Many highly-regarded engineering programs are housed in large universities, which can be intimidating to future engineers who prefer a smaller campus or a more close-knit environment. However, small programs do not equal a lower quality of education. There are a number of small- and medium-sized schools with engineering programs offering outsized academic excellence, resources, and student outcomes. Read on to discover a few!
Union College:
With a total enrollment just over 2000 and about 500 students pursuing engineering majors, Union’s 6 engineering majors provide a small-school environment without compromising on opportunity. Union boasts great lab facilities in its new Integrated Science and Engineering Center, including an atomic force microscope, full size wind tunnel, and particle accelerator. There’s no shortage of ways for budding engineers to explore outside of the classroom, either; Union offers 18 engineering-related clubs and organizations.
Lehigh University:
The Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science at Lehigh is home to one third of the school’s nearly 6,000 undergraduates. With hands-on learning opportunities like an 8-month co-op program, Creative Inquiry projects, and the ATLSS Engineering Research Center, Rossin offers the best of both worlds. Lehigh is also proud to offer many opportunities to women in STEM; 38% of the 2027 engineering students are female.
Harvey Mudd College:
Harvey Mudd’s STEM-focused liberal arts campus is home to just 900 undergrads and confers nearly 30% of its degrees in engineering. Unlike many of the other schools on this list, Harvey Mudd offers just one engineering major, a generalized ABET-accredited program meant to support multi-disciplinary learning. Students participate in a capstone Engineering Clinic project, working with other students and mentors to solve real client needs.
Lafayette College:
Lafayette’s Engineering Division welcomes 225+ new students each year, nearly a quarter of Lafayette’s 2,600 undergraduates. Lafayette’s engineering programs have options for every future engineer, offering 4 traditional ABET-accredited degrees, a unique cross-disciplinary Integrative Engineering program, a liberal arts-focused Engineering Studies BA, and multiple minors. With high participation in engineering-focused student organizations and study away programs, students enjoy personalized attention, vibrant campus life, and great academic resources.
Milwaukee School of Engineering:
For strong opportunities closer to home, don’t overlook MSOE. MSOE hosts a highly ranked engineering program, including 9 ABET-accredited majors that admit students directly and an exploratory pathway. MSOE also maintains a strong commitment to student success, demonstrated by high placement rates (100% for some engineering majors) and a 4-year graduation guarantee.
Want to learn more? Talk to a Galin college counselor about which engineering programs might be the best fit for your student!
