director, Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.Levi, Margaret; director, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, and professor, department of political science, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.Liao, James C.; Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Professor and chair, chemical and biomolecular engineering department, University of California, Los AngelesLis, John T.; Barbara McClintock Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics, department of molecular biology and genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.Lundblad, Victoria; professor, Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, Calif.MacDonald, Glen M.; UC Presidential Chair and distinguished professor, departments of geography and of ecology and evolutionary biology, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los AngelesMalhotra, Renu; professor, department of planetary sciences, University of Arizona, TucsonMalik, Jitendra; Arthur J. Chick Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, department of electrical engineering and computer sciences, University of California, BerkeleyMallouk, Thomas E.; Evan Pugh Professor of Materials Chemistry and Physics and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, department of chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University ParkMessing, Joachim; university professor of molecular biology, Selman A. Waksman Chair in Molecular Genetics, and director, Waksman Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, PiscatawayMiller, Jeffery F.; M. Philip Davis Chair in Microbiology and Immunology and chair, department of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics, University of California, Los AngelesMoon, Randall T.; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and William and Marilyn Conner Chair and director, department of pharmacology, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, SeattleMrowka, Tomasz; Singer Professor of Mathematics, department of mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, CambridgeMukamel, Shaul; distinguished professor of chemistry, department of chemistry, University of California, IrvineMurphy, Catherine J.; Peter C. and Gretchen Miller Markunas Professor of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignNeumark, Daniel M.; chair and Joel Hildebrand Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, department of chemistry, University of California, BerkeleyNogales, Eva; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, University of California, BerkeleyPoterba, James; Mitsui Professor of Economics, department of economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, CambridgeRamakrishnan, Lalita; professor of immunology and infectious diseases and Wellcome Trust Principal, department of medicine, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, United KingdomReinberg, Danny; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and professor, department of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York CityRichards-Kortum, Rebecca; Stanley C. Moore Professor of Bioengineering and professor of electrical and computer engineering, Rice University, HoustonRicheson, Jennifer A.; professor, department of psychology and department of African American studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.Rogers, John A.; Swanlund Chair Professor, department of materials science and engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignRothstein, Rodney; professor of genetics and development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York CitySchoelkopf, Robert J.; Stirling Professor of Applied Physics and Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.Schroeder, Julian I.; full professor and Novartis Chair in Plant Sciences, division of biological sciences, University of California, San Diego, La JollaSeager, Sara; professor of planetary science and physics and Class of 1941 Professorship Chair, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, CambridgeSeveringhaus, Jeffrey P.; professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La JollaShen, Zhi-Xun; Paul Pigott Professor in Physical Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.Shenker, Stephen; Richard Herschel Weiland Professor, department of physics, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.Steinman, Lawrence; professor, departments of neurology and neurological sciences, pediatrics, and genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.Svoboda, Karel; group leader, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, Va.Tauxe, Lisa; distinguished professor of geophysics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La JollaTaylor, Richard; Robert and Luisa Fernholz Professor, School of Mathematics, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, N.J.Thorner, Jeremy; professor, division of biochemistry and molecular biology, University of California, BerkeleyVardi, Moshe Y.; George Distinguished Service Professor in Computational Engineering, department of computer science, Rice University, HoustonVosshall, Leslie B.; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and Chemers Family Professor and head, Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York CityWard, William R.; institute scientist, department of space studies, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, Colo.Western, Bruce; professor of sociology and Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Professor of Criminal Justice, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.Wu, Hao; Asa and Patricia Springer Professor, department of biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, and program in cellular and molecular medicine, Boston Children's HospitalZhang, Shoucheng; J.G. Jackson and C.J. Wood Professor of Physics, department of physics, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.Newly elected foreign associates, their affiliations at the time of election, and their country of citizenship are:Agrawal, Manindra; N. Rama Rao Chair Professor, department of computer science and engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India (India)Baillargeon, Renée; Alumni Distinguished Professor, psychology department, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (Canada)Carrasco, Nancy; professor of cellular and molecular physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Mexico)Casanova, Jean-Laurent; investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; and professor and senior attending physician, St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller University, New York City (France)Gianotti, Fabiola; research physicist and director general designate, ATLAS Department, European Organization for Nuclear Research, Geneva, Switzerland (Italy)Halliday, Alex N.; head of the mathematical, physical and life sciences division, department of earth sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (United Kingdom)Ip, Nancy Y.; dean of science, the Morningside Chair Professor of Life Science, and director of the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong (People's Republic of China)Jahn, Reinhard; director, department of neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany (Germany)Jones, Jonathan D.G.; staff scientist, John Innes Science Center, Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, United Kingdom (United Kingdom)Kontsevich, Maxim; professor of mathematics, Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques, Bures-sur-Yvette, France (France/Russia)Mayor, Satyajit; director, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India (India)Mehlhorn, Kurt; director, Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarbrücken, Germany (Germany)Nagata, Shigekazu; professor of medical chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan (Japan)Nitzan, Abraham; director, Sackler Institute of Advanced Studies; and professor of chemistry, School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Israel (Israel)Nobre, Carlos A.; director of the Center for Earth System Science and senior scientist, National Institute for Space Research-INPE, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil (Brazil)Radi, Rafael; professor and chair, department of biochemistry, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay (Uruguay)Segev, Mordechai; Robert J. Shillman Distinguished Professor of Physics, department of physics, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel (Israel)Sonenberg, Nahum; full professor, department of biochemistry, Goodman Cander Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Canada)Stenseth, Nils C.; founding chair, Centre for Ecology and Evolutionary Synthesis, and professor and chair, department of ecology and evolution, University of Oslo, Norway (Norway)Svoboda, Jan; professor in molecular biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic (Czech Republic)Tirole, Jean; scientific director, Institut d'Économie Industrielle, Toulouse School of Economics, Toulouse, France (France)(from NAS Members and Foreign Associates Elected)

Q. What is the best engineering college?A.Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs Rankings (Doctorate)The undergraduate engineering program rankings were based solely on peer assessment surveys. To appear on an undergraduate engineering survey, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET. The programs below are schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a doctorate.#1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAThough the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.more$48,452 Tuition and Fees 4,527 Undergraduate Enrollment#2 Stanford University Stanford, CAThe sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.more$47,940 Tuition and Fees 6,999 Undergraduate Enrollment#3 University of California--Berkeley Berkeley, CAOverviewUniversity of California--Berkeley is a public institution that was founded in 1868. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,496, its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,232 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of California--Berkeley's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 20. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,509 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $40,191 (2016-17).The University of California—Berkeley, often referred to as Cal, is situated overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Typically, 95 percent or more of incoming freshmen at Berkeley choose to live on campus. There are more than 1,000 student organizations, ranging from political groups to a hang gliding club and everything in between. Berkeley also has a thriving Greek life with dozens of fraternity and sorority chapters. The California Golden Bears, Berkeley’s athletic teams, compete in the Pac-12 Conference and are known for their traditional arch rivalry with Stanford University.Berkeley has 14 schools and colleges, including a number of graduate and professional schools, such as the School of Optometry and the Graduate School of Journalism. Other graduate programs offered include those in the highly ranked Haas School of Business, Graduate School of Education, College of Engineering and School of Law.Berkeley is well known as a hub of liberal student activism: The Free Speech Movement – a 1964 student protest at Berkeley in response to the administration’s ban on political activity – gained widespread attention. Notable alumni include former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley and actor John Cho, known for his role in the "Harold and Kumar" films. