Top 24 Colleges Similar to MIT and Stanford But Less Competitive

According to a report by the Department of Institutional Research and Analytics (IRA), which serves as the research and analytics arm of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), there were more than 622,500 full-time undergraduate engineering students in the US, with most of them taking mechanical engineering.

When engineering programs are concerned, a couple of schools pop out of the mouths of many high schoolers who are planning on earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University.

It’s true that they shine brightly engineering-wise.

However, they leave many college-bound teens pale in the face because of the fact that they accept only a very small fraction of applicants every single admissions cycle.

As of this writing, MIT and Stanford, which are commonly mistaken as Ivy League institutions, have a very low acceptance rate of 4%. This is why they serve as mere reach schools for many. Learn more about how they stack up against each other here.

But there’s no need to turn your back on your dream of enrolling in an engineering program for fear of getting a rejection letter.

That’s because there are many schools that are similar to MIT and Stanford but are less competitive! Here are some of the ones you may consider adding to your college list:

Arizona State University

• Location: Tempe, Arizona
• Acceptance rate: 88%
• Tuition and fees: $11,618 (in-state) and $30,592 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #40 in Best Engineering Schools

As of this writing, the 1,989-acre urban campus of Arizona State University is home to 77,881 — 64,716 or around 83% of them are undergraduate students. About 56% of its freshmen students receive need-based financial aid.

Some of the most highly ranked undergraduate engineering programs at the public research university include civil, computer, communications, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering.

Case Western Reserve University

• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• Acceptance rate: 30%
• Tuition and fees: $62,234
• US News ranking: #45 in Best Engineering Schools

Founded in 1967, Case Western Reserve University is known for being a research university. Some of the most popular majors at the private institution are computer science, business, management and, of course, engineering.

Currently, its population is 12,142. Around 50% of classes consist of fewer than 20 students. And speaking of which, the SAT and ACT score range of admitted students are 1410 to 1530 and 32 to 35, respectively.

Colorado School of Mines

• Location: Golden, Colorado
• Acceptance rate: 57%
• Tuition and fees: $19,538 (in-state) and $40,838 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #55 in Best Engineering Schools

Known for being a public engineering and applied sciences school, Colorado School of Mines was founded in 1874 as an authority in mining and metallurgy. These days, undergraduate students can choose from a total of 16 majors.

Other US News rankings of the institution include #89 in National Universities, #38 in Top Public Schools, #20 in Most Innovative Schools and #56 in Best Colleges for Veterans.

Iowa State University

• Location: Ames, Iowa
• Acceptance rate: 91%
• Tuition and fees: $9,634 (in-state) and 25,446 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #48 in Best Engineering Schools

Formally known as Iowa State University of Science and Technology, the public institution was founded in 1858. Because there are more than 100 majors in 6 colleges, undergraduate students can choose to customize their academic careers.

Some of the most highly ranked undergraduate engineering programs at Iowa State University are aerospace, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, materials and mechanical engineering.

Michigan State University

• Location: East Lansing, Michigan
• Acceptance rate: 83%
• Tuition and fees: $14,850 (in-state) and $40,662 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #59 in Best Engineering Schools

Founded in 1855, Michigan State University is considered the first land-grant public institution in the US. Its 5,192-acre suburban campus serves as home to the country’s only solar car racing team and student-run organic farm.

The school is so big that it has over 400 programs of study across 17 degree-granting colleges. Besides engineering, other popular majors include business, journalism, management, marketing and social sciences.

Montana Technological University

• Location: Butte, Montana
• Acceptance rate: 88%
• Tuition and fees: $7,579 (in-state) and $23,195 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #87 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs

More popularly known as Montana Tech, Montana Technological University has a rolling admissions policy. The average high school GPA of admitted freshmen students is 3.5. As of this writing, there are 2,339 students attending it.

Even though it’s a test-optional school, test scores are used for course placement and eligibility for some scholarships. The SAT and ACT score range or accepted applicants are 1090 to 1290 and 20 to 27, respectively.

North Carolina State University

• Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
• Acceptance rate: 47%
• Tuition and fees: $9,128 (in-state) and $30,869 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #26 in Best Engineering Schools

A part of the University of North Carolina system, North Carolina State University is the largest university in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Its city campus, which measures 2,137 acres, houses 36,831 students.

