US News Engineering School Ranking (Top 90)

The U.S. News & World Report's Graduate Engineering Rankings for 2010 offered a comprehensive assessment of the top engineering schools across the United States, with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) maintaining its long-standing position as the premier engineering institution in the country. These rankings provide invaluable insight into the competitive landscape of graduate engineering education, highlighting not only the strength of the programs but also the research, innovation, and academic reputation associated with these institutions. MIT, Stanford, and the University of California-Berkeley stood at the forefront, with other institutions such as Georgia Tech, Illinois, Carnegie Mellon, Caltech, and the University of Southern California (USC) solidifying their positions as leaders in the field.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has long been regarded as the gold standard in engineering education, and the 2010 rankings reinforced its position at the top. MIT’s graduate engineering programs consistently lead in various fields such as aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and computer science. The institution’s focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary research has helped it maintain a competitive edge. MIT is home to world-renowned research labs and centers, such as the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES), and the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. These centers of excellence allow students to work on cutting-edge projects in collaboration with industry leaders, government agencies, and other research institutions. The university’s culture of innovation is evident in its extensive contributions to both theoretical and applied engineering fields, with numerous patents and startups emerging from MIT’s engineering departments.

Stanford University took the second spot in the 2010 rankings, and its standing as a leader in engineering education and research has become increasingly evident in recent decades. Stanford's location in the heart of Silicon Valley gives its graduate engineering programs a distinct advantage, with direct ties to the world’s leading technology companies, startups, and venture capitalists. This access to cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurial resources creates a dynamic environment for graduate students to pursue impactful research and launch startups. Stanford’s School of Engineering is one of the most diverse and comprehensive in the world, encompassing a wide range of engineering disciplines, including electrical engineering, bioengineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science. The university is known for fostering a culture of collaboration between engineering students and students from fields such as business, law, and medicine, reflecting its emphasis on developing versatile problem-solvers who can tackle complex global challenges. Stanford’s proximity to top technology companies also provides graduate students with unique opportunities for internships, industry collaborations, and exposure to real-world engineering challenges.

In third place, the University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) continues to be a powerhouse in engineering education and research. UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering is renowned for its work in areas such as civil engineering, environmental engineering, electrical engineering, and materials science and engineering. Berkeley’s faculty members are consistently ranked among the world’s top researchers, and the university is home to groundbreaking research centers like the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab, the Berkeley Nanosciences and Nanoengineering Institute, and the Energy Biosciences Institute. UC Berkeley is also known for its emphasis on social responsibility and sustainable engineering practices, which are integrated into the curriculum and research projects. Berkeley's engineering programs are particularly strong in fostering innovation and encouraging students to think creatively about solving some of the world’s most pressing issues, from renewable energy to infrastructure development and climate change mitigation.

Georgia Tech, ranked fourth in the 2010 rankings, is one of the leading public institutions in the United States for graduate engineering education. The College of Engineering at Georgia Tech is widely recognized for its excellence in a variety of engineering disciplines, including aerospace engineering, civil engineering, biomedical engineering, and industrial engineering. The university's research output is impressive, with major contributions to areas such as supply chain management, robotics, and materials science. Georgia Tech’s proximity to Atlanta's growing technology and business ecosystem has allowed it to build strong partnerships with companies in fields such as aerospace, energy, and information technology. This close relationship with industry ensures that Georgia Tech’s graduate students are well-prepared for careers in both academia and the private sector, with a focus on practical, real-world applications of engineering principles.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranks fifth in the 2010 U.S. News Graduate Engineering Rankings, further solidifying its position as one of the top engineering schools in the country. Illinois is home to a world-class engineering faculty, cutting-edge research labs, and strong interdisciplinary programs. Its engineering programs are particularly well-regarded in fields such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. The College of Engineering at Illinois offers a collaborative environment where students can engage with top researchers and work on innovative projects in areas such as nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, cyber-physical systems, and environmental engineering. Illinois is also home to one of the largest engineering libraries in the United States and offers students access to state-of-the-art labs and equipment for hands-on learning and research.