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, who worked on the development of the atomic bomb as scientific director of the Manhattan Project during World War II, was a professor at Berkeley.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 15%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at University of California--Berkeley is 17:1, and the school has 59.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of California--Berkeley include: Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and English Language and Literature/Letters. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$40,191 (out-of-state), $13,509 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 27,496#4 California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CAOverviewCalifornia Institute of Technology is a private institution that was founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,001, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 124 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. California Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 12. Its tuition and fees are $47,577 (2016-17).Caltech, which focuses on science and engineering, is located in Pasadena, California, approximately 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Social and academic life at Caltech centers on the eight student houses, which the school describes as "self-governing living groups." Student houses incorporate an admired Caltech tradition: dinners served by student waiters. Only freshmen are required to live on campus, but around 80 percent of students remain in their house for all four years. The Caltech Beavers have a number of NCAA Division III teams that compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Integral to student life is the Honor Code, which dictates that "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community."In addition to its undergraduate studies, Caltech offers top graduate programs in engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics and physics. Caltech participates in a significant amount of research, receiving grants from institutions such as NASA, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Health and Human Services, among others. Caltech maintains a strong tradition of pranking with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, another top-ranked science and technology university. Companies such as Intel, Compaq and Hotmail were founded by Caltech alumni. Famous film director Frank Capra also graduated from Caltech.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 9%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at California Institute of Technology is 3:1, and the school has 62.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at California Institute of Technology include: Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Mathematics and Statistics and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$47,577 Tuition and Fees 1,001 Undergraduate Enrollment#4 Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GAOverviewGeorgia Institute of Technology is a public institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,142, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 400 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Georgia Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 34. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,212 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $32,404 (2016-17).Georgia Tech, located in the heart of Atlanta, offers a wide range of student activities. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, an NCAA Division I team, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have a fierce rivalry with the University of Georgia. Since 1961, the football team has been led onto the field at home games by the Ramblin' Wreck, a restored 1930 Model A Ford Sport Coupe. Georgia Tech has a small but vibrant Greek community. Freshmen are offered housing, but aren't required to live on campus. In addition to its campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia Tech has campuses in France, Ireland, Costa Rica, Singapore and China.Georgia Tech has six colleges. Its highly ranked graduate schools include the College of Engineering and Scheller College of Business. Georgia Tech is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a university with very high research activity. Famous alumni include Mike Duke, former president and CEO of Walmart; Bobby Jones, founder of The Masters golf tournament; and baseball player Nomar Garciaparra. John Heisman was Georgia Tech’s first full-time football coach, and the Heisman Memorial Trophy was named in his honor. The school's newspaper for faculty and staff, The Whistle, is named for the steam whistle in the Tech Tower that blows every hour and each time the Yellow Jackets score a touchdown.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 32%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Georgia Institute of Technology is 19:1, and the school has 38.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Georgia Institute of Technology include: Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96 percent.$32,404 (out-of-state), $12,212 (in-state) 15,142 Undergraduate Enrollment#6 University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign Champaign, ILThe University of Illinois is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in east-central Illinois, only a few hours from Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. The school’s Fighting Illini participate in more than 20 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. The university boasts the largest Greek system in the world, and almost a quarter of the student body is involved. It’s not hard to find something to do on campus with more than 1,000 student organizations, including professional, political and philanthropic clubs. All freshmen are required to live on campus.more$31,320 (out-of-state), $15,698 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 33,368#6 University of Michigan--Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIThe University of Michigan boasts one of the best college towns in the country: Ann Arbor, only 45 minutes from the city of Detroit. Freshmen are guaranteed housing but are not required to live on campus. Nearly 20 percent of the undergraduate student body is affiliated with Greek life at Michigan, which contains approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters. If Greek life does not sound appealing, there are more than 900 other student organizations from which to choose. The Michigan Wolverines have many traditions: Their colors are maize and blue, their widely known chant is "Go Blue!," their stadium is called the "Big House," and their football program, known for its fierce rivalry with Ohio State, is one of the most storied teams in college football.more$43,476 (out-of-state), $13,856 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 28,312#8 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PACarnegie Mellon University, a private institution in Pittsburgh, Pa., is the country’s only school founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The school specializes in academic areas including engineering, business, computer science, and fine arts.more$52,040 Tuition and Fees 6,454 Undergraduate Enrollment#9 Cornell University Ithaca, NYOverviewCornell University is a private institution that was founded in 1865. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,315, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 745 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Cornell University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 15. Its tuition and fees are $50,953 (2016-17).Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, has more than 1,000 student organizations on campus, which range from the Big Red Marching Band to the International Affairs Society. First-year students live together on north campus, and the university has housing options for upperclassmen and graduate students, though many choose to live off campus. Cornell has a thriving Greek life, with more than 60 fraternity and sorority chapters. Cornell has more than 30 NCAA Division I varsity teams that compete in the Ivy League. The Cornell Big Red are perhaps best known for their successful men's lacrosse team, which won nine consecutive Ivy League titles from 2003 to 2011. Cornell also has a strong hockey program.Each of Cornell's 14 colleges and schools admits its own students and provides its own faculty, even though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. Cornell's two largest undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Its graduate schools include the highly ranked S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, College of Engineering, Law School and Weill Cornell Medical College. Cornell is also well known for its top-ranked College of Veterinary Medicine and the highly esteemed School of Hotel Administration. One of Cornell's oldest traditions is Dragon Day, during which a dragon built by first-year architecture students is paraded through campus. Notable alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, author E.B. White and Bill Nye, the "Science Guy."Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 15%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Cornell University is 9:1, and the school has 56.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Cornell University include: Engineering, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services and Social Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$50,953 Tuition and Fees 14,315 Undergraduate Enrollment#9 Purdue University--West Lafayette West Lafayette, INOverviewPurdue University--West Lafayette is a public institution that was founded in 1869. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 29,497, its setting is city, and the campus size is 2,468 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Purdue University--West Lafayette's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 60. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,002 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,804 (2016-17).Purdue University's West Lafayette, Indiana, campus is the main campus in the Purdue University system, which encompasses four other campuses throughout the state. Nearly 20 percent of students are affiliated with Greek life, and Purdueoffers a wide range of activities and organizations. Performance groups include the "All American" Marching Band, four jazz bands and two symphony orchestras. The Boilermakers, Purdue’s athletic teams, compete in the Division I Big Ten Conference and are well known for their dominant men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Boilermaker Special, Purdue’s official mascot, is a railroad locomotive cared for and maintained by the student-run Purdue Reamer Club. Although no students are required to live in university housing, about one-third of undergraduates live on campus.Purdue is made up of 12 schools and colleges, many of which serve both undergraduate and graduate students. Professional and graduate programs include the well-ranked College of Engineering, Krannert School of Management, College of Education and College of Pharmacy. Purdue’s esteemed School of Aeronautics and Astronautics within the College of Engineering has acquired the nickname "Cradle of Astronauts." One popular university tradition: many students mark the beginning and end of their time at Purdue by running through either of the campus fountains. Notable alumni include legendary college basketball coach and player John Wooden, popcorn entrepreneur Orville Redenbacher and the first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong.Selectivity: More selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 59%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Purdue University--West Lafayette is 12:1, and the school has 39.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Purdue University--West Lafayette include: Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences and Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 92 percent.$28,804 (out-of-state), $10,002 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 29,497#11 Princeton University Princeton, NJThe ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.more$45,320 Tuition and Fees 5,402 Undergraduate Enrollment#11 University of Texas--Austin Austin, TXEverything is bigger in Texas, as the saying goes, and it holds true at the University of Texas—Austin, one of the largest schools in the nation. The school has one of the biggest Greek systems in the country, two of the largest student publications and more than 900 clubs and organizations for students. The UT—Austin sports teams are notorious competitors in the Division I Big 12 Conference, supported by mascot Bevo the Longhorn. The UT Tower, a lofty campus structure, is lit in the school’s burnt orange color after notable sports achievements and glows a ‘#1’ when a team wins a national championship. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, and may choose to live in downtown Austin, situated about a quarter mile away. The vibrant city is known for its music, food, outdoor activities and nightlife, and students can travel for free on the capitol Metro buses with proof of ID.more$34,676 (out-of-state), $9,806 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 39,619#13 Northwestern University Evanston, ILOverviewNorthwestern University is a private institution that was founded in 1851. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,314, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 231 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. Northwestern University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 12. Its tuition and fees are $50,855 (2016-17).What began as farmland and swampland in the 1850s became the Northwestern campus and the city of Evanston, Ill. Northwestern University is a Division I school in the Big Ten athletic conference. Northwestern's women's lacrosse team has won multiple NCAA national championships. The school has hundreds of campus organizations fulfill students' varied interests. Freshmen are guaranteed on-campus housing if requested in their applications. The school's 11 residential colleges offer thematic living quarters for social and academic programming. Northwestern's main campuses are located along Lake Michigan in Evanston and Chicago. In 2008, Northwestern opened a third branch in Doha, Qatar.Of Northwestern’s dozen schools, nine offer undergraduate programs and 10 offer graduate and professional programs. Northwestern’s highly-ranked graduate schools include the Kellogg School of Management, the School of Education and Social Policy, the School of Law, the Feinberg School of Medicine, the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program. Northwestern’s Medill School is known for its strong journalism graduate program. Northwestern’s Dance Marathon, created in 1975, is one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the country and has raised more than $14 million for Chicago-area charities. Notable alumni include the 55th mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel; retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens; actor, writer and director Zach Braff; comedian Stephen Colbert; and Tony Award-winning actress Heather Headley.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 13%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Northwestern University is 7:1, and the school has 77.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Northwestern University include: Economics, General, Psychology, General, Political Science and Government, General and Biology/Biological Sciences, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$50,855 Tuition and Fees 8,314#14 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDJohns Hopkins University is a private institution in Baltimore, Maryland, that offers a wide array of academic programs in the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, and engineering disciplines. The Hopkins Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team is consistently dominant in the NCAA Division I; other sports teams at Hopkins compete at the Division III level.more$50,410 Tuition and Fees 6,524#14 University of Wisconsin--Madison Madison, WIThe University of Wisconsin—Madison lies along the southern shore of Lake Mendota in the city of Madison. The Wisconsin Badgers compete in more than 20 NCAA Division I sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. Students can get involved in more than 800 organizations on campus. There is also an active Greek life and social scene on campus, evident in Wisconsin’s reputation as one of the top party schools in the country. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but many choose to do so. Students can opt to live in one of several residential communities where they learn and live with other students and faculty.more$32,738 (out-of-state), $10,488 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 31,662#16 Texas A&M University--College Station College Station, TXReady to be an Aggie? All students assume the nickname at Texas A&M, an academic and athletic powerhouse in central Texas. Once an all-men’s school called the Agricultural and Mechanical College - now shortened to A&M - the university today is coed and has offers a wide variety of majors and activities. Students can choose from more than 800 clubs and organizations, including nearly 60 fraternities and sororities. About 10 percent of students go Greek. More students, about 25 percent, play in Texas A&M intramural sports leagues, one of the largest programs in the country. The school’s varsity sports compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference, cheered on by mascot Reveille VIII, a collie. Miss Rev, as the collie is known, is also the highest-ranking member in the school’s Cadet Corps, the largest ROTC program in the nation (not including programs at service academies). First-year students interested in community service can get involved right away through the Freshmen in Service and Hosting program (FISH). All students can give back during The Big Event, the largest single-day, student-run volunteer effort in the country in which more than 15,000 Aggies work to improve the nearby cities of College Station and Bryan. For many students, these communities are also home; freshmen are not required to live on campus and many choose to live in College Station or Bryan.more$28,768 (out-of-state), $10,176 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 48,960#16 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VAAt Virginia Tech, a former military institute with its background in the sciences, students are encouraged to “invent the future.” Students are known as Hokies, a term that was the original rally cry when the school was known as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. Sports teams, also known as the Hokies, compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference, and the school mascot is the HokieBird. Virginia Tech is settled in Blacksburg, a typical college town full of restaurants, bars and clubs. Students account for more than half the total residents in Blacksburg, and they dominate the town's public Blacksburg Transit bus system, which is free for Hokies. On campus, students can go bowling, play pool or try out video games in the BreakZONE. There are also more than 600 clubs and organizations, including a large Greek system of more than 50 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen must live on campus, which puts them in close proximity to the school’s renowned dining facilities. Students can order steak and lobster at Virginia Tech’s West End Market, or grab a meal from on-campus chain restaurants, including Au Bon Pain and Pizza Hut.more$29,371 (out-of-state), $12,852 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 25,384#18 Columbia University New York, NYColumbia University has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the School of General Studies. This Ivy League, private school guarantees students housing for all four years on campus in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood in New York City.more$55,056 Tuition and Fees 6,102 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 Duke University Durham, NCLocated in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.more$51,265 Tuition and Fees 6,639 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 Pennsylvania State University--University Park University Park, PAThere is rarely a dull moment on the Pennsylvania State University—University Park campus, also known as Happy Valley. With around 950 clubs and organizations, there are broad opportunities to get involved in campus life. The school mascot is the Nittany Lion, and teams compete in the Division I Big 10 Conference. The football team plays in Beaver Stadium, which is one of the largest arenas in North America with room for more than 107,000 fans. Penn State is home to a thriving Greek system with nearly 90 sororities and fraternities. About 15,000 students volunteer in THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Students raise money for pediatric cancer research and awareness throughout the year and participate in a 46-hour dance marathon - no sitting or sleeping allowed. Freshmen must live in one of five housing areas on campus. Across the street from campus is State College, a bustling small town with an array of coffee shops, restaurants, shops and bars populated mostly by students. Surrounded by mountains, the school is also close to skiing, snowboarding and hiking opportunities.more$32,382 (out-of-state), $17,900 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 40,742#18 Rice University Houston, TXOverviewRice University is a private institution that was founded in 1912. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,910, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 285 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Rice University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 15. Its tuition and fees are $43,918 (2016-17).Rice University, located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, offers a dynamic student life in the nation’s fourth-largest city. The Rice Coffeehouse, Valhalla Pub and Willy’s Pub are all student-run institutions offering on-campus food and drink. Before stepping foot on campus, all students are assigned to one of 11 residential colleges, of which they remain members even if they decide to move off campus. The residential colleges provide housing, dining, and academic and social events. The Rice Owls boast 14 varsity NCAA Division I athletic teams and are well known for their strong baseball program. Students receive free tickets to all varsity athletic events.Rice is comprised of eight schools, including the School of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Wiess School of Natural Sciences. Its graduate schools include the highly ranked Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business and George R. Brown School of Engineering. Rice also has a well-regarded School of Architecture and the Shepherd School of Music. Rice is home to the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, a nonpartisan think tank, which offers coursework, internships and lectures. When a private detective found Rice’s stolen owl mascot at rival school Texas A&M in 1917, he sent a coded message back to Rice students letting them know that "Sammy" was OK, thus bestowing a name on the school’s mascot.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 16%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Rice University is 6:1, and the school has 68.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Rice University include: Biochemistry, Psychology, General, Chemical Engineering, Kinesiology and Exercise Science and Mechanical Engineering. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$43,918 Tuition and Fees 3,910 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 University of California--Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAThe University of California—Los Angeles is just five miles away from the Pacific Ocean. The public institution offers more than 3,000 courses and more than 130 majors to undergraduate students.more$39,518 (out-of-state), $12,836 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 29,585 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 University of Washington Seattle, WALocated in the University District neighborhood (known as the U District) just north of downtown Seattle, the University of Washington is a cutting-edge research university with a long-standing history as one of the oldest public institutions on the West Coast. Students can join one of the school’s 500-plus student organizations, including about 50 sororities and fraternities, or can start a brand new club with at least four other students. University of Washington is known as a commuter school, and freshmen are not required to live on campus. Housing is not guaranteed for any student. For those that do reside in the residence halls, the university stresses “living green” through energy conservation and recycling. On the sports fields, the school’s varsity athletes are competitive in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. The football team, in particular, is a traditional league stand-out. The teams are represented by two mascots: one, a costumed student known as Harry the Husky Dawg, and the other, Dubs, a live Alaskan husky. The university gym is free for students seeking a workout.more$34,791 (out-of-state), $10,753 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 31,063#24 University of California--San Diego La Jolla, CAThe University of California—San Diego lies alongside the Pacific Ocean in the La Jolla community of San Diego. The UCSD Tritons compete in more than 20 NCAA Division II sports, mainly in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The school has hundreds of student organizations, and the university hosts a thriving Greek community. All freshmen are eligible for guaranteed on-campus housing for two years, but they are not required to live on campus. The campus has an aquarium and is home to the Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table, which tests structures’ ability to withstand simulated earthquakes.more$41,387 (out-of-state), $14,705 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 26,590#24 University of Maryland--College Park College Park, MDLocated between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, the University of Maryland offers students a suburban lifestyle within easy reach of big-city experiences. The flagship campus in College Park, which has its own subway stop on the D.C.-area Metro transit system, is often considered a commuter school. Accordingly, freshmen do not have to live on campus. There are more than 800 clubs and organizations on campus, including about 35 fraternities and sororities that involve approximately 15 percent of the student population. Students looking for additional activities can visit the university's "Free Stuff @ Maryland" website, which offers a comprehensive listing of presentations, events and movie screenings with no admission charges. Sports also offer yearlong distractions. The Maryland Terrapins compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The mascot, Testudo, is a Diamondback terrapin — a species of turtle that is the official state reptile. One of several Testudo sculptures on campus sits in front of McKeldin Library, and rubbing its nose is thought to bring good luck, particularly before exams.more$32,045 (out-of-state), $10,181 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 27,443#24 University of Minnesota--Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNThe University of Minnesota stretches across a major city – or two, to be exact. Minneapolis and St. Paul, known as the Twin Cities, are frequently recognized for sports, cleanliness and volunteerism. The school has a campus in each city, though the Minneapolis site is considered the main campus of the University of Minnesota. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but the more than 80 percent who choose to can opt to live in traditional residence halls or one of more than two dozen Living Learning communities, such as the Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives House and La Casa De Español. Also on campus are more than 600 student organizations, including more than 30 fraternities and sororities. The Minnesota Golden Gophers compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, and all athletic events are held in the Minneapolis campus's Stadium Village neighborhood. Goldy Gopher, the school mascot, energizes thousands of student fans as they chant "Ski-U-Mah," a rally cry that means "Victory UM." Under the Four-Year Graduation Plan, the university ensures that all necessary classes will be available for students to complete their degrees on time. If courses are not available in an undergraduate's four years of schooling, the university will pay for the extra credits.more$22,210 (out-of-state), $13,790 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 34,071#24 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAFounded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students can study in one of four schools that grant undergraduate degrees: Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Wharton.more$51,464 Tuition and Fees 9,726 Undergraduate Enrollment#28 Harvard University Cambridge, MAHarvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.more$47,074 Tuition and Fees 6,699 Undergraduate Enrollment#28 Ohio State University--Columbus Columbus, OHLocated in the state capital of Columbus, The Ohio State University is a sprawling school with seemingly endless opportunities for students to get involved. There are more than 1,000 clubs and organizations on campus, including about 65 fraternities and sororities. Sports are another big part of campus life, with the Ohio State Buckeyes competing in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The athletic teams are named after the state tree and cheered on by mascot Brutus Buckeye. The football stadium, which was completed in 1922, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. All Ohio State freshmen must live in one of the more than 35 residence halls across campus, unless a student is from Central Ohio and can commute from home. The Ohio State First Year Experience offers freshmen orientation, mentors and special programming to ease the transition into college. Freshmen can also go on the school’s community service spring break, a trip to Chicago that is only open to first-year students. Local community service opportunities are easy to find through the school’s Pay It Forward program, which includes an online listing of volunteer events. Students can also study abroad in more than 40 countries through Ohio State.more$28,229 (out-of-state), $10,037 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 45,289#28 University of California--Davis Davis, CAThe University of California—Davis, one of 10 schools in the University of California system, was originally established as a farm school for UC - Berkeley. Located just 15 miles from Sacramento, UC Davis’s campus contains an airport, fire department and a collection of outdoor sculptures called Eggheads. There are more than 500 student organizations on campus in addition to a sizeable Greek community that comprises about 65 fraternity and sorority chapters. All freshmen are guaranteed housing, and after their first year students typically move off campus or live in university apartments. The UC Davis Aggies field more than 20 NCAA Division I teams, and students can join the Aggie Pack, the largest student spirit organization in the country.more$40,728 (out-of-state), $14,046 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 28,384#28 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAUndergraduates study in the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at the University of Southern California, a private school based in Los Angeles. The USC Trojans compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference and are particularly competitive in football.more$52,217 Tuition and Fees 18,810 Undergraduate Enrollment#32 North Carolina State University--Raleigh Raleigh, NCNorth Carolina State University, known as NC State for short, is the largest four-year college in the state. Students have more than 100 degree programs and more than 400 clubs and organizations to choose from.more$26,399 (out-of-state), $8,880 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 24,111#32 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NYRensselaer Polytechnic Institute was founded on the principles of bringing science to everyday life, and that ethos is still prevalent today. About a quarter of students are involved in Greek L.I.F.E., as the fraternity and sorority scene is known at the school, which stresses Leadership, Innovation, Fortitude and Evolution. More students - about three fourths - play sports at the varsity, club or intramural level. True to the school’s mission, the varsity athletes are known as the Engineers, and compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference and the Liberty League. There are also more than 175 student organizations. Freshmen