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2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major

234 Ranked Colleges
12,136 Degrees Awarded
$111,936 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 192,474 degrees handed out in 2021-2022, engineering is the 7th most popular major in the United States. In , engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $68,641 and had an average of $23,252 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 12,136 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,735 and $124,256 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major” ranking analyzed 234 colleges that offered a degree in engineering. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their engineering program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Engineering

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major. Caltech is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 81 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 99%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full California Institute of Technology Engineering Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major. This fairly large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 340 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 99%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

3
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 285 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Engineering at Stanford University

4

Out of the 234 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 363 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Engineering at Georgia Tech

5
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado School of Mines. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. Golden, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s engineering degrees to 84 students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at Colorado School of Mines

6

Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized school located in Rolla, Missouri that handed out 86 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Engineering Report

7

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, this small public school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s engineering students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Engineering Report

8

Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking, coming in at #8. Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management is a public institution located in Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Engineering at AFIT Graduate School of Engineering & Management

9
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey

Princeton University ranked #9 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 103 doctorate’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Princeton Engineering Report

10
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

With a ranking of #10, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 361 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Engineering Report

11
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #11, Carnegie Mellon University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 161 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University

12

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 75 doctorate’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Engineering at RPI

13
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, Texas

Rice University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. Rice is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 65 doctorate’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Rice Engineering Report

14

Michigan Technological University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking, coming in at #14. Houghton, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s engineering degrees to 43 students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at Michigan Technological University

15
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 203 degrees to qualified doctorate’s engineering students in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at North Carolina State University

16
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Lehigh University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking, coming in at #16. Lehigh is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It awarded 55 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at Lehigh University

17
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #17, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 191 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Engineering at Virginia Tech

18

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. This small school is located in Socorro, New Mexico, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Engineering at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

19

Case Western Reserve University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 56 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at Case Western Reserve University

20

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 31 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 290 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Engineering at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

22
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 102 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Notre Dame Engineering Report

23

University of California - San Francisco landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking. This small school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Engineering at UCSF

24

New Jersey Institute of Technology landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking. Located in Newark, New Jersey, this fairly large public school awarded 54 degrees to qualified doctorate’s engineering students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full NJIT Engineering Report

25
Cornell crest
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Cornell University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major ranking, coming in at #25. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 129 doctorate’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Engineering at Cornell University

Rest of the Best 36 in Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Engineering Major

Not only did these schools make the top 36 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
33
34
35
36

Notes and References

References

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