Engineering, needless to say, is the most popular major at the institution. Some of the most highly ranked ones include chemical, civil, environmental, industrial, manufacturing, materials and mechanical engineering. Business programs are popular, too.

Ohio State University

• Location: Columbus, Ohio
• Acceptance rate: 57%
• Tuition and fees: $11,936 (in-state) and $35,019 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #30 in Best Engineering Schools

Founded in 1870, Ohio State University is a part of the University System of Ohio. It has a total of 61,677 — 47,106 or about 76.38% of them are undergraduate students. Around 34% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

According to the public land-grant university itself, it meets 72% of the demonstrated need of its attendees. It adds that around 44% of its freshmen students receive need-based scholarships, each one getting an average of $13,483.

Pennsylvania State University

• Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
• Acceptance rate: 58%
• Tuition and fees: $18,898 (in-state) and $36,476 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #32 in Best Engineering Schools

More popularly known as Penn State, Pennsylvania State University has a rolling admissions policy. The most sought-after programs are engineering ones, with chemical, civil, computer and electrical engineering leading the list.

Like many institutions, it’s a test-optional school. But for reference, the SAT scores of admitted students who submitted theirs range from 1200 to 1400. On the other hand, the ACT scores of those who submitted theirs range from 26 to 32.

Purdue University – West Lafayette

• Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
• Acceptance rate: 69%
• Tuition and fees: $9,992 (in-state) and $28,794 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #4 in Best Engineering Schools

The West Lafayette campus is considered the flagship school of the Purdue University system. It has a 2,468-acre campus with a city setting, which serves as home to 377 buildings and 49,639 students.

Around 25% of its graduates completed an engineering program. The average starting salary they make is $70,900 per year. At Purdue University – West Lafayette, the 4-year graduation rate is 61%.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

• Location: Troy, New York
• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Tuition and fees: $60,051
• US News ranking: #43 in Best Engineering Schools

A private research institution, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) was founded in 1824 for the application of sciences to everyday purposes of life. It is considered the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world.

The majority of its undergraduates major in engineering, a discipline in which the institution shines. Some of the most highly-ranked engineering programs include biomedical, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering.

Stony Brook University – SUNY

• Location: Stony Brook, New York
• Acceptance rate: 48%
• Tuition and fees: $10,556 (in-state) and $28,476 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #59 in Best Engineering Schools

Founded in 1957, Stony Brook University is the flagship school of the State University of New York system together with the University at Buffalo. It currently has 26,608 students on its 1,454-acre suburban campus.

The institution itself says that it gives special consideration to applicants who have performed well in advanced math and science courses as well as those who have competed in the said disciplines and research, too.

Texas A&M University

• Location: College Station, Texas
• Acceptance rate: 64%
• Tuition and fees: $13,178 (in-state) and $40,087 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #10 in Best Engineering Schools

When it was founded in 1876, Texas A&M University became the first institution of higher education in the state of Texas. It’s one of the biggest in the US, too, enrollment-wise — as of this writing, it has 72,530 students.

Among its engineering programs, some of the most highly ranked include aeronautical, agricultural, biological, civil and chemical engineering. The public land-grant research university is also popular for its business and nursing programs.

University of Colorado Boulder

• Location: Boulder, Colorado
• Acceptance rate: 80%
• Tuition and fees: $13,106 (in-state) and $40,356 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #23 in Best Engineering Schools

The average high school GPA of freshmen students at the University of Colorado Boulder is 3.7. The SAT and ACT scores of accepted applicants who submitted theirs (the school is test-optional) range from 1170 to 1390 and 25 to 31.

While business-related degrees are some of the most popular at the institutions, engineering ones are considered some of its best, especially aeronautical, chemical, civil, environmental and mechanical engineering.

University of Dayton

• Location: Dayton, Ohio
• Acceptance rate: 81%
• Tuition and fees: $46,170
• US News ranking: #48 in Best Engineering Schools

Other than being the second-largest private institution in Ohio, the University of Dayton is also a Marianist university — there are only 3 of them in the country. It was founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary.

The private Catholic research university has a 373-acre campus with a suburban setting, which serves as home to many historic buildings and 11,971 students. Other than engineering, it’s also popular for its computer science and business programs.

University of Delaware

• Location: Dover, Delaware
• Acceptance rate: 70%
• Tuition and fees: $15,410 (in-state) and $37,930 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #45 in Best Engineering Schools

Applicants to the University of Delaware may or may not submit their test scores. However, the public institution, which is the largest university in Delaware, recommends submitting them if they reflect one’s academic potential.