must live on campus, usually in dormitories that only house first-year students. RPI’s campus, in Troy, N.Y., is nestled in an ideal location for nature lovers. The school overlooks the Hudson River, where waterfront activities abound, and is close to Grafton Lakes State Park, Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains. For an urban experience, Albany is 9 miles away.more$50,797 Tuition and Fees 5,864 Undergraduate Enrollment#32 University of California--Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CALocated 100 miles up the coast from Los Angeles, the University of California—Santa Barbara sits atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Students can get involved in any of the more than 400 clubs and organizations on campus, including a Greek community that comprises about 10 percent of undergraduate students. UCSB provides housing to about 30 percent of students in eight residence halls and several university apartment complexes.The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos compete primarily in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference and are known for their successful women’s basketball and men’s soccer teams. Non-varsity students can join a club team such as cycling, surfing, rugby or ski and snowboard.more$40,704 (out-of-state), $14,022 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 20,607#32 University of Colorado--Boulder Boulder, COThe University of Colorado Boulder, called CU­--Boulder for short, lays against the majestic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Boulder is a lively college town with more than 80 miles of biking and walking trails. In the evenings, students can travel anywhere within the city limits for free in CU NightRide shuttles, which run until 1:15 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 12:15 a.m. all other nights. On campus, there are more than 300 student clubs and organizations and close to 40 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen must live on campus. The Colorado Buffaloes compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. The student athletes, called Buffs for short, are supported by two buffalo mascots: a costumed student called Chip and a live animal named Ralphie V. The university stresses its commitment to volunteer efforts like Better Boulder Better World, a day of community service in the surrounding neighborhoods. For trips off campus, there are 11 ski slopes within 3 hours of campus, and Rocky Mountain National Park is 45 miles away. A bit closer is Denver, the state capital, where students can catch professional sports matches or concerts in the unique outdoor concert hall, Red Rocks Amphitheatre.more$35,079 (out-of-state), $11,531 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 27,010#32 University of Virginia Charlottesville, VAFounded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville. It’s referred to among insiders as Mr. Jefferson’s University or simply The University. Only first-year students are required to live on campus, and many upperclassmen live in off-campus apartments or fraternity and sorority houses. Greek life is prominent at UVA with a membership that includes approximately 30 percent of the student body. The Cavaliers, known unofficially as Wahoos or ‘Hoos, are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference and are well known for their consistently dominant men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.more$45,066 (out-of-state), $15,722 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 16,736#37 Arizona State University--Tempe Tempe, AZArizona State University’s Tempe campus offers more than 200 research-based programs in the arts, business, engineering and more. The campus is located just outside of Phoenix, in the suburb of Tempe, Arizona.more$25,458 (out-of-state), $10,158 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 41,828#37 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHCase Western Reserve University is known for its world class research, but with more than 150 student organizations, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved outside the classroom, too. The Case Western Spartans varsity teams compete in the Division III University Athletic Association. The Greek system, which stresses a commitment to on-campus and community service, involves about one third of students. The campus is located about 20 minutes from downtown Cleveland, where students have free access to a handful of downtown museums like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. On campus, freshmen live in one of four themed residential communities, which are called Cedar, Juniper, Magnolia and Mistletoe. All students are invited to the annual SpringFest, a collection of music, carnival games and activities that is the largest student-run event on campus.more$46,006 Tuition and Fees 5,121 Undergraduate Enrollment#37 Iowa State University Ames, IAIowa State University dwarfs Ames, the small town in which it resides. The large school offers more than 800 student organizations, and sports are a big part of campus life. The Iowa State Cyclones compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference and share a special rivalry with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Despite the Cyclones moniker, the school mascot is a cardinal named Cy because a cyclone was hard to put into costume form. There are nearly 50 fraternities and sororities at Iowa State, and most chapters have their own houses. Freshmen do not have to live on campus.There are more than 100 undergraduate majors offered at Iowa State, and, through the Soar in 4 initiative, advisers work with students to ensure they graduate in four years. For a study break, students can take a stroll through the roses in Reiman Gardens or check out more than 2,000 works of art around the campus – one of the largest collections at any school in the country. For trips off campus, Des Moines is 30 minutes away.more$21,483 (out-of-state), $7,969 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 30,034#37 University of Florida Gainesville, FLThe University of Florida is about two miles away from downtown Gainesville, a college town bolstered by the school’s nearly 50,000 students. The Florida Gators sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference, and are supported by mascots Albert and Alberta the Alligators. The Gator football team, which competes in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — commonly called the "The Swamp" — is particularly notorious. The team became the namesake of popular sports drink Gatorade in 1966, after freshmen Gators experimented with the novel beverage. The annual Gator Growl, held each Homecoming weekend, has been called the largest student-run pep rally in the world. About 15 percent of students are involved in the school’s 60-plus fraternities and sororities. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, though about 80 percent opt to do so. All students can partake in Gator Nights, held every Friday, which offer free late-night entertainment and a free “midnight breakfast.”more$28,666 (out-of-state), $6,389 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 35,043#37 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INThe University of Notre Dame is a private, independent, Catholic institution in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame’s athletic teams, known as the Fighting Irish, play in the NCAA Division I and are particularly competitive on the football field.more$49,685 Tuition and Fees 8,462 Undergraduate Enrollment#37 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNVanderbilt University is a private institution in Nashville, Tenn. with four undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, Peabody College, and the Blair School of Music. More than 40 percent of Vanderbilt students participate in Greek life.more$45,610 Tuition and Fees 6,883 Undergraduate Enrollment#37 Yale University New Haven, CTYale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 12 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.more$49,480 Tuition and Fees 5,532 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 Brown University Providence, RIAt Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 70 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, R.I. is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which grants both a bachelor’s degree and medical degree in eight years.more$51,367 Tuition and Fees 6,652 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 Colorado School of Mines Golden, COFor students who want to work in the sciences, opportunities abound at the Colorado School of Mines. A public engineering and applied sciences school in Golden, Colorado, Mines has 14 academic departments, including Mechanical Engineering and Geophysics. The school also offers courses in the Liberal Arts & International Studies and Economics & Business departments. When students aren’t studying, the school’s location is ideal for outdoor recreation. Golden is 13 miles from the state capital of Denver and lies in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where students can bike, hike and climb. The campus also has a climbing wall for students to test their skills before attempting the Rockies. Cold-weather sports fans can partake in the annual Winter Carnival, a student-run affair packed with skiing and snowboarding at a local resort. The Mines sports teams, known as the Orediggers, compete in the NCAA Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, which is mostly made up of other teams from Colorado. The school mascot is Blaster the burro, and a giant "M" emblazoned onto nearby Mount Zion signifies the school spirit. There are more than 140 student clubs and organizations, including seven fraternities and three sororities. First-year students are required to live on campus. Even the student newspaper, The Oredigger, is decidedly science based; sections include weekly roundups of new discoveries and a Geek of the Week feature.more$34,828 (out-of-state), $17,383 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,608#44 Dartmouth College Hanover, NHDartmouth College, a private institution in Hanover, New Hampshire, uses quarters, not semesters, to divide the school year. Among more than 300 student organizations at Dartmouth is the Outing Club, the nation's oldest and largest collegiate club of its kind, which offers outdoor activities, expeditions, gear rentals and courses.more$51,438 Tuition and Fees 4,307 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 Lehigh University Bethlehem, PALehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pa., 50 miles north of Philadelphia and 75 miles west of New York City. The Lehigh Mountain Hawks are members of the Patriot League, and compete in 25 NCAA Division I sports. Their biggest athletic rivalry is Lafayette College, located less than 20 miles away. A third of the student body is involved in fraternities and sororities. All freshmen are required to live on campus, and sophomores are also required to live on campus in a residence hall or Greek housing. Lehigh’s main campus is located on the wooded slope of South Mountain, and half of the campus is preserved as open space.more$48,320 Tuition and Fees 5,075 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 University of California--Irvine Irvine, CAOn the sunny campus of the University of California—Irvine, students don't have far to go to decompress after class. The Pacific Ocean is a quick 5-mile trip away, attracting surfers, sailors and sunbathers alike. Seated in Orange County, the bustling campus is home to more than 500 student organizations, including nearly 50 fraternities and sororities. The UC—Irvine Anteaters compete at the Division I level in the Big West Conference, cheered on by non-traditional mascot Peter the Anteater and a group of student fans called Eater Nation. While UC Irvine is known as a commuter school, university officials have tried to combat that status by offering more on-campus residence options. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but more than three-fourths of first-year students choose to do so. Getting around UC Irvine is easy with the school's ZotWheels, a fleet of blue and gold bicycles that students can pick up and ride to four campus locations. Commuters looking to be more energy efficient can carpool to campus with other students through the university's Zimride Rideshare Community.more$39,458 (out-of-state), $14,750 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 25,256#44 Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MOStudents can study architecture, art, arts and sciences, business, and engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, a private research institution in Missouri. Outside of class, about a quarter of the student body is involved in Greek life.more$49,770 Tuition and Fees 7,504 Undergraduate Enrollment#50 Michigan State University East Lansing, MIMichigan State University is a powerhouse institution located in the college town of East Lansing. Downtown, students can choose from dining and nightlife options, and the city is also home to the Great Lakes Folk Festival. Lake Michigan and its beaches are a short trip away, as is the state capital of Lansing. The Michigan State Spartans compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, supported by award-winning mascot Sparty. There are more than 600 student clubs and organizations, including more than 55 fraternities and sororities. Members of the Greek community are active in the local community through events like Safe Halloween, an annual carnival for children in East Lansing. All students can get involved in service-learning and volunteer projects throughout East Lansing like Fill the Bus, an annual campaign to stuff a Spartan-green school bus full of food and school supplies for underprivileged children. The university is home to one of the largest single-campus residence hall systems in the country, and freshmen must live on campus unless they reside with a family member no more than 50 miles from school. To study farther afield, students can take advantage of more than 260 study abroad programs.more$39,090 (out-of-state), $14,070 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 39,143#50 University of Arizona Tucson, AZThe University of Arizona offers its students a wide variety of ways to get involved, from joining the ZonaZoo cheering section at Wildcats sports games to checking out the burgeoning Greek scene with more than 30 fraternities and sororities.more$30,025 (out-of-state), $10,872 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 33,732#50 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PALocated in the Oakland neighborhood, Pitt’s campus is a 3-mile trip from bustling downtown Pittsburgh. The city is home to powerhouse professional sports teams, such as the Steelers and Penguins, and dozens of unique cultural centers, like the Andy Warhol Museum and Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Pitt students get free admission to these and other select museums throughout the school year. Because Pittsburgh is bordered by three rivers, kayaking, sailing and fishing opportunities are plentiful. City buses stop every 10 to 15 minutes on campus, and students can ride public transportation into the city for free with school ID. Freshmen do not have to live on campus. Pitt has a sizeable Greek community of about 35 fraternities and sororities. Students in Arts and Sciences majors can earn hands-on credits in internships, research and teaching with the help of the university’s Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. The Pittsburgh Panthers sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference. Pitt students are notorious for their avid support at sporting events, particularly for forming a riotous cheering section known as the Oakland Zoo at basketball games. Students who attend the most home sporting events get priority purchasing when game tickets are in high demand through the school’s Loyalty Points system.more$29,758 (out-of-state), $18,618 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 18,908Best Undergraduate Engineering Program Rankings (No doctorate)The undergraduate engineering program rankings were based solely on peer assessment surveys. To appear on an undergraduate engineering survey, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET. The programs below are schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a bachelor's or master's.#1 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, INRose-Hulman Institute of Technology, located in Terre Haute, Ind., offers a number of activities and organizations to help students get involved on campus. There are more than 80 student clubs, ranging from the EcoCAR challenge team to the Rose-Hulman Drama Club. Other prominent performance groups include the chorus and jazz band. There is a significant Greek system on campus comprising more than 40 percent of the student body. Rose-Hulman fields a number of NCAA Division III athletic teams, including football, basketball, soccer, and cross country. The Sports and Recreation Center, a state-of-the-art athletic facility, serves as a center of student activity and as the summer training camp for the NFL Indianapolis Colts. Rose-Hulman provides housing to all students in its residence halls.more$44,010 Tuition and Fees 2,270 Undergraduate Enrollment#2 Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CAOverviewHarvey Mudd College is a private institution that was founded in 1955. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 815, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 33 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Harvey Mudd College's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 21. Its tuition and fees are $52,916 (2016-17).Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, Calif., 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Harvey Mudd is one of the country’s top math, science and engineering undergraduate colleges. The school offers a variety of student organizations on campus, from the break-dancing club to the Harvey Wallbangers Climbing Club, among others. The college does not recognize national fraternities or sororities on campus. Harvey Mudd competes in a joint intercollegiate athletics program with Claremont McKenna College and Scripps College, fielding NCAA Division III varsity sports for men and women in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. As a residential college, freshmen are required to live on campus, and 99 percent of students remain on campus in one of the eight dormitories.Harvey Mudd College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in math, science and engineering majors. The school is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, which includes Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Pomona College, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. The school was founded by Harvey S. Mudd, a successful mining engineer. A well-known annual school tradition is Foster’s Run, organized by the Gonzo Unicycle Madness club, during which unicyclists ride to a local donut shop. Notable alumni include astronauts George Nelson and Stan Love, as well as former U.S. diplomat and current Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency Richard H. Jones.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 13%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Harvey Mudd College is 9:1, and the school has 59.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Harvey Mudd College include: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Engineering, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Physical Sciences and Mathematics and Statistics. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98 percent.$52,916 Tuition and Fees 815 Undergraduate Enrollment#3 Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering Needham, MAFranklin W. Olin College of Engineering is located in Needham, Mass., just 14 miles west of Boston and next to the campus of Babson College. Nearly all students live on campus in either of the two residence halls, which offer housing in traditional doubles or suites. Olin’s "Passionate Pursuits" program enables students to pursue their interests with guidance from a faculty sponsor and funding from the college; some examples include scuba certification, Irish dance, and jazz improvisation. There are also a number of student clubs and organizations ranging from an Anti Gravity Club to the Olin Dance Project. Central to Olin’s community of trust is the Honor Code, which dictates that students must act with honor and integrity.more$47,330 Tuition and Fees370 Undergraduate Enrollment#4 United States Military Academy West Point, NYThe United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, is the oldest of the country’s five federal service academies. The public school is located in West Point, N.Y., where graduates earn a bachelor of science degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,348 Undergraduate Enrollment#5 California Polytechnic State University--San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAJust a 30-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean, California Polytechnic State University is located 200 miles from both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Although Cal Poly students can choose from nearly 70 degrees, engineering is the most popular major, with 50 student organizations dedicated specifically to that field.more$20,235 (out-of-state), $9,075 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 20,049#5 United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MDThe United States Naval Academy is a public school located in the waterfront town of Annapolis, Maryland. Students, known as midshipmen, are officers in training, and tuition is fully funded by the U.S. Navy in return for active-duty service after graduation.