Skip to content
CIP 14.0102 Engineering

Pre-Engineering

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

2,829

2025 · 204 schools

International share

2.7%

77 international students

Bachelor's degrees

20

55.0% international

Overview

Pre-Engineering is an academic program designed to prepare students for a bachelor's degree in engineering. This foundational program typically spans one to two years and offers a curriculum that covers essential subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science, which are critical for success in engineering disciplines.

The primary goal of Pre-Engineering is to equip students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to transition into a specialized engineering program, such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering. Students engage in rigorous coursework that emphasizes problem-solving, analytical thinking, and technical proficiency.

In addition to core subjects, many Pre-Engineering programs include hands-on laboratory work and projects that encourage practical application of theoretical concepts. This experiential learning component is vital, as it helps students develop critical skills that are highly valued in engineering fields.

Moreover, students in Pre-Engineering programs often have access to academic advising and resources that help them identify their specific engineering interests and the institutions they wish to transfer to for their bachelor's degree.

Overall, Pre-Engineering serves as an important stepping stone for aspiring engineers, fostering a strong academic foundation while also providing guidance and support for future educational pathways in the engineering profession. This program is ideal for students who are passionate about technology and innovation and are eager to contribute to the advancement of society through engineering solutions.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2010 to 2025, graduates grew 620% and the international share went from 3.6% to 2.7%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
46.3%
Asian
9.7%
Hispanic
28.2%
Black
3.6%
Other
9.5%
Intl.
2.7%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 204 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#227 Ball State University Indiana 1 0
#382 Dallas Baptist University Texas 1 0
LAC #38 Scripps College California 1 0
LAC #49 DePauw University Indiana 6 5
LAC #74 Rollins College Florida 2 0
LAC #83 Earlham College Indiana 1 0
LAC #100 University of Puget Sound Washington 2 2
LAC #184 Utah Tech University Utah 77 4
— Utah Valley University Utah 187 4
— Wake Technical Community College North Carolina 118 5
— Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Mississippi 89 0
— Clovis Community College California 61 0
— Central New Mexico Community College New Mexico 54 0
— Mesa Community College Arizona 47 1
— Central Piedmont Community College North Carolina 47 4
— Norco College California 45 0
— San Diego Miramar College California 44 0
— American River College California 40 0
— Salt Lake Community College Utah 38 1
— Cabrillo College California 37 0
— Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma 33 2
— University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Arkansas 32 0
— Chandler-Gilbert Community College Arizona 32 0
— Estrella Mountain Community College Arizona 31 0
— Los Angeles Pierce College California 30 0
— El Camino Community College District California 29 0
— Reedley College California 28 0
— Glendale Community College Arizona 27 1
— Santa Barbara City College California 27 0
— Ventura College California 27 0
— Minnesota North College Minnesota 27 0
— Fresno City College California 26 1
— Henry Ford College Michigan 26 1
— Chattanooga State Community College Tennessee 26 0
— Bakersfield College California 25 0
— Chabot College California 25 0
— Santa Rosa Junior College California 25 0
— Kalamazoo Valley Community College Michigan 25 5

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2010–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.