Business, social sciences and health-related ones are some of the most popular majors. But, of course, some of the best are engineering-related majors, with chemical engineering at the top of the list.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

• Location: Champaign, Illinois
• Acceptance rate: 60%
• Tuition and fees: $17,138 (in-state) and $35,110 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #10 in Best Engineering Schools

The flagship school of the University of Illinois System, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was founded in 1867. It is currently being attended by 56,607 students. Its retention and graduation rates are 93% and 71%, respectively.

Around 20% of its graduates completed engineering programs. Aeronautical, biological, agricultural, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, industrial, materials and mechanical are some of the most highly ranked.

University of Maryland, College Park

• Location: College Park, Maryland
• Acceptance rate: 52%
• Tuition and fees: $11,233 (in-state) and $39,469 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #21 in Best Engineering Schools

Founded in 1856, the University of Maryland, College Park is the flagship school of the University System of Maryland and the largest institution in Washington. It has a 1,340-acre suburban campus shared by 41,272 students.

Some of the most popular majors at the public research university are computer and information sciences and social sciences. But it’s revered for its engineering programs, too, including biomedical, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering.

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Acceptance rate: 73%
• Tuition and fees: $15,859 (in-state) and $35,099 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #41 in Best Engineering Schools

Established in 1851, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is the oldest and largest in the University of Minnesota system. In addition, it has the ninth-largest main campus student body in the US — currently, it has 52,376 students.

While it offers excellent engineering programs, only around 10% of its graduates majored in engineering-related disciplines. Those who did make an average starting salary of $58,800 per year.

University of Pittsburgh

• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Acceptance rate: 67%
• Tuition and fees: $19,760 (in-state) and $36,000 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #48 in Best Engineering Schools

At the University of Pittsburgh, undergraduate students can choose from more than 100 majors. Some of the most popular are engineering-related ones. Graduates who majored in engineering make an average starting salary of $69,100 per year.

Campus diversity-wise, only about 36% of attendees are minority students. Around 52% of first-time, first-year students receive need-based financial aid, each one of them getting an average of $15,429.

University of Utah

• Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Acceptance rate: 95%
• Tuition and fees: $10,287 (in-state) and $33,045 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #57 in Best Engineering Schools

When it was established in 1850, the University of Utah was known as the University of Deseret. As of this writing, its 1,534-acre urban campus houses more than 300 buildings and 34,464 students.

The institution’s retention and graduation rates are 89% and 36%, respectively. Those who majored in engineering have an average starting salary of $39,900 per year. Other high earners include nursing and speech communication majors.

University of Washington

• Location: Seattle, Washington
• Acceptance rate: 53%
• Tuition and fees: $12,242 (in-state) and $40,740 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #24 in Best Engineering Schools

The University of Washington is the flagship school of the 6 public institutions in the state of Washington. It’s particularly known for its high research activity as well as medical and engineering programs.

Speaking of which, some of the most highly-ranked engineering programs the school has include aeronautical, biomedical, civil and computer engineering. Many of its graduates also majored in social sciences, business, management and marketing.

University of Wisconsin – Madison

• Location: Madison, Wisconsin
• Acceptance rate: 60%
• Tuition and fees: $10,796 (in-state) and $39,427 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #29 in Best Engineering Schools

In the entire University of Wisconsin System, the University of Wisconsin – Madison is considered the largest and oldest. As a matter of fact, it’s the first public institution in the state — it was founded in 1848 when Wisconsin became a state.

The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.9. Admits who submitted their SAT and ACT scores to the school, which has a test-optional policy, had scores ranging from 1340 to 1510 and 28 to 32, respectively.

Virginia Tech

• Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
• Acceptance rate: 56%
• Tuition and fees: $15,208 (in-state) and $34,838 (out-of-state)
• US News ranking: #30 in Best Engineering Schools

Formerly known as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI), Virginia Tech is a public land-grant research university established in 1872. Currently, it has 37,279 students — 29,760 or about 79.83% of them are undergraduates.

In terms of campus diversity, only around 39% of its attendees are minority students. The school’s 4-year graduation rate is 68%, and the average starting salary of engineering majors is $71,600 per year.

Read Also:

• Stanford vs. Harvard
• Yale or Stanford
• Stanford vs. Caltech
• Colleges Similar to MIT and Stanford But Less Competitive