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,525 Undergraduate Enrollment#7 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PABucknell University, located in the small town of Lewisburg, Pa., is conveniently situated about three hours from New York, Washington and Philadelphia. Nearly 90 percent of undergraduates live on campus in traditional residence halls, substance-free housing or small house communities, among other options. With more than 150 clubs and organizations on campus, students can participate in a wide range of activities. There is sizable Greek community on campus comprising more than half of sophomores, juniors and seniors. The Bucknell Bison, as the school’s athletic teams are called, field more than 25 varsity teams in the NCAA Division I Patriot League. Bucknell’s athletic facilities include an Olympic-sized pool, 18-hole golf course and state-of-the-art fitness center.more$51,960 Tuition and Fees 3,569 Undergraduate Enrollment#7 United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, COThe United States Air Force Academy, commonly called Air Force, is a military service academy located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colo., about 60 miles from Denver. Students at Air Force, called cadets, adhere to a strict daily schedule that does not allow for much free time, though there are a number of extracurricular clubs and activities. Incoming cadets attend a five-week training program intended to prepare them for military life. Cadets are required to participate in athletics — either intercollegiate or intramural — and must pass a fitness test every semester. The Fighting Falcons, Air Force’s athletic teams, compete in NCAA’s Division I and are known for their traditional rivalries with fellow service academies Armyand Navy.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,111 Undergraduate Enrollment#9 Cooper Union New York, NYThe Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, commonly referred to as Cooper Union, is located in New York's East Village neighborhood. Cooper Union has a number of student organizations, ranging from special interest groups, such as the Culinary Society and the Outdoors Club, to religious and performance groups. The one university residence hall is intended to help students transition from living away from home for the first time to renting a private apartment. Cooper Union fields several intercollegiate athletic teams, including men's and women's basketball, soccer and tennis.more$43,850 Tuition and Fees 901 Undergraduate Enrollment#10 Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee School of Engineering, known as MSOE, is located in downtown Milwaukee next to both the historic East Town and the Theater District and just a few blocks from Lake Michigan. Student organizations at MSOE fall into one of seven categories: government, Greek, honors societies, professional, religious, service, and special interest. Intramural sports, including football, volleyball, broomball, and dodgeball, are popular activities among students. MSOE’s varsity athletic teams, the Raiders, compete in NCAA Division III sports. The Kern Center athletic facility houses an ice rink, basketball arena, indoor track, fitness center, and field house. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus in one of the three coed residence halls. Annual campus traditions include Constitution and Citizenship Week, Raider Week for school spirit, and St. Patrick’s Week.more$37,980 Tuition and Fees 2,712 Undergraduate Enrollment#11 California State Polytechnic University--Pomona Pomona, CAThe official motto of California State Polytechnic University—Pomona translates to “Application of Knowledge,” and students have many opportunities to learn by doing outside of the classroom. Notable alumni include Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, the first Latina to serve in the U.S. cabinet.more$18,136 (out-of-state), $6,976 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 22,157#12 United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CTThe United States Coast Guard Academy is a military service academy located in New London, Connecticut, overlooking the Thames River. Following a practice observed at most U.S. service academies, Coast Guard students are referred to as cadets, indicating their position as military trainees. Incoming cadets are required to participate in Swab Summer, a seven-week military training program. Student life is highly regimented at the Coast Guard Academy, with military training, study periods and athletic activities all built into the daily schedule. The academy's intercollegiate athletic teams compete primarily in NCAA Division III sports. Music groups such as the Glee Club, Gospel Choir and NiteCaps Jazz Band are popular among students.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 898 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 The Citadel Charleston, SCThe Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, is situated just a few miles from downtown Charleston. Students who enroll at The Citadel become members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, so much of student life, from the strict rules to the varsity rifle team, has a military feel.more$31,780 (out-of-state), $11,364 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 2,671#13 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University--Prescott Prescott, AZFounded in 1926, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University--Prescott is a private institution.$33,826 Tuition and Fees 2,205 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Kettering University Flint, MIFounded in 1919, Kettering University is a private institution. The school has 57.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Kettering University is 14:1.more$39,790 Tuition and Fees 1,841 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Lafayette College Easton, PANestled in the College Hill neighborhood of Easton, Pa., is Lafayette College, a liberal arts institution. Easton is a small city about 60 miles from Philadelphia and 70 from New York City. One perk of living in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley: in warm months, students can load up on fresh produce each Saturday at the Easton Farmer’s Market, billed as the nation’s oldest continuous open-air market. In the winter, students can go skiing and snowboarding in the nearby Pocono Mountains. The campus has its own indoor rock-climbing wall and on-campus night club called The Spot for year-round fun. There are around 200 student organizations, including a popular Greek system of close to a dozen fraternities and sororities. Each fraternity and sorority has a house on campus for member students. Freshmen must live on campus at the residential college, and so must sophomores, juniors and most seniors. About 70 seniors who apply to move off campus will be approved each year. The Lafayette Leopards compete in the NCAA Division I Patriot League, and the football team has a notorious rival with Lehigh University’s squad. Students kick off the year with the President’s Ball, a formal dance, and end the year with All-College Day, a campus-wide celebration with music and food. Students can grab a bite after, too, when faculty members serve them Midnight Breakfast.more$48,885 Tuition and Fees 2,533 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CALoyola Marymount University—the largest Catholic university on the West Coast—is located in Los Angeles. LMU provides housing to more than 3,000 students in its residence halls, apartments, and houses. There are about 150 student clubs and organizations on campus, including nearly 15 Greek chapters. Students interested in media can join the radio station; The Los Angeles Loyolan, a student newspaper; The Tower, a university yearbook; or ROAR Network, a television channel. The Loyola Marymount Lions field a number of Division I athletic teams and compete in the West Coast Conference. Club sports like the surfing, rugby, and ski and snowboard are also popular among students.more$44,238 Tuition and Fees 6,259 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Smith College Northampton, MASmith College, a private school in Northampton, Mass., is one of the largest liberal arts schools for women in the country. Students live in group houses, not dormitories, at Smith.more$47,904 Tuition and Fees 2,478 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PAAbout 10 miles outside of Philadelphia is Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts institution that also offers a unique engineering degree program. Because Swarthmore is part of the Tri-College Consortium, students can also take courses at nearby Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College.more$49,104 Tuition and Fees 1,581 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 University of San Diego San Diego, CAThe University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic institution open to students of all faiths. The school overlooks Mission Bay, and downtown San Diego is about a 15-minute trip away. On campus, there are more than 100 student organizations, including more than 10 fraternities and sororities. Most of the San Diego Torero sports teams are members of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference; the football team competes in the NCAA Division I-AA Pioneer League. Athletic teams are cheered on by the school's mascot, a costumed bullfighter named Diego Torero. The University Ministry coordinates retreats and immersion trips and hosts daily Mass services, including a special Mass for Peace on Wednesday nights.After class, students can relax at nearby beaches, like La Jolla and Pacific Beach, or explore Balboa Park, the biggest urban cultural park in the country, which is home to 15 museums, the San Diego Zoo and the Old Globe Theatre. Opportunities to kayak, sail, wind surf and more are nearby. Students can join group excursions, led by the school’s Outdoor Adventures program, or rent kayaks, surfboards and snorkel equipment on campus for trips on their own. Freshmen must live on campus, and for students around on the weekends, the school hosts a Friday Night Movies series.more$46,140 Tuition and Fees 5,647 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Valparaiso University Valparaiso, INLocated in northwest Indiana, Valparaiso University is a private, Lutheran institution at which students are encouraged to volunteer and serve their community. Valparaiso students can get involved through many campus ministries, Division I sports, and the local Popcorn Festival.more$37,450 Tuition and Fees 3,179 Undergraduate Enrollment#22 Gonzaga University Spokane, WAGonzaga University is a private, Roman Catholic institution that is open to students of all faiths. Residing along the Spokane River, it is less than half a mile to downtown Spokane, Wash. On campus, there are more than 95 active clubs for students to choose from. Intramural sports are very popular at Gonzaga, with more than 60 percent of the student body participating. The Bulldogs of Gonzaga are part of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference. The men’s basketball team is the pride and joy of the university, and the team has returned the love by winning more than 90 percent of its games at the school’s McCarthey Athletic Center. At Gonzaga, students are required to live on campus during their first two years, but the university has stated that on-campus housing is not guaranteed for an entire college career. Students interested in outdoor pursuits can journey to the 100-acre Riverfront Park and go ice skating in the winter or check out the sky ride over the falls. They can also explore the Spokane River Centennial Trail, a 37-mile paved trail perfect for walking, running, skating, or biking.more$39,730 Tuition and Fees 5,041 Undergraduate Enrollment#22 Rowan