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is ranked sixth in the 2010 rankings, an impressive feat for a school that is especially known for its expertise in robotics, computer science, biomedical engineering, and materials science. CMU’s College of Engineering offers a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to engineering education, with close ties to both the arts and sciences. The university’s engineering programs are particularly well-regarded for their focus on innovation and real-world applications, and CMU has a reputation for producing graduates who are well-equipped to take on leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. The university is home to several pioneering research institutes, including the Robotics Institute, the Institute for Complex Engineered Systems, and the Biomedical Engineering Department, where students and faculty collaborate to solve real-world engineering challenges.

In a tie for seventh place, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the University of Southern California (USC) are both recognized as leaders in graduate engineering education. Caltech, with its focus on engineering science and applied physics, is a world-renowned institution for research and innovation in engineering. Its graduate programs emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and a hands-on approach to learning, with students working on some of the most groundbreaking engineering projects in areas such as aerospace engineering, quantum engineering, and robotics. USC, on the other hand, is particularly well-known for its work in computer science, civil engineering, and electrical engineering, and the university’s close ties to the entertainment industry, defense contractors, and high-tech startups provide graduate students with unique opportunities for internships and research collaborations.

In conclusion, the U.S. News & World Report's 2010 Graduate Engineering Rankings offer valuable insight into the top engineering schools in the United States. Institutions like MIT, Stanford, and UC Berkeley have long been leaders in engineering education, setting the bar for research, innovation, and academic rigor. Schools like Georgia Tech, Illinois, Carnegie Mellon, Caltech, and USC further enrich the field by offering diverse and cutting-edge programs that equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to solve some of the world’s most pressing engineering challenges. These institutions represent the pinnacle of graduate engineering education in the United States, offering students unparalleled opportunities to engage with groundbreaking research, collaborate with world-class faculty, and contribute to shaping the future of engineering.

US News Graduate Engineering Rankings 2010:

1. MIT
2. Stanford
3. UC-Berkeley
4. Georgia Tech
5. Illinois
6. Carnegie Mellon
7. Caltech
7. USC
9. Michigan
10. Texas
11. Cornell
12. Purdue
12. UC-San Diego
14. Texas A&M
14. UCLA
16. Wisconsin
17. Maryland
18. Harvard
18. Princeton
18. UC-Santa Barbara
21. Columbia
21. Northwestern
23. Penn State
23. Minnesota
25. Johns Hopkins
25. Florida
27. Ohio State
27. UPenn
27. Washington
27. Virginia Tech
31. NC State
31. RPI
33. UC-Davis
34. Rice
35. Duke
35. UC-Irvine
37. Virginia
38. Rochester
39. Vanderbilt
40. Colorado
40. Yale
42. BU
42. Iowa State
42. Lehigh
45. Arizona State
46. Case Western
46. Delaware
46. Washington University In St. Louis
49. Pittsburgh
50. UMass
51. Rutgers
51. Arizona
51. Notre Dame
54. Brown
54. Dartmouth
54. Drexel
54. SUNY-Buffalo
58. Michigan State
58. Iowa
60. Northeastern
60. SUNY - Stony Brook
62. Colorado State
62. New Mexico State
62. UC-Riverside
62. Dayton
62. Utah
67. Illinois - Chicago
68. Tennessee
69. Auburn
69. Polytechnic Institute of NYU
71. Colorado School Of Mines
71. Illinois Tech
71. UConn
71. UNC-Chapel Hill
75. Cincinnati
75. Washington State
77. Missouri Tech
77. Stevens Tech
77. Tufts
77. New Mexico
77. UT - Dallas
82. Michigan Tech
82. Oregon State
82. Syracuse
82. Missouri
86. Mississippi State
86. UC-Santa Cruz
86. Central Florida
86. Houston
90. Clemson
90. LSU
90. RIT
90. Kansas
90. Kentucky
90. Nebraska

Source: US News & World Report