University Glassboro, NJFounded in 1923, Rowan University is a public institution. Rowan University offers a Greek system, where 5 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 4 percent is involved in a fraternity.more$20,978 (out-of-state), $12,864 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 13,169#22 San Jose State University San Jose, CAStudents who attend San Jose State University, or SJSU, are situated in the scenic California Bay Area and booming Silicon Valley. The campus is located in downtown San Jose, and there are a variety of on-campus housing options, including student apartments and suites. Freshmen are not guaranteed university housing, though there is usually enough room for all who apply. There are more than 350 student organizations to check out at SJSU, as well as a Greek system that prides itself on its diversity. Students can also get involved by joining or cheering on the school’s Spartans athletics squads, which compete in the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference. The San Jose State football team competed in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.For graduate students, the school offers programs through the Lucas Graduate School of Business, among other schools. The university also operates unique research centers that study the lives and works of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck and legendary composer Beethoven. About three fourths of SJSU alumni stay in the Bay Area after graduation. Some of the school’s most notable graduates include musician Stevie Nicks and author Amy Tan. More than a dozen Olympic medalists have also graduated from SJSU, including runner Lee Evans and boxer Chuck Adkins.more$13,066 (out-of-state), $9,284 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 26,822#25 Bradley University Peoria, ILLocated in Peoria, Ill., Bradley University gives its students many opportunities to participate in both academic and recreational activities. Career and entrepreneurship centers help students learn, and around 250 student organizations help students have fun.more$32,120 Tuition and Fees 4,439 Undergraduate Enrollment#25 SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NYFounded in 1966, SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public institution.$17,740 (out-of-state), $7,890 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 2,082#25 Trinity University San Antonio, TXTrinity University overlooks downtown San Antonio, home to the Alamo, four professional sports teams including the NBA Spurs, and more than 175 city parks and recreation areas. Not to be ignored: San Antonio has on average 300 days of sunshine per year. Students can get involved in any of the more than 115 campus organizations ranging from the Loon-E Hip-Hop Dance Crew to the Entrepreneurship Club. A thriving Greek community at Trinity represents about a quarter of the undergraduate student body and consists of mainly local chapters. Nearly 80 percent of students live on campus in one of the residence halls, and there are designated areas on campus for freshmen and sophomore housing. The Trinity Tigers compete in Division III and are known for their strong tennis program.more$39,560 Tuition and Fees 2,273 Undergraduate Enrollment#25 Union College Schenectady, NYSchool life is split into three 10 week terms, or trimesters, at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. On the trimester schedule, students take three classes per term and have an extended winter break. All freshmen, who live in residence halls, are randomly assigned to one of seven Minerva Houses, an academic and social community. Upper-class students and faculty can reside in this community. All students can take classes and participate in extracurricular activities in the houses. Each house has its own kitchen for students who want to cook their own meals. There are more than 100 student clubs and organizations, including more than 15 fraternities and sororities. Most Union sports teams, called Dutchmen, compete in the NCAA Division III Liberty League. The Union men’s and women’s ice hockey teams compete in the Division I ECAC Conference Hockey League. The school mascot is a costumed man known as Dutch. Students can volunteer in the revitalizations efforts going on in downtown Schenectady. New York is about 150 miles away, and more than 60 percent of students travel abroad before graduation. Union College’s global offerings include year programs, trimester stays and three-week trips known as mini-breaks. Each year, students celebrate the changing seasons at Springfest, a day of concerts by famous performers like Sean Kingston and Matt Nathanson.more$51,696 Tuition and Fees 2,269 Undergraduate Enrollment#25 United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NYThe United States Merchant Marine Academy, also called USMMA or Kings Point, is located in Kings Point, New York, about 20 miles east of New York City. It is one of the five U.S. service academies. Incoming students, known as plebes, undergo a two-week indoctrination program known as "Indoc," which prepares them for the Merchant Marine Academy lifestyle. Upon entering the academy after Indoc, midshipmen can participate in a variety of clubs and organizations, including the Trident Scuba Diving Club, Glee Club, Regimental Band and Hear This, the student newspaper. USMMA fields a number of men's and women's NCAA Division III athletic teams, and all students are expected to participate either in varsity, club or intramural sports.moreN/A (out-of-state), $2,214 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 904#25 Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VALocated in Lexington, Virginia, the Virginia Military Institute is the oldest state-supported military college in the United States. Students admitted to the college are known as military cadets and are required to participate in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Unlike the federal service academies, Virginia Military Institute cadets are not required to serve in the military upon graduation. Cadets have about 80 academic, professional and social clubs and organizations to choose from upon entering the college.Freshmen admitted to VMI are immediately exposed to the Rat Line, which is a system designed to create equality among all cadets and prepare them mentally and physically for their career in the Corps. This is done through a series of team-building exercises and stringent regulations. The housing situation is very different from most universities' campuses. In the Barracks, cadets live modestly, with limited space and multiple other occupants, and are expected to maintain cleanliness and order at all times. The Virginia Military Institute Keydets participate in 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs and are members of the Southern Conference and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.more$41,801 (out-of-state), $17,492 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 1,717#31 LeTourneau University Longview, TXFounded in 1946, LeTourneau University is a private institution. LeTourneau University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.more$28,480 Tuition and Fees 2,286 Undergraduate Enrollment#31 Miami University--Oxford Oxford, OHMiami University students make up nearly half the population of the approximately 7-square-mile town of Oxford, Ohio. Freshmen must live on campus, which is also home to more than 500 student organizations. The Greek system constitutes a large part of campus life, with about a third of the student body involved in more than 50 fraternities and sororities. In fact, the school often gets the moniker “Mother of Fraternities” because the Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Tau and Sigma Chi organizations were founded at Miami University. The school is also known as the "Cradle of Coaches" for the number of professional and collegiate coaches who once competed for Miami. The RedHawks, who compete in the Division I Mid-American Conference, were known as the Redskins until 1997. The name was changed after years of controversy and a request from the Miami Indian Tribe. (The tribe is the namesake of the university.) To help ease the transition into freshman year, older students often create a guide to life at Miami University, called the "M Book." Student couples who marry are known as "Miami Mergers" and are reminded of their alma mater each Valentine's Day, when the admissions office sends cards to congratulate former students on finding love at school.more$31,592 (out-of-state), $14,288 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 16,387#31 Ohio Northern University Ada, OHLocated in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a private school with small classes and many student organizations. Examples of ONU clubs include several fraternities and sororities and a committee that plans events for the rest of the student body.more$29,820 Tuition and Fees 2,401 Undergraduate Enrollment#31 Seattle University Seattle, WASeattle University is a private institution that has a strong focus on its Jesuit mission. Most Seattle students volunteer through programs such as the Children’s Literacy Project, which allows them to tutor children in local schools.more$41,265 Tuition and Fees 4,711 Undergraduate Enrollment#35 Brigham Young University--Idaho Rexburg, IDBrigham Young University--Idaho is a private institution.$3,830 Tuition and Fees N/A Undergraduate Enrollment#35 California State University--Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAThe California State University—Los Angeles, also known as Cal State LA or CSULA, operates on a quarter system. The campus is close to public transportation stops, making it convenient for commuters.more$17,505 (out-of-state), $6,345 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 23,439#35 Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, ORLocated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the Oregon Institute of Technology is a public school with strong engineering programs and a focus on sustainable, renewable energy. Students can take advantage of OIT's scenery and enjoy outdoor activities such as snowboarding, deep-sea fishing and skydiving.more$27,326 (out-of-state), $9,625 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,730#35 University of Minnesota--Duluth Duluth, MNFounded in 1947, University of Minnesota--Duluth is a public institution. The school has 34.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Minnesota--Duluth is 17:1.more$17,032 (out-of-state), $13,082 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 9,837#35 University of Portland Portland, ORA private, Catholic school in northwest Oregon, the University of Portland offers many attractions both on and off campus. Students can check out university clubs and sports or venture to the nearby Portland Art Museum, Oregon Zoo or Alberta Arts District.more$42,014 Tuition and Fees 3,770 Undergraduate Enrollment#35 University of St. Thomas St. Paul, MNFounded in 1885, University of St. Thomas is a private institution. University of St. Thomas follows a 4-1-4-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.more$39,594 Tuition and Fees 6,240 Undergraduate Enrollment

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.